Genealogy Chat

Annielaurie,

Thank you so much for clarifying that. I have spent 2-3 hours checking all the pension records for both names and nothing. So that makes me think any records that were held on him were destroyed. So now I know to sit and wait patiently for the service records and hope they have survived. Many thanks for taking the time to help me.

Lainey x

When I said complete,I meant that they are all the "pension" records which have survived, but lots were destroyed. The service records for Smith aren't on there yet as I said, so keep checking! There will be a lot more William Smiths than in the pension records.

Ricochet, I think you are probably right. I suppose I am thinking you need ID for everything nowadays but it was probably a lot different in those days. Thank you.

AnnieLaurie, I did have a look at the pension records, but there does not seem to be anything there, but I will have another look. I did not know they were complete so I will try again and hope for the best. Thank you.

Lainey x

I don't think the checks were very stringent........countless lads lied about their ages to join up

You would have to look at the service records for all the William Smiths - of course there will be a lot- but possible. Smith is complete on the Pension records on Ancestry but not yet on the service records.

Thank you Ricochet,

I did wonder if maybe he had "form" but would they have not checked the records when they enlisted? I have wondered if they had to show ID to enlist like a birth certificate or some other identification?

Lainey x

''Out on a limb' suggestions

Two possibilities........

Either he had 'form' as Sankey...................or his father caused him to be ashamed of the surname for some reason.................

Hello, I am looking for some inspiration here and was hoping someone else might see my problem from a different perspective and maybe point me in the right direction. Here is the problem.

My relation William Sankey born 1878 Hampshire, seems to have changed his name for some reason to William Smith. The family story is that he changed his name to join the army, but why would he feel he had to do this? In 1916 when his son was born he was using the name Smith. In 1930 ammendments were made to birth and marriage registers to note that his name should actually be William Sankey. This was done by statutory declaration from his Mother.

Also I know that he was a Sergeant in the 2nd battalion Hampshire Regiment but do not know his regiment number. There are approximately 20-30 William Smith's in the Regiment at that time so how do I know which one is him without his regt number? I have been to the museum in Winchester and was told they cannot help me. Is there a way I can find his regt number that I am not thinking of. Many thanks in advance.

Lainey x