Mercy Marks/Arthur Lawrence shock!

[TracyL]

Hi

An update for everyone that has tried to help me with my grandfather's adoption.  I managed to get to Birmingham/Warwick on Friday and Saturday and although I still can't find a record of their marriage or any further information on my grandfather, I did discover a baptism record from St Paul's in Leamington as follows:

Oct 14 1906  Muriel Florence, parents Arthur & Mercy Lawrence address Birmingham, father's occupation Bank Clerk. 

At the side the vicar had noted "brought to baptism by T & F Judd" and "adopted by Thomas and Florence Judd".

So it would appear that the elusive Mercy and Arthur had another child shortly after my grandfather and gave that child up for adoption as well

I have no idea what to make of this but it would appear that Arthur and Mercy were still together and still seemingly married.  Why then

Tracy

[jim1]

Hello Tracy
Well done you,it looks like for whatever reason this couple didn't like children.
Jim

[TracyL]

Hi again Jim

Well I had hoped to find something, just didn't expect this!     I suppose it gives me a new lead to follow, but the thought of the poor barmaid in unfortunate circumstances is fading fast.  My poor grandfather apparently had a sad life and certainly never knew he had a sister.

We actually visited the Coventry Cross Inn in Kenilworth on our visit - amazingly still standing and refurbished to a stunning restaurant/bar in the last two years, but still very strange to visit if this is where the Mercy we're after actually worked. 

Can't quite understand the need to give away two children in the space of 18 months, but willing to accept that life was very different then and to keep looking until we find these two and find out whatever I can about what happened.   As the occupation of Arthur Day Lawrence was given as bank clerk on this baptism, I can't see that it was about money as presumably that was a good job in those days.

The visits to Birmingham Library and Archives and to Erdington Library and Warwick Records Office were interesting and worth the trip alone  - the original parish registers were facinating in their detail and I found the notes made by registrars and vicars engrossing - quite forgot why I was there on occasion!

Hope I can update you with some more scandal soon!
Regards
Tracy

[jim1]

I wonder if the child had a disability that they were unable to cope with or maybe Mercy suffered post-natal depression and found herself unable to cope.
Jim

[TracyL]

I had thought about the disability possibility, but my grandfather was healthy so it wouldn't explain his adoption.  Perhaps Mercy's health was the issue.  I am curious to know if these were the only two children they had - I doubt it somehow, but it will be hard to find others.  Discovering Muriel was pure luck!
Let me know if you think of anything.

Regards
Tracy