Genealogy Chat

My father in law never really knew his father. All he knows is that his name was Peter Smith Born he thinks in June 1942 and he lived in Nechells Park Road in Birmingham in 1963. He later went onto move to Canada (or some such place). He never married his mum and never lived with them either, so there are no marriage cert's and I dont think hes even on my father in laws birth cert because they wernt together when he was born. Heres what Ive found so far.... I have 2 Peter Smith off the free Ancestry bit born in Birmingham in the 2nd quarter of 1942. With different middle names and different mums maiden names (but we dont know either of these to narrow it down). We also know he went onto have 2 daugthers with another woman after he had my father in law in 1963. The electorial register shows up the following for 111 Nechells Park Road: 1955 Samuel & Maud Smith. '56 Same '57 Same plus Kenneth F Smith & Beryl Smith. 59' Samuel, Meud and James Smith. '60 Samuel, Maud, James S and Adriana Smith. '61 Samuel & Maud Smith. '63 Maud Smith. '64 Same. '65 Peter & Maud Smith. '566 Same. '67 Same. '68 Maud. After that its a new family. So Im going on the presumption that Samuel and Maud are either his parents, grandparents or a mixture of both. Where do I go from here? Can anyone find out anymore? I know i could order both birth certs for June '42 but it could be neither of them and i would prefer to be more certain before spending alot Thanks, Deborah

He probably wasnt born till 1944 because he only shows up on electoral role in 1965 you had to be 21 to vote then the age was not lowered till 1969. Alan.

Deb have you thought of going onto the Birmingham,Nechells site, you may get a lead from there, there is lots of information also look in Birmingham streets slum clearance's. there are names of the people who used to live there.

Hi, Thanks Kal, thats an idea. It means loads of searching on the free ancestry BMD. But its free! I think I might have a go. Deborah

Hello I would suggest that you try to find out the names of the other children you know he had and try to get one of thier birth certificates, if possible. That should give his full name. That may narrow it down in 1942. Do you know if he married the other lady at all. If he did then his marriage certificate would have his full name on it and his father's name. Other than that try putting an advert in the local birmingham paper asking for info. Or try putting a request for information into the Black Country Bugle. This paper is read globally and it may bring in some info from Canada or where ever he moved to. It doesn't cover the birmngham area as such but it still worth a try. Hope this helps Yours Miriam Abbott

Thanks Kal, Appreciate all your help. Im just looking through James Smith from '37-'39. Nothing as yet. Just as a point the Peter Smith born in the month we thought he was born (June 1942 - although i know this doesnt match with him 21 at the right time, unless he was in the army for a few years then came back or moved out pre-21 then came back) have the mothers maiden names of Wagstaff and Hall. Just incase they appear alot. What kind of time gap did you check on the marriage? Just out of interest how far back form '36 did you go? Thanks again, Deborah

PS Theres a James H S Smith (not just James S as in the electoral register) for April 1938 with the mothers maiden name Parkes (not Parker). Long shot I know but the closest ive got so far. x Deborah

Thanks, It woudl be interesting to know what was on the electoral register prior to that. As for James that was the only close one I could find '37-'39 and ive got to head out in a mo, so i guess this means some serious trawling over the coming weeks. :( Oh Well. Thanks again, Deborah

PS where was the marriage you found..because i cant find it on the free ancestry bmd for either Jan or July quarters of '35. Am i missing something? Where did you look for it? Deborah

Ahhh Ive got it... when you said J quarter i thought you meant Jan-feb-march or July-aug-sep because i always call them by there first month. Thanks, Deborah

Just found a Peter J Smith for June quarter '44 mothers maiden name Parkes. That would tie in with the right month but wrong year we thought. But would make the electoral register right if he was 21 on being first shown. Trouble is...its Parkes not Parker. :( Not helping much is it. LOL

Any ideas why when I search for a two year period or so, some of the quarters dont show up? For instance, when I do a search for Kenneth Smith 35-37, Jan 36 and Oct 36 quarters dont come up as options. Surely someone by that name was registered those months as its such a popular surname? Are there gaps? Deborah

Ahhhhh.... getting mightily confused and annoyed with this whole 'Smith' name!!!!!! Need to vent some frustration before going back to it. Agggggggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!! Thats better