Genealogy Chat

Where do I go from here?
I'm looking for a Death Date for Sydney Leifchild Bell.
He was born 9 July 1922 St George, Hanover Sq, London.

I have no idea when or where he died, as know one has heard of him since the mid 1960's

I've trawled back and forward on Ancestry Deaths from 1960-1983 on one site and then 1983 -2005 on the next.
Looking at both spellings of Sydney and Sidney.

Is every death recorded on Ancestry?
And are there any other sites for Death Records?

Also he was born Sydney Leifchild Hatton, but the name was changed to BELL by Deed Poll in 1929.

The other option is he may still be alive.

Any ideas gratefully welcomed.

Thanks Ann

You need to find someone who has the electoral roll .
There was someone offering lookups s a while back but cant think of their name.

Could he have left Britain, for any number of places ?
In the 1960s Australia was a popular place for Britons to emigrate.

Ann
There are a number of avenues open to you - the main ones you've already mentioned.

1. You've trawled the Death indexes and no joy

2. He may still be alive – OK he’d be in 85 coming up 86

3. Look at Electoral Rolls - where was he living (town & street name) when he was last heard of?

Contact the main library in that location and ask if they hold historic ERs, either visit or ask them to look up for you to track when he was present.

4. Have you looked at the BT phone books - Ancestry has them up to 1984 - remember at that time there was only one phone provider, going X directory was the exception not the norm. I've found them very useful

5. If you have a feeling for a location - as Margaret suggests - Jean is offering current ER look ups - but with a surname like Bell you'll really need to know an area.

Other possibilities - did he marry; did he have children - can you track the children; - have you googled the various permutations of his name. Did he have siblings - where are they in the UK or overseas.

Hope I've given you some pointers
Good Luck
MB

Ann

I use Findmypast for BMDs - which are out side of FreeBMD's date range

I've looked at the following:
1984 - 2005 Sydney Bell (60) none with middle initial L
1984 - 2005 Sidney Bell (58) none with middle initial L
1984 - 2005 Sydney Hatton (11) none with middle initial L
1984 - 2005 Sidney Hatton (6) none with middle initial L
1984 - 2005 Sydney Leifchild - none

1984 - 2005 Sidney Leifchild - none

MB

Thanks everyone for all your tips and help.
I'll try a few of your suggestions.
He did come back from Canada in the mid 60's so he may have returned there.
That was the last time his brother heard from him.

Thanks again, Ann

He's not on ScotlandsPeople.

Alistair

I'll try ScotlandsPeople, Alistair.
Anything is worth a go.

Thank you.

Ann