Genealogy Chat

After the wonderful help I got here last time I wondered if anyone might have some tips for another little problem! I have traced my GGGF Charles Waller and can find him on two different census returns. In 1891 he and his family are listed in Lowestoft, East Suffolk like this: Charles Waller Head M 34 Coast Guard (Born Wells, Norfolk) Maud Waller Wife F 31 (Born Fareham, Hants) Edward Waller Son M 7 Scholar (Born Fareham, Hants) Anne Waller Daughter F 5 Scholar ( Born Fareham, Hants) Daisy Waller Daughter F 3 (Born Lowestoft, Suffolk) Edith Waller Daughter F 1 (Born Lowestoft, Suffolk) And in the 1901 census the listing is: Charles Waller Head M 44 Coast Guard (Born Wells, Norfollk) Bessie Waller Wife M (Yes M!) 39 (Born Wells, Norfolk) Louisa Waller Daughter F 15 Gen Domestic (Fareham, Hants) Edith Waller Daughter F 11 (Born Suffolk, Lowestoft) Bertie Waller Son 4 (Born Southwold, Suffolk) Catherine Waller Widow F 78 (Born Burnham, Norfolk) Now, there are obvious descrepancies but I'm pretty sure it's the same family. Catherine was Charles mother, so that makes sense and little Bertie would have been born after the last census. Louisa I think must be Anne, I can't be sure but she's the right age (I'm thinking her name may have been mis-written). Not sure what has happened to Daisy (She would have been 13) could she have been away from home? Edward may well have been at sea in 1901 (he was a mariner). But what I can't seem to reconcile is the wife! I've got my theories but does anyone else have any ideas??? Thanks in advance! Saff:) (Sorry it's a bit hard to read)

I hope you don't mind, but I have edited it to read a bit easier... After the wonderful help I got here last time I wondered if anyone might have some tips for another little problem! I have traced my GGGF Charles Waller and can find him on two different census returns. In 1891 he and his family are listed in Lowestoft, East Suffolk like this: Charles Waller Head M 34 Coast Guard (Born Wells, Norfolk) Maud Waller Wife F 31 (Born Fareham, Hants) Edward Waller Son M 7 Scholar (Born Fareham, Hants) Anne Waller Daughter F 5 Scholar ( Born Fareham, Hants) Daisy Waller Daughter F 3 (Born Lowestoft, Suffolk) Edith Waller Daughter F 1 (Born Lowestoft, Suffolk) And in the 1901 census the listing is: Charles Waller Head M 44 Coast Guard (Born Wells, Norfollk) Bessie Waller Wife M (Yes M!) 39 (Born Wells, Norfolk) Louisa Waller Daughter F 15 Gen Domestic (Fareham, Hants) Edith Waller Daughter F 11 (Born Suffolk, Lowestoft) Bertie Waller Son 4 (Born Southwold, Suffolk) Catherine Waller Widow F 78 (Born Burnham, Norfolk) Now, there are obvious descrepancies but I'm pretty sure it's the same family. Catherine was Charles mother, so that makes sense and little Bertie would have been born after the last census. Louisa I think must be Anne, I can't be sure but she's the right age (I'm thinking her name may have been mis-written). Not sure what has happened to Daisy (She would have been 13) could she have been away from home? Edward may well have been at sea in 1901 (he was a mariner). But what I can't seem to reconcile is the wife! I've got my theories but does anyone else have any ideas??? Thanks in advance! Saff:) (Sorry it's a bit hard to read)

Tracy, you are a star. My html has deserted me, it's been a while since I used a posting board!

Found Daisy.. Dasey Waller 14 Lowestoft, Suffolk, England Servant Gorleston Norfolk

Tracy, I didn't even think of looking for Daisy. Do'h! Well that makes sense. I know she didn't die, she went on to have family. Thanks

It's not you, Saffron. The first message on a board always appears jumbled up. If you have a big long message, like the one you just posted, I'd suggest writing it all out, then posting a message like 'See below...' Then you can post another message containing all the info you have, and it is easier to read :)

Thanks for the tip, Tracy. I will do that in future.

I'm off home now. If it hasn't been sorted out when I get home, I'll have another look about for you.

Thank you:) I'm off for the moment too. So please don't think me rude if I don't reply!

Saffron It's hard to read because GR doesn't format the first bit of a new thread. So you have to say 'see below' and then add a reply to your own thread which will be formatted. Anyway this is what you have said: 1891 Lowestoft, East Suffolk Charles Waller Head M 34 Coast Guard (Born Wells, Norfolk) Maud Waller Wife F 31 (Born Fareham, Hants) Edward Waller Son M 7 Scholar (Born Fareham, Hants) Anne Waller Daughter F 5 Scholar ( Born Fareham, Hants) Daisy Waller Daughter F 3 (Born Lowestoft, Suffolk) Edith Waller Daughter F 1 (Born Lowestoft, Suffolk) 1901 Charles Waller Head M 44 Coast Guard (Born Wells, Norfollk) Bessie Waller Wife M (Yes M!) 39 (Born Wells, Norfolk) Louisa Waller Daughter F 15 Gen Domestic (Fareham, Hants) Edith Waller Daughter F 11 (Born Suffolk, Lowestoft) Bertie Waller Son 4 (Born Southwold, Suffolk) Catherine Waller Widow F 78 (Born Burnham, Norfolk) You think this is the same family as Catherine was Charles mother and little Bertie would have been born after the last census. Louisa could be Anne, she's the right age Not sure what has happened to Daisy (She would have been 13) could she have been away from home? Edward may well have been at sea in 1901 (he was a mariner). But what you are puzzled over is is the wife! MY IDEAS Charles seems to be the same person and the family are more of less the same. I have instances of relatives using a different name on a census (maybe a middle name) and I do have one example of a gt uncle, definitely called John who is most clearly written as Jas. on the census form. The wifes in both these censuses are born in different places and have different names and the ages don't tally. So I would say that you need to see if Maud has died between 1891 and 1901 and look for a 2nd marriage for Charles with Bessie. I also note that the youngest child is not born in Lowestoft which is where the family is living, but in Southwold. I think perhaps his birth certificate might help sort things out - it would give his mother's name and from that you could narrow down when Maud died. nell

Saffron, There is this marriage on Ancestry for Charles Waller Name Year Quarter Record Type District County Herridge, Alfred Daniel 1893 September Marriages Mutford Suffolk Marjoram, Helena 1893 September Marriages Mutford Suffolk Porter, Betsy Bane 1893 September Marriages Mutford Suffolk Waller, Charles 1893 September Marriages Mutford Suffolk I checked on 1891 census and found Betsy Porter, sing, 29, born Yarmouth living in Lowestoft Suffolk. A possibility that Betsy Porter is Bessie Waller and a second wife. I'd suggest obtaining the birth certificate for Bertie Name: Waller, Bertie Wilfred Record Type: Births Quarter: March Year: 1897 District: Blything County: Suffolk Volume: 4a Page: 1001 and checking Mother's maiden name. Emma x

Tracy Can only find a Maud Waller death for a 3 year old in Mutford (which is the registration district covering Lowestoft) but there is this wedding: Name: Waller, Charles Record Type: Marriages Quarter: September Year: 1893 District: Mutford County: Suffolk Volume: 4a Page: 1533 The two possibles for bride are: Marjoram, Helena 1893 September Marriages Mutford Suffolk Porter, Betsy Bane 1893 September Marriages Mutford Suffolk nell

And this I think is Bertie's birth (Blything district includes Southwold) « Previous Match | Next Match » Personal Information What to do next? Name: Waller, Bertie Wilfred Record Type: Births Quarter: March Year: 1897 District: Blything County: Suffolk Volume: 4a Page: 1001 nell

Thanks for all your help. I'm going to look into the information you've given me, hopefully it'll clear it up. Thanks again. Proof that many brains are better than one!

I can't find a death anywhere for Maud. Not on FreeBMD or on FamilyRelatives.... makes me wonder....

In 1881 Charles (age 26) was an AB (RN) on HMS Cormorant. As a Royal Navy seaman, it could explain how he was within range of Fareham at some stage - with Portsmouth nearby. (A g-g-uncle of mine had a similar career path from Royal Navy to HM Coastguard). There's some history about the ship on: http://www.battleships-cruisers.*co.uk/name_histories_c.htm (remove *) In 1871 he's with his parents, John & Catherine, at Wells. Still browsing about for marriage info - intriguing isn't it! Christine

Incidentally - if you get to look at the 1901 image, the M is for Married (i.e. the choice is M/S/W not M/F) Christine

I found this transcribed entry on Ancestry for 1901: Maud Elizabeth Waller 21 Portsmouth, Hampshire, England Nurse Portsmouth Hampshire Now she could be their first child - and if she's named after her mother, her mother may have decided to call herself Bessie instead of Maud. It's not at all unknown for people to shed a year or so between censuses. I had an idea that the enumerator may have overdone his dittoes on the place of birth but 'Yarmouth' doesn't readily spring from 'Fareham' or 'Wells'. It isn't even very close to 'Portsmouth', visually. Back to the drawing board! Christine

Christine, Just checked back at the thread. Thanks for your help. It's certainly interesting to know which ship Charles was on. Very cool, thank you! It's still intriguing about his wife's name, but like you say, I did wonder if maybe it *was* the same person. I'. going to see if I can get hold of birth certifcates for the eldest and youngest child. Maybe that will clear it up.

If that Maud Elizabeth is a servant in 1901, the employer, who couldn't care less, will have put down the information. I have a Devon girl on the 1881 census shown as born in Portsmouth for precisely that reason. By the way, have you pursued the Wallers any further back? There are lots buried in Cley churchyard in Norfolk, with some splendid gravestones some recording deaths elsewhere.