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England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => Worcestershire => England => Worcestershire Lookup Requests => Topic started by: crosshands on Saturday 14 December 19 10:58 GMT (UK)
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Hi. I am researching the birth of Thomas Francis Coard. The birth cert says he was born 18 July 1885 at Woodmancote Farm, near Defford (registration area Pershore). The certificate shows his mother as Elizabeth Coard, housekeeper but the father's name is blank. I believe he was christened at St James Church, Eckington Road, Defford on 31 October 1885. My research suggests his mother's name was actually Matilda Elizabeth Coard, born in Stepney London and, perhaps, went away when she became pregnant? I have her on the census for 1881 & 1891 back in London (1891 with other illegitimate sons).
REQUEST: I can't get to Worcestershire Archives but would love to know what details are shown on the christening record - after this Thomas disappears? Perhaps he died or was adopted. I can't find any trace of him. Any help would be very much appreciated. Thanks
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Interesting one - can’t help on the baptism, but how have you linked him with Matilda?
Who lived at Woodmancote Farm in the censuses?
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I see there were a handful of farmers in the hamlet of Woodmancote, but no address was specifically listed as “Woodmancote Farm”:
1881: RG11/2928/63/15 and nearby pages
1891: RG12/2338/48/4 and nearby pages
It’s a long way for a young woman from London to go for a housekeeping post.
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The certificate shows his mother as Elizabeth Coard, housekeeper but the father's name is blank.
Who was the informant on the birth?
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(1891 with other illegitimate sons).
Where were these children born and are they younger or older than Thomas?
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Is this Matilda marrying in 1887 Islington?
Matilda Elizabeth Coard
Francis Lucas
Francis as a middle name for Thomas could be significant if this is her.
They appear to have a child Frances baptised in 1887 so may be a different family :-\
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There’s a Matilda Coard in 1891, wid, 40 b Mile End, a charwoman lodger at 96 Elthorne Rd.
Sons: Francis 4, John 10mo, both born Islington.
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John was baptised 21 Dec 1890 at St Stephen’s, Upper Holloway with the annotation “illegitimate” as John Arthur Coard, son of Francis Lucas and Matilda Elizabeth of 96 Elthorne Rd.
Why illegitimate, if there was an 1887 marriage? Perhaps the fact that the occupation “laundress” is Matilda’s suggests Francis was no longer around.
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Is this Matilda marrying in 1887 Islington?
Matilda Elizabeth Coard
Francis Lucas
Francis as a middle name for Thomas could be significant if this is her.
They appear to have a child Frances baptised in 1887 so may be a different family :-\
I can see banns but no marriage, perhaps explaining why she and the children later appear as Coard rather than Lucas.
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Johns birth was registered as John Lucas Coard
COARD, JOHN LUCAS (No mothers maiden surname)
1890 June Quarter in ISLINGTON Volume 01B Page 243
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Is this Matilda marrying in 1887 Islington?
Matilda Elizabeth Coard
Francis Lucas
Banns were called 5, 12, 19 June 1887. Francis was baptised 10 July 1887 parents Francis & Matilda Elizabeth - surname Coard.
Does not look like the marriage took place
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Thanks everybody. Yep, you are right about Matilda and her sons Francis and John Lucas Coard or John Arthur Coard (Lucas changed from Lucas at registration to Arthur by Christening). The banns were read for Matilda & Francis Lucas at St Mary Islington but they never went through with it - reason unknown? It is family information that Thomas Francis was a son of Matilda but no proof and I have just got the birth cert hoping for a father's name but, typically, it was missing and 'Elizabeth' was the notifier. Interestingly, the birth was July but not baptised till October - Elizabeth was a housekeeper but equally the story is she was a servant at a nearby large house - Croome not far?
The complete story is quite muddled. Matilda was in 30s in 1881 and a servant. I didn't know about Thomas but son Francis was born clearly out of wedlock. His birth cert shows no father and Matilda was in the workhouse but by the time of christening, a father had appeared in Francis Lucas. I think I have identified him but he disappears by 1891. In 1891, Matilda is a charwoman with 2 sons (the second son John dies 2 years later - his birth cert also shows no father). All very strange.
Sorry, I could have posted more info but wanted to keep it simple to just what's on the christening. I can't find the farm on the census at present - it's on present day maps quite clear on A4104 owned by R S Allard. Whether Matilda & Elizabeth are the same person is the million dollar question.
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On a general point, If Thomas Francis Coard was born illegitimate, would St James Church be happy to christen him without a father being known?
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Yes, the church did not refuse to baptise illegitimate children.