Do You Know William Morrison

[geoff865]

I am trying to find out information about my paternal grandfather William Morrison.

The only definite information I have about him is from the certificate of his marriage to my grandmother Irene Eacups. They married in Bournemouth on 25th May 1932, when according to his marriage certificate, he was 25 years old. I know that, at the time, he was a vegetable chef in The Durley Dean Hotel, Bournemouth (Irene also worked in the hotel). William's father on the certificate is John Robert Morrison, his occupation is shown as being a gardener.

William and Irene had three children, ---------------------. All three children were raised by Irene's relatives (mother and sister) in Nantyglo whilst Irene and William worked in Bournemouth

For reasons unknown to me, William and Irene parted and apart from occasional visits, my father lost contact with his father William.

As is usual with that generation, these matters were not discussed openly and the only other information I have about William is that members of my grandmother's family said that he was Scottish.

Irene died in Bournemouth in 1998.

I would be grateful for any information, however small, about William Morrison. I would also be grateful if anyone can give me any pointers on how I can progress my research into this branch of my family.

Moderator's Comment: Names of living people aren't allowed to be posted on Rootschat so if anyone can fill in more recent family details it would be best done by PM (personal message) rather than online.

[CaroleW]

If you check freebmd - there are only 2 John Robert Morrison marriages between 1891-1908 - both in the North East

http://freebmd.rootsweb.com

There are a few William Morrison births on freebmd in the North East (as well as elsewhere) around 1906/1907

[geoff865]

I apologise for my transgression of the rules. 

CaroleW,

Thanks for your reply. I will certainly check those out.

[CaroleW]

I have attempted to reseach a John Morrison on behalf of a friend with just about the same amount of info you have - from a marriage cert

It's a nightmare and I had to give up in the end

Using the venue for the 1904 marriage - Gateshead - there is this birth on freebmd

Births March qtr 1906 
 
William Morrison  Gateshead  10a 1059

Using the Hartlepool one does not get any results

It's just guesswork unfortunately

[geoff865]

Thanks again.  I have tried searching on Scotlandspeople, but with the limited amount of information I have I would be better off looking for the proverbial needle.

[AMBLY]

Hi Geoff

In relative terms "John Robert* (* includes any "John Roberts")  is not a common first-names combination in Scotland  - between 1855 and 2006 only 88  births show up on SP.

SP only have 5 x John Robert MORRISON marriages 1855-1915.
Between 1881 and 1909, there is only 1 - and that was in 1906.

It's a long shot, but:
Family stories say William was Scottish
The marriage is near to William's birth year

If the above marriage showed this JR to be a Gardener of some description.....

What about William's marriage to Irene. Have you identified the witness' to that marriage?

Cheers
AMBLY

[winston]

HI

That one marriage in 1906 shows the grooms occupation as being a Clerk in a Memorial Institute and shows he is aged 32.


Wendy

[geoff865]

AMBLY,

Thank you for your response. I shall certainly follow this up.

With regard to the witnesses to the marriage, we believe that they were friends/colleagues also working in the hotel.

Regards

Geoff

[geoff865]

Wendy,

Thanks for that. Your post was added whilst I was replying to AMBLY.

Unfortunately I don't know how reliable is the information I have.

I guess that unless someone who actually knew William Morrison comes forward it will only ever be supposition that any person I find is the correct one.

I wish it were possible to access tax records, National Insurance details etc because it would make life so much easier.

Geoff