retaining birth name when adopted 1881-91

Question

My grandmother was born London UK 1881 and was adopted between 1881-91. (1891 census states that she was adopted). She always retained her birth name Williamson even though she was adopted by the Clarke family. Her marriage certificate is Ethel Williamson Clarke. Under what circumstances would someone retain their birth name?

Comments

I operate under the premise "Why would anyone CHANGE his/her birth name?"

Somewhat seriously, though, there may be legal circumstances (say a HUGE trust fund that stipulates she keep her birth name), personal preference (maybe she didn't like spelling Clarke with the "e"), or who knows what (like some snobby social custom of the day/place)!

Answer 1

My great great grandmother also kept her birth name. I've seen this with other ancillary relatives. Couples adopt older children, who may be vaguely related. Those children already had a name they were using.  I also think the adoption process (at least the ones I run into in the USA during the 1800s) was a little looser, not quite so formal. Be thankful she kept her birthname, otherwise you might never figure out who she was before.

Comments

One situation I found from the late 1800's illustrates the difference in adoption procedures then & now in the USA. Three little girls ages 9, 7 & 6 were orphaned. They were taken in by three different families in the area. The eldest was formally adopted by a non-related family, but kept her birth name, according to the census information. The middle girl was raised by her father's sister & her husband, but never adopted. The youngest was adopted by a widower, also non-related.

Modern adoptions seem to have a fixation on anonymity... That's where the "erasure" of the birth name originates. Prior to that, keeping the birth name was the norm.