Genealogy Chat

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On the 1901 Census, Woolwich, my g.grandfather William Newlyn and wife Jane (nee Morray) both in their 50s, have an adopted 1 year old son John Neve. I can’t find any sign of a Neve family anywhere local. Or any record of a Newlyn marrying a Neve, or a Morray. Since they’ve actually declared him as adopted on the Census does anyone know where I might be able to find records of that adoption please Many thanks Jan

Adoptions were'nt registered until 1927 (I think), so there wouldn't have been any records unfortunately. Kath. x

Thanks Kath, I knew I'd read that on here somewhere. Have no idea how to proceed on this one then, it's getting to me. I don't know whether the lad kept the name Neve or changed it to Newlyn because I can't find any likelies and of course since it's 1901 got several years yet to wait unless I can find some other records somewhere. Best wishes Jan x

Could you find John Neve's birth record? His birth certificate with his parents names might give a clue. I suppose he might only have a mother named (possible reason for him being adopted). I'll see if I can find him on 1837online. Kath. x

FreeBMD shows a John Ernest Neve born Sep qtr 1899 in the Medway district. Could be yours? Josie

Kath, I've been looking for over 12 months now I haven't found him yet and I can't understand why. Mind you have only looked for births in and around Woolwich, ie Greater London Kent back then. If you can find him I'll be over the moon but don't waste too many units, please. I think perhaps the parents/mother didn't register him under Neve and I can't find a Newlyn about the same time that belongs to my lot. Jan x

Hi Josie, yes that would be a possibility, he'd still be 1 year when the 1901 was taken. Thanks for that jan x

I've looked on 1837online from June qtr 1899 and march qtr. 1900 which would be when he should have been born. There are only two possibilities, but would go with the first one myself:- Alexander John Neve Sept. qtr. 1899, Woolwich, 1d, 1254 John Ernest Neve Set. qtr. 1899, Medway, 2a, 657 Kath. x

That's o.k. Jan. Only took 4 credits. Kath. x

Kath, thank you so much, I have never seen that Woolwich one but I would never have looked for Alexander. Amazing what new eyes can discover. Josie found the Medway one too - I will get both those certs. If you want any help any time, just let me know. Many thanks again Best wishes Jan x

Had a quick look on the 1901census index - couldn't find an Alexander Neve, - found an Ernest Neve age 1 born in Kent, sorry forgot where he was living - only found 1 John Neve age 1 and he wasn't born in Kent.

Jan, I've just been looking at the 1901 census and was wondering where you got the spelling for John's surname. It's just that on Ancestry, looking at the image, the name is spelt John Neaves, with an 'a'. so the birth references might not be the right ones after all. Kath. x

Think you can forget John Ernest, just been on Freebmd again and looked up deaths - John Ernest Neve died Jun qtr 1900 Medway dist. So it looks like Alexander.

Hi Josie, was that John Neve born up North? If so, I think that's one of those I found some months back but because there was no apparent link, I sort of sidelined it. I will send off tonight for these two here and keep my fingers crossed. Thanks, much appreciated Jan x

Can't find a birth of a John Neaves anywhere in the same timescale. Kath. x

Jan, Are you sure it's Neve? Ancestry has it transcribed as Weaver but it looks more like Neaves on the image. FreeBMD is complete around those years so there's no need to use credits on 1837. Crista

Thanks for that Josie, saved me getting the John Ernest then. Kath, the lad's name has been transcribed as Weaver but when I looked at the Census image, I was sure it said Neaves - the capital letter exactly matches that of the surname of William Newlyn. I asked on the site for someone to have a look and I think it was Jess that agreed with me the name is Neaves. However, because I've had no luck at all with that spelling I've been working on Neve and the one you've managed to find is definitely the closest I've come to date, I just don't know how I missed it, apart from the Alexander bit. I will definitely send for that cert tonight - it won't be the first time I've purchased the wrong one LOL - and it may be the right one so it's worth having a punt. Hope that explains it - my head's been spinning on this for some while now. Jan x

Hello Crista, long time no 'see'. I just added and you're question was on the Board. Yes, you're right but hope the explanation covers my thinking of late. Regards Jan x

Jan, Thought I'd let you know that also in Woolwich is an adult, married John Neve, about half a dozen pages away from your relatives on the 1901 census. He had two unmarried daughters aged about 20. Just wondered if one of them could be the baby's mother. They are the only family called Neve in Woolwich. Just thought I'd mention it and hope it doesn't confuse things. Was just going back to check on the daughters names but Ancestry has gone off on me - typical. I thought you could check them against mother's name on birth certificate. If it comes back on I'll check and add the names here later. It came back on straight away. Daughters names are Alice and Jesse. Kath. x