Genealogy Chat

If someone gives their place of birth as 'London, Middlesex' in all the censuses, where should I look for the birth?

Anywhere in London, really. Pretty unhelpful, isn't it? In theory, it should just be the Middlesex area of London, i.e. not the Surrey, Kent, or Essex parts, but I have seen 'London Middlesex' given as the birthplace for people who were born in those other parts of London as well, so you can't be sure. Kate.

Thanks Kate. I thought it might be something like that :( Unfortunately, she has a very common name too lol

I would start with the area where she first appeared on the census - which should hopefully give you an area inside London/Middlesex

Can't do that Sue. She's in Hatherasge, Derbyshire in 1861 lol Can't find her in 1851. She was born in 1841-3 (not quite sure which) Ellen Mills if anyone has any ideas. Her father was John, who was a Labourer (very helpful!) in 1860 when she married.

Just done a quick search for you for births in London/Middlesex for 1840 - 1843 and this is the only one that came up. Name: MILLS, Ellen Record Type: Births Quarter: December Year: 1843 District: St Luke County: London Middlesex Volume: 2 Page: 293 (click to see others on page) You could send of for the cert and ask them to do a check against the father's name. If if is the right one it will cost you £7 including cert, if it is not the right one then you will be charged £4 and no cert Hope this helps Regards Sue

Thanks Sue. It might be that one. However, FreeBMD also shows another 4 possibles between 1840-5. Pot luck as to which one's mine lol

The trouble is, though, even if her father turns out to be John and a labourer on the birth cert, can you be sure they are the right family? John is such a common name, and as you say, everybody was a labourer! Kate.

Very true Kate. I did find an Ellen Mills in 1851, with father John. But then I found her still with him in 1861, not married. Don't know what his occupation was though in 1851. He might not have even been a Labourer in 1841-3. He could have changed in those 20 years.

Or it could be that he was a labourer when she was born and they just copied it off her birth certificate when she got married. I have a few like that. Are the names of the witnesses at her marriage any use? Kate.

I don't have the actual certificate yet. Probably not though, if they're like the others I've had lol

Anyway, I love all the Hobsons' occupations in 1861. Much, much more interesting than 'labourer'. My favourite is 'Hackle-pin maker'! Kate.

Yeah, brilliant aren't they? lol Not quite sure what it is, but I think it's something to do with textiles.