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I do not know what to do or where to go next so if anyone can help me I would be pleased. My Uncle Andrew Ridley who was born in 1921 in Newcastle Upon tyne, met and married a lady called alice Pattinson in a place called Wigton in cumbria in 1943, later that year they had a daughter called Shiela ( that is how it is spelt on the Birth certificate ) Winifried Ridley, she was born in Wigton in 1943. A few weeks later Uncle Andrew was killed in the War , and that is where I have got lost, I think and i could be wrong but I am sure my father told me when I was a kid that Alice took the daughter and moved away possibly to Blackpool, but I am not 100% certain of this. I do not know if Alice remarried, or whether she changed Shiela's surname, I don't even know if Alice or Shiela are still alive. If any one can help me in any way I would be grateful as we both could have loads of relatives we don't know about. Thankyou for your help and you can either email me or post a reply on here. Regards Paul

Hello Andrew, The only thing I can suggest (but it will cost a bit of money) is for you to add 18 - 25 years to Sheila's age and check the marriages for a Sheila W. Ridley on 1837 online or visit the Family Records Office if you aren't far from London. Most people get married 18 - 25 years or so after they are born - worth a go! You could also have a look at marriage records say about 10 years after Alice was widowed, you might find a second marriage for her. Again, it would cost a bit of money but unless someone on here knows the people in question, I can't see how you are going to trace them. You could hire a private detective; but he would cost money too, so you may as well be your own detective! Cheers, Horatia

Hello Paul There is no marriage between 1961 and 1970 for a Shiela Ridley. She may have had her name changed if her mother remarried. I will look in my files in the morning see if I can find an Alice. Obviously it may not be her but I will take a look Deb (nee Ridley)

Thankyou deborah for your help and thanks for the Idea, I don't know if Shiela did marry all I know is she was born in 1943, so I suppose 1965 onwards could be a go, also I don't know if she used her mum's maiden name , which was pattinson. I just don't know.

You could also look and see if there is an earlier death for Shiela (or Winifred) - she may not have reached maturity? Jay

Hello Paul Presumably your Andrew is the one on the War Graves site with parents Joseph and Grace as well as wife Alice. Have you tried contacting them and asking when this information was collected, as if it was post war, then it may narrow down the dates for any possible remarriage by Alice. I had a similar problem with a death in WW1 with a relatives wife being given a different surname. It turned out she had remarried in the early 1920's so the information must have come from later than that. Hope it helps. Helen

Thankyou Helen I will give that a try and see what they say !

I have contacted the War graves office and I am now awaiting a reply, but if anyone can help then please give me shout !

What's Shiela's DOB in 1943?

Sammy her date of birth is 1st september 1943, I hope that helps .

I'm afraid she has died... Name: Sheila Winifred England Death Year: [1988] Age: 44 Birth Date: 1 Sep 1943 Death Registration Month/Year: Mar 1988 Registration District: Westminster Inferred County: Greater London Inferred Country: England Volume No 15 Page No 2020 Reg No 388 Shiela has become SHEILA but it will be a huge coincedence if this is not the person you seek. The spelling of her name would have been down to the informant Sorry it's not good news, and she was only 44yrs of age. The cert may still help you search further Kind regards Sam

Thanks Sam for your help, i am been trying to find out about her for a couple of years. Did you get the certificate number by any chance Anyway thankyou for your help Paul

Paul The surname above , is ENGLAND, surely that means she did marry? sam

The ref's were not on Ancestry - I just checked 1837 for you Volume No 15 Page No 2020 Reg No 388

Sammy it could also be the fact that she might not of married , if her mum alice Remarried she might of chnaged her daughters name as well. But at least it looks like I might of got somewhere thanks to you.

You'll soon find out when you get the cert Paul - hope this get's you somewhere at least Regards Sam

Yes thanks Sammy , i went down the local librabry today and found out that Sheila ridley married a Roger England in Surrey N in the march quarter in 1964, a year before I was born lol. Unfornately I could not read the number for the certificate as it was very hard to see, so if anyone can confirm the numbers I need for me that would be a great help. As they say one door closes another one opens !

Hello Paul Sorry I missed that. Have relooked over the page 1964 and she married as Sheila not Shiela and the second letter looks like an N but is obviousy a W. If you would like a copy of the GRO page let me know. Deb

As Deb has kindly offered you the page you should be able to read the ref's... hopefully

Hey Paul..... a birth! Sept quarter 1965 Karen England mother's maiden name: Ridley District: Kingston/Thames Vol: 5c Pg: 1510