Deceased Family Member's Name

[shortpaul]

My friend, who doesnt read or write very well, has asked me to help him trace his maternal grandmum's maiden name. Could anybody suggest the simplest way to do this online (or any other way). The various ancestry tracing sites would probably help, but using them appears to be like taking a sledgehammer to crack a nut!

Any suggestions much appreciated.

[woofgang]

by trace, do you mean find out what it was, or find out who her ancestors were?

[Jennykenny]

Our local library lets members use Ancestry.co.uk free.
They would also give you help to get started if you approach them beforehand and make an appointment.There is a good chance that your library has a similar scheme?

[Jennykenny]

You could also apply for his mother's birth certificate which should give you the name of her mother.
www.gov.uk
You have to pay for this. Sorry can't remember how much.

[hc4361]

He can apply for a copy of his mother's birth certificate for around a tenner. That will show his grandmother's maiden name

[dannyk13]

https://www.gov.uk/order-copy-birth-death-marriage-certificate
This probably the cheapest and most reliable method.

[jno]

if you know when or where they married (and it was in England or Wales), look them up here

http://www.freebmd.org.uk/cgi/search.pl

Put in the year and the county or local registration office if you know it, and her husband's name. You'll probably get more than one answer (each registry page seems to have held three marriages) but with luck only one of the brides will have had his grandmother's Christian name.