1939 Register

[CelticMom]

My grandfather was born in 1924 and died in 1977.

I can't find him on the 1939 register. I am guessing his record isn't open, but i'd really love to apply to see it to try and get some info on where he was at the time.

He was fostered from a young age (never adopted).

The only issue is I have no idea where he was living at that time. Is the a way to access his record with limited info?

Thanks in advance.

[california dreamin]

Hi Shevy

It's a tricky one - if the system thinks that the man in question is still alive his name will not even show up in a search. Once the person turns 100yrs + 1 day on FindMyPast that person is 'unlocked'.

However, always worth a search as his death may have been 'matched' up on the system given he has been gone so long.

If using FindMyPast you could try a search using minimal information.  For example: tick male and then use his surname and birth date.  This should only return men, with that surname born on that day.  So, even if was in an odd place this could locate him.  However, if the system still thinks he's alive he wont turn up.

Or, if you know the name of the couple who fostered him - look for them. If you don't know their names you can always search on address.

Hope this make sense.
Good luck
CD

[philipsearching]

to add to california dreamin's helpful advice:

There are two ways to tackle this - forwards and backwards

When and where was his last known location before 1939?  If you know which school he attended they might be willing to check their records.  f you have an address (or a town) and the names of foster parents, they might be traceable on the 1939 Register.  If there are closed records at the address you would need to see if they are accounted for by foster parents' children.

When and where was his earliest known location after 1939?  His place of marriage might help (but many servicemen didn't go back to their home towns after demob and others moved around to find work)  His service record (if he was in the Armed Forces) should give his address when he enlisted.

As far as I know (I've not used it) FindMyPest has a facility for unlocking a record (if you know which one!) but you would need to supply a death certificate.

If you post the details you have, we may be able to help with the search.

Philip

[Girl Guide]

I'm somewhat surprised this record is not open seeing as he died in 1977.  My parents died in the 1990's and both their records are open without any input from me.

Did your grandpa die in the UK or abroad?

[CelticMom]

My grandfather died in Scotland. So this could be why he doesn’t show up on there?

Sadly I have no idea where he would of been living at that time other than it was possibly London/Middlesex area. In fact we knew very little about his life before he met my grandmother. Most was uncovered when I started my research in 2003 wanting to know more about him and where he came from.

We only know he was in care from a young age and joined the Navy when he was 16. A couple looked out for/fostered him while he was in the navy, but he wasn’t with them in 1939.

[Girl Guide]

If he was in Scotland in 1939 then no, he won't appear on the 1939 as that was England and Wales only.

The fact that he died in Scotland doesn't mean he was living there in 1939.  Are you willing to share his name with us?  If so the Rootschatters can have a go and see if they can find him.  We love a challenge.   

[torre]

I'm somewhat surprised this record is not open seeing as he died in 1977.  My parents died in the 1990's and both their records are open without any input from me.




Both my parents died in London. My mother died in 1974 and her record was open. My father died in 1958 and his record was closed.
I had to send a copy of his death certificate to Find my Past before they would open it.
I still cannot understand the logic. I assume some people fall through the net.

[california dreamin]

Hi Shevy

If he was in the Military in 1939 he will not appear in the 1939 Register.

With regard to people who have passed away - the system does try to match up deaths however it doesn't pick up everything.  The register was maintained by hand until the mid 1990s. Also for example my mum died in another country. The system has no way of knowing this. I could submit the d/c if I wanted however I do not feel the need to do this.


CD

[IMBER]

If he was in Scotland in 1939 then no, he won't appear on the 1939 as that was England and Wales only.

The fact that he died in Scotland doesn't mean he was living there in 1939.  Are you willing to share his name with us?  If so the Rootschatters can have a go and see if they can find him.  We love a challenge.   

Just to clarify. The 1939 Register covered the whole of the UK. The procedure for access to the Scottish part of it is explained here:

https://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/statistics-and-data/nhs-central-register/about-the-register/1939-national-identity-register-and-how-to-order-an-official-extract

Imber