stuck already, not good :(

[scotslink]

Good afternoon,

My uncle has asked if I could do his family tree, unfortunately he doesn't know much.

The only info I have is: his father was born Feb 1919 Durham and was called Thomas Spark English (He died in Cambridgeshire, not sure if he came down south on his own or with family) ,  ...Uncle doesn't know his grandparents and I managed to find a marriage between a George English and Florence Pearson (who may be the grandparents), they were married 1916 Durham and my uncles sister & brother, who are both older than him are called George & Florence...yes I am guessing and hoping but I have sent of for Thomas Spark English BC, so will find out soon...............

Spark is an unusual middle name so I did a basic search... (English * Spark) and it came up with.....Frank Spark English 1885 Durham...now I am hoping Frank, with his middle name spark is somehow related to Thomas...especially as they are both born Durham.......this would be great if I could find Frank in the 1891/1901/1911 census,,,I cannot

would it be possible to see if anyone else can locate Frank.

I understand if not as not a lot of info to go on.

many thanks

[rosie17]

Hi the birth index for Thomas Spark English 1919 Durham mothers maiden name Pearson

[Kay99]

I wonder if the Frank Spark English appears in the census with the surname Inglis and this is his marriage in 1908 in Gateshead  https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NXPM-5YX

Kay

Edit - There is a birth record of a Frank Spark Inglis on Anc  - June Qtr Durham Volume 10A  Page  869A  and the only difference to Frank Spark English reference on  FreeBMD is an A after the page number.   Maybe a correction??

[Ayashi]

The index entry for the birth of Thomas S English gives mother's maiden name as Pearson so looks like those two probably are the parents.

Spark was presumably someone's surname used as a middle name, so entirely possible that Frank and Thomas were not related, just had the same surname in the family. First names were more likely to be passed down than middle names unless there was a specific reason for doing so, like the surname was from a well-to-do family.

That said, I see a result for "Frank Spark ENGLIS" marrying Margaret Jane BELL in 1908, Gateshead, which was where he was born. The son of this union, Frank S, is also ENGLIS rather than ENGLISH.

Took so long typing I got beaten to it lol. There's also a John Spark ENGLIS but I suspect he's connected to Frank even though he was born a year before the marriage.

[scotslink]

Thank you Rosie17, Kay99 & Ayashi.....

[SelDen]

I see that there is a death registered for Thomas Spark English in the March quarter of 1989 in Cambridge, born 15 Feb 1919, reference vol 9 page 914.

If this is the individual you are interested in, then you could also order the death certificate, if you wished, which should give you the place of birth, just as confirmation.

Does your uncle remember what his father or grandfather did for a living?

You have done the right thing by ordering the birth certificate for Thomas, as this should give you a solid lead with the names of the parents. Perhaps you could post again to let us know what the birth certificate said, as people may be able to help at that point?

www.freebmd.org.uk shows the following English children with a mother’s maiden name of Pearson being born in the Durham registration district:

Edith Dec q 1916
Thomas S Mar q 1919
Elizabeth A Jun q 1921

These dates could suggest that the father was absent during World War 1 (or just that the family moved around). Does your uncle recall whether his father mentioned his grandfather serving in WW1?

[barryd]

I checked to see if Thomas Spark English left a Will. He did not.

[scotslink]

Thank you all of you for checking info and advice

Will post as soon a s BC arrives

[WolfieSmith]

I did some research on the Gateshead Inglis family a few years ago for a friend whose grandmother was an Inglis. I deleted it when I handed it over, but looking up a few bits again.

Frank and family in 1901 are at 62 Tennyson St. Gateshead.
RG13/4757/107/35

Frank is the son of John Inglis and Jane Spark. The John Spark Inglis, born 1907, is the son of Franks brother Thomas Inglis and his wife Lily King. Thomas died in WW1.

No sign of a brother called George for Frank and Thomas, so it may just be a coincidence.

Alan.