Ambrose Allen, Who were his parents?

[toby_ax]

Hi,

I have an Ambrose Allen in my family tree, and I am struggling to work out who his parents were.

The basics:

Ambrose Allen
Born abt 1826 in Great Hormead, Hertfordshire, England
Dying (I believe) In October 1887 Royston, Hertfordshire

He married a Charlotte Wheeler in 1856 Great Hormead, Hertford, England, backed up by GRO Index.

He had what 8 Children including my relative, Fanny Allen (What a name) lol

There are some suggestions of his father being a Wm (William) Brook(s) and his mother Eliz Allen, but I have not found a way to prove or disprove this. This could suggest he was Illegitimate, but all christening or birth records I have of people who are illegitimate in my family tree, have no father listed at all.



Is there any chance someone more experienced than me would be able to help me achieve more information regarding Ambrose, which being an unusual name, I though would provide a greater insight into records relating to him.

[CaroleW]

Buying a copy of his marriage cert may name his father

[CaroleW]

The 1841 census for Herts has Elizabeth Allen 50 - widow & Ambrose 15

Ages from age 16 were rounded down to the nearest 5yrs  when the 1841 census was taken

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MQYX-XXB
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:SGPV-ZSG

[CaroleW]

Christening 6.1.1826 Gt Hormead

Ambrose Allen or Brooks

Father William Brooks mother Elizabeth Allen

[QueenoftheWest]

Buying a copy of his marriage may name his father

The transcription of the marriage record on FindMyPast gives Charlotte's father as Thomas Wheeler, but no father listed for Ambrose, so I'm thinking it was likely left blank. Ambrose was 30, Charlotte was 25.

Queenie 

[QueenoftheWest]

Father William Brooks mother Elizabeth Allen

William was a blacksmith.

Queenie 

[QueenoftheWest]

In 1861, Elizabeth is living in Great Hormead and her grandson George Allen, born c.1857, is also present. I see that Ambrose and Charlotte had a son called George whose birth year matches and who is not with them on the 1861 census, so this is strong evidence that the baptism Carole mentions is correct. George is on the 1871 census with his parents.

Queenie 

[QueenoftheWest]

Elizabeth was the widow of George Allen - also a blacksmith - with whom she had many children; the youngest (baptised in 1821) was also a Fanny Allen!  George died in 1824, aged 40. He married Elizabeth (maiden name King) in 1807.

Queenie 

[toby_ax]

Wow! Thanks both of you! Very insightful.

I wonder where this William Brooks comes into it.
I'll try and find if there is any relevance to this. If christened with a 'father' of William Brooks, assuming this is the same Ambrose, could it be possible that Elizabeth had started relations with another man so quickly after her husbands death? Or, less likely could this even be his father? If the 1826 birth is correct.

George died in 1824

My Ambrose Allen was born 1826, but I have found records to show it could possibly be 1825, which puts this George into the equation!

It is reinforcing to know about another Fanny Allen.

I thank both of you!