How do I find this man's place of birth and on census records

[dinkey]

I am trying to find more on information on Lawrence John Powers. He was buried in Fleetwood on 08 December 1947 age 62. Giving birth year about 1885. in 1915 he married Alice Anne Cardwell under the name of John Powers and had one daughter now deceased. The 1939 Electoral registers shows Alice as married but no husband with her.

Because I don't know where he was born, I don't know where to find him on any census. I have not sent for a marriage certificate as it will only give me a father's name (unless he was illegitimate).

Can anyone point me in the right direction to find out more about him, parents, siblings etc?

regards

dinkey

[Kay99]

Could he have been born in USA?

U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index
Name  Lawrence John Powers
Birth 9 Mar 1885 - Somerville, Massachusetts
Father Lawrence A Powers
Mother Mary E Fay

[dinkey]

Kay

Thank you for your quick reply.

I do not know if he was born in the USA. Is there any way to know who this Lawrence John from the USA married? I could probably rule him out if it wasn't Alice Anne unless the one you found married more than once.

[rosie99]

In case it is relevant to Kay's post

Lawrence Powers
Age   24
Port of Departure New York, United States
Arrival Date 15 August1910
Port of Arrival   Glasgow, Scotland
occ Missionary
place of birth America
Ship Name California

I think that you may need the marriage certificate which would show his occupation as well as his fathers name which would help confirm if you have the right person

[Kay99]

Sorry - forget the USA one I think - He was still in USA in 1942 based on WW2 Draft Records

[rosie99]

Sorry - forget the USA one I think - He was still in USA in 1942 based on WW2 Draft Records

He was not with his wife in 1939 so could he have been back in America with his country's army 

The marriage registration from lancashirebmd
CARDWELL   Alice   P
POWERS   John   
Old Fylde Register Office or Registrar Attended   
Blackpool   OFY/52/161

[Ruskie]

He may be in the services in 1939 which may be why he is not included with the family.

Even though you don't know where he was born you can still look for him in the 1891, 1901 and 1911 censuses.

I still think that purchasing the marriage certificate is the next logical step in your search. Assuming he gives a father's name then you can try looking for him in the 1901 in the hope that he will be with parents.

[Kay99]

Sorry - forget the USA one I think - He was still in USA in 1942 based on WW2 Draft Records

He was not with his wife in 1939 so could he have been back in America with his country's army 

The marriage registration from lancashirebmd
CARDWELL   Alice   P
POWERS   John   
Old Fylde Register Office or Registrar Attended   
Blackpool   OFY/52/161

This Lawrence John appears to first join up in 1915 and is listed as single.   In 1942 lists the person who will always know his address as Mrs James O'Neill of Milton, Mass - And was living in Tewkesbury Mass in 1940 in the Hosp - listed as widowed

[dinkey]

I think you are right that I will have to purchase the marriage certificate. At least if the father is not also called Lawrence then it will rule out the USA one as being him.