Adoption in Family

[YB2019]

Hello Everyone,

Posted on here before and got some really advice/help and I am hoping for the same again.

I have recently found out that my 2X Great Grandmother was adopted as a youngster and that her surname was changed to match her adoptive family of 'Maitland'. I have several birth certificates of her children where her maiden name is listed as Maitland. I also have the marriage certificate for her and my 2X Great Grandfather and her name is listed as 'Robson'. I am assuming her birth surname was Robson and her father is listed as Joseph Robson. All of the dates, locations and ages add up so I am sure I am looking at the right family/person.

However, I was wondering if it is best to follow the 'Robson' line or the 'Maitland' line when it comes to research? I am struggling to find anything out about the Robson side?

Information I have is Joseph Young (B-1866, Spennymoor, Durham) and Elizabeth Jane Robson/Maitland (B-1873, Gateshead). They were married in 1892 in Winlaton (Robson is listed as her surname on Marriage certificate). They had 13 children, on of which is my Great Grandfather, James Young (B-1911, Lanchester, Durham).

Any advice would be greatly appreciated and thank you in advance

[Rosinish]

I was wondering if it is best to follow the 'Robson' line or the 'Maitland' line when it comes to research? I am struggling to find anything out about the Robson side?

No harm in doing both I guess but if Robson is your true family name it makes sense to follow it as an adoptive line won't give your true roots...edit especially if you go the DNA route.

Annie

[avm228]

Have you identified her birth registration?

I see these two:

Elizabeth Jane Robson, mother’s maiden name Tucker, Mar qtr 1872 Gateshead
Elizabeth Jane Robson, mother’s maiden name Wright, Jun qtr 1873 Gateshead

[avm228]

Have you identified her birth registration?

I see these two:

Elizabeth Jane Robson, mother’s maiden name Tucker, Mar qtr 1872 Gateshead
Elizabeth Jane Robson, mother’s maiden name Wright, Jun qtr 1873 Gateshead

The Tucker one is with parents Andrew and Barbara (née Tucker) Robson in 1881 & 1891 (and still them, unmarried, in 1911 per free index) so can be ruled out.

[YB2019]

Thanks for the replies!

On the 1939 census it says her birth year is 1873 but I cant work out the month as its unreadable! I am learning more towards the mother maiden name being Wright but I cant be sure.

On the 1871 and 1881 census, Elizabeth Jane is listed as the adopted daughter of Joseph and Ellen Maitland.

I am thinking of looking into both the maitland and Robson sides 😀

[avm228]

13 March 1873?

[YB2019]

I was thinking March but it doesn't match other March's on the page?

[avm228]

“Mch” - sometime used to make a clear distinction from May.

[YB2019]

Ahh brilliant - Gives me a chance now to find Elizabeth Jane birth parents and trace that side of the family.

Thanks for the help