Census Detective -any clues?

[Anneqq]

Hi
A couple of years ago a can across a website called the Census Detective, who would look up census details for you -FOC- he (she, they) where a great help to me when I had hit a brick wall, but I can no longer find any reference to the site or the face behind it, can anyone help?

Anne

[sillgen]

Why not put your problem on here?   We can help with all census years except 1911.

[Anneqq]

I did, but CD helped fill a gap, which no one on here did.

I now have my G Mothers birth certificate, I know she was "adopted", but cannot clearly identify her mother before or after the birth.

I was hoping to got back to CD for a set of eyes.

Anne

[aghadowey]

Looks like this might be your 'brickwall' but not sure how you think Census Detective will solve it without more information-
http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=511017.msg3672206#msg3672206

[KGarrad]

JUdging from your previous posts, you are looking for a Margaret Bell, Domestic Servant, who was the mother of an illegitimate daughter in 1900?

This might fit?
1901 census: Class:  RG13; Piece:  4885; Folio:  166; Page:  5.
16 Concrete Cottages, Barepot, Workington

Bell, William  Head  M  50  Ag Lab  b Seaton, Cumberland
Bell, Frances  Wife  F  53  b Dearham, Cumberland
Bell, John  Son  M  26  Steel Worker  b Dearham
Bell, Henry  Son  M  22  Boiler Smith's Labourer  b Workington
Bell, Thomas  Son  M  17  Collier - Hewer  b Workington
Bell, Hannah  Daughter  F  20  Laundry Maid  b Workington
Bell, Margt  Daughter  F  18  Domestic Servant  b Workington
Bell, Fanny  Daughter  F  15  Laundry Worker  b Workington
Bell, William  Grandson  M  4  b Workington

[Anneqq]

Thanks KGARRAD

I have followed this line too (the closest match I could find) but with finding matches on other trees for Margaret,she married a Gordon Murray exactly 1 yr later, I asked the question about the possilbility of an illegitimate child, but I was told it was unlikely. I really need somone to say its defiantly her. (I have added the family to my tree on Ancestry)

[andycand]

Hi

It is not going to be easy for anyone to identify the correct Margaret Bell without more information. From what you say your grandmothers birth certificate only has Margarets address, 18 South Marsh St, and occupation, it doesn't indicate how long Margaret was living there. She could have been living there when she fell pregnant or she could have moved there in the later stages of pregancy. Many young women were sent away to give birth which means that Margaret could have been from anywhere and not necessarily Workington.
Do you have a copy of your grandmothers marriage certificate? If so, who does it name as her father? Occasionally an illigitimate child will name their biological or reputed father on their marriage certificate.
A check of the Electoral Roll for 18 South Marsh St from say 1899 to 1902 may be useful. The rolls are probably at a local archive in Cumberland. You would also need to confirm that the person was actually living there. There should be a code that says how they were eligible to be on the roll.
It is also worth canvassing relatives and close family friends of your grandmother as they may know something. Also, any contacts in the Brown family, they may have some knowledge.

Andy

[KGarrad]

I asked the question about the possilbility of an illegitimate child, but I was told it was unlikely.

 

If there is no father named on the birth certificate, then I would say she is almost certainly illegitimate!

[Anneqq]

Thanks Andy and KGarrad

I w
Love a mystry as much as the next person, believe me, I can hunt most stuff down. But this is becoming my nemesis.
My G mother & G Father got together while he was still married, and they didn't marry until I was 4 yrs old, when his 1st wife died.
I check the census for South Marsh Street (as my G Mother was born 1900) but there is no sign of birth mother or family there. I cannot look at electrol roll as Cumbria is just that too far for a day trip.
I have also draw a blank with family,the information I got from my mother was certainly off the mark, as I think they tried to cover up they weren't married and my G Mother may never have know she was adopted. Her father other marriage licence shows John Brown, occupation Farmer.

Help!

Anne