Amongst many inconsistencies that can make life anything but easy
for the researcher, are the tendency for many names to be reversed
on entry to official records. John Henry, for instance might be entered
with his surname featuring first, therefore to all intents and purposes
making him today's 'Henry John'. Some Christian names and surnames
are still unlikely contenders for their alternatives, but it must not be
assumed that this is always the case, and even the most unlikely of
transpositions can find its improbable counterparts mellowed with
time. That 'Henry John' might for instance become today's 'Henry
Johnstone' - a far more likely proposition.
Much useful information can be derived from birth certificates, which
amongst other things include the child's; name and date of birth, the
mother's name and maiden name, and usually the father's Christian
name, address and occupation. After 1875 the father of an illegitimate
child can only be named on the birth certificate with his consent. Other
anomalies which might lead to red herrings, or indeed to camouflaging
useful information, include such as the actual time of birth of a child, a
fact not usually entered for other than to indicate the debut of siblings
- multiple births - a fact which might go unnoticed due to the high
infant mortality rate of years gone by, when short lives faded quickly
into oblivion.
Marriage certificates provide less detailed information but might
provide access to evasive information such as the parties' father's
names and occupations, addresses at the date of marriage,
professions, and so on. One of the so-called skeletons in most family
cupboards is that of parents either not married until after the birth of
one or more of their children, or else married in haste as an imminent
birth approaches. But though it might upset many clients and their
relatives to discover such information relating to their dear departed,
even people still living, it was not actually all that uncommon an
occurrence for couples several generations ago to wait until
pregnancy, even birth, to decide to tie the knot.
Death certificates amongst other details will usually include age,
occupation, location, date and cause of death.
Adoptions certificates. Even where recorded they often give just the
adoptive name of the child and new parents, with no information
provided regarding the child prior to adoption, other than the correct
date of birth. Incidentally, various legal and social requirements
surround access to adoption information, most of it hinging on the age
of the individual adopted. It is not always easy to gain access to
information even today regarding natural parents, something which
might make your job somewhat harder if you are tracing a 'natural'
family tree.