Hi everyone I am researching a family called Harrison, the mother Elizabeth is from Kirkstall and the father Thomas is from Masham. It's their son Robert Harrison that is the cause of my query. Robert was born c1869 in Burley, Leeds. I believe I have found the family in Middlesbrough in 1891 (Burley mistranscribed as Baster). On trying to trace this family back, Robert isnt there although his siblings are the same. In Roberts place however, born the same year there is a boy named King Harrison. I have found a birth in the index of King Harrison of the right year (1869) in the district of Kirkstall - but no birth for Robert Harrison sticks out (there is one in 1870 but there is another Robert Harrison born Leeds at that time). Is it likely that Robert changed his name from King to Robert? (on the first census that has him as Robert he is 22). If so, is there likely to be any documentation of this? He married as Robert by the way. thanks for any help and opinions. Heather

Hi Heather There would be nothing to stop him using Robert as a forename (you can perhaps understand him not wanting to use King <g>) Although there were change of name by deed poll, it is highly unlikely the average person would bother with the expense of it It has always been the case that as long as you are not doing it to defraud or evade the law, you can call yourself whatever you want to If he gave Robert as his name, that is what would be recorded, no proof was asked for until quite recent On the marriage certificate, does the fathers name and occupation match that you know for King ? Nivard Ovington in Cornwall (UK) > Hi everyone > > I am researching a family called Harrison, the mother Elizabeth is from > Kirkstall and the father Thomas is from Masham. It's their son Robert > Harrison that is the cause of my query. > > Robert was born c1869 in Burley, Leeds. I believe I have found the family > in Middlesbrough in 1891 (Burley mistranscribed as Baster). > > On trying to trace this family back, Robert isnt there although his > siblings are the same. In Roberts place however, born the same year there > is a boy named King Harrison. > > I have found a birth in the index of King Harrison of the right year > (1869) in the district of Kirkstall - but no birth for Robert Harrison > sticks out (there is one in 1870 but there is another Robert Harrison born > Leeds at that time). > > Is it likely that Robert changed his name from King to Robert? (on the > first census that has him as Robert he is 22). If so, is there likely to > be any documentation of this? He married as Robert by the way. > > thanks for any help and opinions. > > Heather