Counted but not born?

[Creighton]

Emma H. LAING is shown in the 1871 census RG10/457 as a child aged 12 years, born Middlesex, London and the daughter of widow Annie F. LAING.

She is in the 1861 census RG9/236 as a child aged 2, born Middlesex, London.

I have searched FreeBMD and can find no trace of her throughout Britain between 1855 and 1875 (in case there was a very late registration).

Is this a problem that often occurs? Am I missing something? Anyone know something I don't? Like a missing register in London?

Help please |banghead|

[ash33au]

I think a lot of people are finding London research to be difficult... I know I have :confused:

[jane.harrison.9]

Hi do you have any other certificates for her like her marriage certificate?
That would give her fathers name.
Maybe Emma was not her first name , or could she have been Emma K Laing ?

[Creighton]

I have no certificates for her although I believe she married Frederick STEVENS Abt Mar 1878, but only because I did a search on marriages with that name. I cannot be sure it is the same person.

[Peter Goodey]

Is this a problem that often occurs?

I'm afraid so.

However, in the 1861 census there is a brother Godfrey C LAING. His birth does appear to be registered. You could always get that certificate.

Births Dec 1852
Laing Godfrey Charles West London 1c 56

(If you're new to this, don't be fooled by the registration district - it isn't what most people think of as West London!)

In 1851 the family appear to be at HO 107/1527 f 398 p 51 in the parish of St Bride (consistent with Godfrey's stated place of birth). The father's name is Charles, born in Gilford [sic], Surrey (presumably Guildford)

[Creighton]

In 1851 the family appear to be at HO 107/1527 f 398 p 51 in the parish of St Bride (consistent with Godfrey's stated place of birth). The father's name is Charles, born in Gilford [sic], Surrey (presumably Guildford)

Thanks Peter, I must be daft, I have tried to find this reference on ancestry.com but cannot get this information to show up.

I already have Godfrey's birth certificate. it's Emma Harriet that I cannot find.

[Creighton]

Found it , Ancestry had it listed as LAINEY instead of LAING. I have never seen this before so it has given me additional information . Although I still cant find a marriage certificate for them. Thanks Peter.

[Peter Goodey]

If someone gives you a full census reference, enter the reference only - nothing else. A full census reference uniquely identifies a specific page.

[Peter Goodey]

I already have Godfrey's birth certificate. it's Emma Harriet that I cannot find.


So you already knew the father's name and the mother's maiden name and the daughter's middle name.

[Creighton]

Yes Peter, as stated earlier. I am grateful to you for finding them in the 1851 census. I looked for quite some time but Ancestry had a transcription error on the name, hence I couldn't find them. I am still unable to verify that Anne ROALFE and Charles LAING ever married, as I can't seem to find any reference for their marriage. I am asuming it was in London and probably after the illegitimate birth of Catherine in 1845 and prior to their declared marriage in the 1851 census. Also the birth citation for Emma Harriet LAING their youngest daughter, still eludes me.