Genealogy Chat

I have a Charles Cowell in my tree baptised 11/07/1886 Poulton le Fylde, son of Mary (no surname listed). He married Mary Alice Whiteside on 10/02/1909. Neither the baptism or marriage registers record the name of a father. Can any one help? Paul

If it's not on the parish registers, then I reckon his birth or marriage certificate are your only hope. If the PR for the baptism says Charles son of Mary COWELL then it is reasonable to assume he was illegitimate

Do you know of any other siblings? Could this be him on 1901 census? Bessie F Balmer abt 1892 Bowness, Westmorland, England Niece Poulton le Fylde Lancashire Charles Cowell abt 1887 Poulton-le-Fylde, Lancashire, England Brother Poulton le Fylde Lancashire Dora A S J Cowell abt 1867 Bowness, Westmorland, England Wife Poulton le Fylde Lancashire Edward R Cowell abt 1900 Poulton-le-Fylde, Lancashire, England Son Poulton le Fylde Lancashire Joseph Cowell abt 1871 Poulton-le-Fylde, Lancashire, England Head Poulton le Fylde Lancashire

Charles Cowell abt 1887 Poulton-le-Fylde, Lancashire, England Son Poulton le Fylde Lancashire Joseph Cowell abt 1871 Poulton-le-Fylde, Lancashire, England Son Poulton le Fylde Lancashire Mary Cowell abt 1846 Poulton-le-Fylde, Lancashire, England Head Poulton le Fylde Lancashire In 1891, above, Mary says she is a widow, but do we believe her???? Merry

She says widow again in 1881, below. (OOOh, so who did Charles belong to, who was born in 1887??!!!): Joseph Cowell abt 1871 Poulton Le Fylde, Lancashire, England Son Church Street, Poulton Le Fylde, Lancashire, England Mary Cowell abt 1846 Poulton Le Fylde, Lancashire, England Head Church Street, Poulton Le Fylde, Lancashire, England Alice Rawcliffe abt 1853 Poulton Le Fylde, Lancashire, England Unknown Church Street, Poulton Le Fylde, Lancashire, England John Rawcliffe abt 1863 Poulton Le Fylde, Lancashire, England Unknown Church Street, Poulton Le Fylde, Lancashire, England Rodger Rawcliffe abt 1873 Poulton Le Fylde, Lancashire, England Unknown Church Street, Poulton Le Fylde, Lancashire, England BUT.....amazingly, those Rawcliffe's (no relationships showing above, because they have not been transcribed), say: Alice, sister, lodger John, nephew, lodger Rodger, nephew, lodger Now, Alice is UNMARRIED!!! So......going back to 1871................ Merry

I had considered the possiblity of him being illigitimate, which would explain why my great aunt is unwilling to talk about that side of the family! We know of a Joseph Cowell, that I was told was his brother but couldn't confirm this. He was a post man for over 50 years in Poulton (apparently but retired in 1931 which would make him very young when he started if the same as mentioned in dates below!),and married Dora Agnes Selina Jane. If mother is a Cowell who are her parents?

The 1861 census shows Alice and she doed have a sister, mary, the right age!! Alice Rawcliffe abt 1853 Poulton, Lancashire, England Son Poulton le Fylde Lancashire Elizabeth Rawcliffe abt 1845 Poulton, Lancashire, England Daughter Poulton le Fylde Lancashire Ellen Rawcliffe abt 1860 Poulton, Lancashire, England Daughter Poulton le Fylde Lancashire Jane Rawcliffe abt 1819 Lathom, Lancashire, England Wife Poulton le Fylde Lancashire Jane Rawcliffe abt 1857 Poulton, Lancashire, England Daughter Poulton le Fylde Lancashire Joseph Rawcliffe abt 1855 Poulton, Lancashire, England Son Poulton le Fylde Lancashire Margaret Rawcliffe abt 1851 Poulton, Lancashire, England Son Poulton le Fylde Lancashire Mary Rawcliffe abt 1846 Poulton, Lancashire, England Daughter Poulton le Fylde Lancashire Roger Rawcliffe abt 1815 Poulton, Lancashire, England Head Poulton le Fylde Lancashire Sarah Rawcliffe abt 1859 Poulton, Lancashire, England Daughter Poulton le Fylde Lancashire Thomas Rawcliffe abt 1849 Poulton, Lancashire, England Son Poulton le Fylde Lancashire Merry

On the face of it, Mary was a married person, but this was a long time before her son was born: Marriages Sep 1866 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cowell Edward Fylde 8e 814 GROVES John Fylde 8e 814 PULLEIN Sarah Fylde 8e 814 RAWCLIFFE Mary Fylde 8e 814 Merry

My biggest query regards his father. Even if he is illegitimate, father must have been a Cowell, and she is calling herslef Cowell rather than Rawcliffe. So who is dad?

Mary with hubby in 1871......... Edward Cowell abt 1845 Poulton, Lancashire, England Head Poulton le Fylde Lancashire Joseph Cowell abt 1870 Poulton, Lancashire, England Son Poulton le Fylde Lancashire Mary Cowell abt 1846 Poulton, Lancashire, England Wife Poulton le Fylde Lancashire Robert Cowell abt 1868 Blackpool, Lancashire, England Son Poulton le Fylde Lancashire Thomas Rawcliffe abt 1849 Poulton, Lancashire, England Brother-in-law Poulton le Fylde Lancashire and hubby's death......a while before her other son's birth! Deaths Mar 1879 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cowell Edward 34 Fylde 8e 579 Merry

She's calling herself Cowell because that's her name!! When Charles was conceived she had been a widow for some years, so his father was.....well, whoever............ Merry

When you mention the baptism registers are you referring to his actual birth certificate? And the father is not named on there?

If neither the marriage or the baptism entries show the father's name, then you may be stuck forever :o(( Merry

I don't understand why you say, even if he was illegitimate the father must be a Cowell????? The child's name is Cowell because that is the surname of his mother. Merry

Thank you very much for your help, it has been very interesting. if I find out the fahther's name I will post and let you all know. Thanks again