Proof of Identity

[Max2121]

Hello all,
Does anyone out there know if proof of Identification was a requirement in Ireland to get married in the 1920's?
Am trying to track down my grandad who used one name there to get married then when he moved back over to Wales he used that name plus one other.
Many thanks
Max.

[Girl Guide]

Welcome to Rootschat Max 

Sounds like your granddad may have been a bit of a rogue if he used more than one name.

I wouldn't have thought it likely that he would be required to prove his identity.  I don't recall being asked for that when I got married in the 1980s.  You can call yourself whatever you like, as long as it is not for nefarious purposes.

Do you know why he used more than one name?

[rosie99]

I agree with GG, it is unlikely that he would have had to prove who he was. 

A birth certificate for bride & groom was required for a 1993 register office marriage in my family.  I think rules may have changed around this time.

[Max2121]

Hello, thanks for the welcome and thanks for replying.
I have no idea why he changed his name, it is so confusing, he married in Co. Sligo 1920/21using the name Evans.
When he moved back to Wales a few years later his children were registered as Davies yet baptised as Evans.
My dad always thought Evans was our surname but said he had heard that it may have been Davies. Incidentally my grandad's death certificate has him as Davies.
 Oh and just to confuse matters even more he married using the name John but everywhere else he was either David John or David!
I have no idea where to go from here, there was a rumour that he may have joined the Black and Tans after the war so maybe this was his secret as he married a local Catholic girl.

[Girl Guide]

Sounds like we need to sort a few things out here.

First of all have you found any birth registration for your granddad and where is he supposed to be born?

Do you have any details of his marriage in 1920/21, like who he married?

So name wise we appear to have:- 

David John Davies/Evans, John Davies/Evans or David Davies/Evans

[Girl Guide]

There is a marriage between a John Evans and a Nora Culligan on 12th February 1921 in Ballymote, Sligo.

Link to image here:-

https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/marriage_returns/marriages_1921/09217/5334388.pdf

[Max2121]

Hi yes that is the one, following with tradition she was also called Honoria on the census returns and on the 1939 register as Annie.
I know that the register is correct as my dad once told me that people called her Annie.
He was born 1890 according to the 1939 register which fits with the age on his death certificate.
I wish I had a birth certificate but I dont know who to look for as a few candidates fit the bill.
I have had a close dna match but she has yet to reply.
He was said to be born in Rhosllanerchrugog in Wales. This could also be a couple of smaller villages just outside.
The reason I asked the original question was I was hoping it would have been some sort of confirmation that that would have been the original name.
I really cant see my way through this unless another close match comes up.

[Girl Guide]

Rhosllanerchrugog is in the registration district of Wrexham.  Was John born on 17th December 1890? If so his birth would be either in DQ 1890 or MQ 1891.

There does not appear to be a birth reg. in DQ 1890 but there is one in MQ 1891

EVANS, JOHN       GRIFFITHS 
GRO Reference: 1891  M Quarter in WREXHAM  Volume 11B  Page 242

His marriage cert. states dad is Richard O Evans, miner.

[heywood]

There is a Richard Owen Evans married to Elizabeth Ann Davies in Rhosllanerchrugog in 1911.
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:X7VZ-S5V

From 1901 5221/97/3
and 1911, the oldest child is Daniel born abt 1894.

In earlier censuses Richard is a miner.

Perhaps Elizabeth had a child before marriage, although if he was raised as a Evans, he would be with his family.