Letitia Harret Garner parentage

Question

I have been struggling to confirm the mother of Letitia Harriet Garner born 21 June 1873 in Bishop Auckland, County Durham, England.  

Her birth certificate shows Catherine Gordon, and Ancestry has a christening Registration with what could well be a misspelling of Catherine Gordon (Catherinae Gowon,  no image).  

The Census however shows Sarah Ann as the wife of the head of the household.  I have been unable to work out if she was illigitimate or whether Catherine died in childbirth or even if 2 Letitia Harriet Garner's were born at the same time (I find this unlikely).  All sources show Arthur Charles Garner (Caroli Garner) as her father.

Totally stuck and would appreciate some help

Answer 1

The birth registered in Auckland in the 2nd quarter of 1873 seems to be the only one. Surname Garner. Mother's maiden name Gordon. 

GARNER, LETITIA  HARRIET	GORDON
GRO Reference: 1873  J Quarter in AUCKLAND  Volume 10A  Page 280

Comments

There is an 1873 marriage in Auckland for Arthur Charles Garner and Catherine Gordon.

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Her brother Arthur Charles who appears on the 1891 census appears to have mother's maiden name Nelson, so there is definitely more than one relationship going on here.

GARNER, ARTHUR  CHARLES	NELSON
GRO Reference: 1882  D Quarter in AUCKLAND  Volume 10A  Page 216

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There is a death for a 16 year old Catherine Gordon in the 3rd quarter 1873 in Auckland. If I was you I would buy the 1873 marriage certificate and the death certificate to see if the death may have been wrongly registered.

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Peter, Thanks for the best answer star. I hope this helps you with your research. Let us know if you need any more help.

Answer 2

Taking the 1891 census:

Letitia mother Gordon

Susan, Arthur and Margaret mother Nelson.

BUT Susan's mother was unmarried and she was registered as Nelson.

The confusing thing is that there appears to be no death for Catherine. There is certainly no marriage for Garner-Nelson, and I think we can assume that he adopted the children (un)officially.

Answer 3

Arthur Charles Garner Married Sarah Evans, 3rd Quarter 1873  Auckland

Durham,England. Ancestry.com

Comments

Hi Wayne

are you referring to this?

Name:	Arthur Charles Garner
Registration Year:	1873
Registration Quarter:	Jul-Aug-Sep
Registration district:	Auckland
Parishes for this Registration District:	View Ecclesiastical Parishes associated with this Registration District
Inferred County:	Durham
Volume:	10a
Page:	377
Records on Page:	Name Sarah Evans Arthur Charles Garner Catherine Gordon Patrick McLoughlan Patrick McLouglan

If so, I believe, it's actually Catherine Gordon he was marrying here, I had the same conclusion regarding Sarah Evan a while back, but none of the Children are her's.

I believe, he married Catherine Gordon who was carrying his child, who died in childbirth not long after the marriage.

 If you have further information that disproves this, could you let me know please

Thanks

Peter