Genealogy Chat

Jess - you are a superstar lol I was getting there but had to dish up my supper lolol Thank you soooooooo much - and Heather too for the lead :O)))) xxxx

from the IGI ELIZABETH GODDEN SIMMONS Female -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Event(s): Birth: Christening: 21 DEC 1817 Meopham, Kent, England Death: Burial: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Parents: Father: JAMES SIMMONS Family Mother: MARY ANN Perhaps dad died and mum remarried?hence M-in-law has different name

On free bmd in Sept 1837 John Shand and Elizabeth GORDON Simmons Could Gordon be Godden?? Heather

I'm trying to figure out her correct maiden name to find her marriage which is proving elusive. John born Scotland - she born Kent - first 3 children born Leeds, another 3 born later in London - I think they must have been gypsies lolol

Ah no - now I see it - MIL aged 75 is Elizabeth Shand as was !!!! oops - I have amended original posting sorry :O)) SHe is listed as Elizabeth G ........... on 1891

Well Heather - that's what the census' show - but as we well know the ages are often variable. It does look really odd tho doesn't it?? By rights she should be a lot older, but the children still living at home all fit with ages and occupations etc .............. been scratching my head for months on this one.

Anne Are you saying that m-in-l was 58 in 1851 and 75 in 1891? Heather

Tracing back over JOHN SHAND c.1816 Edinburgh, and ELIZABETH c.1817 Meopham Kent, and am a bit puzzled. 1851 - both with children living in Holborn - also listed MIL Mary Ann Rynes age 58 - presumably Elizabeth's mother, but can find no records for Elizabeth Rynes birth. By 1871 Elizabeth Shand is in Clerkenwell - widowed, with four grown children, but not her mother. 1881 & 1891 - Lewisham - she appears to have taken the name GODDEN - still widowed, and am certain it's her as the children with her fit. She is listed as Head on 1881, so she doesn't seem to have remarried - do you think she has taken her Mother's maiden name, or could GODDEN be a middle name and it has been taken just as Elizabth Godden missing the Shand off ???

Can you help ???