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I'm glad the Brooks Stevenson Wells possible connection made sense at least :-)

sometimes throwing names out like that actually rings a bell, somebody remembers hearing one of the names in the family

that's what I'm thinking, if Gert was unable to have kids and her sister's husband's sister's husband's sister ( or whatever it was ! ) was unmarried and needed someone to take her son ...


phew, Flip, at least that's Arthur sorted, and yes he and Gertrude must have divorced it seems

Births Jun 1912 Wells Doris E Martin Leicester 7a 496

Births Mar 1914 WELLS Emma Martin Loughbro 7a 238


Marriages Jun 1942
Hindley Harold E M Wells Loughbro'. 7a 512
Wells Emma Hindley Loughbro' 7a 512

Name: Harold E M Hindley
Birth Date: abt 1916
Date of Registration: Apr-May-Jun 1957
Age at Death: 41
Registration district: Nottingham
Inferred County: Nottinghamshire
Volume: 3c
Page: 298


Marriages Sep 1947
Harvey Jack Hindley Loughbro' 3a 2311
Harvey Jack Wells Loughbro' 3a 2311
Hindley Emma Harvey Loughbro' 3a 2311
Wells Emma Harvey Loughbro' 3a 2311




Name: Emma Harvey
Birth Date: 26 Dec 1913
Date of Registration: Jun 1996
Age at Death: 82
Registration district: Melton and Rutland
Inferred County: Leicestershire
Register number: 1C2
District and Subdistrict: 6041
Entry number: 48


????

Name: Jack Harvey
Birth Date: 10 Sep 1914
Date of Registration: May 1994
Age at Death: 79
Registration district: Leicester
Inferred County: Leicestershire
Register number: H48C
District and Subdistrict: 6001H
Entry number: 204


Not seeing any children born in Leicestershire for either of those marriages.

This route may be right, but I wonder why Leonard was was under the impression he had been taken to BuS as a baby with his father and Gurtrude - surely this is something she must have told him? It could simply be she lied to cover up for his real mother, or if she was telling the truth, who was Jack Stevenson - this has to be something he was told if he didn't have a birth certificate?

Even if the Leon B birth certificate proves a connection to one of the suspects for the mother, I think a check for Gertrude on the ER in the late 1930s/ early 1940s may be useful if only to eliminate or confirm the possible father.

Hi Kevin,
The National Insurance number was issued to commence use in the September quarter (ie July-September) of the year. For your father's generation they were issued to coincide with the year of the sixteenth birthday. Your father may have left school at the age of 14 and started work but he did not pay for NI stamps until he was aged 16.
Trying to decode the year your father was aged 16 as the next step.

Edit:
Do you have any photographs of your father as a baby? One with a date on the back of it would be priceless.

Hi Flip,
I have just seen your post. When I first read Kevin's original post I wondered if the stepfather (John William-William John) and real father (Jack) had been friends/work colleagues as it was a huge financial commitment to bring up another man's child. But it really does not seem logical for a family with roots in BuS/Leicestershire to move to Derby and return to BuS. The trail certainly would not cover up the tracks of a local unmarried mother. Unfortunately, we do not know Leonard's exact age when he was handed to his step-parents which is why I asked about a photograph above.

Hi all,
Sorry had to laugh, only early photos of dad were taken by his mates maybe before he had to go in the army. So the NI no. is saying his DOB wouldnt have been in June? His step mum was from Loughborough, and William John Smith, sorry i was mistaken not the other way round, been up cemetery today. He was living in Lough in the 40s, not sure where he his from, his first wife was Gladys Burton. Im told Gert and his real dad lived in Derby before coming to Barrow?

So are you saying his step-parents were William John Smith and Gertrude Wells/ Cooke/ Denby?

From what Kevin said in the earlier postings, I think Leonard was told (presumably by Gurtrude) he was brought to BuS by his father Jack Stevenson and Gurtrude - she was still married to Tommy Cooke, so I'm assuming they were living together.

Whether there was any family connection (on Gurtrude's side of the family) to his birth is not what Leonard was told. The Leon B may be the right one, but it is also possible Jack Stevenson is his dad, and that could mean his mother could have been anyone. eg he had an affair & had son to an unknown woman (& birth reg under her name), or he may have been married & wife died or he ran off with child (but then why no birth under Stevenson).

Proving any parentage is going to be difficult - I think the best clues may lie with who Gertrude was living with before her marriage in 1945 - obviouly only those over 21 will show up on the ER, but if Kevin could find her with a man, probably going under his name we may be a step closer. If she is with a man, it may be possible to trace through the ER to see when he disappeared, and maybe get a better idea of when he died (or went off) somewhere beween 1936/45. We don't know his age, but he maybe enlisted and died in the war.

Kevin, your dad must have gone to school in the area - have you tried to see if there are any local records or spoken to the school to see what archives they have? Maybe school year books? There can't have been too many schools around at the time in the village. They may also be local residents of a similar age who may have been to school with him.

Try speaking to the Local family history society, their details are on that earlier web link they may be able to point you in the right direction.

William John's first marriage:

Name Gladys Burton
Year of Marriage 1939
Quarter of Marriage Apr-May-Jun
Registration District Loughborough
Registration County Leicestershire
Spouse's Surname Smith
Volume Number 7A
Volume Page 421

More food for thought as this marriage is at least two years after Leonard's birth.

Hi all,
We have got a result, Florence Wells (Martin) b1874 died 1962 age 88 BOS , John Thomas Stevenson b1896 died 1944 age 48. They are both buried in the same grave at Bos cemetery, unless its a mistake!!! Therefore they must be related, im 99% sure John thomas Stevenson is Florence Wells son born out of wedlock, and Leonards dad. Age, names, died young, it all matches!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wow, that may be a breakthrough, but think it through a bit. John Thomas was not with Florence on the 1901/11 census so where was he - and why is he called Stevenson if his mother was Martin or Wells.

I'm not saying there is no connection, but it is a hugh leap to assume he is Florence's son. IF he is Leonard's father, and was living with Gertrude at the time of his death she would have probably arranged his burial. Then later, when her mother died she may have also have arranged that burial, and used the same grave, having already bought a plot for 2.

Between John Thomas dying and her mother dying she had married Mr Smith, so it was more unlikely Gertrude would be buried with JT.

If, what you are assuming is correct, then Jack would have been Gertrude's half brother.

I think you've found Leonard's father, if you check the burial record on the web-link, you will find Florence Wells address in 1962 was 5 The Retreat, the same address Leonard recorded on his marriage to your mother the previous year. And it's highly unlikely she would have been buried in the grave of a stranger!

But I'm not convinced Florence was John Thomas (Jack's) father, isn't it more likely that he and Gertrude went to BuS with baby Leonard as was originally told to him, and it would be more likely they were partners? I'm not saying Gertrude was his mother, but remember, she wasn't free to re-marry until Tommy Cooke died in 1943.

Hi,
Further speaking to my mum, she is convinced John Thomas was Leonards dad, need to find out where JT was living. His marriage at BOS wasnt at a church on website, so it must have been at one of three others, Catholic, closed, Weslyn and Pres, closed, or Baptist still going? Florence as JTs mum cant prove that. But it is possible?

We don't know if that marriage is the same John Thomas - there was a birth reg Loughborough Q2/1902 so it could be his marriage.

We also don't know which death record is correct - the church records state age 48, buried 7/12/1944 but the only death registered in the area is for John J (which could be a misake) reg Q4/1944 age 43, again this could be a mistake if the person writing out the certificate was rather illegible. Are they the same person, and if so which age is correct?? We can only tie the burial to Gertrude's mother and probably her.

You said you were going to the local library, check out the burial indexes which will be on film, there is more often information regarding who bought the plot, their address etc. Also they may have local newspapers on film with obituaries. He was brought from a neighbouring village, so this could be relevant too.

Found this John Stevenson (1895) living in Derbyshire 1901:

1901 Census Household Record Address 1 Richards Yard
Civil Parish Ilkeston
Rural District
Town or Village or Hamlet
Ecclesiastical Parish Holy Trinity
Parliamentary Borough or Division Ilkeston
County Borough, Municipal Borough or Urban District Ilkeston
Administrative County Derbyshire
Householder 1
Name Harriet Richards
Relation to Head of Family Visitor
Condition as to Marriage Married
Age Last Birthday 42
Sex Female
Profession or Occupation
Employment Status
Where Born Ilkeston Derbyshire
Language
Infirmity
Householder 2
Name Clara Stevenson
Relation to Head of Family Daughter
Condition as to Marriage Single
Age Last Birthday 8
Sex Female
Profession or Occupation At School
Employment Status
Where Born Ilkeston Derbyshire
Language
Infirmity
Householder 3
Name Doris Stevenson
Relation to Head of Family Visitor
Condition as to Marriage Single
Age Last Birthday 0
Sex Female
Profession or Occupation
Employment Status
Where Born Old Brinsley Nottinghamshire
Language
Infirmity
Householder 4
Name Enoch Stevenson
Relation to Head of Family Son
Condition as to Marriage Single
Age Last Birthday 18
Sex Male
Profession or Occupation Coal Hewer
Employment Status
Where Born Ilkeston Derbyshire
Language
Infirmity
Householder 5
Name Frederick Stevenson
Relation to Head of Family Head
Condition as to Marriage Married
Age Last Birthday 49
Sex Male
Profession or Occupation Coal Hewer
Employment Status
Where Born Ilkeston Derbyshire
Language
Infirmity
Householder 6
Name George Albert Stevenson
Relation to Head of Family Son
Condition as to Marriage Single
Age Last Birthday 20
Sex Male
Profession or Occupation Coal Hewer
Employment Status
Where Born Ilkeston Derbyshire
Language
Infirmity
Householder 7
Name Harriet Stevenson
Relation to Head of Family Daughter
Condition as to Marriage Single
Age Last Birthday 24
Sex Female
Profession or Occupation Lace Factory
Employment Status
Where Born Ilkeston Derbyshire
Language
Infirmity
Householder 8
Name John Stevenson
Relation to Head of Family Son
Condition as to Marriage Single
Age Last Birthday 6
Sex Male
Profession or Occupation At School
Employment Status
Where Born Ilkeston Derbyshire
Language
Infirmity
Householder 9
Name Mary Ann Stevenson
Relation to Head of Family Wife
Condition as to Marriage Married
Age Last Birthday 47
Sex Female
Profession or Occupation
Employment Status
Where Born Ilkeston Derbyshire
Language

I went to the library and the records were on paper, the same as on the website, i dont think there were any on film. Gert always looked after her mother at two address in Barrow, she wouldnt put her in a home when she was asked to! So she wouldnt have burried her with a total stranger? I havent found the plot yet but i dont think there will be a headstone

oh Perchino many of us lose the will to live when trying to read those copy & pastes ... even putting a space between the individuals helps ...



1901 Census Household Record Address 1 Richards Yard
Civil Parish Ilkeston
County Borough, Municipal Borough or Urban District Ilkeston
Administrative County Derbyshire

Relation to Head of Family Visitor
Condition as to Marriage Married
Age Last Birthday 42
Sex Female
Where Born Ilkeston Derbyshire

Name Clara Stevenson
Relation to Head of Family Daughter
Condition as to Marriage Single
Age Last Birthday 8
Sex Female
Where Born Ilkeston Derbyshire

Name Doris Stevenson
Relation to Head of Family Visitor
Condition as to Marriage Single
Age Last Birthday 0
Sex Female
Where Born Old Brinsley Nottinghamshire

Name Enoch Stevenson
Relation to Head of Family Son
Condition as to Marriage Single
Age Last Birthday 18
Sex Male
Profession or Occupation Coal Hewer
Where Born Ilkeston Derbyshire

Name Frederick Stevenson
Relation to Head of Family Head
Condition as to Marriage Married
Age Last Birthday 49
Sex Male
Profession or Occupation Coal Hewer
Where Born Ilkeston Derbyshire

Name George Albert Stevenson
Relation to Head of Family Son
Condition as to Marriage Single
Age Last Birthday 20
Sex Male
Profession or Occupation Coal Hewer
Where Born Ilkeston Derbyshire

Name Harriet Stevenson
Relation to Head of Family Daughter
Condition as to Marriage Single
Age Last Birthday 24
Sex Female
Profession or Occupation Lace Factory
Where Born Ilkeston Derbyshire

Name John Stevenson
Relation to Head of Family Son
Condition as to Marriage Single
Age Last Birthday 6
Sex Male
Where Born Ilkeston Derbyshire

Name Mary Ann Stevenson
Relation to Head of Family Wife
Condition as to Marriage Married
Age Last Birthday 47
Sex Female
Where Born Ilkeston Derbyshire


that John aged 6 looks more like the child of Harriet possibly ...

Sorry you had a wasted journey to the library, the Leicestershire arcives says they have the parish records on microfiche at the local library, they've obviously got it wrong.

Don't think you'll find a headstone, the WI transcribed all the monument inscriptions in 1981 it is on the holytrinitybarrow.org.uk website, and there is no sign of one for Stevenson or Wells.

There are too many John Stevensons around in 1901/11 to be sure of the right one on a census without something more to go on, we don't actually know his birth age for definite, just assuming the church record of his age is correct but without a death registration to confirm it.

Does anyone know if you had to produce a death certificate in order to perform the burial back then, I know you have to these days?

well chrissiex after the day I had with the broadband crashing due to " overload on the cable at the end of the road" (love the excuses of the computer world) be grateful I EVEN turned a computer on in my spare time. (LOL)
I was really more interested in the miner occupation as I am wondering if John Thomas's death at a young age was due to an accident. Perhaps Kevin's Mum can help?
Flip,
I can remember giving a pink coloured form to an undertaker many years ago to enable a burial to go ahead and I have papers from the 1930's which would show whether or not a death certificate was required. Will look through them tonight..

Hi all,
Thanks again to everyone, the job at the time of death of JT Stevenson was listed as a painter and yes it could have been an accident. I have been to the local Parish Council Office today and asked them for a plan of the cemetery so i can find some grave plots, especially Florence Wells and John Thomas Stevenson. They also hold burial details, and they will phone me when they have found the info. This is for the main cemetery at Cotes rd, The post i put on yesterday should have read 99% sure John Thomas Stevenson was Leonards dad, maybe Florence Snr and JT were linked? Got excited! Ive also spoken to the best man at his wedding but he didnt know anything.