Finding records of an uncle who died in childhood c1944

[HappyAsASandboy]

Hi,

I am a complete beginner at family history, so please go slowly!

I am trying to find out the name of my uncle, who died very young (I believe at 3 days old). I am ashamed to say that I listened to my grandma tell his story many times, and held her hand while she cried for her lost baby, but I never asked her what his name was Neither my grandma nor my grandad is with us anymore, and I don't have a good enough relationship with either my dad or other uncle to ask.

I know;

• The approximate year of birth/death (ie I know the years of the deceased's older and younger brothers)
• Baby's surname
• Mother's full maiden name
• Fathers full name
• address of birth (home)

Is this enough to help me find the birth/death record of the baby who died? Not for any specific reason really, just that I want a name to remember him by. My grandma told me the story of the little boy she lost so many times and I want to think of him properly. He was buried somewhere as there was a coffin, though my grandma wasn't allowed to go; would I be able to find out where he is buried?

Any help would be really appreciated.

[Mummy0ftwo12]

For finding the grave, my family history is scottish so it might be different but in my case lots of adults seemed to go into a family plot, which never actually had a headstone so was tricky to track down - I found a local history group for that area to be really helpful in figuring that last bit out.

[UserThenLotsOfNumbers]

I agree with Haworth.
Order both certificates.
The numbers mentioned are the GRO references you'll need.
Good luck!

[Haworthia]

You can order here, using the details you found upthread. They cost £11 and if you don’t have the GRO reference number they charge an extra £3.

It’s been a long time since I did family history research but the volume and page number (8a and 859 in your case) might even be the GRO reference?

www.gov.uk/order-copy-birth-death-marriage-certificate

[HappyAsASandboy]

@Haworthia sorry to be dim, but how do I order a birth certificate from that limited information? I don't know the DOB or GRO reference number?

[Haworthia]

What I would do first is order a copy of the birth certificate according to the record you found. Only then will you know for sure that it’s the right child (the parent’s names will be on there). Then, once you’ve verified the child’s name you’ll be able to track down the death certificate.

[HappyAsASandboy]

Sorry, all those mentions of "home" are confusing. I think she gave birth at their house (ie a home birth, as was normal then and the same for her other children) and then transferred to some sort of maternity unit/women's or children hospital/palatine care unit or something, which she referred to as "the home".

[HappyAsASandboy]

I think it could be the one who died in Birkenhead. I think he was born at home (outside of Birkenhead but in Wirral) and then he and grandma transferred to "the home" as my grandma called it, which could well have been in Birkenhead. She always said she saw the coffin from the window of "the home" but wasn't allowed to go to the funeral. He died at 3 days old I think

Liverpool isn't out of the question, but I think a lot less likely.

[UserThenLotsOfNumbers]

Meant to add, or the Kenneth W Jones who died in June in Birkenhead.

[UserThenLotsOfNumbers]

I've had a look at Free bmd using the information you provided.
Kenneth W Jones in your first screenshot was born in AMJ quarter 1944
Kenneth Jones in your second screen shot died in JFM quarter so that can't be him.
There is however a Kenneth W Jones who died in Liverpool North, JAS quarter 1944. Please see attached. Could that be him?
Bear in mind the quarter the birth/death was registered isn't always the quarter that the event happened.

[HappyAsASandboy]

I've found the death record too.

In the middle of this screenshot. I can only assume it's the right one.

[loutypips]

Next search for the death. You can do that on freebmd too.

[HappyAsASandboy]

Sorry, meant to attach an image!

[HappyAsASandboy]

I think I've found his birth record. I searched for the period covering the two surviving children either side of the baby who died, with the other details I knew and it only returned three births, two of which match the surviving children.

What else can I find out from here?

[UserThenLotsOfNumbers]

Once you've found his records, and assuming he was named, you can certainly find his grave. When you've found the information and want some help finding the grave, please come back here and we can go from there. Good luck!

[UserThenLotsOfNumbers]

I'm sorry to hear this. What a sad story.
You do have enough to find the baby's birth record, but if you're struggling to find it come back and let us know.
Also I would say don't assume the baby was named, some babies who died shortly after birth are simply registered as e.g. "Smith".
Good luck.

[cleaning247]

I've got an ancestry account so could try finding it through there if you sent me the details?

[egontoste]

Use the FreeBMD website, you can search on there and hopefully will be able to find the birth and death certificates. Search on year, district and surname. You can then use those details to order the certificates from the official GRO (General Register Office) website.