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Jennie is probably Mary Jane

Born Derbyshire on 1891 and 1901

If Henry J B Wills married 1882 and Sophia Jane was born 1877 then her birth probably wouldn't be registered as Wills

My thoughts exactly MC

Harry J B may well have been her father but it looks like he didn't marry her mother.

Other research:

http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/MIDDLESEX_COUNTY_UK/2013-03/1363493297

Would be interested to see if he was single or widowed on that 1882 marriage

Wish I could find him in 1881

His father is in Kensington on 1881 but still not found Harry

Many thanks to you all. I have found some of the info you have sent. Harry Wills on 1881 census recorded as H.B.Wells, age 24, boarder at 57 Bloomfield St Derby Occupation Photographer Living with Sarah Robinson & family, He is listed as a widow,(er). On Sophia's marriage cert it states her father Harry James Board Wills as a photographer. On my mothers birth cert Sophia states she was born at 'Western Grove, London' Does this help finding where she was born? I have purchased birth cert of Henry Inness Wills born 1904- Sophia's illegitimate son who continued to live with the Smith family after she married & came to Aust. Sophia lived with the Smith family from age 3- 23 (1881,1891 1901 census).

Sorry MarieCeleste I have no idea when she celebrated her birthday & no one alive to help. I wondered it Western Grove may have been a house or some type of home maybe for unwed mothers. Another interesting bit is that on my mothers birth cert it shows 1 female & 1 male deceased. We know about the male but the female is a mystery. Have not been able to find any birth in aust to fit. She married William Parrott on 13/8/1910 in Oxford and came to aust. Her son William Eric Parrott was born Murgon Queensland on 14/09/1911. Only shipping record is for a Wallace & Eliza Parrott left UK on 19/8/1910 on Fifeshire. Ages correct and occupation for William also correct. I wondered if the mother was Louisa Smith. The Smith family looked after her and her son - why? Thanks

Hi again Just checked out the street listing. There are two West Grove . Could be helpful if looking for a birth for a Sophia Jane ? in those districts. Thanks

Hi. Still looking for Sophia. I have found in Ancestry under London Births & Baptisms 1813-1906 a birth which is illegitimate to a Louisa Smith on 21 Feb 1877 at Poplar workhouse. Is there any way of finding out if this birth has been registered. There is a Sophia Smith Q1 1877 4a/408 at Lexden Essex but I may have found her in 1881 census - parents Alfred & Emily. Also a Eliza Smith 1c/771 but I think she may have died same year. Any ideas? Many thanks

Hi Valda,

I'm a northerner so not too sure about London reg districts, but i don't *think* that Lexden birth would be the Poplar workhouse one.

I would expect that all workhouse births would be registered (or should have been).

I know that workhouse birth says the child was female, but I wonder?


London, England, Births and Baptisms, 1813-1906

Name: Frederick William Smith
Record Type: Baptism
Baptism Date: 28 Feb 1877
Mother's Name: Louisa Smith
Parish or Poor Law Union: Poplar All Saints
Borough: Tower Hamlets
Register Type: Parish Registers

She was in Poplar Workhouse

Hi again. Still trying to find birth details of Sophia so I have taken another avenue. Her illegitimate son Henry Inniss Wills born 23.11.1904 at Melton Mowbray married and had 2 children who in turn had 2 and three children each. The daughter Marian H I think is still alive and so are her two children. Andrew Inniss is dead but had three children. What ways are there of contacting the children and is it acceptable to do this? Henry & Florence (wife) lived in Derbyshire. I just wondered if the living may be able to help Thanks Valda

http://www.genesreunited.co.uk/boards/board/tips_board/thread/1333105

http://www.genesreunited.co.uk/boards/board/tips_board/thread/1336728