John (Jack) Jay

[Del 80]

Thanks for that, Yes they had a daughter born 1947......I now have the marriage certificate, and it appears that John Jay was from Derbyshire.....it would seem that they married at Taunton because Vera was based there with the ATS....she was at Sherford Camp.

[Girl Guide]

So who was John's father and how old was John when he married?  Did you find out when John died?

[Del 80]

John's father is given as Frank Jay, John was aged 23 at the time of his marriage to Vera in 1946......still not 100% sure on his death, but most likely it was in 1993 in Wales......

[Girl Guide]

There is a John Jay with a Frank and Florence living in Derbyshire in the 1939 Register.  Having done a little research I am not sure that he is their son.  Relationships are not shown on this register.

Going by the birth date for John this appears to be the most likely birth:-

Births Sep 1923
JAY    John    Jay    Lichfield    6b   817

or

JAY    John    Watts    Dudley    6b   1624

The marriage appears to be this one:-

Marriages Dec 1909   
JAY    Frank        Belper    7b   1268    
KNIVETON    Florence Beatrice        Belper    7b   1268   

I am wondering if John was a relative rather than their son.  Not finding a Jay/Watts marriage within a suitable time frame either.

[Girl Guide]

The 1993 death you found for John Jay has a matching birth date with the 1939.

[Del 80]

Thanks for that.....he is the one born Lichfield, although why born in Staffordshire I'm not sure....Derbys./ Staffs. do share a border.......also his mmn is given as JAY when it should be Kniveton, although this could just be a mistake, I have known this happen before......

[Girl Guide]

Have you actually obtained that birth certificate?  It may be worth getting it just for curiosity's sake.  I find it odd that a mistake like that has happened.

Florence would have been in her early forties when she had him.  There are two Jay/Kniveton births recorded, one in 1911 and the other in 1916 so why John's is recorded incorrectly seems a bit odd.

Up to you though.

[Del 80]

Yes, John had two sisters....it has been suggested that he COULD have been the child of one of his "fathers" sisters, and that he was brought up by his uncle and auntie....Frank and Florence Jay, it did happen back then.....

[Girl Guide]

Perfectly possible.  If I have found the correct Frank he has two sisters listed in the 1901 census.

Living at Coventry Road, Fillongley, Meriden, Warwickshire

Parents George and Sarah, sisters Jessie (1892) and Mary (1896).

Registration district   Meriden
Archive reference   RG13
Piece number   2895
Folio   24

Added - Both girls are still single in the 1939 Register so either of them could have had John and his uncle and aunt looked after him.
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