Trying to locate parent info when no UK birth certificate available

[louisemcc60]

Hello

Apologies in advance as I've probably posted this in the wrong forum! Wasn't sure where to start.
I am just starting out and am trying to locate an ancestor from the Oxted, Surrey UK region. His name is Esseni Meager. I have marriage and death certificate information for him but nothing that provides me with his birth details. Father is listed as James Meager. I applied to the GRO for a birth certificate and they advised that they have no record of it. Birth year is 1860 or 1861, marriage and death year are both 1881 (sad!).

Could he be:
Not registered for some reason eg illegitimate?
Born overseas? (can't find any historical information on the roots of the name "Esseni").

Big thank you in advance for any help and also your guidance on using this forum!
Much appreciated 

[BumbleB]

Welcome to Rootschat 

Birth registration was not compulsory until 1875, so it is entirely possible that his birth was never registered.

[nanny jan]

Have you looked for him on the census?

[amondg]

Cannot find him on the 1871 or 1881 census.
The burial entry for him dated 26 December 1881 has the word "navigator" written below his name I believe it to be an occupation as wool comber is written below another name on the page.

At the top of the same page is James Meager buried 28 July 1881 age 72  it also has navigator under his name. Could this be his father?


I found Mary Jane Evans with her father in 1871 and 1881 and expected to find him close by but no luck.

[Guy Etchells]

Cannot find him on the 1871 or 1881 census.
The burial entry for him dated 26 December 1881 has the word "navigator" written below his name I believe it to be an occupation as wool comber is written below another name on the page.

At the top of the same page is James Meager buried 28 July 1881 age 72  it also has navigator under his name. Could this be his father?


I found Mary Jane Evans with her father in 1871 and 1881 and expected to find him close by but no luck.

Yes a navigator was initially a labourer who dug the canals (navigation) but was later the term coined for labourers working on the railways.
These men were often Irish but included men of all nationalities.
Cheers
Guy

[aghadowey]

The problem could be that his first name varies greatly according to each record 

Emily Ann Meager christened 14 May 1882 Oxted- parents- Ernni & Mary Jane
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QGZ5-TVF7

By 1901 census widow Mary Jane has remarried- daughter Emily Meagre in household with 3 other stepchildren named Ponting-
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XSXJ-49H

Might be a co-incidence but Croydon is only about 10 miles from Oxted-
Marriage: 28 Nov.1887 St. Michael & All Angels, Croydon- John Revell, 20, son of Alfred Revell, to Emma Meager, 20, daughter of James Meager
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NV36-21Y

James Meager died 1881 age 72 was born c1809 so perhaps 'Esenni's' grandfather or an elderly uncle?

Census information Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.uk

[aghadowey]

1891 census shows Henry John Ponting & wife Mary J. with a 'daughter' Emily A. Ponting, age 9, born Oxford, Surrey and 2 younger children-
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:47S6-9PZ

Marriage: Oct./Dec.1883 West Ashford dist. (vol.2a p.1306) Henry John Ponting to Mary Jane Meager
Marriage: July/Sept.1893 Southampton dist. (vol.2c p.68) Frederick Giles to Mary Jane Ponting

Marriage: July/Sept.1901 Southampton dist. (vol.2c p.79) Ernest James Deal to Emily Ann Meager

1911 census- Emily Ann Deal, husband & 2 children- https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XW5Z-3VW

Census information Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.uk

[aghadowey]

Might be a co-incidence but Croydon is only about 10 miles from Oxted-
Marriage: 28 Nov.1887 St. Michael & All Angels, Croydon- John Revell, 20, son of Alfred Revell, to Emma Meager, 20, daughter of James Meager
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NV36-21Y

Baptism: Emma Elizabeth Meager 1867- parents James & Jemima
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JQX4-3YY
GRO shows mother's maiden name as Brown

Baptism: Rose Emily Meager 1873- https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JQW1-NRJ
GRO shows mother's maiden name as Brown

Baptism: Louisa Ann Meager 1864- https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QGZR-NC86
GRO shows mother's maiden name Brown

GRO shows death 1876 Croydon- James Meager, age 41

1881 Census- Jemima Meager (widow) with 2 daughters
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q277-59LZ

Added- James Meager & Jemima Brown married 1864 Croydon

Census information Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.uk

[aghadowey]

For now I would forget about the Croydon family but the details posted just in case they do turn out to be connected.

If we could get 'Esseni' in English census before his death in 1881 it would give a birthplace (county if in England or country if outside England).

I suspect that 'Esseni' is nothing like his real Christian name and it will turn out to be something like James 
Do you have the originals of marriage and death certificates? if so, can you post portion showing his name here so we can all have a look.
What about the names of both witnesses to the marriage?