Can you help me trace Henry’s birth mother?

Q My cousin’s father was born Henry Stuart Lawrence on 26 September 1917 at 63 Norwood, Beverley, Yorkshire. His birth was registered on 31 October by his mother, Christina Lawrence, while she was resident at 179 Minor Street, Failsworth, Manchester.

On Christmas Day 1917, baby Henry was ‘given away’ to John William Gaskell and his wife, Elizabeth, along with Henry’s birth certificate and a letter asking the new parents to please look after her baby.

During my research I managed to identify 28 Christina Lawrences who could have been a match for Henry’s mother. Marriage and death records eliminated all but six, none of whom originated in Beverley or Manchester, or had an obvious connection to John and Elizabeth.

I contacted Beverley Archives, who provided the names of two couples who had lived at 63 Norwood during the period: Edward and Susannah Gleadhill, and Thomas and Rosanna Smith. However, I researched all four individuals and could not find any links between them and any of the Christinas I found.

According to the 1911 census, 179 Minor Street, Failsworth, was occupied by a couple named Ervin and Ida Dewhurst. However, it seems that they were not living there by 1917.

Where should I look next? Ann Simcock

A You have clearly conducted a great deal of research already. My first piece of advice would be to make sure that you have everything documented and double-checked to ensure that there are no gaps.

You have already looked at multiple Christinas, so keep meticulous files of what you have looked at and why you have ruled some out. You may find a piece of the puzzle later that you think does not fit, unless you are clear in your notes of the difference between a ‘definitely not’ and a ‘probably not’.

You have taken a sensible approach, investigating the families at the two addresses you have at around the time of Henry’s birth. If not considered already, I would look at more distant relatives of the individuals (at least out to first cousins), to see if you are later able to tie in, say, a potential marriage to one of the options for Christina. Look again at the letter written by Christina for any other clues.

You already have Edward Gleadhill and wife, Susannah, at 63 Norwood in 1917, presumably from the electoral registers.

The electoral registers for Failsworth held at Oldham Local Studies & Archives are not complete, with a gap between 1913 and 1934. However, there are records for the Prestwich Division, which included Failsworth, held in the online collection of British Library records for 1912, 1914 and 1915. These are available on findmypast.co.uk.

These reveal that 179 Minor Street was still occupied by Ervin Dewhurst when the 1912 register was compiled. In 1914 and 1915, the occupant was a William Heald. Unfortunately, there is nothing for 1916 or 1917. Rate books may be an alternative source of information.

Another approach is DNA testing. In this situation an autosomal DNA test, such as that provided by dna.ancestry.co.uk, would be appropriate for the search for a link to Christina’s family. Once your cousin has taken a test, you would look for matches with other individuals in the hope that you find a match with a cousin from Christina’s side.

DNA testing has become very popular, but do be aware that success is dependent on other members of Christina’s family having been tested. You may need to be patient. You should also use this information in combination with traditional paperbased research. Karen Cummings

In 1911 the Smiths were living at 63 Norwood, Henry’s birthplace in 1917, while the Dewhursts were at 179 Minor Street, his mother’s residence at the time of his birth

Ann is trying to track down the birth mother of Henry Lawrence, her cousin’s father, shown here at his wedding