Genealogy Chat

Does anyone know when they started putting maiden names on birth records? My grandfather, born 1891, had an extremely common name, so I tried searching 1837, thinking that his mother's name would be on the record. It wasn't though and I've only managed to narrow it down to two possibles. However, I'm sure I've searched for other rellies born around that time before on 1837 and have managed to get the mother's maiden name. Pam

I've only ever seen the maiden name on the St Catherine's index from around 1911/12 also. Carol

Have you tried to find him on the 1901 census. That should give you his mothers first name at least. The check FreeBMD for their marriage. If you put the details on here someone might be able to help you. best wishes, Carol

Thanks Carol. Only problem is his father's name was John Phillips, and he was born in Merthyr Tydfil, where the name is very common. Mother's forename was Mary, which probably doesn't help an awful lot! Their son, David Phillips, was also born in Merthyr in 1891. As he was their first (and possibly only) child, I'm assuming the marriage took place not long before. Why can't people give their kids more exotic names? Pam

I think it was from Sept qtr 1911. Shirley

Hi Pamela, One of my lines is Roberts so I totally understand where you're coming from. All I can say is to go for the couple of certs that you have narrowed it down to and hope for the best. Hopefully from that you'll see common family names and you'll probably be able to tell which is the correct cert. All the best, Carol

At first glance there are not many David Phillips' born in Merthyr on the 1901 census of about the right age, and even less with the correct parental names. (I say at first glance, because I was only looking at entries with the correct spelling!!) You have given oone clue that is, they may have only had the one child. Most of the David's I looked at had several siblings. However, there was one where David was the only Phillips. The father most probably had died and the mother (Mary) had re-married. There were a load of step siblings though. Do you know what happened to David's parents? Suppose John Phillips wasn't in any unusual occupation? Sarah

Sarah, John was a coal-miner (as most men seemed to be in those parts). As far as I know, though, Mary didn't re-marry and there were no step-brothers/sisters. Thanks for looking anyway, I appreciate it. I think maybe the only solution is to send for both birth certificates, as Carol suggested. I feel so sorry for people who have relatives called John Smith! Pam

John I dont think they are talking about the certs. Birth certs have both parents names and fathers occupation. They are talking about the register for 1837 which is online. Margaret