Genealogy Chat

Where do I contact to find out if my grandmother was adopted? I only have her name from her marriage certificate and death certificate. Can not find a birth certificate so wondered if she was adopted. Many thanks Lynda

The fact that you can't find a birth certificate doesn't necessarily mean that she was adopted. If you have no other reason to suppose she was adopted, I would assume she wasn't. However, if she was, I am not sure that you would be able to access her records. How old was she when she married and what is the name and occupation of her father on the marriage certificate?

Official adoptions started 1927. Information here: www.gro.gov.uk/gro/content/adoptions/ but I think it more likely that your grandmother was registered in a different name, or place, or time than you expected.

Hi Helen The information that I have gained from certificates are as follows Esme Jane Jones aged 26 in 1940 in New Tredegar Wales father was Humphrey Jones Coal Miner Her death certificate and second marriage certificate all tally with the first for age Any ideas greatly received Lynda.

Do you know her mother's maiden name?

Hi Mary Sorry I am only working on info off certificates and I think it may of been Coward. Lynda

I've just had a quick look - so far I've found: 1st quarter 1913 Esme Jones, Pontypridd, MMN Jones Esme Jones, Holywell, MMN Williams Esme H Jones, Cardiff, MMN French (not sure about the initial, it's blurred) 2nd quarter 1914 Esme Jones, Birkenhead, MMN Ross 1st quarter 1915 Esme C Jones, Bedwellty, MMN John All found in the complete BMD index which you can search here for free provided that you register first: http://www.ancestry*co.uk/search/rectype/vital/freebmd/bmd.aspx (replace asterisk with dot) Have a look at the genuki site to see which registration district New Tredegar comes under. I think it may be Bedwellty.

Possible marriage: Marriages Dec 1909 EVANS Evan Bedwellty 11a 260 JENKINS Sarah Jane Bedwellty 11a 260 JONES Humphrey Bedwellty 11a 260 SAMUEL Margaret Ann Bedwelty 11a 260

Hi mary Sorry for the delay internet connection went down!!! The marriage is what i believe to be the correct one as when checking back Sarah Jane Jenkins married a couple of years before and husband died. She was a Coward before that. On esme's second marriage certificate one witness was a martha coward and in the census' sarah had a sister martha so I concluded that 'aunty martha' was the witness!! But I still cannot find Esme's birth certificate Typical Oh well I'll keep on searching. Lynda

Is it possible she wasn't given a name to start with, but just registered as 'female'? Have you also checked the bottom of the index pages, quite often a handwritten entry is squeezed in there. nell

Hi Nell Will double check that . Thanks Lynda