Thread: Thomas to Cornes surname change

How do I go about finding my Grandfathers (he is John Thomas Cornes from West Bromwich - all the family were from that area and didnt move, as far as I know) grandfather who had the surname of Thomas. I have only managed to go as far as my grandfathers father (also called John Thomas Cornes), apparently Grandad's dad changed his name because of a family dispute, how do I go about finding this info out and to find out who 3xgreat grandfather was?

Details that I know

Me - Liam Robert Cornes (1983-)
Dad - Ian Robert Cornes(1958-)
Grandad - John Thomas Cornes (1928-1991)B west brom m Rita Eileen Armitage in HITCHIN (1927-1994)
Great Grandad - John Thomas Cornes - (1906-dod unknown) m Beatrice Norah Thompson West Brom (1909-dod unknown)
From Great Grandad backwards the trail for Cornes go cold, and the Surname Thomas kicks in.
I have been told that Great Great Grandad was John Thomas, but may be wrong.

I have had a look 'elsewhere' and come up with a Thomas Corns c 1885 Black Smiths striker West Brom married to Louisa with John Thomas Corns c 1909 West Brom but also a John Corns son aged 5

Marriages Sep 1905
Corns Thomas W. Bromwich 6b 1418
Stokes Louisa W. Bromwich 6b 1418

Births Jun 1908
Cornes John Thomas Cannock 6b 546 ??freebmd is a bit busy so can't add other potentials so it might be better if you checked

and then it came back, here's another

Births Mar 1906
Cornes John Thomas W. Bromwich 6b 892

Have had a look 1901 using West Brom so it's only a guideline as only one family come up
RG13 2719 128 13
John Corns born Darlaston with Mary c 1859 born West Brom Lizzie born West Brom and Thomas 16 drummer carriage works WEST BROM...as Thomas and father using first name BUT
1891
RG12 piece 2273 folio 18 page 29
Father William Corns born Darlaston with Mary and in laws surname Spiers Sister Lizzie 9 Thomas 6 Scholar West Brom
In laws are Henry and Hannah Spiers


I thoght maybe a marriage here would give a recognisable surname but haven't found a definite mariage so hope I haven't led you up the garden path!
Still looking

Hi Liam

birth: for JOHN THOMES CORNES B MARCH 1906 WEST BROMWICH 6b 892 (maried Beatrice Norah Thompson )
birth: JOHN T CORNES B JUNE 1928 WEST BROMWICH mothers surname Thompson 6b 1364

marriage FOR : JOHN T CORNES married to ? THOMPSON WEST BROMWICH 6B 1757


Ps : I did wonder what happened in the course of time to cause the unrest and name change so I had a look for Thomas and sons in West Bromwich in 1901 and came up with this ..


Thomas John 16 Adopted Son Labourer Carrier West Bromwich, Staffordshire 4 New Street, West Bromwich, Staffordshire RG13/2724/F85 father was John Lloyd and there was an adopted daughter too Rossanah Price
of course it all depends on what it says in the 1911 census and who was JOHN THOMES CORNES mother and father. If she had died then perhaps the children were adopted.

1891 is a bit weird age wise Mary 33 Henry Spiers 40 Hannah 39 BUT

1881 RG11 piece 2850 folio 68 page 32
SPIERS, Henry Head Married M 32 1849 Labourer
Leek Wootton
Warwickshire
SPIERS, Hannah Wife Married F 46 1835
W.B. Staffordshire
SPIERS, John Son Single M 20 1861 Coal Miner
Darlaston
SPIERS, Thomas Son Single M 17 1864 Moulder
Darlaston Staffordshire
SPIERS, Daniel Son Single M 15 1866 Moulder
Darlaston
Staffordshire

My eyes went to John Spiers born Darlaston

Just trying to find Hannah as Henry must be stepfather

BINGO

Marriages Mar 1881
CORNS Hannah Dudley 6c 58
SPIERS Henry Dudley 6c 58

Hannah had simply remarried

1871 in Darlaston
RG10 piece 2955 folio 72 page 18
CORNS, John Head M 40 1831 Staffordshire
CORNS, Hannah Wife F 45 1826 Staffordshire
CORNS, John Son M 10 1861 Staffordshire
CORNS, Thos Son M 8 1863 Staffordshire
CORNS, Daniel Son M 5 1866 Staffordshire
CORNS, Joseph Son M 2 1869 Staffordshire
PRICE, Mary Boarder F 50 1821 Wales

Good evening Liam - thinking globally within West Bromwich here are....

CORNS WEST BROMWICH BIRTHS

VOL PAGE
ELIZA MARCH 1838 18 503
JAMES MARCH 1842 18 579
THOMAS SEPT 1843 18 542
SARAH JUNE 1850 18 631
MABEL MARCH 1886 6 776
FRANCIS HUGH SEPT 1892 6 798