General Chat

One of my ancestors had a baby boy out of wedlock. Delivered by her married sister, the baby was registered as belonging to the married sister, with her and her husband as parents. He was given the same name as the uncle and reared by them as their son, although he knew all his life who was actually his real mother, and that he was a cousin to his "sisters".

Perhaps your situation was similar to this. They could do this in the days before babies were born in hospitals and forms and signatures, etc. were required, and it seems that it was done quite a lot!

They seem to be the only Reeks family in that registration district.( St Thomas)

It's possible Mr or Mrs Reeks had an unmarried or widowed sister who was pregnant and they agreed to 'adopt' the baby. That would explain how he was a cousin but registered by Harry and his wife. Proving or disproving this theory would be another matter and incredibly difficult

army record info on Ancestry gives next ok kin as
father Mr H Reeks
mother Mrs M Reeks

John Goodyers records are the next set

Name: John James Reeks
Birth Place: Exeter
Residence: Exeter, Devon
Death Date: 21 Mar 1918
Rank: Gunner
Regiment: Royal Horse Artillery and Royal Field Artillery
Number: 58966
Type of Casualty: Killed in action
Theater of War: Aldershot

There is a site called Genogold which has parish registers online, including some for Devon - perhaps there may be something in these which may help - hope they are available for the area in which you are looking
Liz

This is interesting.

There's a John Goodyer on Ancestry's WW1 service records. Someone has added the alternative name of John James Reeks.

What's odd is the name on all the images is John James Reeks. I don't see Goodyer mentioned anywhere.

Mary and Harry are listed as his mother and father and an H Reeks signed for the receipt of his medals.

Rose

John is listed as John Recks in 1911.

Rose

This is possibly them in 1911 - No John, But you would need to look at the image for anymore information.


HOUSEHOLD REEKS HARRY M 1874 37 St Thomas Devonshire HOUSEHOLD REEKS ALICE MAUD F 1897 14 St Thomas Devonshire
HOUSEHOLD REEKS AUTHER THOMAS M 1901 10 St Thomas Devonshire
HOUSEHOLD REEKS BEATRICE FANNY F 1900 11 St Thomas Devonshire
HOUSEHOLD REEKS DORA MAY F 1906 5 St Thomas Devonshire
HOUSEHOLD REEKS HELENA MARY F 1907 4 St Thomas Devonshire
HOUSEHOLD REEKS MARY F 1873 38 St Thomas Devonshire
HOUSEHOLD REEKS WILLIAM HENRY M 1903 8 St Thomas Devonshire

Have you looked for them on the 1911 census to see if the brother/cousin is listed as their child?
Pat

I suppose it's possiable but I understand htey knew they were cousins before he went off to war.

Do you think the story came about after he died to lessen the grief of his siblings?

Rose

There's certainly enough space between Alice and Beatrice for him to be their child.

Rose

1901 England Census
about Harry Reeks
Name: Harry Reeks
Age: 27
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1874
Relation: Head
Spouse's Name: Mary
Gender: Male
Where born: Sowton, Devon, England
Civil parish: Sowton
Ecclesiastical parish: Sowton
Town: Sowton
County/Island: Devon
Country: England
Registration district: St Thomas
Sub-registration district: Topsham
ED, institution, or vessel: 1
Neighbors: View others on page
Household schedule number: 83
Household Members:
Name Age
Harry Reeks 27
Mary Reeks 28
Alice M Reeks 4
John J Reeks 3
Beatrice F Reeks 1
Auther T Reeks 2 months

Rose

I thought he was doing well for a 108 yr old lol

Yes sorry,

My g/grandad Arthur b 02 02 1901 His cousin/ brother John b 27 09 1897 their parent Harry Reeks b 06 07 1873 and Mary Kibby b 18 12 1871 all born on Devon

This is confusing. You mean great grandad? Can you list names and dates so we can better understand?

Rose

It 's my mums grandad not mine, Have been doing this all day.

I have found all the parents (of mums g/dad and the cousin/brother) brothers and sisterrs. Have got all there marriage certificates and been through all the passenger lists on all boats but have found nothing have even looked for them going to other countries.
THey were told they were cousins when they were growing up together.

IS it possible that it was all thought about beofre the cousin/brother was born and they just went to register the birth and gave different names

go at it from the other angle? if the 'brother/cousins' parents were supposed to have left him behind when they went to Aus, have you found out who they were and when they went? what happened to them over there? did they have children who might know?

Rose

If your grandad's brother died in WW1, how do you know he was told your grandad was a cousin?

Rose