Albert Henry Morley born 28 April 1921

[RosemaryJoan]

Hello, can someone point me in the right direction.  Albert Henry Morley was adopted and his adopted mother was Florence Morley. I don't have the name of his adoptive father , since Florence was already a widow on the 1939 register.  I don't know my way round this area, but they lived in Smethwick.  Any help appreciated.
Thanks
RosemaryJoan

[avm228]

You have Florence’s birthdate from the 1939 Register, so have you looked for her earlier, in the published censuses?

Oliver Rowland Morley b Sep qtr 1884 Birmingham looks like a possibility.  He married Florence Deeley in West Bromwich, Dec qtr 1908, and died in Birmingham Dec qtr 1930 aged 46. 

You should be able to find this couple together in 1911 - looks like they lived in Smethwick.

[RosemaryJoan]

Thank you, this is great. I didn’t know how to find Florence’s maiden name.  I will start working on this. Can you advise me on finding adoption records (I am doing this for his daughter). Many grateful thanks.
RosemaryJoan

[avm228]

Unfortunately adoption as we know it (formal legal process) was introduced with effect from 1 January 1927, so if Albert was “adopted” as an infant it would have been an informal process, possibly organised through a church or privately.  Do you know anything about his birth origins?  Was this a Catholic family?

[Ellenmai]

There appears to be another person living in the household in 1939, do you know if Florence had any other children?

[RosemaryJoan]

Yes, Albert Henry was adopted and they adopted another two girls
RosemaryJoan

[RosemaryJoan]

avm228 Darn it, I was hoping we could find a legal adoption. Perhaps the next two children were legally adopted.
RosemaryJoan

[RosemaryJoan]

I have now been told that Albert Henry was legally adopted in 1937 at the age of 16.  Any further advice?
RosemaryJoan