Has any body got any idea how I can find out who my grandfather was? This is a complete long shot but anything is worth a try. My dad was born on 14 August 1945 so that means my grandad was around approx 9 months previous to this! Rumour has it that he was a real gent of a soldier and that he liked to dance (where he met my gran at a dance hall) and that he was posted here during the war from Northumberland. I dont know much else other than my father did recall having to collect maintenance payments from him from the post office. my gran is alive but refuses to disclose anything and sadly my dad died 10 years ago without knowing who his father was.

Perhaps there are records of who was posted here in sheffield during the war or are there records somewhere of maintenance orders????


I have three children of my own now who keep asking about grandads, great grandads and I just dont have any answers.

I dont think I should post my grans name as I would get it to heaps of hot water as her name at the time was so unusual that it would probably jog a few memories!! Perhaps if you think you can help you could give me a shout. I could say that her name was Edna and she lived in Broomhill for now.

Do you think "Genes Reunited" might be useful?

You might be able to locate him through that site...

Good luck in your search.

PT

Does it not say anything on your dad's birth certificate?

If you don't have it, you can get a copy from the local Registry Office.

izabbella i have pmd you:thumbsup:

Hi Izabellamary. I can tell you from experience that if your grandfather paid maintenance then this would have been imposed in the County Court if it was done in Sheffield. If your grandfather was in the army then the maintenance would have been paid via the Army Paymaster's Office. You could contact the Court Records Dept direct to see if an affiliation order was made at that time. I do know Sheffield keep their records for 75 years but some other courts do not. Good luck

Hi! Have you got any name at all?

Hi, I cant use pm yet I am afraid.

The trouble is I do not know anything other than the information stated above. My dad once mentioned someone called Donald Crisp - but my mum says that this was just an actor that was around at the time and my dad was clutching at straws!

Wish I understood why my gran wont disclose anything.

Apparently my grandfather wanted my dad and in fact she was going to let him have him for good but when she went to drop him off he was married with family already and she changed her mind.

Thanks heaps. I think I will take a look into court records etc - needle in a haystack perhaps.

Izzabella, At that time a woman was regarded as the lowest of the low if she had a child out of wedlock; many of them were institutionalised and I think the stigma has lived with many of these poor girls for the rest of their lives. Hooray for your granny keeping her child. Did your granny later marry and if so, did she and her new husband jointly adopt your father in order that he could take on his stepfather's name? If so, this makes a great difference and is very easy to trace back through Sheffield Family Services who are based in the Castle Market Buildings. You can ring them on 0114 2734846 to make your initial enquiry. Even if your dad wasn't adopted and kept his mother's name it doesn't matter as far as the court records go because the file regarding the maintenance case will be in your granny's name anyway. I do hope you can turn something up, I've done it myself and it's a tremendous feeling when you get the results! Very best wishes & let us know how you go on.

hi Izzabella, can you email me on joa03sa@shef.ac.uk thanks!