Family Historian User Group

Can anyone take a stab at deciphering the mothers forename for William Walker (entry 1111) in this baptism record. I know what Ancestry thinks it is, but it's not consistent with the birth certificate I've just bought (the father's name, and 1 Bell Alley residence does appear on both documents).

My best guess would be Hannah. It looks like whoever wrote it first wrote A (cf Ann below), then corrected it. Possibly he thought it was Anna, and was then put right.

Given the style of writing and the rather strange formation of letters (by today's standards) I'll take a stab at Harriet.

Mervyn

I'd agree with Mervyn - my impression is Harriet.

My first impression was Harriet, but I was not happy with that.
I too was beginning to think the multiple strokes indicate some form of correction.
A corrected to H for Hannah does look plausible, but it is by no means clear.

My first thought was Harriet too, but if you count the strokes, there are two between the "i" and the "t", which don't look at all like an "e". Added to which, an Anna/Hannah confusion could account for the mistake in the first letter, which would be less likely with Harriet.

My first thought was Tasmin! To me it looks like the first letter has been altered from something else to a T.
Gives you an alternative perspective anyway! Truely aweful writing.
Anne

Can the name on certificate match the actual name written in the register, or are they completely different? Sometimes the vicar or his stand-in makes notes of the christenings, then completes the register at a later time, so could have made a mistake reading the notes during this process.

If you are happy that certificate and regsister 'match', then report transcription error to Ancestry.

As for your tree, I'd enter what was on the certificate, and make a note in the baptism to show what is actually written in the register.

I'd say the first letter might be F, by comparison with other names on the page.

Don't be confused by the flourish above first letter which is an abbreviated and as in the other entries.

For what it's worth. Family Search has two different transcriptions for this christening:

1) Born 9th October 1857, Christened 1st November, Parents Thomas and Hannah (Film 597922,597923)
2) Born 4th October 1857, Christened 1st November, Parents Thomas and Harriot (Film 597922)

With these clues in mind, I now tend towards Harriot

I have William (and siblings) in the 1861 census with parents Thomas and Hannah**, and then in the 1871 census with parents Thomas and Ann.

I'm further confused by the siblings appearing in GRO birth indices, and Ancestry and Family Search listings with parents Thomas and variously:
Ann
Mills
Ann Walker formerly Mills
Hannah
McFarlan(e)
Ann Macfarlane Walker

although places mentioned in these entries seem to correlate (Bell Alley, Golden Lane, Vine Court, St. Thomas Charterhouse). Oh, and I have a marriage cert for Thomas Walker and Hannah McFarling, in March 1850, both living at 1 Bell Alley, Golden Lane. I can find no trace of a marriage of Thomas Walker to an Ann Mills.

** in the 1861 census Margaret McFarlane is living with grandson Thomas (a duplicated entry I'm sure) at the same address.

my con is well and truly fused

I have a number of Anns who are also called Hannah or Anna. Also Hannahs called Ann or Anna so could be the same person ..... or not!
Anne