Hi everyone Happy Christmas This is a query which can no doubt be answered by one of the more accomplished of our family history colleagues on the List. When someone changes their surname, is there a Register kept in England & Wales say, of the previous name and newly adopted name? Appreciate that people can use whatever name and call themselves whatever they wish to be known by. Just wondered if there was a source to search for data on this one? Perhaps someone knows? Awaiting response with baited breath on this one. John _________________________________________________________________ Add your Gmail and Yahoo! Mail email accounts into Hotmail - it's easy http://clk.atdmt.com/UKM/go/186394592/direct/01/

On 9 Dec 2009 at 15:18, John ATTRILL wrote: > > Hi everyone Happy Christmas > > > > This is a query which can no doubt be answered by one of the more > accomplished of our family history colleagues on the List. > > > > When someone changes their surname, is there a Register kept in > England & Wales say, of the previous name and newly adopted name? > > > > Appreciate that people can use whatever name and call themselves > whatever they wish to be known by. Just wondered if there was a > source to search for data on this one? Perhaps someone knows? > Awaiting response with baited breath on this one. > Try entering "Changing your name" into Google and you will find numerous websites about it. A useful one is.....http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/index/your_family/family/change_of_name.htm Also see http://www.ukdps.co.uk/ for advice about changing your name by deed poll. Deed poll documents are kept at The National Archives at Kew, I believe. As you rightly say, you can call yourself anything you like provided it isn't for a criminal or nefarious purpose with intent to deceive. -- Roy Stockdill Professional genealogical researcher, writer & lecturer Newbies' Guide to Genealogy & Family History: www.genuki.org.uk/gs/Newbie.html "There is only one thing in the world worse than being talked about, and that is not being talked about." OSCAR WILDE