My goodness,I do believe a 'brick wall' may have been overcome. My grandfather was Tom Mcgain, born in Birkenhead, borough road, a week after the 1891 census was taken.The head of household s occupation was listed as 'lodging house keeper'and Martha Mcgains birth place as Wolverhampton ! which is surprising as the family story speaks of Irish or Scottish descent,Martha working at the big house, {laughton, perhaps?she is listed there in 1901] and illegitimacy. his birth was registered by Martha
Mcgain formerly watson [watterson?] father William Mcgain. I never met my grandfather so many family members have been chewing this over, unsuccesfully for years, we know that he was adopted by Job Harding,and his wife, a childless couple in Birkenhead, and were told [family story again]that money was left,or given for his private education. He became a captain in the army.and had 7 children some stayed Harding like my dad, some added Mcgain to become McGain Harding.I think the Watson Watterson clue could be the link which we have previously missed.Len, I wanted to get a death certificate to see whether there was a registering name which rang a faint bell somewhere. Many many thanks
Maureen