Genealogy Chat

I am at present researching my DREANEEN connections in New Zealand. My GGAunt moved there from York in 1911 and married John Thomas Henry Dreaneen in 1915. I have since found from their marriage cert that he was from Horsham, England & his father Thomas Dreaneen was a solicitor.

However, I haven't been able to trace John's birth & wondered if he maybe changed his surname when he moved?? So I figured maybe it would be easier to try & find his Father. Has anyone got any advice where to start??

Or can anyone else find John's birth in Horsham c.1874

Thanks Dawn

Have you looked for them on 1881 census?

Reg

Births Dec 1874 (>99%)
Burdfield John Thomas Horsham 2b 287

The only John Thomas ____ in Horsham between 1873-1875 - from FreeBMD.

Jill

Nothing shows on FreeBMD for Dreaneen. What spelling variations have you found so far?

Jill

Hi There,

Yes Reggie I have searched all the census on "Ancestry" but haven't found any record of them at all, which makes me wonder if he changed his name when he got to New Zealand. Maybe it's just me?? I know his mum was called Lilian Mabel from his marriage cert but couldn't read her maiden name.

John's death cert has his name spelt DREARNEEN with the extra r. But other than that nothing else that looks close.

The Law Society might be able to help with dad if he was a solicitor.

Jill

No results on 1881 for John, born Sussex, with father Thomas and mother Lilian

Reg

You could try Kelly's Trade Directory - there is a website called historical directories (I think!) try Googling it. You can put in a 'key' word like the name of the solicitors and search for them during the nearest appropriate year. Hope this helps

Thanks for the suggestion, i will give it a try

Dawn