Genealogy Chat

Just received a death cert

Suppose you need to email it to some poor devil?? M x (I know you have my email addy!!)

Just received the death cert of my nans second husband - died Dec 1948. There is a mystery about this - my nan married him in 1930 following the death of her first husband. This chap was a lot older than nan and my aunt tells me it was a marriage of convenience - she was widowed and had three children aged 10 and under when she remarried. I asked all my family what became of him. He seemed a very good stepfather - he paid for a big wedding for my mum in 1940 when she was 19 yet he 'disappeared' - my dad says he was around in 1941 but when he returned from the war he was no longer with nan. Now I cant believe no one ever asked where he was but apparently that is the case. Even my mum and aunt said they didnt know ??? I have to say my nan was a very formidable lady and I guess no one questioned her. It seems to me she must have sent him packing and I found his death 1948 - the certificate is very very faint - and especially on the important informant bit. Is it possible to ask the GRO to look at the cert? He died at St Peters Hospital Woking aged 81. Under the occupation it says of 24 Stanley Road, Woking U.D. a retired stevedore. Under informatnt it says I think, L G Robins - there is a line I cant read at all and then 24 Stanley Road, Woking. Does anyone know Woking - is this likely to have been some sort of retirement home as I have never ever heard of a Robins in the family and he had no children? Any help appreciated.

Merry, havent got a scanner (think Ill have to take Val up on the offer of her old one!) Just gonna try a google.

It wouldn't say 'occupier', would it? Kate.

L G Robins could have been someone at the Hospital because he had no next of kin. The Hospital Almoner used to deal with social aspects of patients then ie whether they had anyone at home when they were being discharged or if the Social services need to be informed. Shirley

Blimey! Stanley Road, Woking is very famous, isn't it?! Nearly as famous as Abbey Road! Kate.

No, there are 5 words (or possibly 6) The first one looks like it begins with a capital C and ends with ing the second word is 'the' third looks like only or am/on capital G fourth looks like 'is' fifth looks like 'be' last one looks like 'built' 'buried' Its gonna drive me crazy Kate - you must be younger than me, didnt know it was a record til I googled.

If I were you I would contact the local reg office. They will have the original death cert which may be clearer to read. If you phone them you can explain that you have the GRO copy, which you can prove over the phone, as you know the date of registration and subdistrict details (which will help them to fine the entry in their records). If you grovel, they may even look whilst you wait! I have wangled this a few times!! Good Luck Merry

Thanks Shirley - I am going to have to find out who this person is, will drive me bonkers not knowing what the poor old devil was doing at the end.

Oh senior moment there!!! I,ve just realised the informant was the same address as the deceased DOHHHH!! Perhaps he was living in lodgings Or with someone at that adddress

How about the post war electoral rolls for 24 Stanley Road?? Might throw up something useful? Merry

Causing the body to be buried? Or some such? IE someone who wasn't family?

I Googled on the phrase that that may be it. Sounds like he had a sad and lonely death.

Brenda, that is dead on, Ive looked at it and it does look like Causing the body to be buried. Well done! So what does that actually mean, he was living alone ?- so why give the same address I wonder. Perhaps an electoral look up may clarify - I guess this could have been someone else in the house. As you say, how very sad. This man was an orphan by the time he was three, was alone in lodgings and working as a errand boy by the time he was 13. Married, lost a wife and baby after a year and then ends up dying with no one to care. Im glad I sent for the cert, shows someone does care, doesnt it.

I do hope so Ann.

My partners Grandfather has an unknown informant on his death cert with the same description (causing the body to be cremeated). Now that I find very sad as the gentleman in question had two sons alive and well at the time of his death... It's not something my partners picked up on, something I may/may not mention at some point!

Im still wondering why it gives the same address as him. I must try to find an electoral role for 1946-48

Heather, try this link they may be able to help with the electoral roll lookup. They are actually based in Woking, and can be contacted by email. www.surreycc.gov.uk/surreyhistoryservice Roger

Many thanks guys.