Adoption

[monthebiff]

A relative in my family tree, James Burrows born 1858, appeared in the 1911 Census with a daughter by adoption. Her name is Dorothea Emma Burrows born 1905 in London. Is there any way I can find out any more about her? With James being 53 years of age and a widower, I am thinking he took in a relatives/friends daughter? Does anyone have any advice on this?

[philipsearching]

The General Register office has:
Sep qtr 1904 Wandsworth vol 1d p600 BARKER Dorothea Emma Dart, mmn LAMBORN
Jun qtr 1905 Lewisham vol 1d p1151 SLATER Dorothea Emmalina, mmn MASTERTON

There are five other Dorothea Emma/Emmalina births 1903-1907 in England/Wales but these are the only two in London.  Do any of the surnames tie in to James BURROWS?

Philip

(ADDED - Dorothea Emmalina SLATER (age 5 born Catford) is on the 1911 census with parents in Lewisham so it can't be her.)

[CaroleW]

Dorothea Barker can be found in 1911 with parents so can be ruled out

There is a Dorothea E Slater death in 1962 aged 56 so is a possibility   SEE EDIT BELOW

There was no legal adoption prior to 1927 - more of a "fostering" situation in those days

[CaroleW]

Dorothea Emmalina Slater (spinster) left a will - probate to Stanley Masterton Slater - physiotherapist

https://probatesearch.service.gov.uk

SEE EDIT BELOW

[CaroleW]

Deaths

Stanley Masterton Slater aged 85 born 12.12.1896
March 1982  Thanet
Volume   16  Page    1996

Births March qtr 1897   
Stanley Masterton Slater      Camberwell    1d   917 - mmn = Masterton

EDIT

Dorothea is with parents in 1911  so can be ruled out

[philipsearching]

Dorothea Barker can be found in 1911 with parents so can be ruled out

There is a Dorothea E Slater death in 1962 aged 56 so is a possibility   SEE EDIT BELOW

There was no legal adoption prior to 1927 - more of a "fostering" situation in those days

Bother!  That rules out both the possibles I found on GRO.
My edit disproves SLATER, your find disproves BARKER.

This seems to leave two possibilities:
1) Dorothea Emma's birth was not registered in London
2) Dorothea's middle name was not recorded on the birth registration.

"Adoption" prior to 1927 in England is desperately difficult to research - as far as I understand the only records might be Wardship (Court of Chancery) or a private declaration before a solicitor.

I really don't know how to move forward on this.

Philip

[CaroleW]

Or she was not registered as Dorothea Emma - she was given one or both names after “adoption”

[rosie99]

Have you located her after 1911

[monthebiff]

Thank you for trying everyone!

Have you located her after 1911

No, I haven't been able to