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Mystery Deepens! Ernesting Laing / Martinez - Gibraltar

Mystery Deepens! Ernesting Laing / Martinez - Gibraltar

Posted: 13 May 2015 10:59AM GMT
Classification: Query
Surnames: Martinez Laing Lopez
I have received some more information about Ernestina, but all it has done is deepen the mystery about her.

She was born Ernestina Martinez in 1897. Her parents were Jose Martinez and Ana Lopez, both Gibraltans. She had several brothers and sisters.

We assumed her surname changed to Laing because her Mother may have remarried. But I have found this is not the case. Ana was still living with Jose 2 years after Ernestina got married, but Ana was using her maiden name on the census. We now assume that Ana and Jose had 'seperated' but still lived together, as being Roman Catholic they couldn't divorce. So we still have the mystery of Ernestina's surname change to laing.

I have also discovered that Ernestina is never recorded as living with her parents. In the census records on Gibraltars website, there is only ever the three eldest girls living with Jose and Ana, so we assume that all the other children born to Ana and Jose were being looked after elsewhere. Would this have been normal practice for a large family?

Could the children have been adopted at some point? Could this be the reason Ernestina's surname changed to Laing and her father is listed as a deceased soldier on her marriage certificate?

How do I find out where the children could have been living if they were not with their parents from birth?

Any help is gratefully received!

P.S. We know beyond doubt that Ernestina Laing on the marriage certificate and Ernestina Martinez on the birth certificate are the same person.
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