Genealogy Chat

My grandfather was born Clifford Ibbotson. Seven weeks old on the 1901 Census he was living with his Mum and Dad? and called Clifford Johnson. His mother was Priscilla Ibbotson and his father Arthur Johnson. As he was born in Arthur's father's home I assume that Arthur was his father although he is not on the birth certificate. Now if he was registered Ibbotson and then changed his name to Johnson what is actually his surname? He married my grandmother with the name Johnson, died a Johnson and all his children were Johnsons. I might add that he was one of 7 children and they were all Johnsons despite the fact I have never found a marriage between Priscilla and Arthur. Would be grateful for your views. Susan

His surname is whatever he wanted it to be! I have one that was born a Bradshaw, then was a Frost on the next 2 censuses before marrying as Bradshaw. People could (and still can) call themselves anything they like as long as they are not trying to defraud anyone. Sam x

Susan This question often crops up on here, and the answer is - your Surname is whatever you choose it to be! Your name is whatever you call yourself, and it is only very recently that the concept of a LEGAL surname has arisen (identity theft, money laundering etc). I would put him in your tree with the surname he USED, otherwise you don;t stand much chance of ever finding any relations! OC

Thanks for that. I have researched him as a Johnson (paternal) and Ibbotson (maternal). The fact that I recently found out that he was born in his grandfather's house seemed further proof that Arthur was his father. Finding that out was by accident in that I had looked at Arthur's father on the 1901 Census and his address was the same as the address on my grandfather's birth certificate. I wonder how often that would happen. Another coincidence is that when Arthur's father died Arthur was the informant on the death certificate and he was living with his family in the same house that my father's brother is living in now. Susan

A long shot, prompted by another thread on here. Have you looked for a re-registration of his birth, after 1926? He could have been legitimised. OC

I never thought of that, OC. I will have a look and see. My mother always told me that my grandfather was called Clifford Ibbotson Johnson and she knew that Ibbotson was her grandmother's maiden name. When I couldn't find him under Johnson I went straight for Ibbotson. Luckily for me my parents always knew and told me their parents names, maiden names and the names of their grandparents. Thanks for that. Susan