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I am searching for ANY information that may lead to ANY record of an adoption in 1884 in or near South Norwood, Croydon Dist., Surrey Co., England. As you all may imagine, this is a bit difficult as I am living in IL, USA, and don't have the ability to search for myself in the UK. My great grandmother AND great grandfather were both adopted. I have actually been able to crack my great grandfather's adoption as he was adopted as a toddler and not an infant and appears on the 1881 England Census with his soon-to-be adoptive parents and birth father (birth mother died of small pox just 6 months before that census) --giving his true birth surname--which my grandmother (now 82 years old) remembered.
My grandmother is the youngest and last living of 10 children and really would like to know about her true maternal grandparents. She married my grandfather, a US Army airplane mechanic stationed in Debden, during WWII and emigrated to the US.
Here is the key information:
Her mother was named Annie Field Banner born 11 Jan 1884, adopted by Reuben Llewellyn Banner and Harriet (nee unknown) as an infant. Reuben was a silk hat finisher as per the 1891 England Census. He was a church verger as per the 1901 England Census. Annie was an accomplished pianist and taught lessons to earn money. At the age of 14, her real birth mother tried to contact her. Harriet gave Annie the option to return contact and start a relationship, but Annie refused.
The only other information that my grandmother remembers is that Annie's mother was aledgedly the daughter of a prominent banker and became pregnant out of wedlock by the son of an Earl. I personally have more confidence in the "daughter of a banker" than the "son of an Earl", but who knows, everything that my grandmother has related from her memory has turned out to be true!
I have used the GRO to order birth, marriage, and death records. Very helpful on my great grandfather's side!! I have no idea where to start with this adoption. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
I am a semi-professional geneaolgist and have extensive knowledge of US records (and a world subscription to ancestry.com). While I am not an expert on cracking US adoptions, I have helped one woman find information (german emigration and immigration) on the birth father of one of her adopted relatives.
Would be more than willing to trade genealogy services to help find my missing family link!
Jennifer C.
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