Family tree question, any advice on how I can find the d.o.b of my Grandad, when I only know when and where he died?

[Jeanieology]

My Grandad died in 1945 (he was a fair bit older than my Grandma),and I’d love to be able to find out more about him.
However, I believe that death certificates from that time generally don’t have the date of birth of the deceased on them, so although it’s a long shot, I’m wondering if there’s any way at all I may be able to find out more information about him?

Unfortunately he had a popular name and surname, which would make things more difficult, and my Grandma didn’t tell us much about him other than he was born in 1892, in London, I believe.
As mentioned, the only details I have are his name, date of death and place of death.

I’m stuck at a brick wall not knowing how to find more info on him, and I’d appreciate any advice!

Well let's just say, I'm eliminating a lot of "oh maybe it's XXX".

I've found a fair few transcription errors, so I'll get the teen to translate my finest copperplate/cursive of a few names and see where that takes me.

I'm not sure whether it is better to have popular surnames (and 100's of possibilities), or names that nobody could spell (like my lot).

Sorry if this has been suggested already, but if you have Ancestry and know the date of death, have you tried finding the National Probate Calendar entry? There’s varying amounts of info in there, but there may be the name or names of his executors, which could help you find relatives.

You can even apply for a copy of the will if you find the right entry. I did this for some of my ancestors (although I’ve forgotten how), and they were fascinating!

I think is where you can get the will: www.gov.uk/search-will-probate

Thank you I’ll look at that link too

He sure is!

I contacted the cemetery by phone early this morning, but the lady says the only details they hold are the dates of death unfortunately.

I think my Grandad had probably one of the most popular forenames and surnames! It’s like looking for a needle in a haystack!

Ah I'm sorry about that!

The only thing I can think of at the moment is getting a copy of his death certificate, for details of the informant. Hopefully this is a relation and may help track the family down where the census and 1939 register records are concerned to help trace him. Otherwise I can't think of anything that hasn't already been said, I've been lucky where my tree was concerned with uncommon family names and ancestor's who have hardly moved so I've never really come across this scenario before. 😔

Although his death certificate may not show you his date of birth it will tell you where he was living at the time of his death and you could then try to narrow down the results from that knowledge?

so born in died in in x town may help?

im going to order my Grandad’s death certificate today, and hopefully it may shed some light, I just wish we had an uncommon name as it might be easier to find him!

Im hoping this might help!

Military records might help- as he was of conscription age in the first world war.

That’s another thing I need to explore, thanks

His death certificate should help as it will have some details of his parents on it.

that in turn should help you find him on the census when he was younger with his parents and should help narrow down a birth record.

I didn't think this was the case in England and Wales? Those I've seen just have the name of the informant, whoever they may be - or sometimes for women, after their name there is "widow of X, a butcher" or for unmarried women, "daughter of Y, a baker". I think Scottish records are generally more comprehensive but if the OP mentioned a country I missed it. I only saw mention of London.

You definitely need the death certificate. It will give the address of where he died and the informant's address. Search both of those addresses on the 1939 register and you will hopefully find him! As others have said look at the actual image. 1939 register should give his full date of birth.

When was your dad's older brother born?

If your gran had two children with the same man and gave them his surname, it must have been a fairly long-lasting relationship even if they weren't together or he was perhaps married to someone else at the time.

I think it would be worth looking at your dad's birth certificate and also his older brother's if possible. They should show the address(es) your gran was living at at the time. If it's the same address both times then there's a high chance that they lived quite locally to each other for quite a long time.

If you PM me the info you have I'm happy to do some digging. I absolutely love this kind of stuff.

I’ve ordered the death certificate, so just waiting on that. I’ve also ordered my uncles birth certificate too, just to see if anything is unearthed there.

Dad’s older brother was born in 1940, in a different City to where my Nan ended up. My Grandad also died in the City I live in, but the trouble I have is the census records are so sporadic that it’s difficult to place where people lived in any given year, thanks for your offer to help too!

Was also going to suggest a will search given he had a maid, might have had money to leave.

Does anyone know if it was mandatory years ago (1940’s) to have the Father present at the birth certificate registration if he wasn’t married to the Mother?

My Grandad’s name is on my Dad’s birth certificate (I’m still waiting for my Uncle’s to arrive), and so I’m presuming it was necessary for the Father to also sign, as it is present day rules.

Yes. It’s always been mandatory that for an unmarried man to be on the birth certificate he had to be there to sign it.

Ah I missed a bit. If he’s unmarried it would have his father detail. If he’s married it’ll have his wife on it.

That’s good to know

I’m really intrigued to see what’s on the certificate, I just hope it gives me some pointers