Thread: Manchester parish records

Hi everyone,



Just wondered if anyone can help me, I'm trying to find if there are any parish records for the baptism/christening of my grandad Herbert Hillier he was born 5th Sept 1897 in Manchester-mothers name Eleanor hillier and on his birth cert the parish I think is St George ( I think this was called St George in the fields).

There is no fathers name on his birth cert and he was adopted by the Boardman family not sure when this took place but he is on the 1901 census with them aged 3yrs. My sister and I have since found that his mother Eleanor married a Albert George Hoffman but when and where she married him we don't know. I'm trying to find out if there is any information on *******y orders to see if we can find out who his father is. Can't seem to find anything on Albert G Hoffman either -we were always led to believe that there was a german connection in the family somewhere but where I don't know unless this man is my grandads father and married Eleanor after giving him up.

I would be grateful for any help what so ever.



Thankyou.



Wendymac

Hello Wendy,



Have you tried either Manchester Centreal Library or manchester Record office?



Elsabels

Hi Elsabels, Thanks for your reply. No I have'nt tried them - it's quite difficult for me to go there without asking someone to take me as I work through the week and I don't drive. I will have to arrange a trip there though when I have some spare time.



Thanks

Wendymac

It sounds to me like he could be illegitimate. Try ordering eleanor and alberts married certificate. It should tell you whether they were married or not before. If Eleanor wasnt married the chances are he is illegitimate and you'll never find his father. As for the adoption an illegitimate was frowned upon and many children were abandoned or adopted from what I've read.



I have a few illegitimate children in my family and havent a clue who they belong to.



Good Luck!



Emma.

Hello Wendy



Your best bet is Central library which is open on a Saturday 9.00 - 5.00, I find the staff very helpful. St George is in the COLLYHURST AREA of Manchester.

I have had a quick look for the elusive Albert G Hoffman and cannot find him on BMD or Census returns. If you look for her sisters' marriages you may find that they have a German link!

Suggest you get either

1) the marriage cert for Mrs Eleanor Hoffman to Mr HV Sowerby. She will have to declare her status. I would expect it to show nee HILLIER prev or widow Hoffman 1916 Manchester.

2) Alternative obtain Elizabeth Alice Hoffman's birth cert for Sept 1905 Manchester for confirmation of her parentage.



I only go down this route when I am desperate and have hit a brick wall



Good hunting

Elsabels

If you Google Manchester Cathedral Records they have information on what records they have and where else they can be located, the site is a very good one with lot's of information on where to obtain information for the Records you are looking for. I've just e mailed them re my family and I have only just returned from Manchester in August! I was looking in other area's though... when I was there. Good Luck