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Although the major part of my family research has been in the midlands and the north, Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire, West Midlands, Lancashire and Yorkshire, I have more recently been researching family in London. 

What strikes me is that most of the northern research tells me that my working class ancestors in the 19th Century were illiterate and signed the marriage registers with a 'mark'.  In London, although I found family who were obviously extremely poor and living in areas renowned for poverty, Bethnal Green, Shoreditch, Clerkenwell etc, most seemed to be able to at least sign the marriage registers.  Although this not prove they were fully literate, I find the difference striking. 

Does anyone know why this would be the case?  I wondered whether it was because of a greater prevalence of charities in the capital?

Hi

Is anyone able to tell me what the word 'private' means when written in the margin of the baptism records at St Peter's Church, Morley?  Could it be that they were posthumous baptisms - if they exist?  A couple of my great grandmothers siblings who I believe died either at birth or in infancy have this written next to their baptism records.

If so it is quite sobering to see how many they were - on one page - out of eight baptisms  five had 'private' in the margins.

Many thanks

Karen

Hi

I wasn't sure whether to post on the West Yorkshire board but I think it is a more general opinion I would like.  This person is not really part of my family but what I've uncovered is intriguing me.

Mary Gavin is on the 1861 census living in Leeds, born in Leeds in about 1823.  She is living with her husband John Dean, wheelwright and her father Uriah Gavin born about 1875 in Halifax (I have found a birth record at Leeds Parish Church for 1822 which supports this.

In 1849 there is a marriage in Morley (now part of Leeds) of a Mary Gavins father Uriah Gavins (can't read his occupation) to a John Turton occupation carpenter, father Joseph Turton occupation farmer.

The strange thing is that John Dean's (married to Mary in the 1861 census) mother Elizabeth Dean had the maiden name Turton.  His father was Joseph Dean and his father's occupation was farmer. 

My questions are, did Mary marry twice to two different men? (with practically the same backgrounds)?
Did Thomas Dean use the name Turton when he married? (if so why, I know his mother and father were definitely married when he was born, I have a handwritten family document recording this plus his date of birth and have corroborated this online).
Is this marriage a red herring and this is a different Mary with a father named Uriah?

I must add in the 1851 census I have been unable to find Mary.  Thomas Dean is living in Farnley (Leeds) with his father Joseph and mother Elizabeth. Thomas is listed as married.  I don't think there would have been an omission of Mary in this entry as Joseph Dean was the census enumerator for Farnley.

I would be grateful for any opinions on this

Many thanks
Karen

I wonder if anyone can help with my problem.

My great granddad Dennis Mortimer (in the 1881 census) is listed as living with his family at Armley Height (no house number).  When I address searched Armley Height - difficult to find - I found it under 'other establishments', his family is listed with nine others.  In the address search each family has a different schedule number i.e. 853,854 etc.

My question is, are these individual dwellings or were several families living in the same building's?  (I know my great granddad's family were very poor).

Hi

I'm new to these boards so hello to everyone.  I have been researching my family history and have got a little stuck on one or two points. (sorry long post)

My great grandad John Robert Ellis was on the 1991 census as living at 17 Stapleton Steet Morley with his wife and 3 daughters.  I'm 100% certain this is the correct as the daughters were still alive when I was young and their birthdates tally along with his wife's name (Alice) and I know he is from the Deepings area of Lincolnshire.  The only thing slightly out is his birthdate - I estimate it was more 1858/9 than the 1861 stated (I have his army records from 1877 to 1889 which give his age in 1877 as 19) and also state he was discharged to an address at 8 Hull Steet Morley in 1889).

My problem is the story in the family is that he died just before my Grandad (grandad was the youngest of was born in November 1898.  Therefore with my calculations he must have died between February and November 1898 but I have been unable to find a record of a death which tallies with the information I know.

I find myself wondering whether he did actually die or whether he deserted the family - I've traced one of his sisters who appears to have been the first one to move up to Leeds and she subsequently emigrated to the USA.

Is anyone able to advise me what to do next?