Genealogy Chat

I have a relative who records his name as William Ranscombe on his son George Ranscombe's marriage cert. However, my Nan is convinced that George or William were originally called a name like Sappy or Sapey as this is what her mother told her - they changed it to Ranscombe as they didn't like being called Sapey!! I can not find my George Ranscombe before he is 14 years old and lodging with Aunt and Uncle - I can not find a possible George Sappy or a William Sapey who has a son called George. I also know that George had a brother called Henry and I can't find him either before age 14 (also at Aunt's) in either name! My Q is - can I find change of names by deed poll or anything like that or would people have just changed their name randomly as they wished?? Also, would like to know if Divorce records are generally available from the early 1900s?? Much appreciate any input Kate

People could call themselves anything they wanted. There was no legal process necessary

Which census is George on when he is 14, and where was he living. If you give the details we can try to find him, from place of birth etc. Kath. x

Info on change of name by deed poll here: www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/familyhistory/name/ info on divorce records here: www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/familyhistory/divorce/ nell

George was George Ranscombe on the 1861 census aged 16 (1845) actually! He was living in Glasshouse Yard with the Norris family. His place of birth is given as Hampton Wick and so is brother Henry (1843) - he is there too aged 18 and same place of birth! Of course I now realise that access to the 1851 census might do it?? Thanks for your input! Kate

is this him married in 1891? Record Ranscombe, Arthur G abt 1882 Hackney, Middlesex, England Son Hackney London View Record Ranscombe, Edwin H abt 1890 Hackney, Middlesex, England Son Hackney London View Record Ranscombe, Ethel E abt 1884 Hackney, Middlesex, England Daughter Hackney London View Record Ranscombe, Frederick G abt 1887 Hackney, Middlesex, England Son Hackney London ==View Record Ranscombe, George F abt 1844 Hampton Wick, Middlesex, England Head Hackney London View Record Ranscombe, Margaret M abt 1845 St Georges East, Middlesex, England Wife Hackney London View Record Ranscombe, William C abt 1877 Mile End, Middlesex, England Son Hackney London

Yep - that's him - I have all that and have his death certificate too!! I have even visited the house he died in! I need to try to trace his father though to progress the line!! Kate

Yep - I have his death certificate! Thanks Kate

1881: Geo. F. RANSCOMBE Head M Male 37 St George In East Assistant Fancy Textile Warehouse Margaret M. RANSCOMBE Wife M Female 36 Mantle Maker Edith M. RANSCOMBE Daur Female 8 St James Bermondsey Scholar Margaret M. RANSCOMBE Daur Female 6 Mile End New Town Scholar William C. RANSCOMBE Son Male 4 Mile End New Town Scholar Alice M. RANSCOMBE Daur Female 1 Sth Hackney Dwelling 62 Bentham Rd Census Place London, Middlesex, England Family History Library Film 1341068 RG11 Piece / Folio 0315 / 71 Page 27

Here's a curious thing, according to my map, Hampton Wick isn't in Middlesex, but Surrey, near Kingston, and on the IGI there's this George Ranscomb born 1845: GEORGE FREDERICK RANSCOMB Event(s): Birth: 06 JAN 1845 Christening: 11 MAY 1845 Kingston Upon Thames, Surrey, Parents: Father: HENRY RANSCOMB Mother: ANN and to make things murkier, I've found a birth for Henry Sapey, but its in Norfolk! nell

There's this on Ancestry civil reg: RANSCOMB, William Henry Record Type: Births Quarter: March Year: 1842 District: Kingston County: Middlesex Surrey Volume: 4 Page: 192 nell

Kate There is a Henry STACEY b Kingston Sep 1842 vol 4 p 173 There is a George STACEY b Kingston Dec 1843 vol 4 p 189 Might be worth investigating Peter in NZ

No Sappy in Kingston on Ancestry, but there are 78 bmds for Kingston for surname Sapey - though none look like yours. nell

Thanks for all your input - funnily enough - My Nan mentioned a Norfolk connection - so the Henry you have found might be worth a look?? Kate

Here it is: Sapey, Henry Record Type: Births Quarter: September Year: 1843 District: Forehoe County: Norfolk Volume: 13 Page: 115 Forehoe Reg district: Created 1st July 1837. Sub-districts : Costessey; Wymondham. GRO volumes : XIII (1837-51); 4b (1852-1930). Barford, Barnham Broom, Bawburgh, Bowthorpe, Brandon Parva, Carleton Forehoe, Colton, Costessey, Coston, Crownthorpe, Deopham, Easton, Hackford, Hingham, Kimberley, Marlingford, Morley St. Botolph, Morley St. Peter, Runhall, Welborne, Wicklewood, Wramplingham, Wymondham. Registers now in Norwich district. nell