Genealogy Chat

I would really appreciate some ideas on how to proceed with one area of my family. My grandmother Jean Elizabeth Goodridge was born, possibly in Wales, around 1913 she married Leonard Guest in the early 1930's and then lived in Newcastle. She died around 1973. I have checked their names by obtaining my fathers birth crtificate. However I cannot find any trace of either of them despite trawling all around on the IGI (through Family Search) BMD, 1837, and of course Genesreunited. If any of you got any secrets you can share with me to help me overcome this I would be eternally grateful. Tina

Hi Tina If I was you I would try to find your grandparents marriage cert. This would hopefully give you their fathers names - who might possibly be on 1901. I always try to get my research back to the census' as a staring point !! Esta :)

Hi Esta Good idea, Thanks very much. Amazing how the more recent relatives can be more difficult than those 200 years ago! Tina

Did your father have siblings? If so, try to find their births in the indexes. Your grandmother may have married more than once. As your grandfather had an unusual name, check all references to the spouse's surname on the marriages, in case this turns up someone with your grandmother's christian names. Your grandmother might have swapped christian names or been known by a different one to that she was born with. Are any family members still alive? It is always worth asking if there are any momentos you can have sight of: birthday books, photograph albums, original certificates are obvious items, but anything with a name, address or date is helpful. Good luck Brenda

Thanks Brenda he did have 5 brothers so they are a good bet. I also came across a Hester Elizabeth Goodridge ages ago but dismissed her. You've reminded me of that and it could be that she did call herself Jean instead. I will have amother look. Thanks agin Tina