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General => The Common Room => Topic started by: Oldknow on Saturday 01 August 09 14:01 BST (UK)

Title: Change of Name
Post by: Oldknow on Saturday 01 August 09 14:01 BST (UK)
My great grandfather came here from Italy and It may be that he changed his
surname to an 'English sounding' Name. I have his Italian name, although there
is some dispute about spelling, can anyone tell me how to track down the new name?
Title: Re: Change of Name
Post by: Tati on Saturday 01 August 09 14:22 BST (UK)
Hi Oldknow,

The London Gazette (www.london-gazette.co.uk/), 14 Sep 1948, page 4 (or 4965), reports the naturalization of:

Changretta Martino (known as Thomas Martin); Italy, Private Means, 171 Vauxhall Road, Birmingham, 7 16 August 1948

Is this any help?

 :)


Title: Re: Change of Name
Post by: Woody32 on Saturday 01 August 09 14:27 BST (UK)
I want to be like Tati when i grow up , she's great :)     :P
Title: Re: Change of Name
Post by: mshrmh on Saturday 01 August 09 14:28 BST (UK)
Spellings of "English" names were very variable before the early 20th century, so I would expect the same applies the Italian names. Name changes were often informal - people could just choose something & without today's need for proof of identity there may have been no record

He may have become naturalised, in which case both versions of the name may be listed in the papers. The National Archives has a guide & some details on line (when you search if there are variations of the name you will get the most results via "wildcards")
http://www.rootschat.com/links/0ei/

The National Archives also has some information on name changes by deed poll
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/familyhistory/name/?WT.lp=Name%20changes

Title: Re: Change of Name
Post by: Oldknow on Saturday 01 August 09 14:36 BST (UK)
Thanks Tati

Thats Brill
Title: Re: Change of Name
Post by: Tati on Saturday 01 August 09 14:38 BST (UK)
Was the one then? :D

Found this on the National Archives site

http://www.rootschat.com/links/06t8/


Title: Re: Change of Name
Post by: Oldknow on Saturday 01 August 09 15:23 BST (UK)
Tati

Yes it is, I'm 99.9% sure, will now do some more research!!

thanks again