I am looking for some sort of legal confirmation of the birth of my father, Reid Lamar Hudson, in Cardston, Alberta on December 30, 1927. The problem I am having is that he was named Claude Rawlins Hudson on his birth certificate (of which I have a copy) but he never used that name. His parents were Clara Rollins (shows "Rawlins" on my dad's BC) and LeRoy ("Roy") Hudson. I am trying to find legal confirmation that Claude Rawlins and Reid Lamar were one and the same. The hospital in which he was born no longer exists, I understand. Any help would be appreciated.

Hi, Obtain the Genealogical Registration of Birth - from the Govt of Alberta Vital Statistics Registry Offices.

This will have all of the information required at the time.
Including the names of the parents - and the childs name.
The Registration will cost in the $40 Cndn range

Not everyone uses the name that their parents chose for them,for whatever reason. Perhaps we dont like the chosen name - or don't feel connected to it. all legal. Some change their given names because they feel disconnected to family.so many reasons.

Note: Birth Certificate - is an extract of basic information taken from the Registration of Birth.
Depending on the requirements of the time - there will be more personal information about the birth mother,her marital status. other children born or stillborn -etc.

Cheers, Stella

Hi again, Just a thought. Have you tried to find where - hospital records may have been transfered to?
Perhaps the Provincial Archive?? - wouldn't hurt to give that a try.
They may hold the Hospital Ledger - with entries about births - etc.
Cheers, Stella

Thank you, Stella. I have contacted Provincial Records and the Vital Statistics department thanks to your recommendations.

My dad never used the name my grandmother had put on his birth certificate because ... long story... my grandfather didn't like it. G'pa was not there when Dad was born. When he heard what my g'mother had named him, the story goes, Grandpa's response was "No child of mine is going to be named Claude Rollins [they misspelled my grandmother's and my dad's name on the certificate, spelling it "Rawlins"]. And so he changed it to Reid Lamar Hudson.

Members of the Alberta Genealogical Society were involved with indexing "Change of Names Documents" at the Provincial Archives, ask them.

The Edmonton Branch
http://agsedm.edmonton.ab.ca

Peter