I found this thread through a Google search. I'm researching the Sayers family of someone who was always told he was related to Tom Sayers.
His great grandfather was Charles Sayers b 1889 d 1950. His parents were Charles Sayers b 1866 and Elizabeth Wastell b 1868. I've found the family on the 1891, 1901 and 1911 census records living in Lambeth. Charles junior was born in Clapham (but later recorded as Lambeth), Charles senior was born in Brighton.
Charles marriage certificate from 1889 shows his father was William Sayers, a butcher. In 1891 Charles and Elizabeth are living with Charles' parents William and Harriet.
In 1881 Charles is living with his parents and siblings (including one named Betsy, born about 1870). However going back to 1871 Charles Sayers cannot be found. Finding William and Harriet's marriage record shows they got married in 1873. Harriet's maiden name was Mockett. Searching for a Charles Mockett in 1871 shows an unmarried Harriet Mockett living with four children, Kate, Chas M, Susan M and H Elizabeth (who is most likely Betsy mentioned above, the same age and born in Brighton).
Both records show Charles Sayers/Chas M Mockett as born in Brighton about 1866. Searching for birth records there is no record of a Charles Sayers born in Brighton around 1866. The closest is one born in Lewes, but I have confirmed that is a different family. I ordered a copy of Charles Mockett's birth certificate (middle name is down as Moor), and as expected there was no father named.
This makes sense, Charles was born in 1866 and William in 1850 - he'd have been about 16 when Charles was born. William's wife Harriet was around 10 years older than him. Is there a way I can prove Charles Moor Mockett and Charles Sayers are both the same person? It seems he took the Sayers surname, meaning he most likely isn't related to Tom Sayers at all.
Going further back William's marriage names his father as Charles, a shoemaker. In 1871 William appears to be living with a cousin John Sayers, working as a butchers assistant. I cannot find him on the 1861 census, but in 1851 there is a 1 year old William living with parents Charles, a cordwainer, and Eliza Sayers - the family in Roy G's post, Charles being Tom's brother.
I believe it's correct, but how can I be sure I have the correct William and Charles, and is there a way I can prove Charles was Tom's brother myself, what records are available? Not suggesting I don't trust Roy's information, but showing someone a post on a forum isn't the same as having seen the proof yourself. On Ancestry.co.uk I did find a tree that suggested the same, and even included William and his wife Harriet (though with Charles Mockett and Charles Sayers as separate people), though as Roy mentioned some people may 'manipulate' their trees to include someone not actually related.
Hope that makes sense, I'd really just like another opinion to make sure I've not missed something or made a mistake at some point.