Alfred L Duce/Douce

[groom]

It all almost points to Alfred adopting the name of Walter doesn't it? Odd though that he may have married as Walter Laurence but died as Alfred Laurence. What a pity that Stanley Laurence Douce died in 1977 as he might have been able to answer a few questions.

It doesn't look as if Stanley or his brother William married, but Charles W Douce married Marjorie Goss in 1931 Rochford. There were two children from that marriage, one in 1931 and one in 1936.

[penpen64]

From 1891 EDWARD C became CHARLES EDWARD and EDWARD remained as he was 

[penpen64]

Don't want to get anyone in trouble but why can't I find the 1911 census info that others have found? 

[groom]

I can only see it on FindMyPast, Ancestry doesn't seem to have it for some reason unless it's been transcribed incorrectly.

ADDED: If you are using Ancestry, it's been transcribed as Dover! Try looking for Stanley Lawrence born 1907.

[penpen64]

Thank you groom!
Going to send off for the marriage cert for this WALTER LAWRENCE DOUCE to see if I can confirm if he is one and the same as my ALFRED LAURENCE DOUCE 

[groom]

The mystery deepens, as I've just found a probate record for WALTER HENRY DOUCE

Died 2nd September 1957 at Rosemary Park Road, Wivenhoe, Essex. Probate granted to Clifford Douce (hairdresser) effects £2406.3s.1d

However, the death registration on Freebmd is:

Deaths Sep 1957   
DOUCE    Wallis H    78    Colchester    4a   436

[penpen64]

Yes I have that too!
According to records I have found Walter Henry married Rose Maud Marshall in 1919.
She died in 1952, also leaving effects to Clifford Douce.
Was Clifford their son....I don't know!
Looking for the birth of a Clifford Douce the only one I could find was in 1926, Glanford Brigg.
I sent off for it and it stated the mother as being Sybil Douce a domestic servant. However a letter came with it stating that the birth had been re-registered under the Legitimacy Act 1926 on 9th May 1929. Make of that what you will!!

[silvery]

from freebmd

June Quarter 1927
Sybil Douce married Arthur Cook
Lincoln district, vol 7a, page 1485

Birth
Mar, 1904, Glanford B, 7a, 680
Sybil Douce

[silvery]

I think you're going to have to trace each of the family - see the 1881 below, and see where they lead.

William Duce 47 b 1834
Eliza A 43 b 1838 Downham
John W 21  1860
George W   17   1864
Arthur S  14    1867
Mary Ann E    12    1869
Edward C   9    1872
Sarah A    7     1874
Edward J  5     1876
Walter H   2     1879

In 1911 Sybil is with mother Mary b 1875 - so someone Douce married a Mary.   FindMyPast is playing up so only can look on the free 1911 search.