Letters of Administration for Children

Post by **DancesWithKittens** » 15 Sep 2011 17:13

Hello
I'm new to this forum but not new to either genealogy or Liverpool FHS. I registered today as I have a puzzle I was hoping someone could help me with but being thick can't work out where to post it. Could you help please?
Thanks

Post by **dickiesam** » 15 Sep 2011 17:33

Hi and welcome,
We need to know what your puzzle relates to and also if it concerns a particular location. Once we know someone will point you in the right direction.

Dickiesam

Post by **DancesWithKittens** » 15 Sep 2011 20:01

Hi and thank you for your response.
I want to know why a father would possibly apply for letters of administration on two of his children who had died as infants over 30 years before. They can't have left wills and surely didn't have any assets.
cheers
Elaine

Post by **MaryA** » 15 Sep 2011 20:48

Hi and welcome to the forum.

Off the top of my head I can only think that perhaps they would have been named as beneficiaries in a Will, however they had died first.

Perhaps you could give us some details and we may be able to make other suggestions.

I have also heard something similar to this before - have you posted the same query on another forum? and if so what results did you get there?

Post by **DancesWithKittens** » 16 Sep 2011 15:31

3xgreat grandfather Richard Bowrin (1793-1861) of Walsall, Staffordshire was granted letters of administration on 9 August 1861 for his daughter Sarah Bowrin who died as an infant in 1830, and for his son Walter Earp Bowrin who died aged one year in 1827. Effects for each were less than £20. Richard died shortly after so administration papers for Sarah were reissued on 12 December 1861 to one of the executors of his estate.
Would copies of these papers tell me anything and if so how and from where can they be ordered?
Thank you very much in anticipation of your help - Elaine

Post by **DancesWithKittens** » 16 Sep 2011 15:32

PS - I've not asked this question before anywhere

Post by **DancesWithKittens** » 16 Sep 2011 16:25

I've just found a third child of Richard's with a letter of admin granted 9 Aug 1861 for a child who died in 1816.

Post by **Hilary** » 16 Sep 2011 17:18

It certainly seems odd.

Richard Bowrin apparently leaves a will proved in October I would get a copy of that will and see if that explains the mystery.

I would also look for earlier wills who may have left things to the deceased children. I would have thought for the children to inherit they would have to have been alive at the time of death of the person who left them money. This money would then have been held intrust for them I think.

I would look fro a will of either a Bowrin or the wife's maiden name of someone who died before the children died. This will would at that time been proved in the church courts and I'm afreiad I've no idea where they would now be held but I'm guessing Lichfield as that would have been the bishopric I think.

I think you need a friendly solicitor to explain it.

Post by **DancesWithKittens** » 16 Sep 2011 17:20

Thank you Hilary, I shall certainly take your advice
Bye for now
Elaine

Post by **DancesWithKittens** » 16 Sep 2011 17:49

You're definitely on to something there Hilary as I've found similar letters in 1861 for maternal cousins who had died as children. I gotta get to the bottom of this. Thanks for your help. Elaine

Liverpool & South West Lancashire FHS - Forum

Letters of Administration for Children

how do I?

A puzzle?