General Chat

Can anyone throw any light as to why the above 'stamp' is shown on the back of my Dad's birth certificate. He was born in November 1915 and on the back the oval 'stamp' is dated 20th December 1915 in the County of Southampton !

I cannot understand what a birth certificate has got to do with the Territorial Force Association.

Any suggestions or thoughts would be very welcome.

Many thanks Sheila

I can only think that his father was serving with them and he presented his son's birth certificate so he could be registered as a dependent.

It was probably stamped to show it had been presented.

Chris

Why the County of Southampton?

Hampshire History from wikipedia

The county has in the past been called "Southamptonshire" and appears as such on some Victorian maps. The name of the administrative county was changed from 'County of Southampton' to 'County of Hampshire' on 1 April 1959.

Thanks for the replies.

Dad's father is a bit of a mystery, I can find absolutely no record of him after the 1911 Census, no idea what he did during the war and have not even been able to find out when or where he died. I know he was classed as deceased when Dad got married in 1940. Perhaps it was common practice to have a birth certificate stamped by the Territorial Army, as you say for registering a dependent, certainly is feasible.

Many thanks Sheila

I don't know about birth certificates, but death certificates used when dealing with probate are often returned by banks, insurance companies etc. stamped on the back.

If you want to put up ALL the details you know about your grandfather, I'm sure members will only be too glad to try and solve the mystery! Include also your Father's birth details as long as you're happy to. The more you tell us, the more chance of finding something for you. It might her best to start a thread on the Find Ancestors Board rather than continue on here.

Thanks for all the replies, very grateful for the information.

From the comments made,I think sadly my grand-dad was already dead when Dad was born. He never spoke of Grand-dad which would be understandable as he would never have known him, very sad but obviously not uncommon during the war.

Makes sense that Dad's birth certificate had to be verified by the Territorial Association to qualify as a dependent, think in the light of this information we might at least have found out when he died.

Thanks again Sheila

For info.....

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Territorial_Force#/search

Thanks for posting the link, have had a quick look and it looks as if there is loads of information and facts there, will enjoy having a proper look at it now.