Help please with Baptism record

[erika]

Hi All

Just wondered if someone could help me with this image?
On the right hand page in the margin to the left of the names are letters, could anyone tell me what they mean please.
I am particularly interested in the top 2, Sarah Anne and Esther Jane. Very confused too as they have different surnames and fathers, although I think they are sisters. Not a Liverpool family this time

Would be grateful for your thoughts
Thanks
Erika

[Blue70]

Could the A be for Adult as in adult baptisms?


Blue

[erika]

Thanks for your reply Blue.

I had considered that too, as far as I know Esther was born 1886/7 and Sarah 1883.
So not sure Esther would be thought of as an adult!
The other letters alongside Sarah's name are different too.

Mystery

Thanks
Erika

[MaryA]

I think Adult too, could Matilda have been married twice, making the two half sisters?

[erika]

Thanks Mary

This is complicated, what's new

Matilda was married to William Harding in 1877. In 1881 I think he was in prison and she was living with her sister's family. Not sure how long he was in prison for, but in the 1891 census Matilda is a widow with 2 children. Can't find a death for William. Can't find another marriage for Matilda.
What I find confusing still is the addresses on the baptisms are the same and also the professions/trades of the father. William was an ironfounder. Who this Frederick Watkins is, I have no idea.
I have possible births for the girls, so may have to send for the certs.

I also have a possible marriage for Sarah Ann Harding,(1909 ) which gives father as William and profession as ironmonger, deceased

Can't find death for Matilda either or census after 1891.

Just something else to keep me busy

Erika

[MaryA]

Who this Frederick Watkins is, I have no idea.

The milkman?

Do they both have the same surname and mmn on the GRO index?

[erika]

You're probably right Mary

The girls both were registered as Harding, but no mother's maiden name, too early.

I'm going to have to get the cents to be sure, wish they still did the check for names before you got them tho'

Thanks for your interest
Erika

[MaryA]

Firstly they do check!!!

I often find it easiest to telephone and explain 0300 123 1837 but you can also UNCHECK on the form where it asks for the GRO reference and that gives you the opportunity on the next page to give your criteria.

But it's not too early for the mother's maiden names - have you been offline lately and missed all the talk about the GRO registers? I posted this early November https://www.liverpool-genealogy.org.uk/ ... 23&t=15481
You just need to register, for free, absolutely essential that this is the place now to search for births and deaths, as they have given this information to no other site, it's only available on there.

[erika]

Thanks Mary, missed that post, but haven't been doing much family history lately, put on hold whilst painting, decorating and grandchildren have taken centre stage

Will certainly give that a go later, sounds good, may solve a few other mysteries I've got too.
Thanks again
Erika

[erika]

Just checked the GRO and bingo both entries were correct, registered as Harding mmn Bond.
So mystery still goes on, I love this

Erika

[MaryA]

Glad you got a good result and of course now know about the very useful GRO indexes.