Hello everyone! I have a real mystery; hopefully sks will be able to help me. A grandfather, born on February 9th 1890, and was placed up for adoption. He was adopted by a family that owned a factory in the Birmingham, Warwickshire area. The only clues to my mystery are: 1. The surname of the adopting family was either DICKEN(S) or DICKENSON 2. Given names: Joseph Henry (a.k.a. Harry) 3. He later changed his surname to RICE. 4. He married Frances Violet Ellen KELLEY on 26 November 1919 Birmingham. I have not been able to find him listed anywhere including the free bmd or in the 1891 census. My questions are: 1. If a child is placed up for adoption would a new birth certificate be issued under the adopted surname to protect both parties? 2. When he took a new surname would it be published in a local newspaper and if so which archives would I need to check with? 3. Is it possible to check for any online parish records for his birth or marriage? 4. Does anyone a have access to these parish records and mind doing a lookup for me? I do appreciate any help to point me in the right direction and THANK YOU for taking the time to read this! Linda Yendall ~ N. Vancouver Island, BC Canada -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.409 / Virus Database: 268.14.2/528 - Release Date: 10/11/2006 -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.409 / Virus Database: 268.14.2/528 - Release Date: 10/11/2006