Double-barrelled names

[catwomyn]

Hi, can anyone help me please? I'm addicted to finding out mine and my partner's family trees, and have  got stuck. My partner's great-grandparents had double-barrelled names (they were quite well-off!) and because both surnames are quite common it is impossible to find them by searching the census. We don't really know where they lived any more specifically than 'London', or even much about them, because there were all sorts of falling-outs and rows.
I guess what would be most useful is whether the first or second surname of a double-barrelled name is the one which would be listed on the census as the surname.

Thanks!

[aghadowey]

You will probably have to check all records under both names indivually and then twice as a hyphenated name. Example: Smith-Jones: check Smith, Jones & Smith-Jones (which could be at end of Jones or Smith listings).

[Barbara F]

Hello catwomyn and welcome to Rootschat  

I do sympathise as I have had the same problem with my husband's family.  You think that hyphenated names will be easy as they are distinctive but, as you have found, this just isn't the case!

I have found on censuses that Evan-Thomas is often shown as Thomas although the E is given as an initial eg Algernon Evan-Thomas becomes Algernon E Thomas. BMD registartions are similar although sometimes they are indexed twice as Thomas and Evan-Thomas.

I think you just have to try out all the options.

If you would like some help, tell us who you are looking for, and I am sure there will be plenty of volunteers.


Barbara

[catwomyn]

Thank you!

I think I will be there forever if I go through all the options. his name is John Wilson-Steele and all we know is that he married Hilda Skingle in 1913 in Wandsworth. i suppose we could order the marriage certificate to find out where he was born and his parents' names.

Thank you again, what a friendly bunch!

[hiraeth]

Hi catwomyn - welcome to Rootschat

Do you have Hilda's birth reference and the 1891 and 1901?

Heather

[Barbara F]

Hello again

I have had a look at the 1901 census and cannot positively identify John - there are just too many named John W Steel/Steele.
I have found Hilda b 1882 with her family - do you have that information already?
I have looked at The Times Digital Archive hoping for a marriage announcement but have had no luck.
I will take another look at the 1901 census but I do think that the best approach would be to get the marriage certificate.  This will not give you John's place of birth but will give his age, marital status and father's name.

Barbara

[catwomyn]

Hilda Gladys Skingle, born 13 Oct 1882 in Lambeth, London. Have her family in 1901 but not 1891.

Thank you again everyone.

L

[hiraeth]

The 1891 reference is 79 St James Road, Lambeth
RG12/416/96/ page 32