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I am currently researching my mother's line - the Manleys - and have come across various problems. My grandfather (who was born in c.1866) seems to have had two surnames at different times. In the 1881 census (along with his younger sister, Mary Ann) he is Francis McEwen in the household of his brother, John Manley. Later on, as the head of the household, he is Francis Manley. His father's name, according to his marriage certificate, is also John Manley. Furthermore, in the later censuses, his place of birth is given as Hanley in Staffordshire, whereas in the 1881 census, where he is Francis McEwen, his birthplace is Ardwick, Manchester. There is no doubt that Francis Manley and Francis McEwen are the same person - my mother and my aunt both recall that he used the name McEwen from time to time - and they thought that he had been fostered at one time. I have searched for both names in civil registration for both districts and have been unable to find his birth details.
I found a Francis McKowen, aged 6, on the 1871 census, the son of John Mckowen, labourer. I am fairly sure this is my grandfather, as he also has a younger sister called Mary Ann McKowen.
It looks as though his real father was John Mckowen (or McEwen), but some time between 1871 and 1881 he and his younger sister were fostered by the Manleys. However, there are a few questions that remain a mystery. Why did he give his birthplace later on as being in Staffordshire? (the only clue is that John Manley came from that area and Francis may have had links with the place and come to think of it as his birthplace. This doesn't quite follow - as he was old enough when fostered to remember his actual origins).
I was for a while mystified by why Francis was described as 'brother' to John Manley in the census, but I have since found out that John Manley was married to Margaret McKowen - Francis's older sister (presumably)! It seems that John McKowen really was Francis's real father, but there are some questions that I seem unable to answer.
If anyone has any answers to these questions, or can shed any further light on my grandfather, please let me know!
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