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I am trying to find information about Arthur Charles Austin born around 1880 died in sept 1956 in Bristol. He was a civil enginer in India. He was a single man who adopted a child Michael John Austin who was born in Rippon 18/05/1926 and died in Guildford 26/08/65. Michael was married twice - 1x in Leatherhead 1947 - divorced - no details of wife's name or if there were any children from that marriage.
2x Stella Dorothea Rountree - they had 2 sons David (1955) and Stephen (1960).

I am at a loss as to how to find any information re the ' Adoption' - it does seem strange that a single man would adopt a child in the early 1900's.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Hillary

????????????

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Births Sep 1878
AUSTIN Arthur Charles E - Brentford 3a 99

He seem to have been Michael J A Austin according to the marriage ref to Dorothea

Name: Michael J A Austin
Death Registration Month/Year: 1965
Age at death (estimated): 39
Registration district: Surrey South Western
Inferred County: Surrey
Volume: 5g
Page: 383

Only an adoptee has access to their adoption file and when they die the access is closed

Name: Arthur C Austin
Death Registration Month/Year: 1956 -Sept qtr
Age at death (estimated): 70
Registration district: Bristol
Inferred County: Gloucestershire
Volume: 7b
Page: 20

according to his age he was born c1886

If you are sure that your Arthur never married then the birth I posted previously won't be him.



Marriages Sep 1903
AUSTIN Arthur Charles E - Brentford 3a 168


However, my first thought was that Michael could be Arthur's grandson

nearest one
Name: Arthur Charles Austin
Year of Registration: 1887
Quarter of Registration: Jul-Aug-Sep
District: Hampstead
County: Greater London, London, Middlesex
Volume: 1a
Page: 652a

It may have been an informal arrangement, as formal adoption began around 1926.......however still unusual him being a male.

What do you know of him prior to the "adoption" did he have a UK address as well as India.

Ann

????


Name: A C AUSTIN
Date of departure: 20 February 1925
Port of departure: London
Passenger destination port: Bombay, India
Passenger destination: Bombay, India

Date of Birth: 1888 (calculated from age)

Last UK address 48 College Road, Clifton
Age: 37
Marital status:
Sex: Male
Occupation: Engr
Passenger recorded on: Page 1 of 8




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Ship:
Official Number:
Master's name:
Steamship Line:
Where bound:
Square feet:
Registered tonnage:
Passengers on voyage:
NARKUNDA
142496
H G Evans
Peninsular & Oriental Steam Navigation Co
Bombay, India

9705.14
184

WOW !! You are all so fantastic !!

As far as I know Michael was not 'related' in any way to Arthur Austin - I have no idea as to how the adoption came about. Michael read Law at Oxford, not sure if he completed. I know that Michael was married prior to marrying Stella (Rountree - my ex-mother- in -law) They divorced C1962. I understand that he was imprisoned for fraud. She moved back to Oldham and he was not allowed ( by Stella and her mother) to see his 2 sons David and Stephen again. Stella would not have his name mentioned and it was down to me (on my wedding day) to explain to my husband and his brother that their father took his own life in 1965 - a very sad ending.
Once again thank you all so much for the help

These are all your man, a civil engineer coming back to Bristol.

Name: Arthur C Austin
Birth Date: abt 1887
Age: 56
Port of Departure: Calcutta, India
Arrival Date: 2 Aug 1943
Port of Arrival: Liverpool, England
Ports of Voyage: Calcutta
[Colombo]
[Durban]
[Cape Town]
[Freetown]
Ship Name: City of Exeter
Search Ship Database: View the 'City of Exeter' in the 'Passenger Ships and Images' database
Shipping line: Ellerman's City Line
Official Number: 136297

Name: Arthur C Austin
Birth Date: abt 1887
Age: 42
Port of Departure: Montréal, Québec, Canada
Arrival Date: 29 Nov 1929
Port of Arrival: Liverpool, England
Ports of Voyage: Greenock
[Belfast]
Ship Name: Duchess of York
Search Ship Database: View the 'Duchess of York' in the 'Passenger Ships and Images' database
Shipping line: Canadian Pacific Steamship Line
Official Number: 161202

Name: Arthur Chas Austin
Birth Date: abt 1887
Age: 37
Port of Departure: St John, New Brunswick, Canada
Arrival Date: 13 Dec 1924
Port of Arrival: Liverpool, England
Ship Name: Montclare
Search Ship Database: View the 'Montclare' in the 'Passenger Ships and Images' database
Shipping line: Canadian Pacific Steamship Line
Official Number: 145964

Many thanks for the information.

It all helps me to build up a picture for my 2 children and of course my ex-husband and his brother.

There is a gaping hole in their lives as they are missing the 'link' of WHO their father/grandfather really was.

I still find it extremely strange that Arthur Charles Austin adopted a 'son' whilst he was a single man.
One day I might get to the bottom if the mystery.

You are all fantastic at helping me.

Hillary

I also find it odd that a single man would be given the opportunity to adopt a child. I can only think of a few instances where this would have been possible.

The only Michael born in Ripon in 1926 was Michael J A Nicholson who was registered September quarter. The mothers maiden name was Nicholson. For reference
Births Sept. Qtr 1926
Michael J A Nicholson Ripon 9a 101

So this looks like yours.

I'm off now to see if there is an obvious death for the Mother.

No obvious death that I can see.

In your shoes I would certainly order the above certificate. You may be able to work out what happened by following the Mother's line

If you haven't ordered certificates before or are unsure, just ask.

Doh! I bet the initial A in Michael's birth certificate is for Austin which would imply that he was the natural son of Arthur.

(Unmarried Mothers often included the surname of their child's father as an indicator of paternity)

Janet thanks - how do I order certificate. I bet that you are correct about the 'A' - he was probably the illegitimate child of Arthur.

Hehe - seems we are getting closer.......

Hillary,

Go to the GRO website and follow instructions........cheapest way. Give the info below that Janet posted.


Births Sept. Qtr 1926
Michael J A Nicholson Ripon 9a 101

If you are not comfortable ordering online, you can ring Southport Registry and order by phone, quoting again the above. Please let us know if you have solved a bit more of the puzzle after you get the cert.

Annx

Thanks Ann,

I will order this today.

Hillary x