Genealogy Chat

Thanks for all the replies.

Waiting to hear back from my friend as to her fathers given names, I know the surname.

Although I appreciate that the mother's maiden name never changes, it does seem that she may have given what ever name she felt like, hence the confusion over her maiden name. I had to show my birth certificate before I got married, but not sure you would have had to then, so no checking that the information was correct.

I know she has a half brother (now deceased) and a half sister both by different fathers.

She may not be able to apply for the first cert if she can't ascertain her mother's maiden name, I don't know if she knows her mother's first husbands name, and she had very little contact with her birth father.

You would think from this disjointed family that my friend would have suffered from it, but she is one of the most level headed people I have come across.

Rosalind

Another clue is her dads full name should be recorded so you will then know her maiden name.
I have a couple of third marriage certs but the first married name isnt recorded ie she married in her second surname with no mention of the first married name. dads name is always th same though so you know the maiden name

The mother's maiden name never changes, no matter how many times a woman marries.
That name should be recorded on your friend's birth certificate and in the GRO index of your friend's birth.

Gwyn

I have a 1927 marriage cert. In column 4 Condition against the husband is written ' the divorced husband of ....1st wife's full name.
Presume it would be legal requirement as he would I think have to show divorce papers to allow him to remarry.

Hope this helps

Yes it often does. Mary lately Smith, formerly Jones, for example.

Where Smith was her last married name and Jones her maiden name.

But as you say, it is only as good as the information that was given to the registrar at the time.

Been given the challenge of trying to find out who my friend's mother is. She knew her mother, but never knew her maiden name or is not sure, could be one of two and could be something else!! She doesn't even know where her mother was born.

I have said she needs to get hold of her parents marriage cert to see what she has put as her maiden name. Now her mother was married more than once, again nothing is definite.

My question is, would the cert show previous married names and maiden name? I know a lot of this would be at the discretion of what was said at the time.

My friend was born in 1955 and parents were married couple of years before I think.

I no what is on marriage certs, but not seen one for a second or third marriage.

Rosalind