Hi everyone,
I've hit a brick wall with one of my ancestors and was hoping someone would have some inspiration as to where to look next for information.
My great grandfather Bertram was born in Hendon, Middlesex in late 1901. His birth certificate states his father's name as MacCauley and his mother's name as Ellen MacCauley previously Knight. I knew he was adopted by the Collingwood family - and low and behold the 1911 census puts him at age 9 in the care of the Collingwood family, but under the name of Bertram Knight.
My research has turned up no marriage certificate for an Ellen Knight so far... So I'm starting to think she lied on the birth certificate, and was in fact unwed at the time of the birth. This is supported by the fact that the father (supposed) is easily traceable both in name and military records.
My issue is the mother, Ellen Knight; I have nothing but a name and the address she gave birth at, which she doesn't appear to be living at in either 1901 or 1911. It also appears to be a residential address and the persons present at this address cannot (yet) be connected to my family tree. I cannot seem to find any trace of her before or after the birth...
If you have any thoughts on where I should look next then please let me know!
Thank you