PREAMBLE

The site has been compiled using information obtained from various sources and was started on 18th Jun 1996.

CHANGED CHRISTIAN NAMES

Lucy Isabel MAINE, born in 1889, became known as Gladys Isabel MAINE by 1891, and used these names throughout her life.

There are several other instances where christian names were changed during the life span of individuals, and show up on Marriage Certificates. On the Certificate for the Marriage of Frederick Reuben MAINE and Matilda WATKINS, the groom's name is written as Frederick Herbert - even one of his sons, who loaned the original Certificate for copying purposes, was unable to explain why. Harry George MAYNE's name was Henry George MAINE when he married his second wife, Matilda ISAACS, and his son Harry Charles, became Henry Charles when he married. Walter Charles MAINE reversed his Christian names when he married. Both Helen HOYES, who married Sidney George MAINE, and Helen MAINE, who married Ernest Edward THOMAS, gave their names as Ellen when they married.

CHANGED SURNAMES

Henry MAIN (b 1852), Thomas MAIN (b 1854) and John MAIN (b 1858), all born at Radstock, Somerset, were the illegitimate sons of Harriet MAINE (née PARFITT), whose husband, Thomas, had died in 1845.

For whatever reason, each changed their surname to MAINEY.  Henry and Thomas married using this surname, but John used the name of Patrick MAHONEY when he married Susan PETERS in 1883.  The births of all of their children were registered as MAHONEY, but the family name appears as MANNEY on the 1891, 1901 and 1911 censuses.  It is thought that this may possibly have been an “Anglicised” spelling / pronunciation of the surname MAHONEY, which is of Irish extraction.  In the late 1800s / early 1900s there appears to have been a rather large Irish community in the Merthyr Tydfil area, and so it may be for this reason that John MAIN “adopted” the surname of MAHONEY, or perhaps he felt somewhat “persuaded” to do so, as one of his sons, Daniel, married a girl named Theresa CASEY, who, although born in Merthyr Tydfil, was of Irish parentage.

SURNAMES OF PREVIOUSLY-MARRIED LADIES

The maiden name of a previously-married lady is given, if known.

CENSUS RETURNS

Census Returns for the years 1841, 1851, 1861, 1871, 1881, 1891, 1901 and 1911 are currently available and play an important part with regard to Family History research. However, although an invaluable source of information, it must be appreciated that they include apparent discrepancies, which can be misleading. Examples include incorrect spellings of forenames and surnames, places of birth and ages.

In the Census Returns which compliment this site, an attempt to clarify these anomolies has been carried out.

DATES and PLACES of BIRTHS, MARRIAGES and DEATHS

These are shown in various forms, the source of Information being the influencing factor.

If actual dates / places are known, they have been included.

If a date such as "Apr/Jun 1879 Barton Regis” is shown, it indicates that the information has been obtained from the General Register Office Index, (formerly known as the Somerset House Index and St Catherine's House Index), and shows the period of the year and the place where the Event was Registered.

If a date such as “Jun 1988 Bristol” is shown, it indicates that the information has been obtained from the General Register Office Index, (formerly known as the Somerset House Index and St Catherine's House Index) and shows the month, year and the place where the Event was Registered.

If a date such as (circa 1865 Camerton) is shown, it indicates that the date and place of birth has been assumed as a result of finding information given on Census Returns, but no further research has taken place.

{Updated 2009-11-13}