The birth registration of Charles Ernest RODWAY, b. 18 July 1879 in Lewisham, gives his mother as "Sarah RODWAY, formerly MURRAY" (which is right), and the father as "Charles RODWAY, Baker".

The mother had been widowed 14 months before (husband John RODWAY, furniture dealer, d. of smallpox at Deptford Hospital).

So far I have never found any other trace of this "Charles RODWAY, Baker", the father of little Charlie.

His name may have been a registrar's mistake (---- RODWAY, baker; or Charles ----, baker; or Charles BAKER, occupation ----; or Charles EARNEST, occupation ----; or ??)

Or, Charles RODWAY may be a total fiction "for the records".

Alternately there may have been a brief relationship with a Charles RODWAY, perhaps from far away. By the 1881 census Sarah and little Charlie are back in Deptford, and her two older girls are in care in the South Metropolitan School. (see BRICK WALLS forum May 20/09 for an outline of the story.)

Does anyone know anything about any Charles RODWAY, baker? Are there lists of bakers?

--Jane Elderfield