Henry Whitlock born 1849

[Korowe]

Hi All,

I'm looking for for the parents or siblings of a Henry Whitlock born circa 1849 in possibly London or Dorset depending on the census records. The earliest census I find him is 1891, then 1901 and 1911, living in central London around the Strand/Covent Garden with occupation Herbalist.

His first "wife" is Mary Ann Meakings (my fathers Great Great Aunt) to which he has 3 sons, Thomas (1875-1926), Walter (1877-1911) and Robert (1879-1956).I've been unable to find a marriage entry in the church records or a civil marriage entry. I have DNA matches confirmed through the family lines of sons Thomas and Robert. Henry goes on to marry a Elizabeth Mary Everett in in 1893, she was previously married to a David George Hinds and they had a son David William. The marriage entry in the church records notes Henry's father as a Thomas Whitlock, a mariner. In one census it indicates he has an adopted daughter an Elizabeth Byard (no birth records on her)

I have not been able to find any Birth Records or Baptism entries for the 3 sons, so I'm not certain they are even his sons. I believe they are the sons of Mary Ann because of my DNA matches. I have not been able to find any census data for Henry or his father Thomas prior to 1891 or any birth/baptism entries. He seems to have appeared out of nowhere!

I've searched MyHeritage, Ancestry, FindMyPast, FREEBMD, any ideas on where I else I can check to find information on this man of mystery!

NOTE: the surname Whitlock is often badly transcribed as "Whillock"

Many thanks

[Dundee]

In one census it indicates he has an adopted daughter an Elizabeth Byard (no birth records on her)

The 1901 census states that she was born St Giles, so yes there is a birth registration.

Birth

BYARD, ELIZABETH
Mother's maiden surname: MULLINS     
GRO Reference: 1895  D Quarter in ST GILES  Volume 01B  Page 626      

Marriages Jun 1885 

BYARD, Alfred       
MULLINS,    Matilda Celia   

The mother Matilda died in 1897, so probably just a child in need of a home.

Debra 

[Neale1961]

Are you aware of this marriage?

5 Apr 1874 St Saviour, Hoxton
Mary Ann MEAKINS to Thomas VANHACKOVENS
Her father – William, a chair maker
His Father – Thomas, a seaman
Witness - James Serjeant !

Birth registration for three sons:
VANHACKOVENS, THOMAS             Mother: MEEKING 
GRO Reference: 1874  S Quarter in STRAND  Volume 01B  Page 615

VANHACKOVENS, WALTER  WHITLOCK    Mother: MEAKINS 
GRO Reference: 1876  S Quarter in STRAND  Volume 01B  Page 648

VANHACKOVENS, ROBERT       Mother: MEAKINS 
GRO Reference: 1879  M Quarter in ST SAVIOUR SURREY  Volume 01D  Page 85

[Neale1961]

Poor school records, 1854 London:
William Vanhackovens age 10 and Thomas Vanhackovens age 4
Father in the Workhouse
Chargeable to Cornhill Parish
 (1850, Cornhill is place of birth given for Henry Whitlock in 1901 census)

I suspect (but cannot prove yet) their mother may have been a Whitlock.

[Dundee]

Well done, Neale1961.  My guess would be that Thomas is the husband's son, and Walter and Robert are Henry's children.

Henry states "don't know" and "not known" for place of birth in 1891 and 1911, so 1901 might just be where he lived as a child?

...... 1911, living in central London around the Strand/Covent Garden with occupation Herbalist.

In 1891 he is Assistant to Herbalist, in 1901 Herbalist Warehouseman and in 1911 Herbalist's Warehouseman.

Debra 

[Korowe]

Are you aware of this marriage?

5 Apr 1874 St Saviour, Hoxton
Mary Ann MEAKINS to Thomas VANHACKOVENS
Her father – William, a chair maker
His Father – Thomas, a seaman
Witness - James Serjeant !

Birth registration for three sons:
VANHACKOVENS, THOMAS             Mother: MEEKING 
GRO Reference: 1874  S Quarter in STRAND  Volume 01B  Page 615

VANHACKOVENS, WALTER  WHITLOCK    Mother: MEAKINS 
GRO Reference: 1876  S Quarter in STRAND  Volume 01B  Page 648

VANHACKOVENS, ROBERT       Mother: MEAKINS 
GRO Reference: 1879  M Quarter in ST SAVIOUR SURREY  Volume 01D  Page 85

Oh my goodness that is a breakthrough! Thank you so much. So with the reference of "WHITLOCK" the registration for Walter would that mean he is son of Henry she has just given him her married name?

[Dundee]

There is no place on a birth cert for a surname for a registered child, Walter Whitlock are the child's two christian names.   When they are indexed the surname used is that of a named father or the mother's surname if the father is not named.

You would need to see the actual certificate to see if a father is named. If he isn't then the mother would be named as Mary Ann VANHACKOVENS formerly MEAKINS.

Having said that, the VANHACKOVENS family are together in 1881 with three named MEAKINS in the same household.  It is very difficult to read.

St Giles in the Fields
Piece   323
Folio   68
Page number 62

I am not sure if Neale1961 is following a hunch that Henry WHITLOCK is the same person as Thomas VANHACKOVENS.

Debra 

[Dundee]

Having said that, the VANHACKOVENS family are together in 1881 with three named MEAKINS in the same household.  It is very difficult to read.

I think it might be Mary Ann's brother Robert with his wife Frances (formerly WEBB) and son Thomas.

Debra 

[Korowe]

Having said that, the VANHACKOVENS family are together in 1881 with three named MEAKINS in the same household.  It is very difficult to read.

I think it might be Mary Ann's brother Robert with his wife Frances (formerly WEBB) and son Thomas.

Debra 

Thank you very much Debra, this information has blown me away! I've found the census records and your correct, very difficult to read. I was just trying to work out which sibling it was with the 2 children and it makes sense its Robert.

Now to find out if Mr Whitlock is in fact Mr Vanhackovens. The names sounds very Dutch and has been badly anglicised.