Find Ancestors

Joan,

I've been away from the computer for a while and have just read the replies on this thread since I was last here.

I don't understand what you mean by saying that you have found several death records with mother's maiden name. Mother's maiden name isn't on the death index.

Kath. x

Melanie,

It's too coincidental not to. Will keep my fingers crossed for you. Keep me posted and let me know what happens (click on my name above to send a message). Thanks.

Joan

I know, I am still going to order the death certificate, I think it will be worth a look.

Melanie,

I can't tell you how many certificates I have order for my ancestors in trying to track them down and there was no way of knowing unless I found the certificate. Go with your gut feeling!!

Best of luck!

Joan

p.s. this is too addicting and I have work to be done

Melane,

It is possible that the 1912 birth is another William Bell born that year and not William N. Unfortunately, you will not know unless you obtain the death certificate. If it's not, then it will certainly rule this William out. I just find it ironic that the death record is for another William N. Bell.

Joan

Maybe he is under bell, I really want to find out. This is tough.

Ahh, cant be him then, mothers maiden name is definatly Barrass

Melanie,

The other possibility if the 1915 death record isn't the correct one is that it is possible that the first son William may be under "Bell" as the maiden name. Again, many times depending upon who was the "informant" (doctor/hospital) at the time of the death may have not known the mother's maiden name and put down "Bell" (the married name). I did find several records of death with the mother's maiden name as "Bell" on the BMD Index.

Another thought if the the death record doesn't pan out.

Joan from over the pond

Thats exactly what I was thinking Joan, my nan mentioned that back in them days if the first son died before the 2nd son they named the 2nd son after the 1st son. And South Shields is where he was born and died. I reckon you have found him for me Joan. There is a good chance they got the age wrong. I will order the death certificate and birth certificate but I really think we have him. I am so greatful Joan. As soon as I have the certificates I will let you know if it is him. Your a star x.

Thank you to everyone else who also offered to help me x

There is a William N. Bell born in South Shields in 1912 but mother's maiden name is given as Nicholson and not Barrass.

Kath. x

Melanie,

Often times if the first son and/or daughter die at child birth or at a young age, the parents will name the next son/daughter after him/her. You would have to order the above death record from the GRO or South Shields Records office to confirm but it does look promising.

Joan

Melanie,

No, the death records index does not give the mother's maiden name. And the record I found for the death of William N. Bell, age 3 in 1915 was in the district of South Shields:

Deaths Sep 1915 (>99%)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Bell William N 3 S. Shields 10a 777

You would have to buy the certificate to find out his father's name, but i don't think the mother would be mentioned on the death certicificate.

The 3 year old's death is registered in South Shields, 10a, 777. Sept, qtr. 1915.

Kath. x

Joan, does it say the place of death for the 3 yr old.

First and 2nd son could have been named the same. William Norman Bell was definatley born in 1920 as my dad remembers him. However, I wouldnt be suprised if son 1 was called William Norman Bell to. My grandads parents were married in 1912 and it is very possible they had son 1 in the same year. I know 2nd and 3rd son were born after the war and 1st son was dead before 2nd and 3rd son were born. There is a possiblity he could have been 3. Does the 3 yr old come from mother Sarah.

Melanie,

Just a thought--could there be some confusion between the two children; for example,

it appears that William Norman Bell (died 1915 at the age of 3) born 1912, and then

2nd son William Norman Bell (b. 1920) ?

Perhaps, your Nan was thinking of the 2nd son but the first son died at the age of 3 not 7.

Just a thought!

Joan

Joan

Alexander Bell is my great grandad brother and Sarah is my great gandads wife, I dont think they were married before she married my great grandad.

The nearest death I can find in either 1919 or 1920 is this one:-

William Bell age 5
Sept. qtr. 1919, Tynemouth, 10b, 208.

There isn't a 7 year old death in those two years.

I wouldn't count on anything family tell you as being gospel as people's memories are often not what they should be.

Kath. x

I have managed to get some much help and information and have found loads of family on my grandads said for his parents and even their parents. Reggie was one of the nice gentleman that helped me, but I just have this missing link of this 7 year old child.

I know he was 7 as my nan told me, my grandad had told her when he was live but I know he must have died in 1919 / 1920.