Thread: Searching for George (Alfred) Holding (1878-1936)

I hope that you can all help me as I have hit a brick wall whilst trying to trace my Great Grandfather George (Alfred) Holding. I have discovered/know the following information -



1906 Marriage

George Holding married Grace Ethel Jones at the Parish Church, Camden Town on the 17th June 1906. The witnesses were Grace’s father (Richard Jones) and a Susan Lenny. George’s father was William, who was a sailor but was deceased by 1906. George was living at 24 Westminster Bridge Road, London and his occupation is that of a labourer. He was aged 28 and therefore born in 1878.



1911 Census

George, Grace & Family are mentioned in the census and are living at 9 Wilkin Street, Kentish Town, London. George Holding’s age is given as 33; therefore his birth year is confirmed as 1878. His birth place is registered as ‘Lamberth’ and his profession is that of ‘Trainman Railway Company’.



1914 – 1918 First World War

I believe that George enlisted and I have found a George A Holding mentioned on the Medal Roll who served with the Yorks & Lancs Regiment (Army No:4611) and then with the Labour Corps (Army No:251566). This George enlisted on the 19/10/1914, survived the war and was discharged on the 8/1/1919. He was awarded the three 1st World War Medals along with the Silver War Badge (Ref B76715 or 120902). According to this record he was born in 1878. I can find no other documentation to confirm that this George A Holding is my George A Holding.



1936 Death

George died on the 9th of March 1936 in Twickenham. No birth date is given only his age which is 57. It is the correct certificate as Grace his wife was present at the death.



I need help with the following –

I cannot find George's birth certificate. Are the records on the internet accurate or should I consult the actual books at the National Archive in order to find George’s birth?



I can find no trace of George Alfred Holding with William as his father on the 1901 or 1891 census. There is a George and William Holding mentioned on the 1881 census but they are living in Widnes. I cannot confirm whether or not they are my George & William.



I do not know the names of any of George’s siblings or that of his mother.



When George enlisted in 1914, would he have just been allocated a regiment which was short of men? I was under the impression that men joined their local regiment. If this was so in 1914, does this infer that he came from the Yorkshire/Lancashire area?



William’s occupation on George’s marriage certificate is that of ‘Sailor’ does this mean Royal Navy, Merchant Navy, or someone who worked on the river i.e. Waterman.



I hope that this enables some on you to help me break down the brick wall I have been up against for some time.



Thanks



Harlequin

Brickwalls can be so frustrating ............



I've been having a look into the info you have and am afraid I've found nothing solid to help you.



But i did keep coming back to one family in the 1881 census. Not all the info matches but I thought I'd post the infomation incase the names mean anything or it helps with ideas



The family name is HOLDIN.



William HEAD 36 B St Lukes Wood Chopper ( MAft)

Susan Wife 34 b Islington

Elizia Daug 13 b. St Lukes Scholer

Emma Daug 8 b. St Lukes Scholer

George Son 3 b. St Lukes

Lucy Daug 4 b. St Lukes

Thomas Son 2 mnths Islington



I know the surname is missing a G but I've seen worst mis-transcriptions.

George is the right age.

fathers name is right.

The mothers name is Susan and one of the witnesses was named Susan.

Could she have been another sibling born later and named Susan who was a witness at her brothers wedding ( Or even the mother re-marrying after Williams death )

Islington/St lukes is the same area as Lambeth ( I have plenty of examples were ancestors that come from the area use all place names at some point )



I know these a very loose connections but it's something to look into if only to disprove them as yours.



Finding them in 1891 / 1901 might help...



Good Luck

E

Hi Harlequin,



The nearest birth reg I can find is .........



George Alfred Holden, 4th qrt 1879, Whitechapel, London, Middlesex.