Genealogy Chat

Hi People I'm researching my tree and already stuck at my grandfather! His name was William Fairclough and died 1987/8 aged 81. He married my nan roughly 1943-45 but there is no record of this and my mum says they never celebrated an anniversary. I ordered what I thought would be his Birth Certificate using his date of birth as a reference check but GRO have called to say it is not a match...... We assumed his DOB was 9/4/06 but this is not the date on the cert, although it is single figures I was told. I'm not quite sure if to get this cert, how will I know if it is the right one? I can't think of any other avenue to take in tracing the family..... I found out yesterday that he had a brother Killed in Action in WW2 and his name was Jimmy Fairclough, cant find anything concrete on this either though. Because we cannot find anything other than William Faircloughs death registered we're now wondering if he maybe changed his names??? My mum can only just remember a time when he may have been in prison this would have been in the 50's so his was obviously a bit of a naughty one! Any other suggestions or help in tracing this family? I would be so grateful to anyone Thanks

The date of birth quoted on the death certificate is only as accurate as the person giving the information. Therefore the birth certificate could be your grandfather. If the area of birth fits, try ordering it again but don't quote the date of birth. Can your mum remember the name of her grandparents (William's parents?), if so try quoting one of their names as a checking point. Have you looked on the CWGC site for Jimmy? There are 3 James Fairclough's listed. Where did the family come from? Sam x

Hi Thanks for your help Yes I have looked on the site and like you say there are a few James Faircloughs, all I know is what my mum was told and that was that his family came from the Liverpool area. The BC I ordered was showing a William being born Prescot, so maybe Jimmy was born their too? My mum has a photo of Jimmy who looks to be dress in a Navy uniform (not sure on that though) She also has a photo of William dressed in his Army uniform. William also has two children before marrying my nan (or not!) called Tommy (Thomas) and Mary, but again I cannot trace these.....

Do you have your mum's birth certificate? What was her mum's maiden name? Sam x

Hi sam Yes her mothers maiden name is Smith. My grandmother was born Gwendoline Smith and I have found her and ancestors, she was also married before to a Beasley and I have managed to trace this first marriage. Just nothing on Fairclough :-( How on earth will i Know if its the right William Faircloughs Birth Certificate?

Hmmm, it could be quite difficult if you have no more information. Are you certain William never actually married your grandmother? At least if he did you would have his father's name! I see your point, even if you send for the birth certificate you have found how will you know it is the correct one? Sam x

Marriages very often take place years after the birth of their children,,,,,,?iif William had a previous marriage perhaps it was some time before he was free to marry again,,,,,,,,,?

This is the only one of the J. Fairclough's on the cwgc site who was in the Navy:- Name: FAIRCLOUGH, JAMES HENRY Initials: J H Nationality: United Kingdom Rank: Sub-Lieutenant (A) Regiment/Service: Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve Unit Text: H.M.S. Wagtail. Age: 31 Date of Death: 26/10/1944 Additional information: Son of James Henry and Ada Fairclough; husband of Lilian Fairclough, of Stoneclough. Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead Grave/Memorial Reference: New Ground. Grave 204. Cemetery: RINGLEY (ST. SAVIOUR) CHURCHYARD His parents were from Stoneclough which is near Bolton, so not a million miles from the Prescot area. You could perhaps see if the birth certificate has these parents named on it. Kath. x

Sorry Kath, must have been posting at the same time. Many Many Thanks for that, I will look into that as one avenue to follow. Thats Great Thanks

Thanks for your replies I have looked for their marriage upto 1960 but nothing. How else do people continue searching when you get stuck? There must be another way???? I can't give up just beacuse there is no marraige cert? How do others continue searching if no marriage took place?

Could this be his death? :- Name: Ernest William Fairclough Birth Date: 14 Jun 1905 Death Registration Month/Year: Aug 1986 Age at death (estimated): 81 Registration district: Birkenhead Inferred County: Cheshire Volume: 37 Page: 711 Perhaps he was known by his middle name. Kath. x

If the above death was the right one, then this is the birth for that person:- Ernest William Fairclough June qtr. 1905, Birkenhead, 8a, 508 Kath. x

He died in Essex aged 81 in 1987 so that death can't be him..... His death is registered though, just not his birth - Hmmm

Is this his death then:- Name: William Fairclough Birth Date: 9 Apr 1906 Death Registration Month/Year: Sep 1988 Age at death (estimated): 82 Registration district: Thurrock Inferred County: Essex Volume: 9 Page: 2893 Kath. x

If the above death is your William then there are these births which could be him in the same qtr as the Prescot birth:- William Fairclough June qtr. 1906, W.Derby, 8b, 355 or this one:- William Robert Fairclough June qtr. 1906, W.Derby, 8b, 299 West Derby registration district is in the Liverpool area. Kath. x

Thats must be his death Kath, Thanks for those birth details, it seems either of those could be him so i think i'll see if i can use the date of birth as a reference for those ones too. Thanks for your help.... If you find anything else which may link the family or think of any other ideas that I could look into please let me know. Thanks Again