Proof of identity

[Debra A]

Debs, I remember your talking to me about this.

I do remember that Bob Hinton at one time had a George Hutchinson from Romford firmly in his sights, and he gathered a lot of info about him. But he had to jettison that particular George Hutchinson because the signature on his marriage certificate was at odds with the signature on the police statement.

Robert

Exactly Robert, That's all I was aiming for, while it's 50/50 there's still a chance they match eh? And how many people have thrown up that 1887 newspaper report over the years wondering if it is the same GH as the 'witness' GH? (no offence to Simon here)and Bob (although I'm not sure he might remember as I confused him at the time with a lot of references to GWTH!) was extremely helpful in telling me how I could go about viewing an original signature from a marriage certificate.

[Robert]

Debs, I remember your talking to me about this.

I do remember that Bob Hinton at one time had a George Hutchinson from Romford firmly in his sights, and he gathered a lot of info about him. But he had to jettison that particular George Hutchinson because the signature on his marriage certificate was at odds with the signature on the police statement.

Robert

[Tom_Wescott]

And Tom was one of the people who encouraged me to make sure I got a view of the original and not take their word for it.

This is true. I also encouraged her to tithe 10% of her earnings to the Church of Tom. Funny the things that get through and the things that don't, ey?

Yours truly,

Tom Wescott

P.S. Good man, Sam.

[Sam Flynn]

I have offered all the details for anyone who would like to apply to see the original entry...what more can I do??!!!

I wouldn't mind having a gander myself, Debs, if you'd be kind enough to PM me with the info. Only 'cos I'm a nosey bugger, mind you!

The rest was just a misunderstanding - dinnae fret. Thanks

[Debra A]

Sam, that is what I am saying, I don't have them or I would...gladly!

I was promised a photocopy of the original signature that appears in the original register, I don't know if people are aware of this but when you get a copy of a BMD certificate it is a handwritten copy done by the current registrar from the entry, the originals aren't generally available (some are on microfiche) therefore you aren't getting the original signature.

I (or rather Monty) faxed the witness GH's signatures to the registrar I spoke to on the phone, she rang me back a little while after to say that the signatures were a match, we had a fairly long conversation on whether it was specifically the handwriting in the signatures that matched and she was very positive that they did. She then assured me she would photocopy the original signature from the marriage certificate for me.
Two days later I was disappointed to receive a registrar written bog standard copy and so telephoned again when I was told that the page was too fragile to copy, and that registrar I spoke to then gave her opinion that the signatures didn't match seemingly based on the fact that the middle name Thos. was included on the marriage one, she advised me to get written confirmation from the head honcho's if i wanted to come and look for myself, but she wasn't very certain I would get it.
Therefore it's still a 50/50 situation they match?
I have offered all the details for anyone who would like to apply to see the original entry...what more can I do??!!!

And Tom was one of the people who encouraged me to make sure I got a view of the original and not take their word for it.

[Tom_Wescott]

No, it's not about winning. But when I saw you deciding for Sam what he does and doesn't think and jumping to the worst conclusions possible - just as you did repeatedly with me - I thought I'd throw up a discreet warning light for him. It's hard enough to argue against someone's ego, as we all often find ourselves doing on here...but arguing against someone's insecurities can be downright impossible. Peace and love, Debra Arif.

Yours truly,

Tom Wescott

[Sam Flynn]

I've explained why we don't have the signatures Sam, and it was me that told Ben what the registrar had said, Ben must have trusted my word on that, seems you don't.

I don't doubt your word at all - I only asked if it were possible to upload the images. I wouldn't baulk at doing so if I had access to them myself - and I certainly wouldn't take offence at someone suggesting that I did.

[Debra A]

You can't win this one, Sam. Just agree and move on.

Yours truly,

Tom Wescott

Oh, It's about winning is it?...that's where I'm going wrong.

[Tom_Wescott]

I've explained why we don't have the signatures Sam, and it was me that told Ben what the registrar had said, Ben must have trusted my word on that, seems you don't.

You can't win this one, Sam. Just agree and move on.

Yours truly,

Tom Wescott

[Debra A]

I've explained why we don't have the signatures Sam, and it was me that told Ben what the registrar had said, Ben must have trusted my word on that, seems you don't.

[Sam Flynn]

Sam, I'm disappointed
Read my post on the registrar story again...
Neither Ben nor I are saying they apparently matched at all, we are telling you that one of the first registars I spoke to about the signatures gave her own opinion that they did... and one gave her opinion that they didn't....50/50 then innit?! I'll give you the details if you want to write for special permission to go look see for yourself Sam.

I confess to being a little confused by your being disappointed by my post. Ben said that someone claimed the signatures might match, so I in turn assumed he'd seen them too - if so, I thought there might perhaps be scanned copies that might be shared with us here.

I didn't think that suggestion was controversial in any way

[Debra A]

Off-hand, don't you find it intensely annoying that Ancestry.com only bothered indexing the professions/occupations for the 1881 Census entries and not the others? I certainly do

That's why I use a site that does Sam, saves loads of time!

The signatures Ben refers to that apparently match, Debs. I presume Ben means those of George Hutchi(n)son (watch-stealer) and George Hutchinson ("Uber-witness") on the famous police statement.

Sam, I'm disappointed
Read my post on the registrar story again...
Neither Ben nor I are saying they apparently matched at all, we are telling you that one of the first registars I spoke to about the signatures gave her own opinion that they did... and one gave her opinion that they didn't....50/50 then innit?! I'll give you the details if you want to write for special permission to go look see for yourself Sam.

[Sam Flynn]

Which ones Sam?

The signatures Ben refers to that apparently match, Debs. I presume Ben means those of George Hutchi(n)son (watch-stealer) and George Hutchinson (Kelly-witness) on the notorious "Astrakhan" police statement.

[Sam Flynn]

The Charles A Harris you picked out

Actually, Debs, he was the only one I could find. Glad you've found two others!

Off-hand, don't you find it intensely annoying that Ancestry.com only bothered indexing the professions/occupations for the 1881 Census entries and not the others? I certainly do

[Debra A]

Hi Ben,

Not having seen those signatures, I can't possibly comment. But it would be really useful if we could have them posted here for comparison, needless to say. Possibly conclusive, even!

Which ones Sam?