Walter Sefton b1892 Liverpool

[RayMilBax]

Hi All,
Stuck on one here and need help/advice if possible.

I have a Walter Sefton born 13th April 1892 in Liverpool (confirmed by 1939 National Register) and death in Q1 1956 states him as aged 62 making it 1893

1921 census says he was born in Liverpool aged 29 years and 2 months which matches and his WW1 Army record states in 1915 he was aged 23 and born in Liverpool which also matches.

Unfortunately he married at a Registry Office in West Derby so his marriage in 1913 is not online    I have just ordered the certificate but will naturally take a week or so to arrive.

However I can find nothing on him in 1911, 1901 or a birth recorded around 1892/1893 for Liverpool.  He's a ghost prior to 1913!

There is a Walter Thomas Sefton born in Q1 1891 but I've already ruled this person out - other than that and what is mentioned above I'm out of options - any help would be great - thanks

[CaroleW]

Think you need to wait for the marriage cert.  He may not have been born as Sefton.  If illegitimate he may have taken either his stepfathers surname or the surname of whoever raised him

[CaroleW]

From a tree on Ancestry which I suspect has made incorrect  "assumptions" as it has his birthplace as Preston - not Liverpool - but has his correct birth date/death date.  There is no Walter Sefton birth with mmn Southworth in 1892. 

Father - William Earle Sefton
Mother   Margaret Southworth
Born   13.4.1892 Preston
Died 19.2.1956  Liverpool

[RayMilBax]

Thanks CaroleW

Yeah I saw that tree on Ancestry and knew it was wrong 100%

We'll see what the certificate says and maybe your right about being illegitimate or taken step fathers name which would make more sense as to why there's nothing on him pre 1913

[CaroleW]

Unfortunately - many illegitimate children made up a fathers name when they married in order to appear “respectable”  which can create problems

[ALAMO2008]

Research over many years has taught me not to believe as Enumerator Transcribed Dates of Birtn
on the 1939 Register as Accuracy more than 60 %
And where an Adult thinks he was Born
Is not the same as where he grew up
Or Where the District where his Mother Registered the Birth
A Voters is shown as Resident in East Freemantle Australia 1910
He could have been taken Overseas by Ship after Birth in Liverpool as Father Mariner ?
Birth could be Registered then anywhere on route
On 1901 and 1911 Census in Australia
Sailed himself back into Liverpool 1912/13
Met Annie Pickering and Married 1913 and had Children
Walter Jnr 8 Jan 1915
Annie Isabella 9 Jan 1916
Enlisted into King's Liverpool Regt as Pte 5412
Then Transferred to 2/5th East Lancs Regt
Till he was Wounded in 1917 and Discharged on Disability Pension with Silver War Badge

[RayMilBax]

Hi ALAMO2008

I've read your message a few times and I'm struggling to confirm if you have found him in Australia on the 1901 and 1911 census...?  Is he on these records or are they just ideas?

Please confirm - thanks

[ALAMO2008]

Sorry only found 1910 Residence
So 1901 & 1911 were Theories he was a Mariner and out of the UK perhaps in Australia
Would be very curious what his Marriage Certificate shows as his Profession and also Profession and Name of his Father if Known

[RayMilBax]

Yes absolutely ALAMO2008
I found a few W Sefton listed on Findmypast on the "Results for Australia, Inward, Outward & Coastal Passenger Lists 1826-1972"
He was listed as a passenger as opposed to one of the crew - interestingly they do stop after 1912 giving some credence to your suggestions 
What site have you found him on this 1910 residence in East Freemantle please?
Thanks