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Wow, thanks for your replies. I have looked about and found the 1841 census with Mary May and family, no husband about apparently. Can't find William C in 1851. Louisa Marshall did marry William Charles May in 1855 Hungerford and the MC of Francis and Rhoda Maria stated father of Francis as William Charles May (does not say deceased) occ. Agent. I suppose one thing I could do is send for the MC of William and Louisa.

Chieveley is in Newbury reg district. nell

1841 this is the nearest fit to the baptism record I found, all born in county: The Mill, Lambourn Berkshire Mary Mary abt 1786 miller Timothy Mary [actually May] abt 1816 sawyer Charles Mary [ditto] abt 1821 carp [presumably carpenter] Ann Mary abt 1826 Harvest Mary abt 1830 [lovely name but image says Hannah May!] John Mary abt 1826 Elizabeth Mary abt 1832 >>>>>William May abt 1832 Eliza May abt 1834 HO107/22/8 Folio: 13 Page: 20 Reg district: Hungerford Sub-reg district: Lambourn

Doesn't help that Chieveley has been mistranscribed differently each time, either!

Can't find William May or Maysmith on 1841 or 1851 censuses. 1851 has a William May born Chieveley 1846 father George and a William May b. 1770s, inmate. nell

Sorry Helen - am with you now !!

Presume this is the marriage Marriages Dec 1855 MARSHALL Louisa Hungerford 2c 501 MAY William Charles Hungerford 2c 501

I think Francis' mother's name was Marshall. She would be this William (Francis' father)'s wife. Clear as mud?

Joan said his mothers maiden name was Marshall ?

Helen Chertsey is in Surrey I think image says Chieveley

Could this be the chap? Looks like he was illegitimate: IGI Individual Record WILLIAM MAY Male Christening: 23 JUL 1833 Chieveley, Berkshire, England Parents: Mother: MARY MAY Batch No.: P021241 Dates: 1700 - 1744

I always thought Chertsey was in Surrey?

It could be two names joined after a marriage between May and Smith. There are two entries in the IGI of middle names for 1839 christenings, but not for Northamptonshire. Have you checked Louisa's surname before marriage? Was dad alive when Francis married? Perhaps that's why the Smith was dropped. How are the other census years transcribed? If you give more details of William Charles perhaps he could be found from 1841 - 1861.

Thanks Elaine and Nell. I had trouble sorting out this Francis and the handwriting on the census's. His mothers maiden name was Marshall. I don't know why suddenly he states he is MAY (on MC in 1892). I don't recognise the witnesses as family members and remains May on the 1901 census married with three girls. Joan

1861 as MAY !! Louisa May abt 1836 Baydon, Wiltshire, England Wife Stony Stratford St Giles Northamptonshire William C May abt 1832 Chertsey, Berkshire, England Head Stony Stratford St Giles Northamptonshire occupation Iron Founder I wonder if he got the Smith part of his name from his occupation - William May the Smithie !!

Is your Francis Joseph consistent about his age and birthplace on the census and certificates? Can you find other Francis May/Maysmiths with whom he could be confused? If not, then I guess its the same chap. Why the name change? Well, who knows. As its his father who started the confusion, perhaps he was illegitimate and known as May as that was his mother's maiden name, and later added Smith as his father's. Or maybe he started as Smith and his mother's maiden name was added to keep her family name going. Can you find records relating to him which might shed light? nell

Might be easier to see the census references 1881 Dorcas Gertrude Maysmith abt 1868 Birmingham Daughter Bromley Leonard London Francis Maysmith abt 1863 Northamptonshire, England Son Bromley Leonard London Louisa Maysmith abt 1837 Baydon, Wiltshire, England Wife Bromley Leonard London William Chas. Maysmith abt 1835 Cheavley, Berkshire, England Head Bromley Leonard London William Iron and brass moulder Francis Iron mouler add 119 Bingley Road 1891 Francis T May Smith abt 1862 Northampton, Northamptonshire, England Son Bromley London Louisa May Smith abt 1836 Baydon, Wiltshire, England Wife Bromley London William C May Smith abt 1834 Cheaoley, Berkshire, England Head Bromley London The image definitely says Maysmith - NOT May Smith

I have a Francis Joseph Maysmith or May b 1863 St Giles, Northampton. Son of William Charles Maysmith or May. Different census give different name .Mother Louisa b 1836 Baydon wiltshire. 1871 transcribed as HEAD............don't ask why. 1881Maysmith RG11/495 1891Maysmith RG12/321 Francis marries as Francis Joseph May of 20 Priscilla Rd Stepney 17th April 1892 to Rhoda Maria Dobson Have I got two families here or was there a name change and why would that be ? Any help appreciated. Joan

Please see in a mo.....