How to search Dockyard Records
Posted: Wed Jan 30, 2019 6:14 pm
Hi Folks
Following on from my brick wall regarding my Grandfather I've now received his death certificate. I'm posting this as a kind of update for all those who helped and also to try and clarify my thoughts (and if I'm getting things horribly wrong I'd appreciate any guidance)
It has confirmed a number of things:
- where he lived when he died and his second wife (thank you Grangers14 for your help in finding that in the first place)
- he was 68 on 4/7/66 so he was born between 5/7/1897 & 4/7/1898
Deductions:
- Given he was 23 on 14/3/1922 the date of his marriage. His DOB is between 15/3/98 and 4/7/98
New information:
- My father was the informant - so I'm confident this is the right guy!
- His Occupation at death was Skilled Labourer (Naval Dockyard) Retired
So absolute facts I know about William James Wells:
- Born in 1998
- Married in 14/3/1922 and was a "Driver RE" at that time. His spouse was my Grandmother
- Lived on Beacon Hill, Chatham
- Divorced in 1937
- Remarried (haven't found date)
- Died 4/7/1966 as a retired Skilled Labourer from the Naval Dockyard
- Died at Jubilee Terrace, Gillingham
- His Widow at death was Ellen Jessie Wells
- Never got to see England as World Cup Winners!!!
So.....where do I go with this?
I'm trying to trace alleged Maltese ancestry so I need to go back to find the correct parentage of William James Wells.
I'm of a mind to try and track down his employment record at Chatham Dockyard to see if that will tell me anything.
I'm aware of a number of military records in the Royal Engineers records (thank you SRD). I think I will get hold of those and see that they tell me. Based on what I find here I believe I can request his complete Military Record.
Any advice or guidance on these steps would be welcomed!
Phil
Following on from my brick wall regarding my Grandfather I've now received his death certificate. I'm posting this as a kind of update for all those who helped and also to try and clarify my thoughts (and if I'm getting things horribly wrong I'd appreciate any guidance)
It has confirmed a number of things:
- where he lived when he died and his second wife (thank you Grangers14 for your help in finding that in the first place)
- he was 68 on 4/7/66 so he was born between 5/7/1897 & 4/7/1898
Deductions:
- Given he was 23 on 14/3/1922 the date of his marriage. His DOB is between 15/3/98 and 4/7/98
New information:
- My father was the informant - so I'm confident this is the right guy!
- His Occupation at death was Skilled Labourer (Naval Dockyard) Retired
So absolute facts I know about William James Wells:
- Born in 1998
- Married in 14/3/1922 and was a "Driver RE" at that time. His spouse was my Grandmother
- Lived on Beacon Hill, Chatham
- Divorced in 1937
- Remarried (haven't found date)
- Died 4/7/1966 as a retired Skilled Labourer from the Naval Dockyard
- Died at Jubilee Terrace, Gillingham
- His Widow at death was Ellen Jessie Wells
- Never got to see England as World Cup Winners!!!
So.....where do I go with this?
I'm trying to trace alleged Maltese ancestry so I need to go back to find the correct parentage of William James Wells.
I'm of a mind to try and track down his employment record at Chatham Dockyard to see if that will tell me anything.
I'm aware of a number of military records in the Royal Engineers records (thank you SRD). I think I will get hold of those and see that they tell me. Based on what I find here I believe I can request his complete Military Record.
Any advice or guidance on these steps would be welcomed!
Phil