Mystery Mary

[MrsYC]

Hi!!

I’m new here, I’m looking for a relative named Mary E Hollingsworth. Born 1861 in Kelsall Cheshire. Her name could also be spelled Hollingworth or Hallingworth.
Mary’s parents were Ann Hollingsworth nee Mortisher/Mottershaw/Mottershead/Mollershead and Robert Hollingsworth (however I’m not sure that Robert was her biological father). I’ve also found a Martha Mottershead born the same time and place to an Ann Mottershead. 

Here’s what I know so far.. my great great grandad was called Tom Hollingsworth his mother was Mary Hollingsworth. One day Tom decided to take his family to the town hall and change all their surnames to Mottershaw. No one knew why, and no one questioned it (Although my gran remembers people sneering at her because “she was a Hollingsworth”).

After multiple years researching this I found out that Mottershaw was Mary’s mother’s maiden name (although in the census it is spelled Mortisher) so the mystery was solved however I can’t find a trace of Mary or who Toms biological father is. What happened to Mary? 

[Girl Guide]

Welcome to Rootschat 

Just going to put the 1871 census for reference.

Find My Past have transcribed the surname as Holingsworth.  We have Robert and Ann with Mary E, Betsey and George living at Thompsons Cottage, Delamere, Northwich, Cheshire

Registration district   Northwich
Archive reference   RG10
Piece number   3694
Folio   88
Page   15

At the moment not seeing a birth record for Mary.

[Girl Guide]

This appears to be brother George's birth registration

HOLLINSWORTH, GEORGE       MOTTERSHED 
GRO Reference: 1865  J Quarter in GREAT BOUGHTON  Volume 08A  Page 365

This seems to be the marriage for the parents.  Ann's surname spelt differently.

Marriages Jun 1862
Hollingsworth    Robert        Runcorn    8a   245   
Mortershead    Ann        Runcorn    8a   245

[Girl Guide]

Mary is a servant in the 1881 census living at Tarporley Road, Delamere, Northwich, Cheshire.  Her birth place is given as Kelsall which confirms the birth place that you gave for her.

Registration district   Northwich
Archive reference   RG11
Piece number   3520
Folio   86
Page   4

[Girl Guide]

Just realised that Robert and Ann married after Mary was born so this is Mary's birth registration

MOTTERSHEAD, MARY  ELIZABETH     - 
GRO Reference: 1861  J Quarter in GREAT BOUGHTON  Volume 08A  Page 368

The little dash indicates an illegitimate birth.

[MrsYC]

Wow this is amazing. Thankyou so much!!

[Girl Guide]

Can you tell me when and where Tom was born and I assume his surname would have been Hollingsworth?

[MrsYC]

Tom was born in either 1882 or 1883 in Delamere Cheshire. He was either a Hollingsworth or a Mottershaw we never knew who his dad was.

[Girl Guide]

The GRO have him down as Mottershear 

MOTTERSHEAR, TOM       - 
GRO Reference: 1883  J Quarter in NORTHWICH  Volume 08A  Page 261

The little dash means illegitimate which you already know.

Mary was living in the right place in 1881, i.e. Delamere.  The father could have been one of the two men living in the household at the time, they would be old enough.

Unless you are very lucky finding the father of an illegitimate child is virtually impossible.