Thread: Help to find my grandfather's parents!

Hi



My grandfather, John Nolan was born in Manchester on 14th October 1906

(taken from a statutory declaration made by his adopted father that states this and was signed in front of a JP).



The family story - as passed down, is as follows:



John Nolan was born in Manchester, his mother an Irish singer/dancer and his father a Captain in the army (who was stationed in Ireland, then went off to India?)

His mother went all the way to Rochdale and left John 'on the steps' of a Rachel Shore (who was married to a Howarth). She was in her 60's - but took him in. He lived with her, and her son and his wife, Samuel and Gertie, before being 'formerly' fostered by Samuel's sister Sarah Ellen and her husband Arthur Henry Swain.

Around 1918, when John was leaving school, his birth mother returned for him and took him back to Manchester (possibly Salford) so he could work and earn money for her. He discovered he had a younger half brother! He didn't stay and made his own way back to Rochdale.

The only other snippet of information I have is that there was a SWAIN bible, which contained his birth mother's name and the photo of this brother.

This bible was supposed to have been given to Eddie Swain - Arthur's brother?





I have searched the BMD's and there isn't a John Nolan registered

I have the statutory declaration which states his birth date and his name as JOHN NOLAN ( adopted name SWAIN)

I managed to trace Rachel's descendants who confirmed the address and have managed to trace him in 1911 - but he is known as JOHN HOPKINS??



There are several questions which arise with this story.....



Why would his mother take her baby from Manchester all the way to Rochdale? Unless there was some connection?

How would she know where he was 12 years later?

Why was he called JOHN HOPKINS in 1911? and then JOHN NOLAN in 1918?



Any ideas on where I go from here????



Tracy

[quote name='castanea1985']

Why would his mother take her baby from Manchester all the way to Rochdale? Unless there was some connection?

How would she know where he was 12 years later?

Why was he called JOHN HOPKINS in 1911? and then JOHN NOLAN in 1918?



Tracy[/quote]



Hi Tracy,



Official adoption as we know it now did not commence until 1937. Although you have evidence that the first "adoption" was made before a JP this was not always the case. He could have been "adopted" again, thus the change of name. These early adoptions were often within familes and this may be the Rochdale connection and the reason for her knowing where to find him.

I have a similar one in my tree and I was lucky to find that the person with the bible was also researching. I would be looking for anyone researching Eddie Swain. Sorry if it's not much help.

Hi Starlight



Thank you for your thoughts.

I've tried to find Eddie Swain.... well he had a son called Edgar who died in Bishop Storford in 1995..... but that's as far as I've got.



When I got the 1911 census, it was really just a confirmation to confirm John Nolan was living with the Howarths...... the last thing I expected was a completely different name!!



I'm really 'stumped'

This is probably no help at all, but thought it worth mentioning, as there's an Arthur Henry, and an Edgar in this family who lived in Rochdale.



Name: Arthur Hy Swain Age: 10 Estimated Birth Year: abt 1881 Relation: Son Father's Name: Elijah Mother's Name: Martha Ann Gender: Male Where born: Rochdale, Lancashire, England



Civil Parish: Castleton Ecclesiastical parish: St Alban County/Island: Lancashire Country: England





Arthur Hy Swain 10 Edgar Swain 5 Elijah Swain 37 Martha Ann Swain 37

Tracy,



I wonder if it would be worth you sending for this birth cert?



John HOPKINS, 1906 Oct-Dec, Prestwich (Manchester) Lancs.



Vol 8d page 347.

Hi Slizzy



With regards to the Swain family...... yes I have the grave number etc for them and have even 'gone' down the tree of Edgar...... he had a son called Edgar who died in Bishops Stortford in 1995 - but haven't been able to find any one further down that I can ask about the bible.



I am waiting for the John Hopkins cert to come back



So I'll have to wait a bit longer.



Keep the ideas coming.... I really appreciate everyone's help.

Someone just might look at things in a different way??



Thanks



Tracy

[quote name='slizzy']Tracy,



I wonder if it would be worth you sending for this birth cert?



John HOPKINS, 1906 Oct-Dec, Prestwich (Manchester) Lancs.



Vol 8d page 347.



[/QUOTE]



Hi Sizzy



Got it back this morning.........no good



The quest continues!



Tracy

Hi Tracy,



That's a shame........it looked promising. I'll keep thinking for you, and have my fingers crossed Meanwhile, good luck, and do let us know if you get a breakthrough.

Tracy,



Just wondering, have you considered .... John Joseph Nolan Oct-Dec 1906, Oldham, Greater Manchester. Also, John Nolan Oct-Dec 1906, West Derby, Lancashire?



Do you have Edgar Swain's death cert?

[quote name='slizzy']Tracy,



Just wondering, have you considered .... John Joseph Nolan Oct-Dec 1906, Oldham, Greater Manchester. Also, John Nolan Oct-Dec 1906, West Derby, Lancashire?



Do you have Edgar Swain's death cert?

[/QUOTE]



Afraid so!

I had GRO Southport check 1905 - 1907 for my John Nolan but they found nothing which fits



Will keep searching!

I wish there was something in early 1906 which would help me look for both a Hopkins and Nolan??



Pity the census's are at the beginning of the decade



Tracy