Genealogy Forum UK

Hi, William George Crossland was my husband's grandfather. He died in Leeds, West Yorkshire, in January 1934 aged 54. He married Ellen Wood in Leeds in June 1913 aged 34. We have the marriage certificate and his name is shown as William George Cottrell otherwise Crossland. His father is shown as John Cottrell (deceased), and he signed the certificate as William George Cottrell. His occupation is shown as railway policeman. My husband's father's birth certificate is shown as William George Crossland. We do not know where William George was born but we do know that he spent some time in India. I do not know where to go from here so I hope that there is someone out there who can give me some advice. Thank you.

Is there a fathers occupation on his marriage cert.

Hi, yes his mother was the Ellen Wood who married William George Cottrell/Crossland.

Jimmy wrote:Is there a fathers occupation on his marriage cert.

Sorry I should have put his fathers occupation.

Hi Jimmy, yes he was a general labourer. William George could have been born anywhere in the UK. I don't know how to find the Crossland element when he does not appear to have been born a Crossland but a Cottrell.

Hi

You know quite a bit at least.

You have him born 1879/1880 based on the death and marriage certificates.
You know that he was William George so you can check in the census for a William Crossland/Cottrell born 1879/1880 ish, and rule out all the ones which have a different middle name. Then look closer at the ones which seem more likely for some reason or other.

Perhaps he was around the Yorkshire area already by 1911? Or you can find an entry with an occupation which looks similar.

Do the witnesses on the marriage certificate give any clues?

This the only William Crossland or Cottrell I can see with a railway connection.

1901. George St, North Manchester.
Ann Perkins 57. Widow.
Louisa Perkins 22.
Emily E Perkins 16.
Florence Perkins 12.
William Crossland 19. Boarder. Railway engine driver. Leeds, Yorkshire.

Thanks for that gardner. In the 1911 census there is no William George Cottrell or William George Crossland. I put the year of birth as 1880 +/- 2 years and also ticked for varients of the name. Also his address at the time of marriage also brought no results. My conclusion is that he was not in the UK at the time of the census unless there is something I have overlooked.

margleeds wrote:Thanks for that gardner. In the 1911 census there is no William George Cottrell or William George Crossland. I put the year of birth as 1880 +/- 2 years and also ticked for varients of the name. Also his address at the time of marriage also brought no results. My conclusion is that he was not in the UK at the time of the census unless there is something I have overlooked.

I get nine hits for William Crossland b 1880+/-2 ; four for George Crossland; three for George Cottrell plus two for William George Cottrell; fourteen for William Cottrell



I would limit the search to 1880 +/- 1 year and probably to Yorkshire/Lancashire/North England
You may not get anywhere but I don't see any reason to conclude he was not in England.

Have now sent off for his death certificate in the hope that it will show his date of birth and where he was born. Still cannot find out where the name Crossland comes in.

margleeds wrote:Hi, William George Crossland was my husband's grandfather. He died in Leeds, West Yorkshire, in January 1934 aged 54. He married Ellen Wood in Leeds in June 1913 aged 34. We have the marriage certificate and his name is shown as William George Cottrell otherwise Crossland. His father is shown as John Cottrell (deceased), and he signed the certificate as William George Cottrell. His occupation is shown as railway policeman. My husband's father's birth certificate is shown as William George Crossland. We do not know where William George was born but we do know that he spent some time in India. I do not know where to go from here so I hope that there is someone out there who can give me some advice. Thank you.

who were the witnesses on the marriage cert can they help ?

Is this still a Brickwall, or have you solved it?

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