Garrad family from Watford Hertfordshire, England 1911

[kathrynga]

Hello,
I'm new to Rootschat Forum and hope I am posting my question in the right place. After searching for many years for information about my Grandfather, I have recently found him on a 1911 UK census form as Walter Beveridge-Garrad (b.1901 Kings Langley) who was adopted by Richard Henry Garrad (b1873 - 1932) and his wife Elizabeth Jane Garrad (nee Wells b1872 - 1915). The family were living in Watford, Hertfordshire at the time and had 2 other children Bertram Richard Alphonso Garrad (b 1899) and Lily Maud Garrad (b 1896). They also had a nurse child living with them named Leslie James Patterson (b 1907).

I am hoping to find Walter Beveridge's birth record and birth parents to hopefully piece together his childhood story but I have no idea how to go about looking into his adoption. Walter Beveridge eventually became Walter Arthur Garrad and I have found an army record for him and a migration record that sees him coming to Australia to live permanently in 1923. (He changed his name to Arthur Gerrard some time after this.)

If anyone out there is also researching the Garrad/Wells family, I would love to hear from you. Perhaps someone knows something about Walter's early life.

Thanks
kathrynga

[KGarrad]

Welcome to RootsChat!

Formal, legal, adoptions didn't take place until 1927.
Before than, most adoptions were informal, with family or friends?

Your Garrad family aren't in my line, so I can't help there

[kathrynga]

Thanks for your reply.
Yes, I was just reading about the adoptions/1927 thing
A shame our Garrads aren't connected.
Thanks anyway

[KGarrad]

My immediate line is from the West of England (Somerset, Wiltshire and Dorset), but we originate in Suffolk & Essex - particularly Colchester and Bures St Mary.

I have my Garrad tree back to the mid-1500's.

Your line seems to come from St Pancras, Middlesex?

[Jolee]

He left a will probate given to Bertram R.A. Garrard salesman  and William Oakley,clerk he left £1409.12s.1d (£68,762 in todays money) The will may tell you more.

[kathrynga]

Yes, (KGarrad) my Richard Garrad was from St Pancras, Middlesex. You're going well tracing back to the mid 1500s! I knew my Grandfather and I'm still searching for him!

Thanks Jolee, I have seen that probate listing. I'll have to look into how to get that will