Genealogy Chat

Hi I am wondering how to find an american James Brent that would have been posted to the UK ( American Airforce)around 1954. There is a camp in Oxford where I believe she met him . I can't find a marraige certificate. My Half brother is deperate to find out more, that's the only info he has, and the name on his birth certificate. Our mum passed away 3 yeras ago after suffering form alzeimers formany years. Mums family said they thought he was an american and an airman but that's all. Mums name was Sylvia Dawe born 1932
Any help would be appreciated

As a start point you need to establish the name of the base and the squadron:

RAF Upper Heyford - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Upper Heyford was formally handed over to the USAF 3rd Air Force on 15 May 1951. ... only station of the four Oxfordshire bases to remain in American hands, ...

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RAF_Upper_Heyford - 134k - Similar

Many thanks
Will try that
Regards
Denise

Hi Denise
Google GITRACE...they have a lot of information for helping trace American Servicemen.

Your brother's birth certificate should list James' occupation.

If your mother and James were married it should say Sylvia Brent, formerly Dawe.

Rose

Thanks Rose
On the birth record on line it says maiden name DAWE
My brothers middle name is unusual in that it is Guido. I remember mum saying that his best mate was Guido Roberto cattina and thats who he was named after. Could she have named by brother as a Brent if she was not marrried to him !
I will have to phone him to find out exactly what it says ,
Denise

I have just seen the birth reg on ancestry. and it is also on freebmd

http://www.freebmd.org.uk/cgi/search.pl

Just as it is today if the father registers the birth aswell even if not married the child can have the fathers surname

jax

Usually if the parents aren't married the name will be registered under Dawe and Brent but it looks like it isn't.


There's a Guido R Catania in Maryland.

Rose

Wow you all really know your stuff, I am so impressed.
Rose is there any more info on Guido !
Perchino I looked at Upper Heyford site and got in contact with the web organiser who has posted a message on an american website.
Everone is so kind and helpful
thank you all.

New York Passenger Lists, 1820-1957
about Capt. Guido R Catania
Name: Capt. Guido R Catania
Arrival Date: 7 Jun 1957
Port of Departure: Burtonwood, England
Port of Arrival: New York, New York
Airline: Flying Tiger Line

Hi Denise
I wanted to say thank you very much for your PM reply...I have tried to Pm you a reply to thank you but my messaging isn't working at the moment..
Thank you once again
Pavlina

Burtonwood was home the USAF in 1957. He looks like a strong possibility.

Guido was born in Massachusetts in 1921.

Rose

Guido's last address is listed here:

http://www.city-data.com/aradio/lic-Silver-Spring-Maryland.html

Rose

Looks like he's still alive as there's no death for him on the Social Security Death index.

Rose

You can get a phone number for him here:

www.yb.com

Old numbers are also listed but you probably need the Maryland one.

Rose

Re the Wiki reference in the second message - only Brize Norton and Upper Heyford were in Oxfordshire, the other two - Greenham Common and Fairford were in neighbouring counties (Berkshire and Gloucestershire).

Any more details from your brother's birth cert? Did James have a middle name?

Rose

Hi Rose James Henry Brent
Wow I am overwhelmed with all the help.
Thank you all