RootsChat.Com
Beginners => Family History Beginners Board => Topic started by: Ann James on Wednesday 04 August 10 23:07 BST (UK)
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I only joined here today and what a fantastic site!!! Wish I'd joined sooner.
I've been researching my family for a few years - it initially begun by wanting to help my dad find out who his father was. Meanwhile I've traced many ancestors but have never known where to begin to find my paternal grandfather (if at all possible)
My dad was one of twins, born to an unmarried mum who didn't live with the father. When my dad was about 7yrs old, around 1931, the father went to court to try and gain guardianship of my dad, his twin brother or both of them. He was unsuccessful and disappeared out of their lives again.
My father knows nothing more, as it was something never to be mentioned by his grandmother. His mum sadly, died at a young age a few years later.
I am wondering if the court records would still exist and be held somewhere for public access? I have no idea where to begin looking and hoping someone can advise me please. Also hope I've posted this in the right place :)
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Hi
I'm assuming there's no father on the twins' birth certificates? This would be a custody case and I am not sure where records would be kept or if they are accessible. Do you have any idea where the case was held?
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Hi Jeuel
Forgot to mention - no there's no name on the birth certificates for the father.
The location of the hearing was in Carmarthen, west Wales. My dad's memory is increasingly confused in recent years, so not sure what type of court it was - county or magistrate (maybe they were one and the same in those days (?)). My historical knowledge of various courts, etc is pitiful sorry.
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Ann, your only real hope at this time is to look at local newspaper reports from the time in a library close to where the court action allegedly took place, in the hope that the court procedings were documented.
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Never thought of looking in t'papers. Thanks Nick
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You could try writing to the court they may still have a record of the case although I doubt if they will still have the papers. It would more than likely be the County Court
Another thing is have you still got any surviving older relatives you could ask you would be surprised what family gossip can throw up
Let us know how you get on
Willow x
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Although they might not necessarily hold copies of a court case from the 1930s themselves, the local archives might be able to suggest where to look or what other records might exist:
http://www.carmarthenshire.gov.uk/english/education/archives/pages/home.aspx
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Another thought. If this chap wasn't on the birth cert, in those pre-DNA testing days, he would need to prove his paternity. One way might be to show that he'd paid maintenance and there might be a record of that at the local archives, if the twins' mother had taken him to court for payment (I think it would be the Quarter Sessions stuff you'd want for that).
Again the local archives should be able to advise you where to look.
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Deleted cuz on wrong post
Willow x
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No older members of family to ask sadly. My dad reminds me constantly he's the 'last one'. Maybe it is why his need to identify his dad has become foremost. Although it would be good to be able to fill this part of the family tree - it looks poignantly bare atm.
The twins were brought up by their grandmother and given the family stories, she would have more than likely pursued maintenance. Another obvious thing I didn't consider. :-\
Will go look at that link, and then find out more about Quarter Sessions. Planning to go back home at end of month so hopefully can plan some visits to try and find out more.
Thanx for the incredible help