Regarding my recent request for the birth certificate of William Henry ASHFORTH 1873-1926, March 1873, Sheffield Register Office replied with this box ticked:
"Unfortunately the details in the register differ from the information given. (Mother's details differ)"
I must admit I was not expecting this, but taking another look at my research I reason:
1) My search for William Henry's birth reveals only two likely candidates:
i. March 1873, William Henry ASHFORTH, Sheffield (the certificate I requested)
ii. December 1875, William ASHFORTH, Ecclesall Bierlow
2) The first candidate is now confirmed incorrect; I did have some doubts since I expected the district to be Ecclesall Bierlow and not Sheffield. The second candidate I will dismiss due to the date; all my research shows a birth around 1872 to 1873.
3) Since William Henry was probably born before William Henry ASHFORTH 1851-1899 and Ellen TOMLINSON 1855-1943 married, he may have been registered with his mother's maiden surname TOMLINSON
Another search reveals:
i. September 1872, William Henry TOMLINSON, Ecclesall
ii. December 1873, William Henry B TOMLINSON, Sheffield
The first entry records the district of Ecclesall, therefore this is the most likeliest.
My transcription of the England and Wales Census 1881 records the following:
FHJ Ref: 035
Census: England and Wales Census 1881
Place: 5 Ct 15 Woodside Lane, Brightside Bierlow, Sheffield, Yorkshire, England
Household: Henry Ashforth
| SURNAME | FIRST NAME(S) | REL | STATUS | SEX | AGE | OCCUPATION | WHERE BORN | REMARKS |
| Ashforth | Henry | Head | Married | Male | 33 | Metal Smith (Wr) | Sheffield, Yorkshire | |
| Ashforth | Sarah | Wife | Married | Female | 32 | | Sheffield, Yorkshire | |
| Ashforth | William H | Son | | Male | 8 | Scholar | Sheffield, Yorkshire | |
| Ashforth | John | Son | | Male | 5 | Scholar | Sheffield, Yorkshire | |
| Ashforth | Lucy | Daughter | | Female | 2 | | Sheffield, Yorkshire | |
| Ashforth | Ann E | Daughter | | Female | 3 | | Sheffield, Yorkshire | |
To view this table full width please click here.
FHJ Ref: 018
Census: England and Wales Census 1881
Place: Back of 70 Daniel Hill St, Nether Hallam, Sheffield, Yorkshire, England
Household: William Henry Ashforth
| SURNAME | FIRST NAME(S) | REL | STATUS | SEX | AGE | OCCUPATION | WHERE BORN | REMARKS |
| Ashforth | William H | Head | Married | Male | 30 | File Cutter | Sheffield, Yorkshire | |
| Ashforth | Ellen | Wife | Married | Female | 27 | | Sheffield, Yorkshire | |
| Ashforth | William H | Son | | Male | 8 | Scholar | Sheffield, Yorkshire | |
| Ashforth | Rosa | Daughter | | Female | 6 | Scholar | Sheffield, Yorkshire | |
| Ashforth | Annie | Daughter | | Female | 3 | | Sheffield, Yorkshire | |
To view this table full width please click here.
This second record from the England and Wales Census 1881 matches all names and dates with my research. Therefore since I cannot find a birth for William Henry ASHFORTH (other than the one that has already proved negative) I am inclined to go with my theory that his birth certificate is registered under his mother's maiden surname i.e. William Henry TOMLINSON.
I will apply for this birth certificate:
September 1872, William Henry TOMLINSON, Ecclesall.