Hi Roger There is a Charles Chaiston MORTIMER registered in Shoreditch on Q1 1852. Not quite Bow, but close. Although this is a little earlier than you were expecting, it does chime quite well with the 10 year old Charles Mortimer, born London, in the Ipswich Workhouse in 1861. This lad might well be the same one as the apprentice fisherman in Lowestoft in 1871 (the apprenticeship having, perhaps, been arranged by the Ipswich Guardians). Just a thought! Caroline > > My g.grandfather Charles Mortimer gives his date of birth in the family > bible as 5th February 1855, though this replaces an earlier crossed > through date of 1854. > In the early census returns he gives his place of birth as Ipswich, > though this is later replaced with "Bow" then part of Poplar.On his > 1875 marriage certificate he gives his father as Charles > Mortimer(dec'd) > In the later 1891 census he adds the middle name of "Chaston" > > Family oral tradition has it that he visited Somerset House and > established his parental line and the fact that he had a brother, but > my enquiries of Tower Hamlets , the current Registration area which > includes the old parish of Bow have drawn a blank. > > Any suggestions and help gratefully received. > > Many thanks > > Roger M Evans