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I am trying to trace my great grandfather. He was called Victor Nelson Barber & born in Downham, Norfolk. However, he moved to London & changed his name to Henry Ford. He married Florence Ashdown from London. Approx dob 1890's. If anyone can give me any info on him i would really appreciate it! Thank you, Jane.

Jane, can you be more specific? What info do you want? You obviously know a lot already.

Do you want before or after his move to London?

Ozi.

How do you know he changed his name? What name did he marry with?

I cant see a Victor Nelson Barber birth ref for Downham Market?

Who is his father on his marriage cert?

sorry, i want to know more about his life in norfolk. what his parents were called, did he have brothers or sisters. i believe he married under name of Henry Ford.
He changed his name as deserted from army ww1.
thanks alot, jane

Buy the marriage certificate for his fathers name and occupation. At the moment I cant see a Victor Nelson Barber birth - how did you come by that information?

Read the Absolute Basics thread on this page for an overview of posting and researching and buying certificates.

????
1901 England Census
Name: Victor Barber
Age: 5
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1896
Relation: Son
Father's Name: Edgar
Mother's Name: Beatrice
Gender: Male
Where born: Fulmadestone, Norfolk, England
Civil Parish: Conisbrough
Ecclesiastical parish: Conisbrough St Peter
Town: Conisbrough
County/Island: Yorkshire
Country: England
Street address:

Occupation:

Condition as to marriage:

Education:

Employment status:

View Image
Registration district: Doncaster
Sub registration district: Barmbrough
ED, institution, or vessel: 1
Neighbors: View others on page
Household schedule number: 160
Household Members:
Name Age
Edgar Barber 27
Beatrice Barber 22
Victor Barber 5
Enid Barber 2
Claude Barber 9 months


No Victor Nelson Barber on freebmd.

Ninja lady - yes i would guess that is his marriage. i havent seen marriage cert as i had no idea when he married. now i can try and order marriage cert so big thank you!
I'm quite new to all this so sorry if i'm not very specific. all your help is appreciated!
jane

How do you know he was born in Downham?

Jane, we're not being nosey, we're experienced in finding people & need this info to help you.

Ozi.

Update: It is necessary for you to buy the marriage cert. Do you know how to do that online?

Unfortunately, whatever made him change his name to Henry Ford may have made him hide his identity on his marriage cert & you won't have anything to help you.

Jane, please read my queries on this above and also the Absolute Basics thread.

Ozibird - My grandfather, his son, told me he was born in Downham. Unfortunately he couldnt give me any other info.
I know you not be nosey, your help is great thanks

Ozi, the one in Yorkshire was not born in Downham Market but another part of Norfolk and his middle name is Alan

Births Jun 1895
Barber Victor Alan Walsingham 4b 300

Something not adding up here. We need to know how you got those facts about his name and birth place. Because there does not appear to be anyone of that name born in the right place.

Oh Larks Rising should be on - Im off ...............

There are these 3 Victor Barbers on 1911 born Norfolk.

BARBER HARRY VICTOR M 1885 26 Norwich Norfolk
*****BARBER VICTOR ALAN M 1896 15 Doncaster Yorkshire West Riding
BARBER VICTOR GEORGE WILLIAM M 1910 1 Norwich Norfolk

I still think Victor Alan Barber is your best bet.

There is no Victor Barber/variant born in Downham district at ANY time.

thank you everyone for your help. i think there is more to this than meets the eye, possibley more than 1 name change.
jane

Or no name change? Have you checked for a birth under his apparent new name?

You can search yourself on freebmd.org

But first of all, buy that marriage cert and see what info is on there. Read the Absolute basics thread for the website addy to buy it from using the above ref.

No Henry Fords born Downham at any time on freebmd.

Ozi.

:)

I think we need more input once the OP has the marriage cert - but of course if the groom is giving a false name ...............

Thinking about it at that time, I guess choosing Henry Ford as a name is like someone deciding they will be Bill Gates nowdays.

i have received the marriage certificate for henry ford & florence ashdown, married 03/10/1925 christ church bermondsey london. his father is listed as arthur ford (deceased) a mechanic. henry if that is his name was born in 1902 or 1903. thank you.

This bloke is born Downham with father Arthur.

1911
BIDWELL HENRY ARTHUR M 1901 10 Ely Cambridgeshire

These are the other people in the household.

BIDWELL ARTHUR M 1878 33 Ely Cambridgeshire
BIDWELL ELSIE ELLEN F 1906 5 Ely Cambridgeshire
BIDWELL LIZZIE F 1875 36 Ely Cambridgeshire
BIDWELL PERCY SAMUEL M 1910 15 MONTHS Ely Cambridgeshire
BIDWELL STANLEY RICHARD M 1908 3 Ely Cambridgeshire

1901 England Census
Name: Arthur Bidwell
Age: 23
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1878
Relation: Head
Spouse's Name: Lizzie
Gender: Male
Where born: Downham, Cambridgeshire, England
Civil Parish: Downham
Ecclesiastical parish: Downham St Leonard
Town: Downham
County/Island: Cambridgeshire
Country: England
Street address: Oxlode

Occupation: Ordinary Agricultural Labourer

Condition as to marriage:

Education:

Employment status:

View Image
Registration district: Ely
Sub registration district: Littleport
ED, institution, or vessel: 13
Neighbors: View others on page
Household schedule number: 33
Household Members:
Name Age
Arthur Bidwell 23
Lizzie Bidwell 26
Bidwell under 1 month - son [hasn't got a first name recorded]

All born Downham.

ok thank you very much!