Genealogy Chat

I ahave been searching for nearly 4 years for this elusive line on behalf of my grandfather, and my head hurts from banging it against a wall!

My grandfathers brother Donald Ryman married Beryl Austina Danby in 1942, in Horsham ( I have the certificate) . she is 23, and her father is noted as Austin Danby, Seaman.She is believed to have lived in the Cheshire area. They had a daughter called Janine in 1950, they then moved to Australia in in 1963 (with out telling the family!) The trail went cold until last year when Janine stumbled on a post that my grandfather was searching for them. She contacted him but knew as much as we did ... nothing! Her mother and father never talked about the family back in the UK and she has tried searching for info but has also hit the same wall. I can only find one Beryl A Danby but she was born 1942 so that doesnt fit at all. There seems to be no sign of Austin. Sadly bother Beryl and Donald passed away a few years ago in Australia. I have searched just for Beryl A Danby, Beryl Danby around the 1920s with no luck, there are no Austins to be found and I am wondering what to do next. I dont know her mothers name, and I cant find a bith registration so cant send for a birth certificate. I have the marriage cert as I said but that gives me no extra i nsite as they married in Donalds home town. Any idea would be very very greatfully recieved. I would love to give my grandfather some information about the family .

Many thanks


Just to add I have even tried searching Australian records for their deaths and can not find a thing! Am I looking in the wrong place, am I going mad or did they just not want to be found?!

I see what you mean! She seems to be nowhere. I can only think she may have been born abroad maybe? Can't find a thing about Austin either.
Jan

Its very wierd to be honest, According to my grandad she was born or at least grew up in Liverpool. My uncle was up there and met her. I have tried all sorts of combinations and there nothing!
Sounds a really stupid question but would she have needed her birth cert when getting married? Or could she have said her name was Beryl Austina Danby, my father is Austin and hes a seaman blah blah blah, and they would have taken her word for it?
I find is so strange that no one knows anything about her, not even her daughter. There were no photos of her or the family.. and to take off to Australia with not so much as a good bye is also a bit odd (in my mind anyway!)
I would have thought a name like Austina would stand out!! ... seems that my Jones line is easier to find at times!

Many thanks for your reply

Who were the witnesses at the marriage please. Irene

Who are the witnesses on the 1942 marriage certificate? Could they be relatives?

Is there an address for Janine on her birth cert? A long shot that it would help but who knows!
Like you I'm starting to think that she changed her name.
Jan

witnesses were Robert and Benjamin Ryman, Donalds Brothers!

The other possiblity I suppose is that he was called "something" Austin Danby but she only knew him as being called Austin ..... I am wondering this as I have found a William A Danby at a boarding school in Shropshire (1901 census) born in Hong Kong in 1892 ... but with out finding him anywhere else with that middle name showing its a bit of a conundrum!

It says "Border, Durham, Cumberland" !!

Does Janine have a date of birth for Beryl?

All she seems to know is that she was born around 1920. Not a family who celebrated much about birthdays by all accounts. She never met any of that side of the family and her mother never told her a thing.

Carrie, assuming that is on Janine's actual cert not just the birth entry? Not helpful at all is it!
At least her birth is easy to spot!!
Jan

They seem to be a very irritating bunch! I cant even find anything about Donalds death in Australia .. I was hoping to find that which may have lead me to her but no such joy

This maybe worth a look.
1911 census William Alfred Danby born hong kong age 19 living Woolwich.
1921
Grace F Austin married Wiilliam A Danby
there is a Beryl Austin born 1919
perhaps they had a baby before they married and then Beryl Austin changed to Danby but kept Austina as a reminder of her birth name.
Regards Irene

ohh now that looks good ... dates look about right, thats the chap who was in the boarding school in 1901 .. off down the new path Thank you things might be looking brighter.
How would I confirm that it is definitly her though .. would she have been re registered or just taken onthat name?

is that the Beryl Austin born in Wales? Mother s maiden name is Williams, could it be that she was married had Beryl left him married William and as Beryl was only a baby she grew up with her step dads name ....... (thinking out loud)

Could have the father's name on the birth certificate. I do have a couple of birth certificates born to unmarried mothers but do name the father. Good luck Irene

Marriages Jun 1921
Austin Grace F Danby Portsmouth 2b 1094
Danby William A Austin Portsmouth 2b 1094

Births Jun 1921 (mothers maiden name Austin)
Danby William R Austin Portsmouth 2b 740

Births Mar 1923 (mothers maiden name Austin)
Danby Evelyn G Austin Portsmouth 2b 817

having a hunt for marriages to a Mr austin and a miss Williams just on the off chance ... but think I will get the certificate for the birth to see what info I get. Thank you very much for the fresh pair of eyes ... all the best

Thank you for the post, looks like I may have some extra info for my cousin if it all links, which I have an inkling that it will.

Nice one Irene!!
Jan