Genealogy Forum UK

I have been looking into history of George Edgar Ellerington Thom(p)son who shows up first in Ayrshire, Scotland in 1884. On his marriage cert this year he gives parents as WIlliam Thomson engine driver and Rachel Thomson maiden surname Ellerington, deceased.
From 1891 and 1901 Scottish censuses he was born in England about 1853.
After much hunting I have come to the conclusion he is illegitimate son of Rachel Ellerington.
Found his birth in third quarter 1853.
Ellerington Edgar Skirlaugh 9d 208

In 1861 he is with William Ellerington grandfather, gardener and groom, as Edgar Ellerington. Meanwhile Rachel married Henry Canty in 1857 in Greenwich and had 2 children.
in 1871 census he is with mother and stepfamily as Edgar Canty in Caistor.
Can't find anywhere in 1881.
He marries a second time in 1888 details same as before except father William Thomson has gone from being an engine driver to a gardener.
On his death cert no parents recorded as it is a neighbour who is the informant.
Mother Rachel (Canty) died in 1871 in Caistor

Why would he change his name?

I suspect "William Thomson" is made up of grandfather the gardener and stepfather the engine driver? Why why George? Did Edgar Ellerington sound too English in Scotland?

And where is he is 1881?

If I got his birth cert would it give mother's name if there's no father?

His occupations are pit bottomer 1884 &1888, pottery worker 1891 & 1901 labourer 1905

Kay in Ayrshire

KayM wrote:I have been looking into history of George Edgar Ellerington Thom(p)son who shows up first in Ayrshire, Scotland in 1884. On his marriage cert this year he gives parents as WIlliam Thomson engine driver and Rachel Thomson maiden surname Ellerington, deceased.
From 1891 and 1901 Scottish censuses he was born in England about 1853.
After much hunting I have come to the conclusion he is illegitimate son of Rachel Ellerington.
Found his birth in third quarter 1853.
Ellerington Edgar Skirlaugh 9d 208


If I got his birth cert would it give mother's name if there's no father?


Kay in Ayrshire

I think (apart from foundlings for obvious reasons!) all birth certificates have mother's details on -- father's details appear if mother is married or if father attends the registration and accepts paternity. I think this is still true in England today.

Thanks Maths girl. I'm not that familiar with English certificates.

Has anyone any idea why he might have changed his name from Edgar Ellerington to George Edgar Ellerington Thomson?

Kay

Changing names was not that unusual, back in the old days you could call yourself whatever you liked. I would think the names were taken from someone he knew or who cared for him, was he Educated, or very Religious, could be a Minister or a School Teacher HTH Linell.

He may well have been born illegitimate but that does not mean he was unware of who his father was.

So a Wiliam Thompson may well have been his actual father, wether or not he appears on the birth certificate.

The father changing from Engine Driver to Gardener is not a problem. People did change occupations.

I don;t think he would have chosen George just to sound more English. There may have been another Edgar that he did not want to be confused with.

Thanks, both of you, for good suggestions!