Unregistered Birth or GRO Index Error

[cb1964]

Hi Cell, thanks for replying.

My grandfather joined the army in 1906 and left early in 1914. He joined the railway soon after but was recalled back into the army as a reservist at the outbreak of the Great War. He served his time and re-joined the railway from 1919 until his retirement in 1952.

His military records do not exist, they were part of the "Burnt Papers". Having spoken to a GWR historian, he would have had to have proof of his age in order to claim his railway pension.

His birth has never been registered as either James or William James Selwood. The birth was not even registered at a much later date. All I can think is that either (1) the birth was never registered and that he proved his age by other means, or (2) the birth was registered in his mother's maiden name and was subsequently altered by some formal means.

Thanks again for your input, much appreciated.

Regards

CB1964

[L]

Looking through Free BMD the only  'Harriet Frances' birth I could see that might relate was of a Harriet Frances Roberts, registered in March 1856 in Buckingham ref 3a-469. It might be worth a hunt around, if only to discount her.

Lesley

[kanskar]

A possibility:

Mum:

Harriet HATWELL  Birth Jun 1848 Qtr Henley 16 82  (Age 52 on 1901 census as found by Tati would be correct)

Son:
William James HATWELL Birth Sep 1887 Qtr Thame 3a 754

[Tati]

Oooh, Kanskar! Exciting find!! (Must have taken hours!!!)

I think this girl is down as Attwells on the 1851 census:

1851
HO107/1725 275 5
Rotherfield Peppard
Edward Attwells, head, 29, Ag lab, b. Peppard
Sophia, wife, 33, Spendon?
Joseph Smith, son, 8, scholar, b. Gorsing
Harriett Attwells, dau, 3, b. Peppard
Jane, dau, 1, b. do. (birth was registered as Hatwell too)
Elizabeth Smith, lodger, 5, scholar, b. do.
Mary Smith, lodger, 4, b. do.

(marriage Sophia Smith - Edward Attwell Dec 1847 Henley 16 183)

[Redroger]

We seem to have no aspiration to pronounce the aspirate when appropriate, and every haspiration to pronounce it when appropriate. My father, Sydney Harold was shown as Sydney A in the 1901 census. Presumably my grandfather had no Haspirations!

[cb1964]

Hi all, thanks very much for responding and sorry it took so long for me to reply.

Lesley, I had a look at FreeBMD and found Harriet Frances Roberts, Mar 1856 and Harriet Frances Harris, Sept 1864. I traced Harriet Harris through the 1871 & 1881 census's, her marriage to John Overton in 1886. They both appear on the 1891 census, so I have discounted her. I did find Harriet Roberts on the 1861 census, but no luck after that, so she remains a possibility.

Kanskar & Tati, the find of Harriet Hatwell is interesting, although I am uncertain as to link her birth in Henley to what I believe her birthpace is as shown on the 1901 census. If anyone can have a look for me as I believe it reads " Bucks Chalvey" but I suppose it could read as "Bucks Henley" I do not have the reference handy but if anyone could take a look I would be grateful. On the 1901 census, Fanny Selwood is aged 52, living in Tewkesbury with her husband and son , both James.

Thanks once again. You never know, we may solve this one yet!

Regards

CB1964

[Tati]

I too think it says Chalvey 
(but then her details are so all over the place that I'm not sure I'd take it for gospel!) 

[cb1964]

Tati

The whole family's details are all over the place, that's the problem. 

I feel if I am going to get anywhere with this, it must be based on some tangible evidence, hence why I am trying to tie things back to Chalvey.

Regards

CB1964

[kanskar]

I have had a look at Freebmd, and there are other Hatwell's being registered in Thame Reg Dist in the 1880s.  A check of the 1891 census is required, in case the William James I found is theirs.

Cheers

Kanskar