maiden name mystery?

[apowell]

Hi everyone,

I would welcome some advice because this is baffling.

My ancestor:

Sarah Brookes/Hunt??? married Joseph Homer
1870 Moxeley, Staffordshire

Sarah Brookes, born abt 1851, who appears with her parents, Edward & Ann Brookes, 1861 census in Tipton, Staffordshire and 1881 census with her husband, mother Ann and brother Edward Brookes

The problem is that on her marriage certificate, it states:
Sarah HUNT, Spinster, but gives her father Edward Brookes (miner) ???
Her brother Edward Brookes is a witness, and she also appears on his marriage certificate. She's the only sibling to use Hunt, and I couldn't find any family connection to Hunt.

Her parents were Edward Brookes, married to Ann Haywood
1837 Tipton, Staffordshire

Edward's father is unknown on his marriage certificate.

I've no idea where Hunt fits into this family, or is it just a mystery?

Kind regards
Adrian

[HarrysMum]

Have you found Sarah’s birth? does she have a place of birth on her census? I am useless at English geography. There are quite a few Sarah Brookes in Staffordshire around 1851.

[apowell]

Originally Posted by HarrysMum

Have you found Sarah’s birth? does she have a place of birth on her census? I am useless at English geography. There are quite a few Sarah Brookes in Staffordshire around 1851.

Thank you.

You make a good point, and this could be an indicator that something doesn't add up with the two eldest children, Edward and Sarah.

Edward & Ann's maiden name was Haywood
Benjamin Brookes, 1839 West Bromwich Bur 1845
Mary Ann Brookes, 1841, m John Aston, 1859, West Bromwich
James Brookes 1843 Bur 1846?
Jane Brookes 1844 Bur 1844?
John Brookes 1849

I can't find the baptism records of the two eldest children.

According to census records:
Sarah Brookes, born abt 1852, West Bromwich
Edward Brookes, born abt 1855, Rowley Regis

Confusing

Regards
Adrian

[kiterunner]

Originally Posted by apowell

Thank you.

You make a good point, and this could be an indicator that something doesn't add up with the two eldest children, Edward and Sarah.

Edward & Ann's maiden name was Haywood
Benjamin Brookes, 1839 West Bromwich Bur 1845
Mary Ann Brookes, 1841, m John Aston, 1859, West Bromwich
James Brookes 1843 Bur 1846?
Jane Brookes 1844 Bur 1844?
John Brookes 1849

I can't find the baptism records of the two eldest children.

According to census records:
Sarah Brookes, born abt 1852, West Bromwich
Edward Brookes, born abt 1855, Rowley Regis

Confusing

Regards
Adrian

Aren't Sarah and Edward the youngest children?

[apowell]

Originally Posted by kiterunner

Aren't Sarah and Edward the youngest children?

Thank you

Yes, sorry, my mistake, they are the youngest

Adrian

[HarrysMum]

There’s a Sarah Ann Brookes born 1852 West Bromwich. She would fit nicely.
No idea on the Hunt yet, unless it is a mistake by whoever wrote it.

[HarrysMum]

And just to muddy the waters there is a Sarah Hunt born early 1853 in West Bromwich. Have you followed her through? I think the Brookes one should be yours though.

[Katarzyna]

Maybe a bit off the wall but could she possibly have been adopted?

The 1861 census
Sarah Brookes b 1853 West Bromwich?

https://www.findmypast.co.uk/transcr...56853&tab=this

There is this birth:
HUNT, SARAH JANE mmn POWELL
GRO Reference: 1853 M Quarter in WEST BROMWICH Volume 06B Page 582


Other Sarah Brookes in W Brom:

Name: Mother's Maiden Surname:
BROOKES, SARAH ANN LIGHTFOOT
GRO Reference: 1852 S Quarter in WEST BROMWICH Volume 06B Page 498
BROOKES, SARAH JANE -
GRO Reference: 1851 M Quarter in WEST BROMWICH Volume 18 Page 647
BROOKES, SARAH JANE WARD
GRO Reference: 1851 D Quarter in WEST BROMWICH Volume 18 Page 639

[apowell]

Originally Posted by Katarzyna

Maybe a bit off the wall but could she possibly have been adopted?

The 1861 census
Sarah Brookes b 1853 West Bromwich?

https://www.findmypast.co.uk/transcr...56853&tab=this

There is this birth:
HUNT, SARAH JANE mmn POWELL
GRO Reference: 1853 M Quarter in WEST BROMWICH Volume 06B Page 582


Other Sarah Brookes in W Brom:

Name: Mother's Maiden Surname:
BROOKES, SARAH ANN LIGHTFOOT
GRO Reference: 1852 S Quarter in WEST BROMWICH Volume 06B Page 498
BROOKES, SARAH JANE -
GRO Reference: 1851 M Quarter in WEST BROMWICH Volume 18 Page 647
BROOKES, SARAH JANE WARD
GRO Reference: 1851 D Quarter in WEST BROMWICH Volume 18 Page 639

Thank you

It's possible that Sarah and maybe even Edward were a part of the extended family.

I was thinking the same

The 1861 census you linked is definitely my Sarah, so we have some connection with the Brookes family; however, I don't know how they link in

Adrian

[Olde Crone]

This is far out but has happened in my tree.

Edward didn't name his father at marriage but that doesn't mean he didn't know who he was. Perhaps Sarah knew her grandfather was called Hunt and decided to use that as her official surname.

OC