Unknown Father for Timothy GRASBY

[Grazman]

Hi, My GG Grandfather, Timothy GRASBY, was born Apr 5, 1860 in Hotham, East Riding Yorkshire, England. His Baptism record shows "Illegitimate child of" Elizabeth GRASBY. His Birth certificate has the fathers name shown as unknown. He shows up in the 1861 and 1871 Hotham census as living with his grandparents, Thomas and Hannah GRASBY. His mother Elizabeth GRASBY, shows up in the 1871 census in Great Driffield, Yorkshire, England shown as a servant. Both Timothy and his mother Elizabeth emigrated to Canada in the late 1870's and I can track them fine from there.

I guess my main brickwall is how would I identify the father of Timothy. It would be nice to be able to track down the history of that persons family.

Any hints as to if this is possible would be appreciated. I will also review the postings in the "Illegitimacy" subject posting.

Larry GRASBY

[Grazman]

After reviewing some of the postings in the "illegitimacy" subject forum, I have found an article referenced that gives me something further to work with: http://www.
guardian.co.uk/news/2007/apr/14/guardianspecial4.guardianspecial215.
I also came to realize that this is a common problem that most researchers run into and there are no guarantees that the identity of the father will ever be found. I would still welcome any any hints on the best way to tackle this.

[Peter Goodey]

If I were you I would get the book My Ancestor was a Bastard obtainable through Parish Chest

[Jan1954]

If I were you I would get the book My Ancestor was a Bastard obtainable through Parish Chest

Click here for details

[Coromandel]

Hello Grazman and welcome to the forum

You mentioned that your Elizabeth was in Driffield, so I wonder if this may her? (It is 10 years too late to explain who Timothy's father was, though.)

The Hull Packet, 24 November 1871
'DRIFFIELD
ATTEMPTED SUICIDE. - On Friday Elizabeth Grasby, domestic servant to Mr. T. Craven, jun., a large farmer on the Nafferton-road, was charged at the Driffield Police-court, before E.H. Reynard, Esq., with having on Wednesday last taken a quantity of laudanum for the purpose of committing suicide. On Saturday last the prisoner sent a fellow-servant, named Ellen Fletcher, to Mr. Parkinson's, chemist, for some laudanum which was supplied to her by the apprentice, who was serving in the shop. The girl stated that the poison was required for Mr. Craven's cow. The prionser's master had given her notice to leave his service, and this seemed to prey upon her mind. Mr. Craven, who saw the poison in a cup behind the fender, emptied it into the fire. On the following Tuesday the prisoner sent for some more laudanum and a packet of Battle's vermin powder, but she did not inform her fellow-servant for what purpose she required the poison. The prisoner must then have taken some of the poison, for on the Wednesday morning she was unable to get up, and Mr. Craven sent for Dr. Eames, who found the prisoner suffering from incipient poisoning. He administered the usual remedies, and the prisoner fortunately recovered. Mr. Craven, in the course of his evidence, said that there was some intimacy between himself and the prisoner. The prisoner, who was in great distress throughout the examination made a statement which was of a serious nature, showing the close intimacy which existed between Mr. Craven and herself. He had alluded to marriage all the year, but had deceived her and turned her out of her place. The prisoner in tears protested that she would not commit such a deed again. Mr. Reynard told Mr. Craven that he had done a very serious and wicked thing to the young woman, and hoped he would make compensation. Mr. Reynard said he hoped he would do the thing properly. He then gave the girl a kind, yet firm reproof, and bound her over in £20 to keep the peace, and ordered Mr. Craven to pay the costs in the case, £1 10s. 6d.'

It had occurred to be that Mr T. Craven might have been a Timothy, but another report of the case, this time in the York Herald of 25 November 1871, gives his name as Thos. Craven junior. It also notes that Elizabeth was a native of ..otham. (The text is damaged just over the first letter; it could well say Hotham though, so it looks like this is your Elizabeth.)

[Nicolina]

looking at Elizabeth in 1861 (RG09/3568/80 page 1) she is a live in Cook for the Johnson family at Saturday Market, St Mary, Beverley (some quite posh houses around there). Also living with the family was a Charles SKELTON aged 26, brother in law, to Mr. Johnson. Another possible father?????
Maybe there is something in the Parish registers. That's how I found out the name of an illegitimate ancestor's faather.

[Grazman]

Interesting story, the 1871 census shows this person as Thomas CRAVEN and as it turned out Elizabeth GRASBY emigrated to Canada in 1872 to join her other siblings, perhaps funded by Mr CRAVEN who seems to have wanted to cut his ties with her. She got married to James FALKINGHAM in 1884 and died in 1917. The search for Timothy's father in 1860 is still ongoing. Thanks.

[piggywig69]

I was interested to read your post as I have a very mysterious GRAS(S)BY family with Great Driffield connections. My GRASBY line was a Thomas GRASBY (s/o Thomas & Mary GRASBY) bap 12 June 1809 East Torrington Lincs. I couldn't find any other baps for this couple in Lincolnshire so they may have come from another county. Thomas' (jnr) son, Samuel, used the GRASBY surname up until c1845 and then changed it to HAMPSON (later to KING). HAMPSON being the maiden name of Samuel's grandmother (Thomas senior's wife). My lot were in Gt Driffield for the birth of a daughter in 1846 on the way from Pinchbeck, Lincs to Stapenhill, Derby. I was rather hoping that your Elizabeth and son Timothy were related to my lot but cannot see a link. Sorry.