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Thank you Kay???? for suggesting this. I had a feeling that I explored a William Henry Wood before but can't spot that research at the moment. The birth place is wrong but with being an "adopted son", could be a guess or modification.

I did have 1911 census for the George and Mary Ann Wood that I wondered might be the G Wood when William registered at school, but there is no mention of WIlliam. Possible they only "adopted him" between 1911 and 1914 but if that is when his name changed, surely he would have noticed at 7-10 years old?

It is a puzzle.

That looks like a good possibility, Kay.
It does seem they weren't too sure of his birthplace, because on the image, all the other family members have specific towns or villages as places of birth, whereas William just has the vague "Derby", meaning Derbyshire in general rather than actually Derby.

TWhits -
I agree that George and Mary Ann don't feel right as your William/Victor's adopted parents, because of the timing .

ArgyllGran - that is an interesting observation that his birthplace was vaguely Derbyshire rather than Derby specifically. The family seem to be in Derby in 1911 and so I assumed it really did mean Derby for the birthplace. Derby is a little distance from Matlock for schooling but I suppose the family could have moved.

Another thought is that he was only ever William / Willie / Bill, never any mention of a second name "Henry".

One of our relatives was born in London,,but was found 120miles away as a boarder but there is no family connection at all but their name wasn't changed...so was an easier find.

There is also this William ?? I don't really think it is him but I will post it just in case......... It isn't too far from the area?

1911 Census For England & Wales
4 Union St Newcastle Staffordshire, Newcastle under Lyme, Staffordshire, England
William Wood's Household Members
Members that resided in the household at the time of the census.
First name(s) Last name Relationship Marital status Sex Age Birth year Occupation Birth place
Thomas Barlow Head Married Male 68 1843 Labourer Bricklayer's Newcastle Staffre
Annie Barlow Wife Married Female 54 1857 - Stoke
William Wood Adopted Child - Male 8 1903 - -


Dea x

TWhits -
re Derby versus Derbyshire in that 1911 census -

It's just my assumption that "Derby" meant Derbyshire in that instance - I might be wrong.

The Ancestry transcription says Derbyshire - though that's not necessarily correct.

Dea - thanks for that. I will make a note "just in case".

Re the school entry,


The actual school register usually states--parent or guardian of the pupil in the entry register.this maybe worth researching.

Kay: The parent was G Wood from Masson Lees Farm. Unfortunately, it is not that rare a name and I had already found some with others suggested to me. None are clear cut correct.

If the George Wood in Clifton Street in 1911 is correct, it looks as though he and Agnes had a falling out:

03 February 1913 - Derby Daily Telegraph - Derby, Derbyshire, England

I, GEORGE WOOD, residing at 68. Clifton-street. Derby, will NOT RESPONSIBLE for DEBTS contracted Wife. AGNES WOOD, after this notice.— (Signed)" GEORGE WOOD.

AustinQ - fascinating insight, many thanks.

I seem to have a few candidates for G Wood who registered William at school but not sure which one was living at Masson Lees Farm in 1914/15.

The George Wood with Agnes lived in Derby has an adopted son but it is William Henry rather than just William.

The George Wood with Mary Ann (Ward) has no mention of William but does live close to Matlock (born South Darley in 1871 and around there in 1871, 1881, 1891, 1901, 1911 and 1939) and lost a son in 1906.