Genealogy Chat

Ok you will have to bear with me on this one! I recieved two marriage certificates in the last two days, one for my Grandad in 1936: George Smith 1908 + Winifred Kate Warner Luton Address for George at time of marriage 10 Albert road Luton His dad is down as George Smith coal merchant. Then i got the cert for his dad (my gGrandad) who we know as George marrying Albena Beatrice Putman in 1899 (both of these women are correct) but it has her spouse down as Walter Smith 1867, coal merchant, living at 8 Albert road Luton! As far as we know 'George' didnt have any other names, i have done a search for any deaths of 'walter smiths' in luton between 1899 and my grandads birth in 1908, but i found nothing, and i cant find any other Marriages for Albena (not common spelling) and found nothing! The family of ' Walter Smith' is one that i have researched lately and i cant find walter up until 1891 but no later. I have done searches for Walter George Smith or George Walter Smith but cant find anything either! Any help will be grately appreciated as im stumped!!

Don't know if it helps, but Kelly's directoty of 1903 lists Thomas Smith, shopkeeper at 10a Albert Road Will look at other directories if I can. Jim

Sophie As you know the info for the women is correct, then there must be some reason why your 'George' is shown as 'Walter' - have you traced him on the 1891. The cert must give his father's name - is it possible that will give you a clue. There are many reasons for being known by another name - could be a shortening, a localism, or just conevenience - my father-in-law has always been know to everyone as 'Stan', but his real name is David - his middle name is Stanley, and as his dad was called David as well, everyone called him by his middle name. I would try and find him on the 1891 - as you say her name is unusual, so you probably have the right cert - or the registrar wasn't very good and put the wrong name down!!! will have a look at the '91 for you in a mo. regards Looby

Sophie Looks like he's defo Walter on the '91 - see below Name: Walter Smith Age: 24 Estimated birth year: abt 1867 Relation: Son Father's name: Thomas Mother's name: Annie Gender: Male Where born: Luton, Bedfordshire, England Civil parish: Luton Ecclesiastical parish: St Mary Town: Luton County/Island: Bedfordshire Country: England Street address: 10 Albert Road Occupation: Hair Dresser Condition as to marriage: Education: Employment status: View image Registration district: Luton Sub-registration district: Luton ED, institution, or vessel: 25 Neighbors: View others on page Household Members: Name Age Annie Smith 54 Elizebeth Smith 27 Thomas Smith 53 Walter Smith 24 Will see if I can find him on '81 regards Looby

Hi Sophie, Hmm, bit of a puzzle. What did the marraige cert give as Walter's dad's name? Maybe the registrar just entered the wrong name in the wrong column?? They do make mistakes sometimes. But in any case, you could send for Walter's birth cert easily if you know his dad's name. Was he born in Luton cos there's a couple of Walter Smiths who might fit the bill Name: Walter Smith Year of Registration: 1866 Quarter of Registration: Jan-Feb-Mar DISTRICT: Luton County: Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire Volume: 3b Page: 454 (click to see others on page) AND: Name: Walter Smith Year of Registration: 1866 Quarter of Registration: Jul-Aug-Sep DISTRICT: Luton County: Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire Volume: 3b Page: 407 (click to see others on page) Registrars always ask the couple to check the details on a certificate but maybe he couldn't read very well? Do you know when he died as you could get his death cert too. The other option is that his name was Walter but he was always known as George in the family. This happens a lot more than you'd imagine and I have loads of examples in my own tree; eg my gr-grandfather was Draper Thomas Baker but he was always called Ben for some obscure reason!! Anyway, can't think of any other reason for this. Sorry! Carlè

Walter on 1881 - with same family members, but addy looks like 'Langley' St Luton. Will see if I can see his birth.

Hi Sophie No Walters 1867 - have same two as Carle, but two George's!!!!!!! Surname First name(s) District Vol Page Births Mar 1867 Smith George Luton 3b 461 Births Dec 1867 Smith George Luton 3b 418 Births Mar 1866 Smith Walter Luton 3b 454 Births Sep 1866 Smith Walter Luton 3b 407 regards Looby

Sophi Would suggest ordering your grandad's birth cert - hopefully it will show the correct name for his dad!! regards Looby

Have tried the 1901 for you - can't find him as Walter or George and can't find an Albena Smith either. Thomas and Annie are still living at 10 Albert Road, he's a green grocer and Lizzie is still with them. Think you defo need grandad's birth cert to try and find his name and their address. regards Looby

Hi thanks for all your hard work! I have all the same info as you all found, i was going round in circles! I know that Langley street is just round the corner from Albert road, but it dosent explain why george lived at 8 Albert st and his possible dad George lived at 10! Maybe the houses were knocked into each other to make 1 big one in the 1900's? Goodness knows, im going to get Georges birth cert in a few days and hopefully it will tell me if george or walter or both were his dad!!! ;0)