Genealogy Chat

Hi all,

After much research we've got a problem of someone completely changing their christian names (not surname) for a marriage later in life? It's 99.9 percent her as her husband is listed as a son in law and executor in her fathers will and probate details.

Has anybody come across a similar situation? Any ideas how determine whether it is her or not? Or any suggestions as to why she may have changed her christian names?
Any suggestions welcome as my brain is totally fuddled!!! Thanks : )

It is probably more common than you imagine. Many people choose to be called by names different from those given to them as a child by their parents.

As far as the law is concerned anyone can call themselves by any name as long as it is not for fraudulent purposes.

I've got instances in my tree of names being added, order changes and just made up.

Care to post some details so that people on the boards can take a look?

Andy

Yes it's certainly a possibility we'd thought off but it just seems odd to change both christian names from Annie Elsie to Dorothy May!!
Unless it's not her - but the husband is her fathers son in law!!!

You would need to post details,

from your post 19:15 could she be a second wife?

Roy

1911
HARRISON, Alfred Herbert Head Married M 32 1879 Builders Labourer Selling Kent
HARRISON, Kate Wife Married13 years F 36 1875 Hythe Kent
HARRISON, Annie Daughter F 12 1899 School Saltwood Kent
HARRISON, Herbert William Son M 8 1903 Cheriton Kent
HARRISON, Arthur Son M 2 1909 Cheriton Kent
MARDEN, Minnie Daughter Single F 19 1892 Day Girl General Saltwood Kent

RG number: RG14 Piece: 4646 Reference: RG14PN4646 RG78PN195 RD66 SD1 ED22 SN385

Births Dec 1898 (>99%)
Harrison Annie Elsie Elham 2a 1038

Leonard Horace Savage is listed as her fathers son in law for his Estate in 1958, the other executor is married to the other sister!!

But the only marriage to Mr Savage is....

Marriages Jun 1935 (>99%)
Savage Leonard H Harrison Maidstone 2a 2800 which when you cross reference it is

Marriages Jun 1935 (>99%)
Harrison Dorothy M Savage Maidstone 2a 2800

and they were living in Maidstone, found on electoral rolls and that's where his address is listed on the probate ( of which we have a copy) in 1958!!

Any suggestions very very welcome!!!

Do you have the marriage cert ?

have you considered this birth?

Births Jun 1911

Harrison Dorothy M Elham 2a 1131

or this one

Births Mar 1914

HARRISON Dorothy M Bryant Elham 2a 2151


Roy

Thanks Roy, I don't have the marriage cert - only just copy of probate which gave us the clue for the son in laws.

I've checked the births, neither of them have the right others name unless she wasn't the mother?! She was alive til 1970.

Raises more questions! Unless he was his but not hers!! Though it's unlikely that Dorothy would have his surname if that's the case? Cousin that they brought up maybe?

The birth i listed
Births Jun 1911
Harrison Dorothy M Elham 2a 1131

this was before the mmn was listed on the birth index so how do you no that this birth is incorrect if you don't have the cert

Do you have any bmd certs for this family,

How do you no the mmn? was her name Kate Amelia Airey?

Roy

It's just before how annoying, and just after the 1911 census so she doesn't show up if she is. Last child before that is 1908 so it is still possible?! I hadn't thought of that.Mother would have been about 36/7 so a possibility.
I know the mothers surname from marriage on parish registers.

Thanks Roy, looks like there may be a 3rd sister after all!

Sorry didn't see the name you'd put on there, no it's not her - it was Marden.
Thanks for all your help Roy : )

I'm in the Elham area.
Let me know if you need local help on this.

Gwyn

Hi Gwyn! How are you?
If you could that would be fantastic! Shall I PM you?

Many Thanks Claire x

I'll wait for a PM about names and what you need.

Gwyn