Robert Donelly

[Aragina]

Hi everyone, A newbie here. I think I have done fairly well on most of my family tree over the years, but I am really stuck with my Grandfather Robert Donelly.
I know he existed I have his death certificate, his 2 childrens Birth certs, I have a photo and a certificate from the ROAB in Lowerstoft 1932. (been in touch with them but they dont have written records until after that date).

Problem is he didnt marry my grandmother or her elder sister who Gran nicked him from. We have been told he came from Scotland, but there is very little other evidence of him at all.
I have on his death cert that he was 39 when he died in 1938 of TB at East Surrey Hospital, Redhill, Surrey.
Oral history has that he was in the Black Watch, I have been in touch with the regiment and all records around the time he would have been a soldier have disappeared .

So I went to Scots origins and I have a choice of 3 birth certs. Checked with the 1901 census and still have a choice of 3 possibles. Where else can I go to find out who he really was?? I dont feel happy without further information.

Thank you in advance

Jenny

[Steve Steere]

Hi Aragina,

If he was born 1899 then it is almost certain that he served in WWI, so search the WWI campaign medals for likely candidates.

Also look at the Commonwealth Graves Commission site to see those of that name who didn't make it through the war, for elimination purposes.

You should also look for a Will, as he may have made a bequest to a family member.

You can view the Scottish certificates online for a small fee, I think it's 50p a time, though you have to buy a credit to begin with. With the details of the three see which ones can be eliminated by deaths and marriages.

Consider searching for county surname lists for others looking for the Donnelly name, there could be a researcher who has lost a Robert. Also search Rootsweb mailing list archives for him in case a post has already been made. Is there a mailing list solely for that surname on Rootsweb, most are heavy on US, but some do have a good UK input.

Lastly visit the Genuki site for tips, advice and even a search, and finally put "Robert Donelly" genealogy in a google search to see if anything turns up.

Good hunting.

Steve

[Aragina]

Hi Steve, I hae done everything on your list apart from a will, I never thought of a will as he was a labourer, and grandma said she didnt even get his life insurance as she couldnt produce a marriage certificate. I will look into that, thank you so much :-)

Regards

Jenny