Hypothetical question . . . name change

[Wiggy]

Hello,

IF you were looking for someone and it is believed that they may have changed their name by deed poll, how would you go about finding out/proving it - in UK?   

Can't go into more detail on the board - but am very interested to hear the answer.

Wiggy 

[Lady Di]

Depends on the time frame Wiggy - I've seen some official name changes listed in the London Gazette but I don't know how recent these are.

Also seen some very early ones noted in the Parliamentary Papers at TNA

Di

[Wiggy]

Thanks Di.     

First half of last century, at least before WW2 possibly a little earlier, so not tooooo far back.

Wiggy

[Greensleeves]

I don't know if things are different now,  but in the timeframe you are talking about,  you could call yourself whatever you liked (unless it was for purposes of committing a crime) so most people didn't bother with  a Deed Poll for a name change - just by adopting that name and using it was sufficient.  I believe you could make a Statutory Declaration which said that you had adopted a new name, but this too wasn't strictly necessary.  So name changes were  easy for the person concerned, but not so easy for people searching for them!

[Guy Etchells]

Hello,

IF you were looking for someone and it is believed that they may have changed their name by deed poll, how would you go about finding out/proving it - in UK?   

Can't go into more detail on the board - but am very interested to hear the answer.

Wiggy 

They could not change their name by deed poll.
That is only a form of proof that a name change has occurred. A change of name always occurs by the use of a new name.
Cheers
Guy

[stanmapstone]

The National Archives have a research guide at http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/records/research-guides/change-of-name.htm

Stan

[KGarrad]

IF you were looking for someone and it is believed that they may have changed their name by deed poll, how would you go about finding out/proving it - in UK?   

Do you know that there actually was a Deed Poll?
That is a costly, legal affair - and very few people who changed their name bothered!

[Wiggy]

Thanks for all those replies - and for the link, Stan.   Very interesting!

So if, for example, someone wanted to join the armed services, wouldn't they have to provide proof of their birth etc. ??

If they'd changed their name, how would they do that?  Would they have to prove they are one and the same person?   

I suppose the same query would apply to marriage too - regarding proof of birth age etc.


Wiggy   

[KGarrad]

For joining the Army, I don't think any proof of birth/name/age was required?

Certainly for marriage, it is a relatively recent requirement to provide proof.
It was assumed that if asked, people told the truth!

I am sure Stan will correct me!