Thread: Sokoll or Sakell

In 1899 Albert Victor Sokoll (Sakell) (b 1875) married Abigail Cherry (b1883) in Durham county. In 1913 he immigrated to the US and in 1914 the rest of the family did. The ship manifests reflect that they have changed their last name to Albert's mother's maiden name of Goundry. Albert's parents were William Sokoll (b1841) and Harriet Goundry (b1843). Another researcher here in the US who lived in the UK for a number of years has said this was not the first time she had heard of a sokoll changing his name. Does anyone know of some UK history that would make some change their name from Sokoll/Sakell?

Hi,

Do you have the marriage certificate for Albert's parents'? Is it possible they never married hence the name change? Have you found them as a family unit on UK census returns?

Sorry for all the questions, but once it's established what you know to be facts - we can carry out research working with that info.

I've just answered one of my own questions.

Yes, it seems Albert's parents were married. Marriages Dec qrt 1869, Durham, 10a/441. William Sakell and Harriet Goundry.

So, the reason for the name change cannot be because his parents' weren't married.

I cannot find a marriage between Albert Victor Sokell (using spelling variations) and Abigail Cherry. The nearest is:

Albert Sokell, Jul-Sept 1899, Lanchester, Durham, 10a/588, two possible bride's indexed, Jane Plumpton and Abigail Mckenzie

There doesn't appear to be an Abigail Cherry on census returns prior to the marriage; there is an Abigail Mckenzie who fits. Please can you say where you got the surname Cherry from?

Sorry Slizzy. You are correct. I got my family names mixed up. That's what I get for not having my notes in front of me. Abigail McKenzie married Albert Victor Sokell. It was there daughter Elizabeth who married Charles Cherry here in the US.

Also, I have not found William and Harriet in 1881 but on Freecen.org.uk I did find them on the 1871 census with their son Frederick (age 9m).
Thanks

No problem, I just wanted to know I was looking at the right folks.

I'll try to locate William and Harriet in 1881, they have probably been mistranscribed. At the moment I can't think of a valid reason for the name change, but I'll think about it.

A delicate question this and please don't be offended by it, but is there any chance Albert had to leave the country quickly? I'm most likely clutching at straws but I'm trying to think of any possible reasons for a change of name. I've come across people before who've changed their name because they didn't get on with their father, or had no respect for him.

No offense at all Slizzy. Sorry, don't know if he had to leave quickly but I guess its a possibility. When I mentioned the name change to my father in law, he had no idea.

I've found them in 1881 and 1891.

1881 (a mistranscription) living Johnson Terrace, Sunderland Bridge.

William Salkield 39, Labourer, born Manfield Durham
Harriet Salkield 32, Hough Hall, Durham
Frederick W. Salkield 11, Merrington Lane, Durham
Louisa Salkield 9, Low Spennymoor
Albert J. Salkield 7, Low Spennymoor
Harry Salkield 4, Low Spennymoor
Eliza J. Salkield 10 months, Croxdale

I'll post the 1891 in a moment,

1891, living Hett, Croxdale. The three youngest children all born Hett

William Sokoll 49, General Labourer
Harriet Sokoll 42
Frederick Sokoll 20, Coal Miner
Louisa Sokoll 19
Albert Victor Sokoll 17, General Labourer
Henry Sokoll 14
Eliza Jane Sokoll 11
Ernest Alfred Sokoll 8
Walter Sokoll 3
Adelaide Sokoll 7/12