George Smith

[angie 14]

I am trying to find out what happened to a relative, who was not known by my dad at all.

George Smith was born on 22nd July 1892, to Ellen Smith, formerly Langton and John Farren Smith.
They lived in Great Holme Street, Leicester.
I have his birth certificate, which confirms above details, and can track him through census to 1911.

He signed on in 1914, when his father had died and living in Warwick St Leicester with his mum, Ellen Harrison, who had remarried and widowed in a short time.

I have details of him in 1921, paperwork form the Royal Engineers but then no idea what happened to him.
My dad was born in 1926 and never knew he existed.
I have tried searching for him but too many George Smiths in Leicester.
As my Dad approaches his 90th year, I have been hoping to solve the mystery but don't know where to look know.

Any help or suggestions would be appreciated. Thank you


 

[CaroleW]

Hi and welcome to Rootschat

Full birthdates were shown on death certs from 1969 but there is no match to the birthdate you give for George

This may indicate that he died before 1969.

You cannot confine any search to Leicester as you do not know whether he stayed in the area after his service ended.  Unfortunately, that makes things more difficult given the Smith surname

Have you looked for him on the 1939 register which gives birthdates?
http://www.findmypast.co.uk

[CaroleW]

John Farren Smith and Ellen married in 1882 so presumably had other children apart from George.

1901 census - all b Leics except Ellen

Ellen Harrison   37 widow b Nottingham
John Smith   18
William Smith   16
Arthur Smith   14
Harry Smith   12
Polly Smith   10
George Smith   8
Thomas Harrison 4mths
RG13 Piece 3008 Folio 65 Page 20

Polly was born 1890 and married in 1912 to Arthur Norman.  She died in 1920 but there were possibly 3 children born to them by 1920 if you check freebmd for Norman births with a mothers maiden name Smith and registered in the Leicester RD

If you are unable to get any info on George via online  - you may find researching the children of Polly Norman and their descendants may yield some info

[angie 14]

Thank you for your help and advice.
I knew George had siblings, but not aware that Polly died in 1920.

I suspect that George died young, as my dad was born in 1926, and never knew him when growing up. Of course, he could have moved out of area, which with the names makes it harder to research.
I will look on 1939 register to see if that helps.

Thank you

[CaroleW]

Hi

Was your dad illegitimate - George being his father?

[angie 14]

My dad was the youngest son of William Henry Smith, so George would have been his uncle, but he never knew him at all. In fact until I found the census records, didn't know he existed.
Still loooking, but the names make the process hard.

[robinswh]

great holme street in Leicester is very close to the intersection of narborough and Hinckley roads My uncle lived on nearby leamington street which has completely disappeared I don't know if great holme street exists today.