How easy was it to change your identity in the late 1800s

I've read a bit about the famous african explorers Henry Morton Stanley, aka John Rowlands, and Paul du Chaillu who where both men than kept the majority of their life before their famous exploits secret as well as the former having changed is whole identity.

To that I'd like to ask if there where any other notable individuals who did the same during the late 1800s and how difficult/easy it was for someone to don a new identity back then, as well as then gain a good career in the public eye such as a businessman, politician, or published scientist.
 
I suppose if you were from a small-time town, you could easily jump ship when you're younger (14-16ish) and then change your name and whatnot once you enter 'true' society.
 
Evidence given at Old Bailey trials in the late 18C and early 19C suggests that it was common and unremarked then.

It is not until very recent times that society has become obsessed with "identity".

The old Common Law allowed you to change your surname to whatever you liked (as long as it was not done to deceive); but your christian name was fixed, since that , so to speak, "registered with God". To change it officially was not difficult however, but you really only needed to do that for inheritance purposes.

It is still lawful , in England and english jurisdictions to call yourself by any name you choose, so long as it is not done to deceive or for covinous purpose. Officialdom however, will insist on an "official" name, so that it becomes difficult to use a name that does not have an "official" piece of paper to back it up.

It is a pity that society has allowed this. One of the greatest things the Internet has done to further liberty and freedom is to enable effective anonymity.
 
It was, from what I've been told, pretty easy. Just move sufficiently far away and call yourself something different.

The problem was that living as a stranger with no contacts or friends willing to vouch for you was pretty difficult. Doing buisness was more personal in those days.
 
To that I'd like to ask if there where any other notable individuals who did the same during the late 1800s and how difficult/easy it was for someone to don a new identity back then, as well as then gain a good career in the public eye such as a businessman, politician, or published scientist.

One example that comes to mind is Swedish legislator Ola Månsson, who fled to America with his mistress in 1859 to avoid embezzlement charges. In Minnesota he assumed the name August Lindbergh; you may have heard of his grandson Charles.
 
My great great grandfather was a deserter from the Royal Navy, who signed up in England and jumped ship in NZ. He hid out in the bushes for a while before assuming a false name and returning to civilisation, where he found work in a small village and married.

Some years later the local policeman had a quiet word and confirmed he knew who he was but if he stayed on the right side of the law he would not be arrested for desertion. Noting that all police stations in the country would have lists of all deserters from Imperial forces. Some years later he reverted to his real name after he thought he had been pardoned. This must have been a surprise to his family and friends
 
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