Helping a cousin

[Gordon163]

Hi,

My cousin was born in Truro, in late 1942.

His father is unknown and he has recently turned 80.

Does anyone know if there were any American Army Units stationed around Truro in late 1942, please?

The alternative is that his mother may have been evacuated to Cornwall, as her home was in East London, but she may have been in something like The Womens Land Army or ATS. Her name was Margaret Joan Abbey and she was born in Hackney, London in 1923.

Thanks,

Gordon

[amondg]

You need to remove your cousins name as he is living.

[CaroleW]

Why do you think there is an American connection?  Has your cousin done a DNA test?

Without any name for him - DNA is the logical way forward

[amondg]

Possible marriage for his mother in Hackney 1952

So perhaps Cornwall was a place to send unwed mothers to have their children

[brigidmac]

Did he grow up with his mother.?
If you know the grandparents names you can find where they were living on the 1939 register Margaret ABBEY s name may be redacted but it could show brothers or sisters

Maybe electoral rolls will show where they were in the early 1940s  al though you say her home was East London there may be clues to the Cornish connection from investigating the maternal side more .

[Gordon163]

Thanks for the replies:

There is likely to be a military connection, which could be British or American, as both nations had troops in the Truro area from early 1942.

My cousin's mother joined the ATS, probably around 1940/41. Records can be obtained (free) from April 1st 2023.

She kept my cousin, rather than giving him up. He grew up with her and his step-father.

Gordon

[CaroleW]

Are you assuming his biological father was in the military or do you have some other evidence that supports it?

[Gordon163]

Not assuming anything.

Military sees more likely, but he could be a local man.

Gordon

[brigidmac]

If he does take DNA Cornwall shows up in English ethnicity breakdown  which would show up if birth father was local .

Equally if it was an American he is likely to have matches from well established families over there