Genealogy Chat

After applying for certificates, bmd, I'm still unsure where to look or which track to follow.

My great grand father John Mclaine, d. 25 Aug 1949 36 Fry Street, Darlington.

According to a birth certificate in Darlington he was b. 29 July, 1877, 9 Fry Street , Darlington (which seems about right according to a marriage and death certificate). His surname was Mclean, father William (a puddler - seems ok for that area at that time) and John's mother was Elizabeth Mclean, formerly Oxley. She was unable to write and left a 'mark' on the birth certificate.

I think I've tracked the right William Mclean death cerificate - d. 27 May, 1888, 13 I'anson Street, Darlington. Age 42, occupation puddler. The mother-in-law signed the certificate - Jane Charlton who lived at 31 I'anson Street. Now I know an Elizabeth Charlton married a William Mclean in 1875.

Are any of them right or should I follow a different path before I purchase more incorrect certificates?

Where was William originally from? Does it say on the census

I'd say that if the census in 1881 and the death certificate are right, then John's birth is more likely to be 1874 or early 1875 and perhaps the birth certificate you have for 1877 is the wrong one.

Kath. x

Is there any way of finding out whether William married in Darlington or Shropshire (where in Shropshire) and which Elizabeth he married? I know that a William Mcclane married Elizabeth Charlton in Darlington, 1775, but yet again I could be following the wrong branch. I'm starting to question whether I have got the right certificates at the moment...it's driving me mad at times. I just keep getting no further forwrd the longer I spend on this family - but it is my father's family!

I have John's marriage certificate and the age seems to be about right - there isn't any other variations f Mclean/Mclaine, etc around that time in Darlington - I've checked on the Darlington Register Office website. Unless I'm wrong...

Says formerly Oxley? Did originally check with Darlington RO and they said it was the correct one, even when I gave Charlton as her maiden name. That's why I'm confused

No - that's all it states. Sorry

Ok. So how do I find out what her maiden name is. I don't appear to find her under Darlington records, but I could be wrong.

I'll get Arthur's b/c but he was born after John. I can't see how it would help if it came up with the same as John's certificate.

Referring to the 1881 census James T was the eldest child - but I can't locate his b/c.

Formerly does not mean married before. Formerly is put before the maiden name.

If a person has been married twice it would say Mary Smith, late Jones (the first married name), formerly Brown (the maiden name).

The word Late is used for the first married name.

Kath. x

I'm still confused.

So is Oxley her maiden name?

Oops thanks kath, i alway get that bit muddled up.

I thought it was Formerly then Nee

You need to get the birth certificate for one of the other children and see what the mother's maiden name is on that.

What makes you think that Charlton is the mother's maiden name?

Kath. x

No Julie - formerly and nee mean the same (maiden name). It's when "late" is written that it's a first married name.

Kath. x

Kath

Thanks have now written that down lol

Julie x

According to 1901, Elizabeth was born in Sunderland.

Sooo.....

Births Jun 1853
Oxley Elizabeth Ann Sunderland 10a 352

On William's Death certificate it mentions his mother in law Charlton.

Thank you Ozibird

If William's mother-in-law was Jane Charlton, could that possibly mean that Elizabeth was a Charlton, or did her mother remarry?

Either of those are a possibility Helen - You need to get another of the children's birth certificates to see whether that has the maiden name as Oxley or Charlton. Only then will you be sure you have the right birth certificate for John.

Kath. x