Genealogy Chat

I am trying to trace the birth of George Smart. His birth date on the census forms is 1845-Birth place St. Dustans, Middx. I thought I found him sent for certificate 1844 Lambeth but its the wrong father. Then I saw stepney birth 1843 so sent for that again wrong father. Sent for his marriage cert 6th Nov 1884 to make sure I had the correct father and it was there William- Cabinet maker The correct father. His age is given as 40 which is in line with the census returns. I have searched 1837 can't seem to find him. I though St. Dustans was in stepney but I think its perhaps its in the City of London. His marriage was city of London. Perhaps I have just missed him. Used up all my units now Anyone got any idea how I can find his birth.

There's St Dunstan in the East and also in the West. The registration districts were: St. Dunstan in the East, LND 1837-1869 in City of London District and from 1870 in London City District St. Dunstan in the West, LND 1837-1838 in Farringdon District and 1838-1869 in West London District and from 1870 in London City District So, for the date you are after, it would be City Of London or Farringdon, depending on which St D's he was born in. Maybe he wasn't registered (not compulsory until 1870's)?? UPDATE - but see Kathleen's reply, below! Sarah

Found this birth on 1837online. It could be the one, but if you order the certificate, give the father's first name as a checking point, then you won't have to pay the full price if it's the wrong one:- George Smart Sept. qtr. 1844, W. London, II, 242 Found this about the W. London registration district:- West London Created 1st April 1838 (renaming of Farringdon district). Abolished 1st January 1870 (incorporated into London City district). In Middlesex. Sub-districts : West London North; West London South. GRO volumes : II (1838-51); 1c (1852-69). Barnard's Inn, Bridewell, Inner Temple, St. Andrew Holborn behind Bars, St. Bartholomew the Great, St. Bartholomew the Less, St. Bride, St. Dunstan in the West, St. Sepulchre (1838-45), St. Sepulchre without Newgate, Serjeants' Inn, Thavies Inn. Registers now in London City district. You will see that St. Dunstan's in the West, is covered by this registration district so it could be the right one. Hope this helps. Kath. x

sarah thanks for the information on St. Dunstans. I was finding it very confusing. I didn't know it was not complusory to register the birth until 1870. I suppose then you have hope the child was christened. Anyone got any idea how I can trace him. I found the family on 1861 census. George was living with his father William but no mother mentioned so I guess she was dead. I was hoping to find her name. Perhaps I will have to wait for 1851 to be published. Unless anyone else has any suggestions

Who did George marry? What was Georges profession on his marriage cert? and what other children were in the house on the 1861 census? Deborah

Did you see Kathleen Bell's posting, above? Sarah

Kathleen Thanks for that. I will try for that certificate and as you suggest I will state williams name. I have already spent £14 for wrong certs. Still it will be worth it if I can find Him. Thanks for the information on West London as well. I just missed it I was sure St. Dustans was Stepney. I have hardly any knowledge of London.

Deborah George Married Francis Watson and his profession was Labourer. he was a WIDOWER and she was a Widow. in 1861 George was in St. Brides. Father William born 1804 Chelsea- Cabinet Maker Daughter Jane Smart 1851 - London Middx Daughter Mary Ann 1847- London Middx Son George 1845- London Middx I do not even know if George was the oldest child or just the oldest still at home. any help appreciated

sarah I was typing my reply to you when Kathleen posted her reply. I have been at my Grand daughters summer fair all afternoon so my brain and my fingers have slowed down a bit and in between all this my husband expected my to cook his Dinner. Still he has been at work all day so I thought I should oblige him. Thank you all for your help

My Thanks to all the people that helped and advised me in this search. I have just got the certificate back . It was the West London cert. It says West London in the City of London. St. Dunstans Court, St. Dunstans. I now Know his mothers name. Thank you all

Kathleen, I'm so glad that it was the right certificate, and that you now have his mothers name. Always good to have a solution to a problem. Kath. x

kathleen, Thank you for your help. I have the mothers name Leanora and I have found the Marriage as well. The strange thing is she was Leanora Harris, this is my husbands family I am tracing, my maiden name was Harris. I wonder if there is a connection !!! Still there are millions of people with the name Harris. Now I can't find leanora's birth. The Marriage was 27/2/1827 St. Martin in the fields, Westminster. She married William Smart. Any suggestions how I can find her. She was not on 1861 census so I expect she was dead by them and I can't find anyone with 1841,1851 census who can find them. Any suggestions

Hi Kathleen, So glad you got the right cert and just think how much more you appreciate it, after getting the wrong ones??!!! Maybe this is Leanora's death? Name: SMART, Leonora Record Type: Deaths Quarter: September Year: 1859 District: West London County: London Middlesex Volume: 1c Page: 25 Obviously it won't tell you where she came from but at least will give you an age to play with. Best Wishes and happy Hunting Sarah

sarah Thanks for that. The death looks about right. I think I will send for it. It will also give me some idea where they wer living in 1859 Thanks for that. kathy

I was just browsing and wondered if you had this from 1871? William is a cabinet maker again and living alone: William Smart abt 1803 St James, London, England Head St Bride London Later that years he died: Name: Smart, William Record Type: Deaths Age at death: 67 Quarter: September Year: 1871 District: London City County: London Middlesex Volume: 1c Page: 42 Sarah

sarah I found the 1871 census but not the death. Will check it out. Thanks