Genealogy Chat

Thanks Debbie, I have answered you mal but am unfortunately still searching. At this rate I will have to pay a genealogist to find the 'missing link' so that I can resume my own search. It's not something I want to do as I am enjoying researching things myself...but my brickwalls seem to be recycled nuclear-bunkers! Thank you for your help. -Kat

Katrina, Mailed you direct Debbie

Sarah Gabriel is on the 1881 with his wife and kids who I did not know of...but walter is not on there with them. As for '2 christian names' He has WALTER GABRIEL but I have searched using both...also just surname and looked for any possible matches...but nothing. His wife died young and their son Walter junior was put into a childrens home so never knew he had aunties, uncles, cousins and grandparents. His belongings were destroyed by his landlady when he went to war. I might have to try checking the original returns as suggested. Thanks. If anyone has any other ideas then please let me know! Thank you! -Kat

Hi, Did a search on 1881 using Gab* and * for surname. Birth year 1860 with 10 yrs either side. Nearest I can get is a Gabriel Day, age 21 born Landport, Hampshire. He is son to Head of Household so is married to a Catherine. Seamen in the D??? Sarah

Don't know if this is a possibility but perhaps you can look at the original census image at the FRC in London or Portsmouth library. Could be he was in the house with Gabriel but he was never transcribed. I suppose it's a possibility. Crista

It is possible he had 2 Christian names. 1 of my relatives was William Henry. on 1 census he was registered as William and on the other as Henry June,Nr,Preston.Lan

Helen. This is an interesting point you have mentioned and I have actually benifited from the way the 1901 was done, For over 4 years i searched for my hubbies g-grannie. All i had was her name on birth certs,I got her on the 1901 registerd as 'bella'. her actual name being 'Isabella'. I used 'bella' in the 1891 and the whole family popped up..! Another brick wall down!!

anyone?

Christa - I always have him listed as either a coachman or a labourer. Thanks, -Kat

Katrina, What was Walter's occupation when he married? Crista

Yes, Thanks - I do have that information on her, it is when she marries Walter that she disappears from the census (1891) Walter is not on the 1881 or 1891 however, and therein lies the mystery! Thank you for your help! :) -Kat

ive found a Fanny DURRINGTON on 1881,aged13,Born in Wiltshire BUT living in Portsea Hampshire could she be yours?here are details Household: John DURRINGTON Head M Male 38 Salisbury, Wiltshire, England Police Constable Ellen DURRINGTON Wife M Female 33 Langford, Wiltshire, England Wife Fanny DURRINGTON Daur Female 13 Salisbury, Wiltshire, England Scholar Annie DURRINGTON Daur Female 10 Salisbury, Wiltshire, England Scholar Albert DURRINGTON Son Male 8 Salisbury, Wiltshire, England Scholar Ellen Louise DURRINGTON Daur Female 6 Portsea, Hampshire, England Scholar Thomas C. DURRINGTON Son Male 3 Portsea, Hampshire, England Mary DURRINGTON Daur Female 10 m Portsea, Hampshire, England Source Information: Dwelling 30 Exmouth Rd Census Place Portsea, Hampshire, England Family History Library Film 1341284 Public Records Office Reference RG11 Piece / Folio 1161 / 150 Page Number 37 Anna

OKay, so on the 1901 census I found my great grandfather and great great grandparents. Walter Gabriel McKay age 2yrs Walter Gabriel McKay (father) Fanny Louisa McKay (nee Durrington/Dorrington) (mother) They live in Southsea. Where both walters were born. I have found the marriage cert for Walter and Fanny, I have a birth cert for their daughter who died age 1day. I also have walter G juniors birth certificate. BUT I CANNOT FIND WALTER BEFORE 1889 WHEN HE MARRIED OR EITHER PARENT AFTER THEIR MARRIAGE UNTIL 1901! They are not on the 1891 census. They are not on the 1881 census They are not on the 1851 census (someone searched for me) Walter's birth is not on the BMD indexes! Walter McKay senior seems never to have been born! I know (from the marriage cert) that Walters father was Gabriel McKay and have found him on the 1881 by matching name, location age and occupation. WALTER IS NOT WITH HIM. So where was he? How can he have skipped 2 or 3 censuses? Here are his details: Walter Gabriel McKay Born SOUTHSEA/PORTSEA HAMPSHIRE in the 1860's Married FANNY L DORRNGTON married in 1889 PORTSEA, HAMPSHIRE died in the 1910's to 1920's approx His parents: GABRIEL MCKAY and ELIZA WILLIAMS Fathers occupation: Gunner in the RMA/Royal Navy If anyone thinks they know where I should look next I would appreciate the information. The smallest hint will be most gratefully recieved! Thank you, -Kat

Katrina I have noticed that in the 1901 Census most people gave the name they were known by, if they were generally known by their middle name or a shortened version of their given name then this is the name they gave the enumerator. In the previous Census they gave their 'official' names from their birth certificates. If you only have 1901 details to go by, you could be looking for the wrong name! For example Ann Elizabeth Smith may have been recorded as Bertha Smith in 1901 but would show under her correct name in 1891 or 1881.

I have asked this before but hope that someone might be able to help me now...details will be in the next message...