No middle name on GRO Index?

William Henry Smith, b. 1862, Liverpool.

What are the odds on this (or any) individual being registered *without*
their middle name? Does the GRO index *always* list the middle name
anyway? Or perhaps: Did people sometimes take on a middle name later in
childhood?

Martin Brown...

In 1862 I'd have thought typos were quite possible.

I have had the same sort of problem with Brown. Although in this
particular case the right middle name initial was on the GRO index for
two candidates in a quarter. However, the middle name recorded by the
GRO was not the same middle name that the individual concerned was known
by in adulthood.

They didn't send the certificate because my check data didn't match.
Ho hum :(

A baptism took place (with parents of the same name) in Liverpool
(1862), but the child lacked the middle name stated above. In 1871, the
child was recorded on census without that middle name. In 1881
however...and a year later on his marriage certificate...voila -- the
middle name appears....and after these dates, it is *always* recorded.

We Smiths waste more money than most at the GRO. So I thought I'd get
your thoughts.

Martin Brown...

I don't think you can find out without the certificate. Seems fairly
plausible if the family members of 1871 and 1881 match up properly.

Martin Brown