Genealogy Chat

i've just emailed him and invited him to meet up for the weekend on Sunday! So thanks for the advice. claire

Grasp the nettle Clare - you'll live to regret it otherwise!!

ok - I'll try and have a chat at the weekend - i may get a chance to visit him in person and talk about it and see how he feels - he may appreciate the chance to talk if he is bottling it all up. Claire

If I have learnt anything in the last 50 years (or just that when you get older you care less) I would broach the subject with him. My mum wanted me to be called Patricia Jeanne, but my dad didn't want me to have a name that could be shortened. He went along and registered my birth and called me Jeanne Patricia (people call me Jeannie LOL). She flipped out initially, but at the end of the day I know for a fact that a person can go through life being called X, when their birth cert says Y. A passport needs a birth cert, but in this day and age when ever else do you need to show it ? It's a formality................................speak to him.

I don't know whether to have a quiet word with my brother but I don't want to upset my SIL - who I know would not appreciate me getting involved. It will break my Dad's heart if they don't do it but then we don't know the sex of the child and its not born yet! They could give him loads of names and just tag Richard on at the end to keep the peace! i wonder if my brother's birth was registered twice then?! i can't remember if i looked at the birth record for him. I know his daughter was registered twice as she was born within a month of their marriage and then she was registered with the mother's new surname. Claire

Hi Clare Didn't know you could be christened with a name other than your birthname. I have 6 generations of the oldest boy being called Tom Jepson Gritton. Makes my research a real pain. I now call them by numbers !!! LOL My dad was called Henry James, but was known his whole life as Siggy, I guess your sister-in-law could compromise as it means so much to your family. Jeanne

My brother had to be christened twice. Richard is in the family name for the oldest male, going back hundred's of years. Only thing is my Dad did not realise it and christened my brother and it caused an almighty problem with my very strict Grandad. Within a year, Dad had to go back to the Vicar and ask permission to have him christened again! My brother is now expecting his second child, the first was a girl. His wife does not like or want the name Richard if they have a boy. I know my Dad would be upset but not want to rock the boat. so I wonder what will happen? My brother is interested in his family heritage having started off the research 9 years ago so i know what he would want if it was just down to him. It must be hard for him. Claire

Some groups do not practice infant baptism, all have to be old enough to rquest baptism in their own right. I was baptised at my own request at 10. It could be that he was baptised as a baby in the C of E, and later ws baptised by (forr expample) the Presbyterians. My rellies were babtised as older childrfen in the Presbyterians. Anne

Jeanne, Nearly fell off the stool laughing....that is hilarious....just a wild guess, but I suppose your connection would be the ancestor who got left 12d?!!!! Thanks for giving me a good giggle. Fuzzy x

Oh Fuzzy, pml I've got the classic 'cut you off with a shilling' in one of my wills. Can't imagine what went wrong with my family, but someone spunked all the family silver that's for sure!! Captain of the MV Fleetwood at anchor in Roseau Bay, Dominica - makes his will and leaves a beautiful house in Arbour Square, Stepney to his wife for her lifetime. Leaves his daughters funds, trusts and securities and stock in P&O - leaves his eldest son 12d......... No prizes for guessing my connection then !!!!!!!!!!!!

LOL Jeanne, At least you haven't lost your sense of humour, How funny!! wonder what he did not to inherit houses then like the other one? As you say you will probably never have an answer, frustrating though eh?!! Fuzzy

He must have been really chuffed they did, otherwise he wouldn't have got the telescope, 'electrifying machine' and 'instruments' in his dad's will. Must have been the black sheep though because his brother inherited three houses in Windsor Terrace, Shoreditch.......... Not sure these people would have forgot, or needed charitable assistance.......as you say, probably never know.

Jeanne, Didn't think of them not being able to prove it......well done David think you may have solved the mystery....apologies to those who already know this.....but a good reason for the poor to baptise their children was that they got poor relief on the presentation of proof of their baptism....perhaps the parents had mislaid/lost theirs and had him baptised again in order to regain the benefit....just a thought. Fuzzy

I think it happened when the parents didn't know/ couldn't prove their child had been baptised (or the vicar didn't believe them lol). I have one too - Sarah Mary, daughter of John & Sarah Coker Birth: 29 SEP 1835 Christening: 18 OCT 1835 Saint Leonards, Shoreditch, London Sarah, daughter of John & Sarah Coker Birth: 29 SEP 1835 27 NOV 1842 Saint Matthew, Bethnal Green, London (with other siblings)

Jeanne, had an idea you might say that about Joseph!! Think the only explaination that makes any sense is what nell said, perhaps they couldn't remember having him baptised....I wonder if the father was away and the mother was poorly after the birth and relatives took over the baptism? Getting carried away now Jeanne....sorry I do have a vivid imagination! I think it is one of those things that may remain a mystery fuzzy

William and Elizabeth are baptised on the same day, the others are baptised individually. Joseph lives to get his inheritance from the will in 1834. Jeanne

Jeanne, I do symphase with you, I know as I am sure loads of others do when you are going round in circles and getting nowhere. so they had another child baptised on the same day as william......sorry if this is a stupid question jeanne and he ties into one of the wills you mention....but did joseph born in 1820 survive until 1828? fuzzy

John's wife is Mary Ann Ballard, but John's father Joseph who was married to Mary Tapp leaves £20 mourning to his sister Elizabeth Ballard. So am I looking at something like an illegal union between anyone here ? Bit odd..... If this is confusing imagine how much my brain is hurting now!!

Perhaps the vicar at the Camberwell church wanted to ensure child was baptised and parents couldn't remember the earlier baptism or didn't have any proof? nell

hi I've been sitting here all day with 3 wills pertaining to this family, and working out the exectors and beneficiaries(sic)...new set of eyes needed !! Joseph, a yeoman will proved 1761 - to son: Joseph, a gentleman, will proved 1834 - to son: John, a gentleman, will proved1857 - to son. I have managed to sort out the Joseph's, John's, William's and Thomas' from the first 2 wills. So onto the last will. John Gritton -m- Mary Ann Ballard 18 Jan 1820 William b 9 Jul 1822 bap 5 Aug 1822 St Leonards Mary Ann b 24 Nov 1830 John the Bap, Shoreditch Willaim b 9 Jul 1822 bap 30 Nov 1828 Camberwell Elizabeth b 5 Nov 1828 bap 30 Nov 1828 Camberwell Joseph b 22 Nov 1820 bap 21 Dec 1820 St Leonards I thought at first that maybe they got them baptised in a 'job lot', but this isn't the answer - neither is the change of faith really because Joseph isn't baptised twice. How odd.