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General => The Common Room => Topic started by: steve62 on Sunday 14 May 17 12:53 BST (UK)
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Have an ancestor who deserted his wife not long after their daughter was born in 1913. His wife remarried in 1920 and in the meantime had the deserted husband "Pronounced Dead". He did turn up for the funeral of his wife in 1928 and disappeared again. He was in the Royal Navy, but I can't access the Royal Naval Registers 1848-1939.
The question is it possible to find a record of people "Pronounced Dead".
Thanks in anticipation
Steve
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I suspect you can as the 'Pronounced dead' would have been a term used not a death registered.
I believe if someone is missing for 7 yrs this was something which was done to enable someone to remarry &/or other things.
Someone with more experience will be along soon to clarify & explain better, hopefully ;D
Annie
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This may help?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Declared_death_in_absentia
Annie
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Have you tried looking in the GRO death index for any likely entries for him?
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Thank you both for the info.
Going by the 7 year period I am presuming he left his wife shortly after the birth of the daughter in 1913 as the wife remarried in 1911.
There is no record of his death that I can find. As a matter of interest I was told by someone a few years ago who gave me info that he was a sailor. There is a record in his name in the Royal Naval Registers of Seamans Services 1848-1939, but I cannot access them as I am not subscribed to Anc. It makes me wonder if at sometime went into the Merchant Navy and died overseas. Mystery.
Thanks again for info and your time.
Steve
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The Presumption of Death is normally 7 years after the last known sighting typically associated with a shipwreck, mine accident or similar disaster. At times if the "evidence" supports this a lesser period of time is used as the declaration allows some stability to resume in family life e.g. a life insurance payout, a widow's pension or re-marriage. I believe in some recent events such as terrorist explosions, missing aircraft, earthquakes etc the Family Division of the High Court have considered a period of a few months rather than the 7 years. I would think however a missing person or a deserter as in this case would be in the normal 7 year period. Recently Lord Lucan has been made a Presumption which allowed his son to inherit the title.
In theory if the person later turns up or the date of death varies from the Presumption a further application would be made to cancel the original but as fees [possibly solicitor's fees as well] would be involved it is likely the family would not wish to follow it through although if an insurance company or transfer of property was involved, there would be a greater need.
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Hi Cemetery Friends,
Thank you for that info. He is another one on my wanted nd disappeared list.
Steve
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Maybe if you post details of your missing man someone will kindly have a look?
Annie