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Topic: Albert Edward RIDGWAY 1885 Shifnal (Read 163 times)
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fritton
RootsChat Extra
 Offline
Posts: 7
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Can anyone help with my Grandfather? Born about 1885, in Shifnal, illegitimate son of Margaret Ridgway, no trace of a Birth certificate either at St. Catherine's (yes, I have been searching a long time !), nor at local Registration office, and no sign of a baptism either. No Poor Law/Quarter Session records found.
Margaret RIDGWAY had five ( yes five!) illegitimate children in and around Shifnal . James 1874, Albert Ernest 1876, Frederick Thomas 1881, Harry 1883, and finally Albert Edward in 1885
Margaret is variously described as a Washerwoman or Laundress. She was living at 34 Shrewsbury Fields Shifnal, which I believe is still standing.
I have Albert Edward in 1891 and 1901 Censuses, and also have his marriage (1909) and death ( 1939). Also have details of Margaret's family and parents, and earlier Census returns.
How did Margaret manage to have 5 illegitimate children? Was she running a brothel? Was she the kept mistress of some aristocrat?
Any information on Margaret or Albert Edward gratefully received.
Phil Ridgway
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Lloydy
RootsChat Marquessate
Offline
Posts: 3314
Great Grandfather John Lewis
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I have read your post and tried to find a birth record for Albert Edward but there doesn't seem to be anything for Shifnal. I am wondering if he was registered under his mother's name - maybe to save herself some embarrassment she registered him with his father's surname  Do you have birth certificates for any of the other children which might give you some clues? Do they all have her surname?
I did do a search on FreeBMD for a Ridgway, with no christian name, between 1880 and 1890 in Shifnal and there was only one: Lewis Charles Ridgway, Jun 1885, Vol 6b, page 616.
Shrewsbury Fields, Shifnal is still standing, and if you do a Google search you will see that there are both businesses and private houses there. If you need a map, go to the Multimap site.
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The fantastic restoration and colour of my Avatar picture was done by Rootschatter PolldollAshton, Beaton/Betton, Bennett, Breese/Breeze, Crisp, Chandler, Challenor/Challinor, Crisp, Davies, Hudson, James, Jarman, Jenkins, Jones, Lewis, Mills, Owen, Owens, Richards, Simon & Trow - My Welsh ancestors from Montgomeryshire.
Census information is Crown Copyright http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk
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fritton
RootsChat Extra
Offline
Posts: 7
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Many thanks for your help. I have the Birth Certificates for the other children - they are just shown as illegitimate births to Margaret - no father listed.
The birth for Lewis Charles Ridgway 13 March 1885 is another illegitimate birth to Rose Hannah Ridgway -- a sister of Margaret !!
I'm really puzzled to understand how Margaret could give birth to 5 illegitimate children and support them - I have traced three of them, including my grandfather, they all had good jobs and a reasonable start in life. Shifnal seems quite a small town and I wonder why the neighbours didn't run Margaret out of town for her obvious immorality ! I've other ancestral lines where the first child is illegitimate, or sometimes born a few weeks after the wedding, but no other comparable examples.
The marriage certificates for the three children I've traced, all list different names for their fathers -- the only factor that they all agree on was that he/they were deceased!
Thanks again,
Phil
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