Genealogy Chat

Am I missing something blindingly obvious?

I’m struggling to trace the death of a John Adams of Lower Holloway in the district of Islington. He was born c1875, though there seems to be no registration of his birth. On the census, his marriage certificate & his children’s birth certificates he appears just as John. His last child was born in 1920 and he is recorded as deceased when a son married in 1943. The family were at the same address 1915-1968. I tried to narrow it down a bit - a daughter married in 1929 and a son married in 1934 and he is not recorded as dead. But another son’s marriage in 1947 doesn’t mention him as deceased (when he certainly was) and records him as John William - the first and only time I’ve seen this. There are no John Adams within a five year age range recorded in Islington 1920-43 but if he died in hospital he would probably be recorded in another district, most likely Marylebone or Pancras. There are a few with the right age 1920-29 in West Ham, Paddington & Hackney and then South London but I think it’s likely he was still alive when his children married in 1929 & 1934. Between 1930-43 I can only find two in North & Central London of the right age - a John J aged 64 in Hackney 1937 and a John F aged 62 in Pancras in 1938. I think electoral rolls would help but I’m assuming I would have to go to London to access them which I can’t do in the near future so should I just start ordering certificates and put a reference check as the home address?

I have experienced something similar in my family, with a missing father who is described as deceeased on his children's marriage certificates, but with no sign of his death. In one case, the marriage had simply broken up and the absent father's whereabouts where no longer known - his death was 'assumed' (and I'm still trying to find it!); in another, a widowed father had walked out on his young children and emigrated to Australia to start a new life. The children left behind, I assume, didn't have happy memories and he was not referred to on their marriage certificates. This doesn't solve you problem, but might provide an explanation. Good luck, Darryl

Let's look at this chronologically: abt 1875 John Adams born Lower Holloway/Islington, though you have not found his birth registration. Called John Adams on census, his marriage certificate and his children's birth certificates. 1920 John's last child born 1929 John's daughter marries, John not recorded as deceased. 1943 John recorded as deceased ona son's marriage cert. The family were at the same address 1915-1968. 1947 another son's marriage cert does not record his as deceased, but uniquely calls him John William. 1920-43 No John Adams deaths within 5 years of his age in Islington reg district. 1920-29 a few deaths the right age in West Ham, Paddington & Hackney and then South London but I think it’s likely he was still alive when his children married in 1929 & 1934. 1930-43 only two in North & Central London of the right age - a John J aged 64 in Hackney 1937 and a John F aged 62 in Pancras in 1938. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- The problem with death certs is that the informant doesn't always give the right information, especially about age. I have a few death certs where the age has been out by more than 5 years. It's also true that middle names can come, go and change over time. It's also true that if he had been staying with family when he was ill he might be anywhere. Did all the married sons and daughters stay in the same area? My own great grandfather died in Finchley, but he'd lived most of his life in Norfolk villages, and was returned to one of them for burial. You could try asking for NBI look ups for John within the relevant time scale to see if there are any useful leads. Electoral rolls will let you know when he stopped being at the address you know he was last at. nell

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think the NBI has much London coverage? Nor much for the time frame you are looking at. What's more, he could well have been cremated rather than buried anyway. Kate.

There is one thing you could try, and that is looking through the National Probate Calendar to see if he left a will or an estate which went to administration. You can find this on microfiche at some record offices etc. though they don't all cover the same years. Kate.

Another thought - could John William Adams have been formally recorded as William John Adams? Name order swapping like that has cropped up in my research a few times. Happy hunting Darryl

Thanks for taking the time to read this and offer some ideas:) Daryl I'm pretty sure that there was no family rift because so many of the grandsons had John - not conclusive but I haven't got much else to go on:) William may have been his first name so it's worth me looking again - unfortunately neither or John or any of his siblings' births were registered in the names they appear in on census or on other certificates. Irritating:) Nell The children all lived in the same area as far as I can trace them except the one who married in 43. I think Kate's right about the NBI but I have had another idea - maybe if I can trace where his widow was buried (if she was) it would leas me to him. The electoral roll is the obvious thing I suppose but will have to wait until I can spend some time in London in the weekdays Kate Thanks - I wouldn't imagine there was a will (or anything to leave lol) but it's certainly worth a try:) Does anyone know if there is an online map of London districts?

David try this: http://www.fhsc.org.uk/genuki/reg/ Kat

Thanks Kat - will take a look:)