Further info for Terry B?

Question

Thanks for trying but it didnt work.I have some information but big bits missing. I believe my Grandfather Herbert Robert Cowley ,possibly born in London C1898 Married to Mabel Elizabeth Mason born1899. His father could have been Thomas Cowley 1862 married to Mary Reid. As far as i can tell,Herbert served in the First WW as a gunner or driver. and probably died early sixties or a bit later . Last known address was in or near Bury st. Edmunds. Mabel Mason buried in London approx 1953/1956. Mum thought Highgate but no record find a grave.com for either of them. I have searched bothGenes reunited and Ancestry but have come up with nothing. Any ideas? My father originally found where my Grandfather had been living through the Sally Army about 1966 . Is it possible to check WW1 records for next of Kin? Are there ways to check death records by name without a specific date? My grandfather may have been made bankrupt are there ways to check? Something a bit wierd , no records post WW1

Answer 1

Alan, just a general tip..

It is not weird at all that you have trouble finding records more recent than ww1.  What you are bumping into are restrictions that are often applicable to more recent records.  (yes, 100 yrs is "recent" in genealogy circles)

The reason for such cut offs are efforts to protect persons from risks such as id theft, and general rights to privacy. One example is that UK census records are sealed for 100 yrs, and in the US, the time is 72 years.

The other thing is that many records ARE in existance, but not always online.  I think grave.com and others like that, often have only a small fraction of records... but people expect more than really is.

Much will be on the death record, and justme has far more experience in UK records than I do.. once you have the date (which might be online), then you get the death cert (NOT online).  Sometimes it is a process of finding the puzzle pieces one at a time, then building.

Answer 2

I have just posted this in reply to  your other question.

England & Wales, FreeBMD Birth Index: 1837-1983

about Herbert Robert Cowley

Name: Herbert Robert Cowley

Year of Registration: 1898  

Quarter of Registration: Apr-May-Jun  

District: Holborn  

County: London, Middlesex  

Volume: 1b  

Page: 730  

I don't know whether Terry B has found you the information. If you need another pair of eyes I  am quite happy to help out as well, if you need my help.

After doing a search using www.ancestry.co.uk, I found the details for Herberts marriage to Mabel. They married in the A/M/J quarter of 1921 in Kensington, the volume number is 1a and the page number is 437, this certificate can be obtained either from the Kensington reigister office or the GRO. http://www.gro.gov.uk/gro/content/

Hope this helps. Let me know if there is anything else you need.

Edit: I have done another search of www.ancestry.co.uk and I think I may have found your Grandads death details. I searched all four quarters from 1960-1972 and found this for you.

Herbert R Cowley. aged 62 died A/M/J quarter 1961 North Kesteven. The volume number is 3b and the page number is 87.

I did  a thorough search and this Herberts age was the closest one to your grandads age, others being a lot too old, to be your Herbert. Up until 1969 the age was given on all death registrations, then in 1969 it was changed and they replaced the age with the actual date of birth. In order to check that out with this Herbert you would need to buy the certificate, there is no other way to find out without it. The death ertificate can be purchased at North Kesteven which is Lincolnshire, or the GRO which serves the whole country.