This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Curtis Classification: Birth Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.co.uk/mbexec/msg/5538/TmQ.2ACIB/2302 Message Board Post: According to the 1901 English census, my great grandmother was born in Dunmow, Essex in 1875. However I have been unable to find a record for her in the BMD index at the GRO. In addition the local Registrar has checked their own records. Between 1875 & 1901 Florence met and married Samuel Muckell. Also in the census is a son, Charles, born Islington in 1893. However, there is no other record of a marriage, or Charles' birth. As Florence would have been only 17/18 at his birth, there is a strong suspicion that he was illegitimate (if indeed he was Florence's son - he may have been Samuel's - or even adopted). Samuel's date of birth was also 1875, in Clerkenwell. The known children were born in 1901, 1902 & 1909 - therefore the gap between 1893 & 1901 is unexplained. I believe that the son born in 1909 was unplanned. Allan Crighton's mention in a recent message of a Curtis/Islington connection prompted me to ask if the above rings any bells. I also look forward to the release of the 1911 census to see if this throws any light on the family. Thanks for any help. Russell