Twins Louisa and Frances born 1886

[MaryA]

How lovely, I'm imagining that through all their troubles they became friends and godparents for each other's babies.

[Cherylc]

Thanks Bert

I feel the same as Mary that it is nice to think of them being friends in the Workhouse.

I suspect that Ellen (not sure if it is common for the Catholic register to have adapted her name to Helena) Moyner and Frances Wood did meet and become friends in the workhouse - supporting each other through illegitmate birth. But then Ellen met Frances's brother John and got married, strengthening the links.

At that time would illegitimate children still be baptised?

[MaryA]

not sure if it is common for the Catholic register to have adapted her name to Helena

Yes names were changed to their Latin form for Baptism etc, so Helena would be correct for Ellen.

I think it would be a matter of course for Workhouse babies to be baptised - and probably their mothers churched also - one of the reasons would historically have been that if a child is baptised into a parish then there would be that responsibility by them for the child if the necessity arose - ie parish relief.

[Cherylc]

Ahh, which fits with later events.

When my relative Louisa died, her widow was visited by the local priest. he said she was catholic and wanted to baptise her children.

Really does like we have found the right Louisa (daughter of Frances M) and Frances (daughter of Ellen). Not twins, but the mothers were close.

Thank you all for all your help and patience; a really nice welcome to the group.