Find Ancestors

Looking for birth of George Thomas Gornall around 1860, preston, Lancs. Son of William Gornall and Ann. Need info to obtain certificate to establish mother's maiden name. Thanks, Jenny

Hi Jenny - I can tell you it wasn't in 1860 or 1859 - However if you check the 1881 census they had Anns mother living with them so the maiden name would be Higson William GORNALL Head M Male 40 Preston, Lancashire, England Colliery Banksman Ann GORNALL Wife M Female 43 Preston, Lancashire, England George GORNALL Son U Male 21 Preston, Lancashire, England Coal Miner Mark GORNALL Son Male 17 Preston, Lancashire, England Coal Miner Mary E. GORNALL Daur Female 14 Preston, Lancashire, England Alice GORNALL Daur Female 8 Royston, Lancashire, England Scholar Ann GORNALL Daur Female 4 Wigan, Lancashire, England Scholar Margt.A. GORNALL Daur Female 2 m Lancashire, England Edith HIGSON Mother In Law W Female 63 Lancashire, England Cotton Mill Weaver Does this help Teresa

Hi Teresa, I think I'll go for 1861 please. Thanks a lot, Jenny

Hi Teresa, thanks for that, yes I already had the census details. I thought George thomas Gornall's mother was Ann Higson (as on the census her mother Edith Higson was living with them). I have been triying to find details of Ann's marriage to William Gornall. Can't find anything for an Ann Higson marrying a Gornall. Can find Ann Nixon (someone said that the names sounded similar and could have been confused on the census). Thought if I could obtain George Thomas Gornall birth cert it would state mothers maiden name. Thanks for your help all the same.

Dear Jenny I have searched 1859 -60 -61 there is no George Thomas Gornall however there was a Thomas Gornall born in 1860 in Clitheroe which has same vol number as Preston - and there is a George (no middle name) born 1861 but that just says Lancaster. if the 1881 is correct in age then 1859/60 birth would be nearer. I have saved the pages from 1837.com if you need me to look at them fe again Teresa

Thanks Teresa, Until a few days ago I thought I was doing quite well with the Gornalls, but the more searching I do the muddier the waters get. Definitely confused now but Many thanks all the same , Jenny

Dear Jenny There is a marriage for a William Gornall Sept 1859 Preston vol 8c page 601 I cannot compare brides info as I have run out of credits but if the surname is possibly different to Higson then it may be fruitless anyway other possible spelling could be Hickson Good luck in your search Teresa

Jenny, Have you tried contacting Julie on this site who seems to have all these names in her tree? Crista

Hi Crista, thanks, yes I have ... Julie got the names from me, turns out she is a distant cousin. Jenny

Hi Jenny Whoever William Gornall married in 1859, she was not called Higson, Hickson, Nixon or Nickson. Might Ann be his second wife? Do we definitely know she was natural mother of all the children in the 1881 census record? Regards Stan

Stan might be right. There is a 6 year gap between two of the children, plus and move out of Preston. Crista

Found this: Mary Elizabeth Gornall Event(s): Birth: Christening: 05 MAY 1867 St Peter, Preston, Lancashire, England Parents: Father: William Gornall Mother: Anne Crista

Thanks everyone, I can't work out whether I am making headway with this or getting deeper in the mud. Another helpful person has found out that on 1891 census Ann's mother is still living with family, but is now called Elizabeth Houghton. I think it is the correct family, Ann Gornall and three of the children mentioned on 1881 census , Alice, Ann and Margaret are still living at home on 1891 as well as Elizabeth. Houghton. Gets better doesn't it. Jenny

Jenny, Max is offering Lancs 1861 and 1871 lookups on this board. Migth be worth asking for one. Crista

Hi Jenny You have obviously seen the marriage of William Gornall to Ann Nixon at St John, Preston, 26 Feb 1859. This is in the national index as Jan-Mar 1859, Preston 8e 584, so my previous message was wrong to that extent. It is the only one between a William Gornall and anyone called Ann I can find in that period. In the baptisms for St John, Preston, we have John George Gornall, son of William Gornall and Ann, baptised 22 Jan 1860. However, I am unable to find his birth record in the national index. William Gornall, the father, should have been born Apr 1840 to Mar 1841 if his age on the 1881 census is accurate. There are baptisms of a William Gornall at St John Preston on 19 Apr 1840 (Mark Gornall and Sarah), and on 27 Sep 1840 (William Gornall and Elizabeth Ann). Ann Nixon should have been born Apr 1837 to Mar 1838 if her age in 1881 is accurate. Part of this period is before the start of national registration. There are many possibilities, but none apparently baptised in Lancashire. Best wishes in your search Stan

Thanks to everyone who has tried to help with this one. It looks as though I still have a way to go yet though. Regards Jenny