Surname name change

[J Eccy]

Hello

I have a relative who (I think) changed their surname.  I don't know if they did this via legal routes or just changed it!

On the 1891 census for Staffs I have Mary Hollander aged 9 born Norton Canes Cannock (noted as Granny Ecclestons daughter) please also note that Granny Eccleston also has her illigitimate grandson down as her son on this census.
On the 1901 census for Staffs I have Mary J Hollander aged 17 born Norton Canes Cannock.
I have no Mary Hollander born at that time in Cannock but I do have a Mary J Eccleston (mothers maiden name) born at that time.  Her mother did go on to marry an Edwin Hollender in 1887.
I have a marriage of Mary J Hollander to Samuel Daft in 1907 in Cannock

My question is if Mary used the name Hollander on her marriage certificate would this mean she had it changed legally and if so how would I find out?

[PaulineJ]

I have no Mary Hollander born at that time in Cannock but I do have a Mary J Eccleston (mothers maiden name) born at that time.  Her mother did go on to marry an Edwin Hollender in 1887.

I think that you need to look at the whole family in 1881, 1891 and 1901.
AND relate then to us as a household, not infer anything.

What certicficates have you?

Pauline

[J Eccy]

OK forget my family history if someone changed their surname legally between 1883 and 1907 where would it be recorded.

I can't afford certificates at the moment I have quite a few handed down to me but not relating to these particular people. I know you need certificates to be sure and all that but I like doing detective work on the internet and getting as much free info as possible.   

Thank you.

[Necromancer]

I guess the 'legal' way is by deed Poll. Not a requirement tho, if you want to change your name you just start using the new name - even back then.

Where online ?  Google might help, otherwise hopefully someone with more specialist knowledge will respond ...

[suey]

You say you have a Mary Hollander in 1891 age 9 but you beleive she was registered as Mary J Eccleston, you realy should purchase this cert to be absolutely certain that you have the right mother and child you cannot just assume.

Where is Mary Hollander's mother in 1891? - where is Edwin Hollander?

It is not unusual to find illegitimate children using their fathers surname before the parents are married and I doubt that her surname was changed legally.  If she was recognised by her father and he went on to marry her mother there was no reason why she could not use his surname.

Suey

[stanmapstone]

A person can change his or her name simply by using a different name with sufficient consistency to become generally known by that name. A change is normally given formal publicity, e.g. by means of a statutory declaration, deed poll, or newspaper advertisement, but this is not legally necessary.
Stan

[Sylviaann]

When my great grandfather died and his wife remarried all the children's names were changed to that of the new husband.  It was common practise and not done legally.  My Aunt did not know her mother was born under another name.  This was in the time period you give.  Unfortunately the only way to prove anything like that is to spend the £7 on a cert especially when it was between censuses.

Sylviaann

[behindthefrogs]

One place to look for changes of surname by deed poll is the London Gazette.  This covered the whole of England and is available online at

http://www.gazettes-online.co.uk/

The Edinburgh and Belfast gazettes are also available there but are not so helpful.

David

[J Eccy]

Thanks all looks like I'll have to get the cert!