As threatened yesterday, let me introduce you to Eliza Ann Smith, who is unfortunately, my Great Grandmother.
With the name Smith, you would think that was bad enough, but there you would be oh so wrong. Smith was no problem at all. The problem is, Eliza+?=Gran Harriet, and if you can solve that one....
birth cert 1840
Elliza Ann Smith, Southsea, father Thomas Richard Smith, labourer, mother Mary Ann Byles.
1841 census
At home in Silver St. Portsea with Thomas Smith, labourer, mother Mary, one brother and three sisters.
1851 census
Moved to Blenheim St. Portsea, family about the same.
marriage cert 1
All Saints Church Portsea, June 1858
Henry Moore, carpenter, father Henry Moore, carpenter
Eliza Ann Smith, father Thomas Richard Smith, inspector of nuisances.
birth cert 1860
George Edward Moore, father Henry Moore,corporal 1st Royals, mother Eliza Ann Smith. birth registered by Eliza Ann.
1861 census
Back with father and mother at 8 Cottage Lane, Landport.
Thomas R Smith, labourer(nightman)
Eliza Ann Moore, soldier's wife(private)
George A Moore, GrSon
George died when he was about five years old. I do not have the certificate, but I do have the ref. number.
birth cert 1862
Walter George Harmsworth Moore, no father, mother Eliza Moore.
birth cert 1864
Eliza Ellen Harmsworth Moore, father William Walter Harmsworth Moore, plasterer, mother Eliza Ellen Moore, formaly Smith.
birth cert 1866
HARRIET WEBB MOORE, no father, mother Eliza Moore.
Somewhere between 1866 and 1871 Elliza moves to Reading, though heaven alone knows why, and has another baby called Emily.
I can find no B M D for this child, but she is on the next census where the family has been reinvented.
1871 census
5 Union Ter, Reading, Berkshire.
William Challis, plasterer, age 31, born Winchester(you try finding him there)
Eliza, wife, born Portsmouth
Walter, son, born Portsmouth
Elenor, daughter, born Portsmouth
Harriet, daughter, born Portsmouth
Emily, daughter, age 3, born Reading.
May 6th 1874 Job Lot Christening, St Giles, Reading.
Walter William Moore, age 12
Eliza Ann Moore, age 11
Harriet Charlotte Moore, age 10
Emily Louisa Moore, age 7
marriage cert 2
1879
Samuel Wicks, age 29, labourer, father George Wicks, labourer
Eliza Ann Moore, widow, age 35, father Thomas Richard Smith, Inspector of Nuisances.
one of the witnesses is Walter William Moore, the son.
1881 census
Family at 5 Mill Lane Reading,
Sam and Eliza Wicks, but the children still keep the name Moore.
1885 Walter George Harmsworth Moore, father Henry Edward Moore, carpenter, (deceased)marries Louisa Baker
1886 Eliza Annie Moore, father Henry Edward Moore, carpenter(deceased) marries John Arthur Hughes
one of the witnesses Walter George Moore
1891 cesus
Sam and Eliza are at White Lion Yard.
My Grandmother Harriet is in Basingstoke, busily producing children with William Stevens Mathias. They claim to be married.
1892 Walter George dies, age 29, of valvular heart desease.
1901 census
Sam and Eliza at 29 Percy Place, Reading
Harriet back in town with William(still producing, but have not yet got round to my mother)
1906
Eliza Ann dies of abdominal cancer, still at Percy Place with Sam.
Oh, and Harriet did marry William, eventually, 1908, about 18 months after her mother died. They had seven children by then.
On her wedding certificate Harriet gives her father as GEORGE MOORE, SOLDIER.
So what was going on? Why was Gran Harriet different.
It's a jumble of soldiers, carpenters, plasterers and names.
If I've made any mistakes, I'll appologise in advance, the whole affair makes my eyes go crossed.
I'll also thank you for your patience in reading the whole saga, and hope that you can help solve the problem,
Eliza+?=Harriet
