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« on: Monday 05 July 21 19:44 BST (UK) »
I have some instances of name changes in my ex's tree.
He has an Irish branch, who started off as McCarthy. His great grandfather's birth was registered as McCarthy in 1866 but on 1871 census they are recorded as Carter. I was able to verify this as some of their children, including one who was blind, so easier to identify, stayed as McCarthy and Charles' parents reverted to McCarthy on their death certs.
I don't know WHY they changed their names, but in 1868 there was a Fenian (fore runners of the IRA) attempt to free a prisoner which involved an explosion near the prison resulting in the deaths of some bystanders. Public anti-Irish sentiment was running high.