Register of corrective entries

[frances]

Was delighted to see the RCE now available on Scotland's People as I had both my Great Grandfather and Grandfather with corrective entry numbers on various certificates.

My Grandfather JOHN BURNS KELLY B 1893 in Airdrie. His marriage certificate shows him as John Burns as does his death certificate (with a corrective entry).

My great grandfather WILLIAM JOHN KELLY B 1859 in Old Monklands, on his marriage certificate he is shown as William John Kelly , on his death certificate he is shown as William John Burns (formerly William John Kelly)

I was hoping that one or other of the corrective entries would give me some other information, unfortunately this is not the case I am still trying to work out when (and why) they would both change their names.

My question is -Is there likely to be any other documentation when they changed their names ?

Frances

[AnneM]

Hi

I would say that it is unlikely that there is any other documentation. As David usually reminds us it is quite legitimate in Scotland to call yourself anything you like, provided it is not done with fraudulent intent........try telling that to numerous English companies one has to deal with at such times (what's a decree nisi anyway??). Name changing can be done without formality.

There could be lots of reasons why your ancestor changed his name. Perhaps he discovered or acknowledged who his real father was. Perhaps there was money in the family and he changed his name to follow the money; many people did.

Anne

[frances]

Hello Ann

Thanks for that. I thought that it likely that there may not have been any legal documents.

My Great Grandfathers mothers name was Burns so that is obviously where that came from, as far as chasing money goes I think that is a non-starter, they all had menial jobs and some members of the family died in the poor house.NIce thought though.

Frances