Re: Marriage cert
So we definately need more info from you to be able to help. If he died just before your father was born, how did the widow manage herself financially? Did she sign any documents or make any claims on the state that might give you any further clues? Have you checked newspaper obituary notices or looked for a birth notice that might give the father's name? You say Ellen was born in Birmingham but stories are easy to make up. Of course she may never have been married to Mr Ladd or maybe they ran away to Australia together? Could have used false names and no one would have known. When did Ellen die and how old did she claim to be at some point in her life? I'm happy to take part in a good mystery hunt for her but you need to share as much info as possible but divide it into two areas; what you know for certain (documents, etc) and what you think - rumour, tales, hints, etc. The phrase 'Once a Brummie, always a Brummie' really does seem to hold true so if she was born here there is surely no way, unless she had something to hide from, that she wouldn't have talked about it. I was born in Brum but my parents moved to Solihull when I was six months old. I love both areas and their histories but I'm still a Brummie.
So give us everything you've got and we will have another go at helping you.
Regards
Jill
