Genealogy Chat

I have a relative who was born in 1850 to a single woman and was registered using her name. When he married in 1876 he used a different surname and am assuming that this was his fathers name. He was also registered under the assumed fathers name when he died in 1908. His mother never married his father as far as I am aware. Would he have had to change his name legally or could he have just decided to do it? Joan

Hi, He could have called himself whatever he liked. It was common for children to take the surname of a stepfather as well so don't assume he took his father's name. Hope this helps, Gwynne

My grandad was born when his mum was single. He went through life using his mothers surname, which was also my maiden name. Him and his brother had the same middle name, which was Stevenson, which I think was probably their fathers name. Maggy

Hi Joan, How do you know that the marriage certificate you have is for the correct person? I would suggest that you search for another marriage using his mothers maiden name. If his mother did not marry after he was born, then I cannot see him changing his name. If his mother did marry, or even lived with someone, then I can see him changing his name to his stepfathers, as he would be the one who brought him up.