Genealogy Chat

If a relative's death was registered in a double barrelled surname, how ever there is no record of a birth in this name. I have found a record of a birth and it is the only possible one it could be- I have just recieved birth cert-however the surname is not double barrelled. Could it be possible that my ancestor adopted the double barrelled name later on in his life - or am i way off track? Also for his place of birth there is no address, only the town of birth. What would this suggest? Any advice would be thankfully recieved. Many thanks Julie

Names change and evolve so it could well be the same person. If you would like to post names others could look and see if you wish. Gwyn

yes its possible people changed their names around all the time adding christian names etc that weren't there at registration ,and being registered on marriage & death certs in names that they were known as. My paternal was married twice however she had two children by the second hubby before they wed.he reg both births as if they were,and he reg mums name as Annie.each time . her name was Emma Ann but he must have called her Annie so thats how he reg her on each child's birth cert. Doesnt surprise me seeing variations on names have got several in the family history. Is your relation old enough to check back the family on any census.

Even people today adopt a double barrelled name when they get married or when they adopt a step dads name.

Hi Gwyneth, Thanks for your reply. his name was John William Preston born 1879 Market Overton, Oakham His parents were Amos Preston And Jane Fisher. Amos was born 1837 in market overton. The name on his death cert was Jown W Sparrow-Preston. he was 75 when he died in 1955. so that would have made his birth year 1880. Unless His age was registered incorrectly by a year. The reason i think this one is the one i am looking for.. is that ther are Sparrows listed as neighbours on one of the cencus's that Amos and his Parents are on. What do you think? Thanks Julie

Hi Shirley, Thanks for your reply yes he was born in 1879.. i have found him on the census. The only connection though as i said in my reply to Gwyneth is the sparrows that are listed as neighbours.

Hi Penny, Thanks for your reply. It is so annoying though when you are looking for them later and it takes years to track them, when they see fit to add and swap names around. Lol

If he was b in 1879 and died in 1955 aged 75, it could just mean that he had not had his birthday for that year. That is, if his birthday was in Sept and he died in July he would have been a year younger than you would have expected from his y.o.b.

Hi huia, That the dilema, he died in october and birtday on cert was march 79- wondering if g nan got age at death a year out. Julie

Was John Sparrow-Preston married? If so,find his marriage registration and find out if his father was shown as Amos. This would give more weight to knowing you have the correct birth certificate. Gwyn

Hi Gwnyeth, story of my life lol-they were not married, thats why it is so difficult. I think i am on the right track but have no way of backing my findings up. Julie x

Anything is possible. Not in my tree but I know a Smith who became a Muirsmith, his mother was a Muir. Marion

Julie, Perhaps John was adopted? Seems odd they were married 13 years before they had their only child and Jane was in her 40s at that point. Rose

hi Rose, That is something i never thought of... But saying that i have birth cert and parents are definatly Amos and Jane Preston.. its just this surname that is bugging me.Arrrrrrahhhhhh!!!

Have you found the death registration of Amos and /or Jane? Whichever died last maybe had John as the informant...who hopefully signed his full name and said he was the son. Gwyn

Hi Gwyn, No i have not as yet... I have found John living in wales in the 1901 census and, if he is my relli, then i do know that his family disowned him, he was in the indian army and, was shot in the foot... was brought to brighton with rest of indian wounded which is where he met my G grandmother. Julie

I am off to bed now, so if i don't answer tonight i will in the morning.thank you to everyone who has helped and offered advice. Juliex

Of course the info on a death cert is only as good as the knowledge of the person who gave it. Who was the 'informant'? Sometimes even children are not too sure of their parents details.

Deaths Mar 1902 Preston Amos 65 Oakham 7a 230 Deaths Mar 1914 PRESTON Jane 77 Oakham 7a 445 Rose

Not sure we have the correct John William Preston: This looks like the death of Amos and Jane's son: Deaths Jun 1918 Preston John W 39 Oakham 7a 329 Rose