Harriett Lane really stuck!

[groom]

Not only that, she died as a Lane didn't she?

It's a real mystery that she is supposed to have a son with the surname of Knight, when as far as we can see she was never a Knight! 

[heywood]

Hi Groom
Maybe the Ritchie surname link may have come from this marriage and that Royston's Daughter did some research (dont know to what extent) and maybe came across this herself and thought Harriett married Robert Ritchie.
But as we know Harriet was definitely a Lane prior to Royston's birth and then as I've stated William Thomas Lane died in 1935 leaving all his will to Harriet.  Not something you'd do if she went and married someone else in 1922 

Ah, are you saying that Harriet E Knight could be a red herring and was just found by searching and presuming that she was Harriet Lane.

[groom]

But that doesn't explain why Harriet Lane's son was called Knight does it?

I think we are going round in circles and the only way it might be solved is by getting Royston's certificate. Incidentally, who does he give as his father on his marriage certificate to Grace, do you know?

[heywood]

But that doesn't explain why Harriet Lane's son was called Knight does it?

I think we are going round in circles and the only way it might be solved is by getting Royston's certificate. Incidentally, who does he give as his father on his marriage certificate to Grace, do you know?

I think you're spinning too much, groom - he married Gladys. 
Yes, you're right. I suppose if HL adopted him (even unofficially) he would have been Lane. Definitely, need the certificate!

[RayMilBax]

Go the birth certificate!!

She's just sent it me via messenger so I'll have to transcribe it as follows:

When and where Born - 4th January 1918 @ 5 Swan Road, Gloucester
Name - Royston Anthony
Name and surname of Father - BLANK
Name and Maiden Surname of Mother - Harriett Edith Knight - Box Maker (Wholesale something cannot make out the other word but it begins with H)
Rank and profession of father - BLANK
signature of informant - Harriett E Knight, Mother, 5 Swan Road, Gloucester
Registered - 25th January 1918

She then goes on to qoute - "Mum said Royston was brought up by Harriet Lane but says this is a different person and doesn't know if there was a family connection between the 2 Harriet's???"

Argh! 2 Harriett Lane's - surely not

[emeltom]

Ok so we know that Harriet Edith Knight gave birth to Royston in 1918

We know that Harriet E Knight married Robert Ritchie in Gloucester 1922.

Can anyone find a death for Robert Ritchie? I'm thinking that he maybe either died or the marriage broke down and possibly she took up with a Mr Lane and took his name but they didn't marry.

One way to try and make sense of this would be to look for 5 Swan Lane in the Electoral Rolls (if you can do that) and see who lived there from 1918 to 1939.

Emeltom

[JJen]

Thanks for posting the bc details 

Death of Harriett E Ritchie -

Harriet Edith Ritchie
Birth Date - 3 Jun 1890
Date of Registration - Dec 1972
Registration district - Gloucester City
Vol 7b Page 1137

On the Gloucestershire Electoral registers Harriett is living in Worcester Street, Gloucester which isn't too far from Swan Road.

This is my interpretation -

It would appear that Harriett E Knight was known to Harriett Lane. As Harriett E was not married she had her child in Harriett Lane's home and then Harriett Lane 'adopted' Royston as her own.

Harriett E went on to have two more children in 1923 and 1925.

JJ

[RayMilBax]

Hi Emeltom
No it definitely looks like we have 2 different Harriet's
We have Harriet Lane who had been married to William Thomas Lane from 1899 to 1935 and correctly listed as a widow and stated as Harriet Lane who was living with Royston Knight on the 1939 National Register.
We then have the other Harriet who was Harriet Edith Knight on the birth of Royston as his mother who then married Robert Ritchie and died in 1972 with her birthdate as 3rd June 1890.
I've just looked at the 1939 Regsiter for her under Harriet Ritchie and she is there listed as living at 14 Worcester Street in Gloucester - a mere 6 mins walk from Swan Road surprise surprise! 

[heywood]

That's what we are saying - and have been saying.

For whatever reason, perhaps as Harriet Lane was childless,I  think she lost one child, she must have raised Harriet Knight's child.

You could see if the will for William Lane refers to Royston.