I'm working on a family tree for a friend of my sister, or rather her husbands tree since I did her own some years ago. Surname Cox - Walter Thomas Cox had married in 1894, and 1901 and 1911 census confirmed a birth ca.1869 in Norfolk. No trace of such a person! After a lot of 'delving' I concluded that he was the illegitimate son of a Sophia Cox who'd married a Jackson in 1870's but no Walter with she and her family in 1881 or indeed anywhere else! Due to his specific birthplace I believe he was working away from home in 1891 and shown as Walter Jackson. So, have spent ages trying to find him with Sophia in 1871 but no joy. However, last night I eventually found them - she was living with her widowed father in South Lopham - transcribed as Cook, although original is Cock - and with them is Walter aged 2. Indeed, the surname itself has caused umpteen problems. Sophia herself became Cox and her father is Cox when he died in 1883 but before then the family were always Cock. So, re. Walter Thomas Cox - he appears to have given himself the second name Thomas - and 1939 register shows a birthdate of 28 Feb. 1869. A plain Walter Cox was reg'd Mar.qtr.1869 Guiltcross (regn. district for Kenninghall where he was born) - no baptism, no trace in 1871/1881/1891, no death - and having found Walter with Sophia in 1871 (as Cock) I believe this birth entry is him. I have now ordered the birth certificate to hopefully confirm.
Annette