Genealogy Chat

Would anyone know what Toots may have been a nickname for, or an abbreviation of???? I have an Auntie Toots who was a WREN, no dates or anything. Aren't relatives memories wonderful! Thanks for any suggestions. Annette

Would think it was just a nickname ,cant think of anything it may have been short for. If you know her parents names you may be able to find her on Ancestry but will be a slog.

I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong here, but I believe the origin of 'Toots' as a nickname came with the arrival of GI's during WWII, and is just that - a nickname. sorry can't be more helpful Looby

Thanks guys, The funny things is, I had been waiting for an Auntie of mine to visit for my sister's wedding 30/9 hoping that she would be a fountain of information, she remembered her Dad had a sister they called 'Toots'?? and that her Mum's mum was known as Granny Topple.....mmmmm helpful....not. I have to admit she did give me some bits that were useful, but not as much as I thought... I'll just keep on keepng on. Annette

Aren't these memories just great even though they're not too helpful at times. I know a family who had a Grandad Toots...so named because he was a keen steam train enthusiast. Gwyn

Annette, My cousins in New Zealand had a grandad called Toots. His name was John and was originally from Scotland. I don't know whether there is a connection or not, but just thought I'd add in my twopennorth! Mandy

Can't offer any insights into your Aunt's given name I'm afraid - but if you have the least idea when she died.... Once you have tracked down her death certificate (and who knows, when you see her given names it might ring a faint bell) it should give you her date of birth - if she died after dates of birth were included anyway. She may well have been called Wren - but it is entirely possible, if not probable that the family name was originally Uren (not always pronounced as one would hope!!) and changed due to the pronunciation problems. Lol [My maiden name was Uren and my initials are V D!!] Victoria

Oh Victoria!!!!

Oh Victoria indeed!! Is it any wonder I was a child bride? Victoria

Thanks Everyone for your thought!!! Victoria.. Unfortunately my Auntie has zero info on the infamous Aunt Toots. I have tried Ancestry (free BMD only, not a full subsrciber YET!!), but my Grandad (Toots' brother) is the eldest born 1900 and in the Channel Islands. Family search comes up nil, as does FREEBMD. Any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Cheers Annette

Annette - perhaps if you post everything you know..... someone will be able to do a bit of looking for you. You have no idea when she died? Wrens aren't thick on the ground so that should make it easier to find her but it would be handy to narrow it down! Victoria

Annette, You don't have to be paid up to search the full indexes - it's free but you might need to register: http://www.ancestry*co*uk/search/rectype/vital/freebmd/bmd.aspx replace stars with dots Janice

My eldest daughter has always been called Toots by her father, her name is Hazel so don`t know why.He started it when she was a small baby!!!!!

This is probably a bit daft, but does anyone remember the film Tootsie with Dunstin Hoffman. Tootsie's name was Dorothy if I remember. Selena

Thanks everyone, its not often that I add anything to the boards, I just enjoy reading them. I don't feel I have anything worth contributing, but its wonderful that people reply. I have had some help from Sheila Roberts with a search re my Grandad, but that was before I knew of the existance of his sister. My grandad William Gale (sorry Victoria I just realized I missed that vital bit of info on your pm) born 14/11/1900 in Guernsey, his Dad's name is James born in Yelling Lincs 1875 his Mum is Florence Le Masurier born in St Peter Port Guernsey in 1877. There is wonderful girl; on here Melanie, that shares alot of the pevious Gale's history with me, but can't get any onfo on the more modern Gale's, saying that My Dad's birth doesn't seem to be registered either. Thank you in advanced for any help!!!! Annette

Hiall, I don't know if this will have anything to do with your aunt but people in Scotland were often called Toots. If you walked along the road and someone you know was coming the other way, you say hi toots. Usually a male to a female. Betty

So, what you are looking for is ........ Gale, (female, nicknamed Toots) maybe born in Guernsey 1901-1912ish, who married someone by the name of Wren 1918-1935ish? I have not the slightest idea of how to find Channel Island births on Ancestry, although I do remember finding twins born to someone in my family there, but that was in the 'good old days' when I went to the National Library and looked on microfische!! Hopefully someone on here with have the access I don't have (or the expertise/knowledge I am deficient in) - and can help you to find where to look. Victoria

Grandad William on 1901 census for info RG13; Piece: 5321; Folio: 67; Page: 10. Living 3 Collings Rd, St Peter Port, Guernsey Florence Gale 24 st peter port James Gale 26 market gardener born England William Gale 1 st peter port Have a look at http://www.priaulx.gov.gg/ Click the civil registrations link. They have an email of priaulx.libraryATgov.gg Put the twiddly thing in where I've put AT They may be able to search for grandad's siblings.

Thanks Jools & Victoria, Yes the Channel Islands are proving a little difficult. The census does cover there on Ancestry. I only wish I lived a little closer, so I could go over, but its not exactly a day out from Australia (LOL). I have contacted the library, and they are very friendly. The lady did a preliminary search for me, but if I want to go further, research will cost me by the hour! Thanks guys Annette

Vitoria, She didn't marry a WREN, she was a Wren, I suppose I could try the Naval Historical sites and search on her surname!!! Annette