No Father? William Thomas Hurley

[Catherine86]

Hi!

I've come across a marriage certificate for William Thomas Earley. However, in the section for the Father's name, it is left blank.

I then checked Lancashire BMD for his birth to find out his Mother's maiden name but it came up Earley for Mother's maiden name too.

Please could you point me in the right direction as to where to look next? How can I find more about the Mother? Doubtful I will ever know anything about his Father.

I have noticed that sometimes he is listed as William Thomas Hurley. (Though this was around 1900)

He becomes a patient as Prestwich Asylum in his later years.

William Thomas Hurley
b. 1862 Manchester
d. 1916 Manchester

Any advice would be great... thanks!

[avm228]

It looks likely to be a case of illegitimate birth.  If you order the birth certificate you will obtain details of his mother, but probably not his father.

[avm228]

Have you looked for him in 1871 when he might be with his mother?

[chempat]

Have you found him in censuses before his marriage?

If 20 at marriage (1880), born 1860 or trying to appear older?

[CaroleW]

William Thomas Hurley
b. 1862 Manchester

It was 1861 not 1862 - surname Earley

[avm228]

Yes, likely birth reg is as William Thomas Earley, Dec qtr 1861 Chorlton 8c 482.

[avm228]

Yes, likely birth reg is as William Thomas Earley, Dec qtr 1861 Chorlton 8c 482.

Actually there is a Catholic baptism transcribed on LanOPC corresponding to this birth.

St Aloysius, Ardwick, 20 Oct 1861

Gulielmus Thomas Earley, filius Georgii Howley [sic] et Hannae. Born 1 Oct 1861.

Godparents: Scholes Scholes; Maria A. Smyth.

http://www.lan-opc.org.uk/Search/indexp.html

[Catherine86]

Thanks for the quick responses!

Yes, sorry it was 1861 he was born.

avm228 - Wow, thanks! So helpful - and so quick. I do appreciate it, thanks for your time!

[avm228]

Given that “Howley” cropped up on the baptism, you might want to look at Ann Howley (28 b Stockport) in Cowell’s Buildings, Ardwick in 1871.  She is an unmarried mother of 9yo William (middle initial looks like L, but that could be an error) and John, 20 months.

RG10/3977/166/48.