Roper Smith (or Smith ) family , Chesterfield

[James - Cornwall]

I am trying to find out more about the family of Ada Roper Smith born 1884 in Chesterfield. She was the daughter of George Roper Smith & his wife Mary. From  censuses, I have discovered that Ada's siblings were :
John Roper Smith b 1865 Horsley Woodhouse, Derbyshire (later married an Ada)
Arthur Roper Smith b 1868 Chesterfield
George Roper Smith b 1872 Chesterfield
William Roper Smith b 1875 Chesterfield
Harriet Roper Smith b 1876 Chesterfield
James Roper Smith b 1879 Chesterfield
Ethel M. F Roper Smith b 1881 Chesterfield
and Ada Roper Smith, herself was b 1884 Chesterfield.

It appears that the family did not always have the 'Roper'  name in use, and I have found a birth index entry for Ethel M. F. Smith with no mention of the Roper name at all.

I would be interested in finding out about the families of Ada's siblings, or of any of her ancestors. So far her mother's maiden name has evaded my searches _ I know that she, Mary, was born in Horsley Woodhouse, Derbyshire  c. 1840 , whilst her husband, George was born in Castle Donington, Leicestershire,c. 1842.

I would also be thrilled to hear from anyone descended from any of Ada's siblings.
Thanks.
James

[Tati]

Hi James,

Sorry if you already have this but it seems that George often simply went by the name Roper:

1881 census (with wife Susannah)
http://search.ancestry.co.uk/cgi-bin/sse.dll?db=uki1881&indiv=try&h=2830020
RG11/3430 109 11

1871 : RG10/3609 81 7

In 1861, I wonder if hes enumerated twice, once as Roper with parents Henry and Ann, and once as Smith living on his own. In 1851, I can only see one candidate, as Roper (possible 'Poper') : HO107/2140 119 25

Now strangely, both wife Susannah and wife Mary were born ca. 1840 Horsley Woodhouse. Makes you wonder whether they're one and the same lady. Ada's birth cert would confirm her mother's name.   

 

[maidmarianoops]

1901 census
Ada Roper Smith
17
birth  1884
Daughter
Geo Roper Smith
Mary Roper Smith
Chesterfield, Derbyshire, England


Geo Roper Smith     59
Mary Roper Smith    61
Ethel Roper Smith   20
Ada Roper Smith     17
Rose Scott               22


sylvia

[maidmarianoops]

death  Ada Roper Smith spinster 23 Aug 1934 23 May 1934Derbyshire, England

83.4 left to basil smith minor

sylvia

[scriv2]

In 1891....going by Smith surname and with wife Mary

George R Smith    49
Mary Smith    51
Arthur Smith    23
George H Smith    19
Harriett Smith    15
William Smith    16
James Smith    12
Ethel M F Smith    10
Ada Smith    7
John Smith    26
Ada Smith    29

[spendlove]

Hello,

Marriage on IGI:-

11th September 1864 St. Alkmund Derby  Batch Number M055376

Susannah Fletcher aged 24 Father William Fletcher
   to
George Roper aged 23 Father John Roper

Spendlove

[scriv2]

In 1861, George Smith, born 1842, single, tanner, living in Horsley before his marriage.

Right place, right time ......Ref:RG9/2508/13 p 19

Also, from www.familysearch.org :-

George Smith Roper bapt 6 May 1842, Castle Donnington, Leicester
son of Hannah Roper

 

[James - Cornwall]

Wow! Thanks for all the information and ideas - certainly given me some interesting leads to follow up.
Scriv2, looking at the baptism entry that you found, I wonder if George Smith Roper was illegitimate, as no mention of a father's name - and as in many such cases, the Smith would probably suggest the father's surname.  Using the information you provided, i have just found a marriage index entry : A Hannah Roper married a John Smith in 1842 (Dec quarter) - reg district Shardlow - which i believe is in the right part of the country. Maybe after the marriage, the names were switched to become George Roper Smith, as opposed to George Smith Roper. Any thoughts anyone?
James

PS thanks again for all your help

[scriv2]

Yes, I think looks like the marriage followed later in the year after George's birth, which explains the varying arrangement of the surnames as life goes on, especially if George - and indeed the rest of the family - might not have been aware of the details!

So now, how can we explain Susannah and Mary??

Barbara