DISCOVER RESEARCH SOLUTIONS

QI have found a copy of a death certificate for an Edwin William Adams, died 21 July 1947 aged 76 years, which means he was born about 1871. He is also on the 1939 Register as being born 12 February 1872. On the death certificate the address given for his death was 61 Limes Ave Carshalton and an F Adams (daughter) is given as informant.

He is my wife’s maternal great-grandfather. He married Florence Louisa Bonehill in 1889. They had nine children, one of whom was Florence Emily born 1890; she married Percy William Stuart Adams in 1914. Florence died in 1964 and Percy died in 1976. On a copy of Percy’s probate certificate his address is given as 61 Limes Ave Carshalton.

The problem I have is on the copy of Florence Emily’s marriage certificate it says her father was deceased. Her mother Florence Louisa married again in 1928 to a Frederick Rivett and her status is widow. I also have copies of electoral rolls from 1918-1939 that says Florence Louisa was living with Frederick Rivett and named as Mrs Rivett. Two of the other children of Florence and Edwin got married. Their father is stated as deceased. Could anyone help me with this problem?

E.M.

A I think you may have uncovered a spot of family skulduggery here, but then it’s hardly worth doing family history unless there’s a skeleton somewhere. Your question also illustrates some useful points about doing online searches.

Let’s look at those first.

EDWIN’S BAPTISM

On Ancestry I found an Edwin William Adams baptised in East Greenwich on 8 March 1871, and the original baptism record shows DoB as 12 February 1871.