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England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => England => Leicestershire => Topic started by: KatPez on Friday 02 September 16 16:51 BST (UK)

Title: Edward John Major (Ted) - Help please
Post by: KatPez on Friday 02 September 16 16:51 BST (UK)
I wonder if anyone can help me.

My mum's uncle moved to Leicester (the rumour goes that he was put in Leicester prison and stayed in Leicester afterwards) from Towcester, Northamptonshire.

We're trying to find out any information we can on him.

His name is Edward John Major.  He was born on May 10th 1925 and died in Leicester in August 2001. 

My mum seems to think he had a daughter called Elisabeth but we can't find any record of this or of any marriage.

Can anyone find any information regarding him.
Title: Re: Edward John Major (Ted) - Help please
Post by: lizdb on Friday 02 September 16 16:58 BST (UK)
Who registered his death?  That might be a daughter, or widow.

Did he leave a Will?

modified to add: just checked but cant see entry re will.

Title: Re: Edward John Major (Ted) - Help please
Post by: lizdb on Friday 02 September 16 17:05 BST (UK)
There is a marriage for Edward J Major in 1958 in Leicester

Not immediately seeing any children with the same name as mothers maiden name, but of course she may have been married before.
Title: Re: Edward John Major (Ted) - Help please
Post by: KatPez on Friday 02 September 16 17:45 BST (UK)
I've ordered his death certificate to see who registered the death. 
Title: Re: Edward John Major (Ted) - Help please
Post by: Annie65115 on Friday 02 September 16 19:09 BST (UK)
I thought I had him in a newspaper cutting - but it appears there was another Edward John Major from Towcester, who was killed in a traffic accident in 1949, age 56!

That's a bit of a coincidence but obviously it will be be necessary to double check that you've got the right Edward if there were two with identical names from the same smallish town.

Actually, reading through the inquest, it mentions that his son had the same name so I wonder if this is indeed the right family? Interestingly it mentions the older Edward John used those names but was actually called Walter Edward Major on his birth cert.

Here's hoping this is useful!
Title: Re: Edward John Major (Ted) - Help please
Post by: KatPez on Friday 02 September 16 19:53 BST (UK)
That's his father who died. He gave evidence about the name change
Title: Re: Edward John Major (Ted) - Help please
Post by: Annie65115 on Friday 02 September 16 20:05 BST (UK)
Ah yes, so you obviously hhave that info, and presumably then you've been able to trace him backwards.

The marriage in 1958 is a bit of a mystery as I can't find anyone with a name that matches the bride's prior to the marriage!
Title: Re: Edward John Major (Ted) - Help please
Post by: KatPez on Friday 02 September 16 20:23 BST (UK)
thats where I'm stuck.

I've got the marriage in 1958 and the possible birth of a child in 1954 which the mothers maiden name doesn't match up with the marriage.

I will order Edwards death cert to see who registered the death.
Title: Re: Edward John Major (Ted) - Help please
Post by: KatPez on Friday 02 September 16 20:24 BST (UK)
Oh yes I had that info. Spent a morning in our library searching for the newspaper article. Wonder if any libraries in Leicester have newspapers on microfilm
Title: Re: Edward John Major (Ted) - Help please
Post by: Annie65115 on Friday 02 September 16 20:32 BST (UK)
The archive office in Leicester has local papers on microfilm, but I saw the inquest details on the British Library newpaper archive site. There was no mention of any trial involving your uncle on the BL site.

Title: Re: Edward John Major (Ted) - Help please
Post by: KatPez on Friday 02 September 16 20:38 BST (UK)
Northamptonshire papers only go up to 1949 on bna and as I don't know when it was I didn't fancy sitting in the library for hours trying to find it.