Help I'm confused!!!!!

[hendren]

On my gr/gr/grandfather John Hendrens marriage in 1859 his parents are down as Thomas Hendren and Elizabeth Schools, but on Johns death certificate they are down as Patrick and Helen Hendren.
I know it it the right one as Johns wife and son are on it.
Also on Helen's death certificate her maiden name is spelt Skools.
Help I'm Getting confused

Maureen

[Little Nell]

Hi Maureen,

This is just my opinion, not necessarily fact.

In 1859, when John married he gave the officials the information about his parents.

Whenever it was that he dies (quite a long time later I suppose?), who was it who gave the information? Probably his son or his widow.  How old was his widow?  Perhaps she had forgotten or never paid much attention.  The person who really knew the correct details - is dead.  We rely on this information to help go backwards but just occasionally it is more of a hinderance than a help!

Did John have any siblings?  What do their marriage certificates say?  Perhaps his father was really Thomas Patrick or Patrick Thomas. 

I would not worry too much about the variation in the spelling - it was still not quite set in stone for some things.

If possible, look for John's parents on some of the census  - it may help to clear it up.

Nell

[hendren]

Hello Nell

Thanks for replying to my query.

I had wondered if they were forenames and middle names.
I will have a look for siblings, I had got most of the information from Scotlandspeople so I will have to save up a few more pennies to access it again.

Maureen