1939 - what have you found?

[Blue70]

I've found that patience rewards. 

http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=737181.0


Blue

[msr]

It is good to know that the records are constantly being updated. 

A week ago our FH society welcomed Myko from FindMyPast and one of the questions I asked was on that very subject.    My father and uncle were both born later than 1915 but although they died before 1991 they were closed on the register.  Myko said to keep checking as records are being unlocked every week.   Sure enough, although they were closed last Thursday, they were both open yesterday (Wednesday). 

[msr]

Another point made by Myko was to search birth date only.  These were usually transcribed correctly, whereas names could be misread, and we all know where that can lead.

I had been searching for an aunt who was not with the family as expected, and using her name brought nothing.  Using her birth date brought up a few, then I added her forename, resulting in two records, one of which was disregarded as there was a husband in tow.  I thought about it for a little while before hitting the 'unlock household' but lo and behold, there she was, about 25 miles away working in an hotel.  A transcription error, substituting a letter O for an S, changed her surname somewhat.  Now I know where she was, but will never know why, and yes, I submitted the error report.

[Rainbow Quartz]

I wasn't aware of the 1939 Register (where have I been I hear you all ask ) until I got a postcard through the door from FindMyPast. Sure enough I went on FindMyPast, where I have a British records subscription, and found quite a few households of interest. I had 90 credits as well as my subscription so I blew 60 of these on the most promising household, and found out a few bits of interest. However, I now only have 30 credits left, and I think that £6.95 for one household is extortionate, so apart from trying several different names in the search to see if any other names appear on the preview, I don't think I'll bother.

[Blue70]

At the moment it's £3.48 per household using the discount code that's quite reasonable 


Blue

[Rainbow Quartz]

Thanks Blue, I missed your earlier post with the link. I'll give it another go, £3.48 is a much more realistic price. Cheers 

[ScouseBoy]

I just wonder how many omissions or errors were made on the original day of this register being compiled?

There would be mistakes  and objectors   who deliberately refuse to fill in official forms.

And there would possibly have been people  who  added  fake names in the hope of getting extra ration cards, possibly?

[carol8353]

It's not always helpful using DOB to find people.

My uncle was born in 1933- he is on the 1939 reg as having his birthday in 1936!
He died in 1978,so I got him redacted,but they can't change his DOB despite seeing both his birth and death certs.

[msr]

There are always some anomalies Carol.  Searched high and low when it was first available, for my husbands father.   He died in 1952 when hubby was only 3, and we knew his wife in 1939 (not hubby's mother).   Couldn't find them anywhere, but last week he suddenly appears!    Don't know why I couldn't find them before, although on her record the surname is transcribed as beginning with 'K' rather than 'R', on his it is correct.  Why?  Who knows, perhaps it has just been picked up on, but by whom?  Another little mystery.

Anyway, back to the DOB.  As you say, not always correct, for whatever reason.  William (hubby's Dad) was born on 21 December 1910 but the date on 1939 Reg is 21 Sep 1910.   Another mystery as to why the wrong info was given, or who gave it, but it was another stumbling block.
In good company though, the Queen's date of birth had to be corrected at some point.