Hello.

I've been researching my Paternal line but come to a grinding halt with regards to my Great Grandad*3.

My Great Grandad *2 was Enos Jenkins (1874-1927), his mother is listed on his birth certificate as Sarah Jenkins (1855-1881). But no father was shown on the certificate.

Sarah Jenkins parents were John Jenkins (1812-1875) & Caroline Williams (1823-1901)

in the 1881 Census, Enos was living with his Grandma (Caroline Williams).
in the same years Census Sarah was living as a Domestic servant for a William Workman (who was widowed), along with his children and also with a younger son of Sarah's who was classed as a boarder (William Jenkins). So that is 2 sons who both carried her surname.

Of course the obvious assumption is that Enos was born out of wedlock and hence kept his mothers surname.

I was just wondering if there is any other way to discover who the father of Enos may have been?

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as an aside to the search for a father for Enos, I discovered the following...

on 31st July 1881 William Workman and Sarah Jenkins were married.

in October 1881 twin girls (Amelia and Caroline) were born. Sadly Sarah, and Amelia were deceased within a few weeks and Caroline died in January 1882.

so in the space of 6 months, Sarah married William, had twin daughters and then lost her own life as well as the two daughters.

Enos moved to the Notts/Derby border just after the turn of the century, presumably to work in the coal fields. he took his wife and 2 sons (one of whom is my Great Grandad) with him.

Thanks.

?

The Forest of Dean records, there doesn't appear to be a baptism of Enos JENKINS in 1874. On the census returns, where does he say he was born. On the birth certificate, what is the address given and who was the informant?

GloucestershireBMD Indexes

JENKINS, Enos - 1874, Gloucester, Gloucester, Huntley - Register 13, Entry 164

JENKINS, William Henry - 1877, Gloucester, Gloucester, Huntley - Register 14, Entry 340, is this the brother?

? Have you found Sarah Jenkins on the 1871 census

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William WORKMAN - on the 1881 census, (who was widowed) -
William WORKMAN, Waterman and Charlotte appear to be christening children at Newnham, up to 1879

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Marriage at Newnham, 31 July 1881, William WORKMAN, aged 34, Widower, Waterman, residence: Newham, married Sarah JENKINS, aged 29 , etc. etc.

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Obviously DNA could provide information.

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.

Think she was working as a servant for the 1871 census, so made it harder to track down with not dwelling with family. but the place of birth for Sarah on this census is Ruspidge, so I'm fairly sure this is the correct one.

1871 Census

Sarah Jenkins
Gender: Female
Birth: Circa 1855 - Gloucestershire, England
Residence: 1871 - High Street London House, Dean, East, Gloucestershire, England
Age: 16
Census: Ecclesiastical district St John Parish East Dean, County Gloucestershire
Registrar's district Newnham Country England
Superintendent registrar's district Westbury on Severn
Date 1871 Enum. District16

Household
Relation to head; Name; Age;
Head; Henry Thomas; 28;
Wife; Susanah Thomas; 25;
Brother; Alfred Thomas; 17;
Servant; Charles Tancock; 15;
Servant; Sarah Jenkins; 16;
Niece; Ellen B Reffell; 8;

So between 1871 and 1881 census she switched households as a servant and had 2 children, both carrying her surname. Enos and William.

I think you have found all the publicly recorded facts available already.

The only other possible lines of investigation are private records, i.e. diaries, letters or whatever - And/or - DNA matching

GloucestershireBDM

Henry Thomas married Susannah Ellen Nicholas
Forest of Dean, Monmouth Parish, Register Office 1869.

…….

As yet, can’t find any records of children. Where are this couple in 1881?

Might this be the couple in 1881 ?

Name Susannah E N Thomas
Sex Female
Age 33
Event Date 1881
Event Place Sherborne, Dorset, England
Registration District Sherborne
Event Type Census
Residence Note Hound St
Birth Year (Estimated) 1848
Birthplace Monmouth, Monmouthshire, England
Marital Status Married
Occupation Wife
Relationship to Head of Household Wife
Page Number 27
Piece/Folio 2117/47
Registration Number RG11
Susannah E N Thomas's Spouses and Children

Henry Thomas
Husband
M
38
Redbrook, Gloucestershire, England
Name Henry Thomas
Sex Male
Age 38
Event Date 1881
Event Place Sherborne, Dorset, England
Registration District Sherborne
Event Type Census
Residence Note Hound St
Birth Year (Estimated) 1843
Birthplace Redbrook, Gloucestershire, England
Marital Status Married
Occupation Woollen Drapers Assistant
Relationship to Head of Household Head
Page Number 27
Piece/Folio 2117/47
Registration Number RG11

Other People on This Record
Florence E Reffell
F
7
London Fulham, London, Middlesex, England

GRO Index

REFFELL, Florence Elizabeth, mother’s maiden name: COLLINS

GRO Reference : 1874 M Qtr Kensington

There is a Edward Forrester Reffell married Sophia Collins : Monmouth District 1862.

Marriage record in FOD records, Edward Forrester Reffell was a Widower and Gent from London .

Looking at Freebmd

There is a marriage at Marylebone March Qtr 1856 when Edward Forrester Reffell married, and one surname listed is a Louisa Jane THOMAS.