RootsChat.Com
Beginners => Family History Beginners Board => Topic started by: CrispyGlitch on Saturday 31 May 25 23:52 BST (UK)
-
Hi everyone! I'm diving deep into my family tree and hoping some kind souls out there might help me uncover more about a fascinating branch—the Edge family.
I’m particularly interested in George R. Edge, born 1 February 1934 in Rock Ferry, Wirral, and who passed away in 2010. At around 17 years old, George was living in Tranmere and working in the shipyards—already a hardworking young man.
But the real mystery begins after that…
🔍 It’s believed George traveled to Bangladesh (then known as East Pakistan)—possibly in connection with railway work. Family stories suggest he may have followed in the footsteps of his father, William Thomas Vernon Edge, who worked for British Railways.
Sadly, I’ve hit a wall.
I can’t find any shipping records, employment files, or travel documentation through the usual places like Ancestry or FindMyPast.
Does anyone have tips for researching British railway workers abroad?
Or know how I might track down British expats working in East Pakistan in the 1950s–60s?
📸 We’re also desperate for any photographs of George—or even people who might have known him. He left a legacy we’re only just beginning to piece together.
If George or his family ring any bells, or if you’re a history buff with ideas on how to trace this journey, I’d be so grateful for any help or advice.
Please feel free to comment, message me, or share this with anyone who might be able to help.
Thanks in advance 💙
-
There this on Family search which links to a tree that has him married to Joan Turner ??? ???
(Sorry if you already have this or infect this is your tree but does match the name Joan above)
Name Mr George Robert Edge
Sex Male
Age 76
Birth Date 1 Feb 1934
Residence Postal Code CH61 8
Event Type Death
Event Date 11 Jun 2010
Event Place Wirral, Merseyside, England, United Kingdom
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:CBLL-TQ6Z?lang=en
-
Long shot marriage on Free BmD ???
(Location strange)
Marriages Sep 1955
EDGE George R TURNER Joan Birkenhead
-
There are two Edge children born in Birkenhead 1960 & 1964 to a Turner mother.
The children's birth certs/baptism records may have their father's occupation recorded.
Tony
-
Intrigued to find a George Edge in India under FindMyPast's record set "British in India" - but not your man.
-
Thanks everyone for taking an interest in my post! It's correct that George married Jean in Birkenhead, and my main focus right now is finding any photos of them. I'm also really keen to uncover details about his work on the railways in Bangladesh, specifically when and where he was employed. I know it's a big ask, but I've been searching for a long time in some obscure places and articles, so any help or pointers would be incredibly appreciated!
-
1939 register
born I Feb 1934
George R Edge
He is at school in Llanidloes with Daniel Meredith a Railway signalman. Born 1885.
Alice Meredith, and Joseph Meredith.
I know it's not what you are looking for but interesting that the dob matches.
-
Thanks for the information! It's definitely interesting. And it's really helpful to know he was at school in Llanidloes. This kind of detail, even if it seems like a side note, can be incredibly valuable for piecing together a bigger picture. I appreciate you sharing it!
-
May I ask how you know he went to work in Bangladesh?
If he was in Tranmere around 1950 and back in Birkenhead to marry in 1955, his stay was not very long.
Bev.
-
Thanks for your message! It's a known family story, so it's definitely something we've heard passed down. I do know that Bangladesh was always referenced, which wasn't formed until 1971. Given the timing, it would almost certainly have been after he married Joan in 1955, and likely much later, probably after Bangladesh was formed. We also believe Joan was with him. His father worked for British Railways but remained in the UK. We haven't found any travel/shipping records online either, which has been frustrating. It's possible they could have travelled via another route or way, or perhaps records from that time aren't as readily available. It's one of those family stories we're still trying to piece together!
-
Oh OK, since you posted
'expats working in East Pakistan in the 1950s–60s' I was looking at the wrong dates.
Back to the drawing board!
Bev
-
Hi Bev, Thanks for your message. My apologies for the error with the dates in my previous post – you're right, it would definitely send you down the wrong path! Its likely because, following the initial post, we've been trying to piece things together, and we're now convinced it must have been after the 1950s–60s. The mention of Bangladesh (formed 1971) and believing that Joan went too strongly suggests a later period, specifically after Bangladesh was formed from East Pakistan. This makes us think he wasn't involved in the colonial railway works, but rather something afterwards, possibly for Bangladesh Railways (formerly East Pakistan Railways). We've learned that the country still needed British knowledge and expertise following independence, so we're wondering if that might have been his role. Thanks again for your patience as we try to figure this out! All the best, Chris
-
1939 register
born I Feb 1934
George R Edge
He is at school in Llanidloes with Daniel Meredith a Railway signalman. Born 1885.
Alice Meredith, and Joseph Meredith.
I know it's not what you are looking for but interesting that the dob matches.
It's likely George Robert was an evacuee. Thousands were sent to Wales at the start of WW2.