As I am new to RootsChat I am not yet sure how I reply to individual posts/queries linked to my thread. So to everyone who has contributed to date Thanks so much. As I do not know how to link to specific comments in order to reply to each one, I have drawn together some further information.
Jomot suggests perhaps my Great grandfather was using a false Christian name too? If this is the case I am truly at a dead-end as I have been told only that he was Tom Harris from Honiton Devon. That name and origin have been used consistently since the 1891 census (again on 1901 and 1911 census records. It is always what my Grandfather believed too.
The background to my Great grandmother is slightly more clear, although I do feel she may have been 'Emma' rather than 'Emily' as she later became known . The Birth of an 'Emma' Stoneham is shown in Chepstow 1883 Vol 11a p5 which seems to be her. There is no trace of a marriage for either an 'Emma' or and 'Emily' either in Monmouth or Manchester. There is the additional red-herring of the marriage between her sister Elizabeth and an Edwin Harris.
The children of the Tom Harris and Emily Stoneham are.....
William Henry 1883 born Monmouth. There is a record for 1883 Bedwellty Monmouth Vol 11a p119 but I am not sure if this is 'my' family.
Annie (1885) born Monmouth. Again, there is a record of an 'Annie Harris' born 1886 in Newport Monmouthshire vol 11a p245. Again I cannot be sure if this is the correct ancestor or not as mother's maiden name is not given.
Matthew Henry, born Ardwick Manchester.
Eliza, (Ardwick Manchester.)
Edith, ( Ardwick Manchester)
Tom, (Ardwick Manchester) who was the first of the baptised children. He was baptised 1895 at Holy Trinity, Prestolee. This is where all the following children were baptised. Prestolee, Outwood and Ringley as referred to in census documents and Birth and Baptism records are virtually synonymous.
Sidney, baptised 1897
Frederick, baptised 1898
Albion, baptised1899
Hector, baptised 1903
Ellis, baptised 1903
Robert and Eli, who were twins and who were born and died in 1903 were also baptised in 1903.
As I said in my original post all the clear-cut records seem to be post 1891 and also all the actual 'religious' involvement also seems to increase from 1895 onwards I still have a lot of mystery surrounding this and it is causing me sleepless nights pondering it all. Any help would be much appreciated!! Who was my Great grandfather? Tom Harris or not?
Thanks folks!
