Genealogy Chat

My father who died in 1975 never knew who his father was - why he never asked his mother I don't know but it was a touchy subject - so I thought this line was a no go. But my mother has just told me that as a boy in the 1920's, my dad used to be sent to collect maintenence money from Windsor Barracks, so he was obviously a soldier - has anyone had any similar experience of contacting the Army for that sort of information - I don't know where to start on this one - it seems a very long shot. Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated. No fathers name on birth certificate.

Do you have your fathers birth certificate? This hopefully will have his fathers name on it. Pat

I think you'd need to know exactly which company your father's father was in to get any further on. You could try googling - to find out about what was going on in Windsor Barracks in the 1920s. Good luck nell

I have had a simular experience but I was lucky because I knew my grandfather's name and that he was an officer in the Navy he was welsh and his father was a clergyman. After a lot of difficulty I am now the proud owner of a Photo of my grandad and his naval records. I would guess that your grandad has died by now so his army records will be at the National Archives at Kew. As he paid Maintainence it may be in the paymasters records for windsor Barracks in the 1920's it might take sometime and a lot of research but it will be worth it in the end. My dad who was born in 1919 did not have his fathers name on his birth certificate but he was lucky because was given his fathers surname as his middle name. If I was you I'd start with Kew you can get a reading ticket and that lasts for 3 years. It's going to be hard and it took me 2 1/2 years in total and I knew my grandads name. But it only took 2 visits to Kew to find his records and a lot of strange Luck. Good Hunting Regards Madeline