Genealogy Forum UK

Hopefully somebody can explain the following.

I have a shortened birth certificate for my father (Joseph Thomas Harrison Ward) , who died in 1974, which has his birth (8th June 1905) registered in West Derby , Liverpool. But I can find no trace of him on the 1911 census or any of the birth search sites. He did however live in Liverpool until about 1940.

Is there a good reason for this or am I just hopeless at searching?

Hi Dennis welcome to the forum
just moved this to General discussion to see if we can help you with it here

i would try this as they dont always get the census age right


WARD THOMAS JOSEPH M 1904 7 West Derby Lancashire

Thanks Peter. I found that entry myself while searching and thought at first that was it. However there is also a birth registered in 1904 (Jan- Mar) for that Joseph Thomas Ward and the birth certificate for my father clearly states 8th June 1905.

Also on his marriage certificate my father put down John Ward as his father with 'jobber' as his occupation. The 1904 Joseph Thomas Ward has Bernard Ward as the father (occupation - Tramway Inspector) on the 1911 census.

It looks like they are not the same ones. Also my father claimed he was an only child whereas Bernard Ward had three sons. Although my father did claim to have Irish roots.

So I am still not 100% sure.

Hi Dennis
Can you post the mothers name..

Sorry I do not know my father's mother's name (not even the christian name). I have given here all the information I can.

The birth certificate I have for my father is a shortened version and does not show either my mother or father's details on it.

I could send off £17 (or whatever it is) for a full certificate but I am not sure if they will be able to match it and provide more details, if his name does not appear on the register of births.

Hi Dennis

It should cost you £7 via registry offices or the GRO...don't pay more than that!

Ok thanks, NL.

I have sent off for a copy.

I have just received a copy of my father's birth certificate.

It shows that his mother was Annie Harrison (Housekeeper) of 147 Smithdown Road, Liverpool.
However his father's name is omitted completely.

This explains why I could not find a trace of him anywhere as I was looking for the name 'Ward'.
It may also explain why my father used the name Joseph Thomas Harrison Ward.

If anybody can help me with more information from the 1901 or 1911 census, I would greatly appreciate it.

Hi Dennis the one on the 1911 appears to have father Bernard when you do a search based on other occupants so not yours.

There doesnt appear to be in 1911 a 147 Smithdown Rd Liverpool
there is following..

143 SMITHDOWN ROAD LIVERPOOL West Derby Lancashire
145 SMITHDOWN ROAD LIVERPOOL West Derby Lancashire
149 SMITHDOWN ROAD LIVERPOOL West Derby Lancashire

might be worth finding out who lives in those and seeing if on the 1901 there is a clue re 147 might have been unoccupied in 1911.

Thanks Northern Lass. This is getting curiouser and curiouser. As you say the house may have been unoccupied in 1911 as the house must have been there, if there is a 145 and 149.

This is what it is today.

http://www.tipped.co.uk/listings/64583/ ... udio-video

So has anyone now looked on the 1911 for Joseph Thomas HARRISON?

dianel wrote:So has anyone now looked on the 1911 for Joseph Thomas HARRISON?

come on Di get us started on this one!

I just looked (using findmypast) at the 1901 census but there appears to be no entry for 147 Smithdown Road on the address search.

The birth certificate I sent off or just has 'Joseph Thomas' under Name with Annie Harrison as mother.

dennisward wrote:I just looked (using findmypast) at the 1901 census but there appears to be no entry for 147 Smithdown Road on the address search.

The birth certificate I sent off or just has 'Joseph Thomas' under Name with Annie Harrison as mother.

So he may have used the name Ward but he is registerd as on bmd as

June qtr 1905
Harrison Joseph Thomas W. Derby 8b 650

so he has to be down as a Harrison on 1911..maybe