Barbara Stacey (sbarbsie @t aol.com) of London writes: I have a query about St Albans. Thomas Fordham born c1826  St Albans "married" Mary Ann Roblett c 1828   Aspenden/Buntingford. The birth information is consistent on all census I have found them on.

I have found a probable family of Mary Ann Roblett in Buntingford/Aspenden, Herts via Genes Reunited. I have not found their marriage anywhere (perhaps they did not get around to it!).  Their first child born Islington 1852.  (Ancestry / Findmypast / IGI / freebmd)

I have not been able to find a birth/christening for Thomas Fordham born St Albans (as stated on all census returns).  I have found in Ware, Bourne, and a family in Royston/Buntingford (perhaps where they met if him), but nowhere can I find a Fordham family in St Albans. (Ancestry / Findmypast / IGI / freebmd)
 

I have had a quick look at the census returns and agree that they definitely agree on your Thomas Fordham believing he was born in St Albans in about 1828 - which will mean the parishes of Abbey, St Stephen, St Michael, St Peter (possibly including the rural part of this parish) and less likely the southernmost part of Sandridge (Bernard Heath later Sandridge New Town area). As he was born before civil registration it is quite possible that there are no surviving records of his birth or baptism - see Where is my ancestor's baptism before 1837?

The only Fordham I can find in St Albans at a relevant period is Edward Allen Fordham (or Forsham) - See FORDHAM, St Albans, 1835 - postal item. He was living in College Street, St Albans in the 1841 and 1851 census and died in 1853 (FreeBMD).  In the 1851 census his age is given as 80 and he was a "landed proprietor and fundholder." He is also listed in 1839 and 1846 trade directories. In view of the difference in social class (see All Things Bright and Beautiful) he is unlikely to be a relative of your Thomas. (I have not checked the burial index CD produced by the Herts Family History Society which covers 1800-1851 to see if any Fordhams died in the St Albans area.)

The nearest baptisms I could find to St Albans were at Watford St Mary. They were Margaret Fordham (3rd February 1822)  and William Fordum (10th December 1826), children of William and Elizabeth.

1851 Mary Ann Roblett was a seamstress, born Ashden [sic], Herts, who was lodging in Islington

Unfortunately there is no relevant  "Thomas Fordham" in the 1841 or 1851 census (Ancestry Index) and it may be he was mis-recorded or missed out at the time of the census, or the entry is mis-indexed, or even that "Thomas Fordham" is an assumed name. A look at the later census returns may given some clues.

The 1861 census shows him as being one of two families living in 9 Orchard Street, St Mary, Islington. in a street where his neighbours were also in multiple occupation houses. In the 1871 census there were younger children Hannah (9), Alice (6), Eliza (4), James (3), and Thomas (1).

Children were often given family names  (see  The Inheritance of Single Christian Names) and it is possible (but by no means certain ) that the couple's parents had the names George, William , Martha and Jane. Unfortunately William is such a common name that it would be very risky to assume that the William Fordham/Fordum of Watford was Thomas's father on this basis.

There is one key document which you have not given me details in your query. The earliest documentary evidence we know of for Thomas Fordham's existence is Martha's birth certificate. This should give his occupation and address - and confirm Martha's mother's name. (It was not uncommon for women to died in childbirth - leaving the husband with young children - and thus a wife in a census may actually be a step-mother!) The address is worth checking in the 1851 census as there may be a link to the couple prior to the "marriage" - which appears not to be indexed.