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England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => England => Dorset => Topic started by: RosieJ on Sunday 14 March 21 17:21 GMT (UK)
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Hello all,
I have started working on my mother in law's tree, and up until now it has been very straight forward and simple compared to my family as they are all from my local area and stayed local. However, I have hit a complete brick wall with her grandfather William Plank Allen (sometimes recorded as William Plant Allen).
I have found him on the following records:
marriage to Ethel Flora Best in 1905 in Poole,
1911 census in Parkstone,
birth records of his 4 sons - all in Poole,
WWI RAF airman record and RN register of service.
His dob is given as 17 May 1882 on his military records and 1885 on the 1911 census. He was born in Broadstone, given as Canford on one record (which is the parish Broadstone came under at the time of his birth).
Here is where my problem comes in - I cannot find a single record of him before 1905 or anything on him (or his wife) after his 1918 military records....no birth/baptism records, earlier censuses, passenger lists or death/burial records (for him or his wife). I've tried searching Ancestry for first & middle name only, surname only, hunting Allens in Broadstone, Canford and Poole areas on the 1891 and 1901 censuses and searching the Dorset OPC and Free BMD. I'm beginning to wonder if perhaps he changed his name in someway but can't find a close similarity.
I'm planning on ordering their marriage certificate to try and get his father's name but any help or further suggestions would be massively appreciated as I have reached a point where I feel like I'm going round in circles! ???
Thanks ;D
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William Plank Allen
Service number F33767
Birth date 17 May 1882
Birth place Wimborne
Birth county Dorset
Birth country England
Archive
The National Archives
Archive reference ADM 188/625/33767
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this is a possible Allen family in Broadstone for you
1891 https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:WZ4Q-6W2
birth regs for children
Harry Cluett Allen Allen sept qtr 1880 Poole vol 5a pg 284 mmn -
Bertha Edith Allen jun qtr 1888 Poole vol 5a pg 262 mmn -
Lionel Frank Allen dec qtr 1890 Poole vol 5a pg 237 mmn -
Ellen Allen married James Polden june qtr 1996 Poole. On the 1901, living next door to Ellen's mother Jane
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XSW1-8VV
Baptisms in Broadstone
mother Ellen Allen
13 Nov 1890 Lionel Frank
5 Nov 1891 Bertha Edith
parents James Polden & Ellen
4 Oct 1903 Randolph Bertram James
If this is your William, no reason as yet for the Plank middle name.
:-\
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Electoral Rolls
247 Bournemouth Road, Poole
1929
William Allen
Flora Allen
Wilfred John Allen
Isobel James
1930
Alfred Cook
Ethel Dora Cook
Sarah Jane Cook
Flora Allen
Wilfred John Allen
Graham Allen
1931
Alfred Cook
Ethel Dora Cook
Sarah Jane Cook
Flora Allen
Wilfred John Allen
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Posted without reading Combertons earlier post -
Do any of these marriages mention whether he is deceased or are either parent a witness. Have you located them all or their wives on the 1939 in case either parent is with them.
ALLEN, William Lionel Frank mmn BEST
GRO Reference: 1906 March Quarter in WIMBORNE Volume 05A Page 234
Marriage Poole Dec qtr 1927 to Nellie
ALLEN, Wilfred John mmn BEST
GRO Reference: 1907 June Quarter in POOLE Volume 05A Page 243
Marriage Poole Sept qtr 1931 to Hilda L
ALLEN, Cecil George Graham mmn BEST
GRO Reference: 1909 June Quarter in POOLE Volume 05A Page 234
Marriage Poole Sept qtr 1930 to Elspeth M
ALLEN, Gerald Arthur Harry mmn BEST
GRO Reference: 1911 Sept Quarter in POOLE Volume 05A Page 454
Poss marriage Christchurch June qtr 1938 to Evelyn F.
ALLEN, AUGUSTUS WALTER HENRY mmn BEST
GRO Reference: 1914 March Quarter in POOLE Volume 05A Page 394
Marriage Poole Sept qtr 1934 to Sabina P
Deaths Jun 1938 - ALLEN Augustus W H age 24 Poole 5a 269
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Freebmd has the following Birth Reg:
Sep 1886 Qtr - Poole 5a 261
Plank - William Plank A
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Well done, I looked at Plank but 1882-1885 to tie in with service records ;D
GRO has his full name
Surname Plank
Other names WILLIAM PLANK ALLEN
Mothers maiden surname ALLEN
GRO Reference: 1886 Sept Quarter in POOLE UNION Volume 05A Page 261
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excellent find! He may have made himself a little older on the 1911 so as not to appear younger than his wife.
Not many Planks around in the Poole area at the period although there is a burial in Great Canford
5 Sept 1885 for Edward Plank 46
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possible death reg?
William P Allen 47 march qtr 1934 Poole vol 2b pg 1023
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possible death reg?
William P Allen 47 march qtr 1934 Poole vol 2b pg 1023
Well done ;D
ALLEN, WILLIAM PLANK age 47
GRO Reference: 1934 M Quarter in BOURNEMOUTH Volume 02B Page 1023
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Ah you absolute superstars! 🌟 This is fantastic and gives me so much to go on. Thanks very much for all your time and effort :D
I've got his children but there's no info on marriage witnesses or living with parents in the 1939 register. My 'to buy' list of certificates is ever growing!
If he passed away in 1934, it's interesting that he's not on the electoral roll along with Flora in 1930 or 1931....
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Indeed! Perhaps they were living apart.
:-\
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He could have been in an institution (hospital) the death certificate may give a clue.
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Good point - another idea to follow up.
I received his marriage certificate in the post today - married 20th May 1905 at Poole Register Office age 21. His father's name is down as William Plank (deceased), who was a general labourer. Address is listed as Delph Cottage, Broadstone, Canford Magna. He was a bricklayer's labourer which was very common for the area, and also the trade of his wife's family. The witnesses were John Freeborn and Mary Scott.
So, I wonder if his parents weren't married when he was born, hence the Allen surname. I've had a very quick search and can't easily locate a William Plank's b/m/d but will keep hunting. Will also order the birth certificate to see what that can reveal!
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As the birth was registered in the surname Allen and mothers maiden name was also Allen as per the GRO index then I suspect that his parents were not married. I doubt the birth certificate will name the father unless he was an 'Allen'
ADDED Did you download the service record mentioned in reply 1. They are free at the moment if you are registered on TNA website (also free)
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oh, the old same name for father and he's deceased! I looked for Planks in the area and timeframe at the time of your post and the only one that was obvious was the Edward Plank aged 46 buried in Great Canford 5 Sept 1885.
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oh, the old same name for father and he's deceased! I looked for Planks in the area and timeframe at the time of your post and the only one that was obvious was the Edward Plank aged 46 buried in Great Canford 5 Sept 1885.
Yep, that old chestnut! ;D Edward was the only one I could find too.
rosie99, I do have his service record.
Thanks for all your help, much appreciated!