Answers to Questions

GATWARD, Hitchin, late 19th century March 2002

Places Hitchin

Jonathan Gatward (jongatward @t ntlworld.com) says I am trying to find information about Frank Gatward (My Grandfather) who married into the Henson family of Hoby, Leicestershire in the late 1800's/ early 1900's. I have found a Frank Gatward listed in the Hitchin 1881 Census (aged 2) and wonder if anyone can confirm whether this is indeed my Grandfather.

Obviously it is impossible to say whether they are the same without collecting additional information, (see Right Name Wrong Body to see why) so it helps to have a close look as what is known.

The 1881 census lists two adjacent households in Queen Street, Hitchin:

Samuel GATWARD

Head

Married

30

Coal Carter

Hitchin

Priscilla GATWARD	Head	Married	30		Hitchin
Willm. S. GATWARD	Son		7	Scholar	Hitchin
Priscilla GATWARD	Daur		4	Scholar	Hitchin
Frank Hy. GATWARD	Son		2		Hitchin
Flora Emma GATWARD	Daur		6 m		Hitchin

It is possible that Samuel and Pricilla were husband and wife and either the census enumerator made an error or they were living apart. The important thing is to find out who Frank Henry Gatward's parents were - and you should have no difficulty in getting his birth certificate from HALS. As Gatward is not a particularly common surname there should also be no difficulty in getting Frank's marriage certificate. If the birth certificate, marriage certificate and the 1881 census information agree you can be virtually certain that you are dealing with the same person. The 1901 census - when it is available online - could provide you with additional information.

It is very likely that Samuel Gatward is a member of the Gatward family described in GATWARD, Hemel Hempstead & Hitchin, from 1760 and you could find it useful to look for the connection, perhaps by contacting John Gatward. (If you do let us know whether the families are related.)

If you can add to the information given above tell me.