Thread: Changing ones name!!!!

My 2xGreat Grandfather HENRY JAMES MASON b.abt.1885 was on the Electrol Roll living at

77 Camden Mews Islington from 1925 to 1958,







for some reason he changed his named to WILLIAM HENRY MASON from 1929 to 1958 and I would like to know why he would need to do this.





Could someone give me pointers on where to find information on why he would change his name.





He ran his own business selling newspapers on the corner of York Way Camden, Islington.

Would he have needed a work permit to trade.

If so would it be possible to get a copy.





Thank you in advance for any help you can give me.

You don't need to do anything official to change your name. You can just choose another one and use it. Years ago, before people had driving licences and passports and bank accounts it was a lot easier to do this.



Why change your name? Well, maybe he didn't like his original name, or maybe he was named after a family member he didn't like, or he wanted to differentiate himself from someone else with the same name.



Regarding the selling, I think he would have needed a peddler's licence. No idea if they are kept, but if they are, I'd guess they would be at the Camden Archives in Holborn Library, Theobalds Road, or the Islington Local History Centre in the library in St John's Road, Clerkenwell, or in the London Metropolitan Archives in Clerkenwell.

Hi Jeuel



Thank you for getting back to me and passing on your ideas.







I will be getting in touch with Holborn Archives and the Islington Local History Centre to see if they hold any documents regarding peddler’s licences.





Thank you again.





Happy hunting with your researching





Tralena

Henry James Mason did not change his name to William Henry Mason.



William Henry was, Henry James Mason's brother....

Lol!

It works out that Henry James Mason's wife, Florence left her husband and set up home with his brother William.



Would still like to know what happened to Henry James.