Diane's Genealogy Blog 2020/1

Our death is not an end if we can live on in our children and the younger generation. For they are us, our bodies are only wilted leaves on the tree of life.
- Albert Einstein

[if you wish to contact me, my email address is: diane27@gmail.com]

<<2022 I am so sorry, all the photos appear to have dropped off this account.>>

8th December 2021

Richard Hawkins - Richard's parents were John Hawkins and Elizabeth nee Thorp, but they were entirely from Essex, born, married and died there. They had 4 children, the youngest John, but again his siblings were in Essex all their lives, likewise his parents William and Priscilla nee Salmon. So, it was only from Richard onwards that the treet centred in Kent.

7th December 2021

The father of this branch was John Hawkins born 1770 in Chatham and baptised there at St Mary's on 30 Mar in Dock Lane, father Richard and mother Elizabeth nee Wooding. His sister Elizabeth died in infancy in 1783 (as his parents married late in life there were no further siblings). His wife Elizabeth Porter was born in 1771 in Sittingbourne, Kent and they married on Christmas Day 1792 at St Alphege, Canterbury.Their 12 children were born there and they lived in Canterbury until 1840, when John died there. Elizabeth died the following year in Horselydown Surrey (probably with one of her children).

Richard Hawkins (my 5xgreat grandfather) was born in Rochester and baptised there at St Nicholas. His wife Elizabeth Wooding was born in Cooling and baptised at St James 6 Feb 1728. Cooling is on the Hoo peninsula in North Kent, 6 miles from Rochester. They were married at St Margaret's Rochester. Elizabeth died in 1789 (buried in Wye) and Richard in 1811 (buried in Elham, near Canterbury).

6th December 2021

The search for Hawkins cousins in Kent was not forthcoming, as all the boys moved away before having families except John Francis, whose son John was born in Canterbury approx 1866, but I couldn't locate a baptism.

The females of the family I have either mentioned died in infancy, or changed their names on marriage, Sarah was helpful to my search, as she named her children Jane Hawkins Cole and Edwin Hawkins Cole, both born in Kent and subsequently lived there for a couple of censuses. Jane was baptised at St Paul's on 6 Feb 182 It seems the Coles lived in Church Street, Canterbury and William was a printer. Edwin was baptised in the same church 2 years later, by which time they were living in Broad Street, the main road, Church Street branched off, so very close indeed. After marriage (in London) he lived in Lenham, 18 miles away, then moved to Surrey.

5th December 2021

As Harriet was only in Kent as a child, the other new records come up with nothing - burials, electoral registers and newspapers. As far as I can see she was an only child so I shall move back a generation to her father.
William Henry Hawkins was born in Canterbury in Apr 1807, baptised at St Mildred's on 19 May. He was 9th of 11 children born to John and Elizabeth nee Porter, although three older sisters and a brother died in infancy. Unfortunately the record of his baptism doesn't give an address, so I am none the wiser. And he too was only in Canterbury in his youth.
His sister Mary Elizabeth was buried at St Mildred's aged 10 days in 1794

Next sister Elizabeth Ann baptised the following year again at St Mildred's
Mary Ann was baptised at St Paul's in 1797 and burird there in 1800 aged 3
Meanwhile another daughter Phoebe Maria was baptised in Sep 1799 and buried 4 months later, back at St Mildred's
Charlotte was baptised privately in Feb 1801, then John Francis in Apr 1803 at St Mildred's, another Phoebe Maria in 1805, and these all survived. There was unfortunately a Thomas who was baptised 11 Sep 1804 and buried on 18th.
Charles was baptised at St Mildred's in Jul 1809 and the final sibling Thomas in 1812. Most of them ended up in London or surroundings, so don't feature in further records Tomorrow I shall look at cousins of Harriet, as later baptisms may give more details e.g. address

4th December 2021

Findmypast have just released a bunch of records from Kent - 4.6 million apparently - so I counted up my references to that county in this blog. Unfortunately there are 85, so I won't be able to study each individual one. The closest ancestor that springs to mind is my grandad's grandmother Harriet Hawkins, so I shall start with her and her family. Although I grew up in Kent, and lived there for the first 3 years of married life, we were from London, so "Kentishness" was by definition temporary.

Harriet Hawkins was born in Canterbury, Kent, to William and Harriet nee Payne. She always gave her year of birth as 1825 and she was baptised there at St Mildred's in Aug 1827. It seems they lived in Gas Street, Canterbury,  
which is still there, by the castle (although this is "closed due to falling masonry"). From the end of Gas Street can be seen the Churchyard of St Mildred's, so it was definitely within a stone's-throw of their home. William was a labourer, so it isn't a surprise that by the 1841 census he had moved the family to follow the work. More of this later, but Harriet, who was by then 16, can be seen in Bristol, working as a domestic servant to a pawnbroker. When she was 18 she married James Gamble, living in the same road as her in Holborn, London. They had 8 children and settled in Mortlake, both dying in the workhouse there.

24th November 2021

Conversation turned today to my mother-in-law's mother Ivy Maud Manhire nee Buckwell. This was because of Ancestry's extension of electoral roll records to 1970, but as before I shall bring you what I know of her (ignoring her reputed birth in India, as I follow documents and she has a "birth certificate" not adoption). This places her birth at 443 Battersea Park Road on 24 Sep 1896, baptized at St Stephen's on 22 Nov that year. In 1901 census she can be seen aged 4 at 443 (the tobacconist - or later newsagent/sweetshop) with her parents. Next door, number 441 was a pub The Lighthouse, which was at one time called the Clock House. The tobacconist shop was run by her mother Jessie nee Bean, who had taken it on when her father died in 1897. Her name doesn't appear on his probate document, but as he lived in Yorkshire - and died there - it may have been a private matter. He was listed as a "gentleman" so probably wasn't short of money. It was a tobacconist business from at least 1878. In 1911 census they were the same, Ivy at school aged 14, her father retired and Jessie running the shop. I have seen an electoral roll record of 1920, where Oliver was staying with his sister Marian and her husband Hugh at 20b Albert Bridge Road, which is very nearby. Ivy and Oliver married in 1924 at St Stephen's and he moved in with her and her family. Her mother Jessie was witness at their marriage in 1924 but died 5 years later, evidently leaving the shop to her daughter, who lived there until her husband died in 1964. When the 1939 Register was compiled, however, she can be seen visiting her husband's ancestral county of Cornwall, staying with a couple called Algar in Bugle, along with the two youngest children, who were aged 4 and 2. The electoral roll reords and business directory entries show she still lived at the shop through the war years, and all the children were born in Battersea. Her eldest, Jessie (my mother-in-law) was in the Land Army in Cornwall, but as she only died last year she is redacted from the Register. After widowhood, in 1966 (when she was 70) Ivy can be seen with daughter Stephie in Wallington, then 1967-1970 the same address with daughter Marie. In what I am assured was about 1972 she moved in with Jessie and her family in Minster, Isle of Sheppey, Kent and then relocated to Wales with them when they moved in 1979. She died there in Apr 1983.

22nd November 2021

My grandfather William George Matthews came up in conversation the other day, so I have studied him again and thought I would bring you the up to date summary. I have discussed him here several times in the past, so please see other tabs:
21 Dec 2013 - his wife Florence Hennig
20 Apr 2014 - his eldest son William Horace
17 Apr 2014, 20 Apr 2016 & 31 Jan 2021 - himself
He was born 9 Apr 1882 at Percival Street, Clerkenwell (all redeveloped now) and baptized at St Philip's, Granville Square (demolished in 1938). His father died in 1886, when he was four) and he was sent off to school, so 1891 census caught him at Hanwell School. This was a charitable institution most famous nowadays for being where Charlie Chaplin was sent under very similar circumstances. William's mother remarried in 1886 and was at the 1891 census in the very place of MY birth, the Lambeth Lying-in Hospital, York Road, Lambeth, with her new son. Incidentally, William's father George died in Holborn Infirmary, at that time a newly built (1879) part of the Union Workhouse, became in 1930 the Archway Hospital, and is now part of the Whittington Hospital. His mother soon found her feet and by the next census he can be seen with her and her new family in the Pentonville area. working as a Jewellery Polisher in a factory. This was always a bad area and has been redeveloped a couple of times since then, to offices nowadays. In 1902 he married Flo at St John's Highbury Vale, giving home address as 30 Mountgrove Road, Islington (Happy 119th Anniversary tomorrow!) When son Will was born, they lived at 60 Bride St, Barnsbury then they moved south of the river and spent a few years at 1 Crewys Road, off Hollydale Road, Peckham. They were still there in 1908 but by 1910 had moved to 39a Clayton Road - regular readers will remember this as the playground where my Dad was born! They lived there 1910-1923 then in 1924 moved to 135 Peckham Rye and set up the family jewellery repair business there. 1939 Register showed him newly-widowed, he and the two sons, working together. I lived there 1956-59, but grandfather had died there in 1952. When 1921 census comes out I shall expect to find him in the playground above, but my father as yet unborn.

17th November 2021

Thomas Ayress
Born 1831 in Stoke Mandeville, Bucks to George and Mary and can be seen there aged 10 in 1841 with mother and siblings. In 1851 the family are at Paradise Yard, Long Crendon, Thomas a 20-year-old baker. On 6 Jun the following year he married Ruth Young and settled in the village - he evidently dropped bakery and took to the land, whether through necessity or wish I can't tell. In 1861 census they can be seen at Malthouse Yard with 3 children , his brother-in-law Richard Young and family. In censuses of 1871-1901 they lived in Bicester Road and had six children. In 1901 he was shepherd and in 1911 OAP (aged 80) living in High Street, just around the corner. Ruth died in 1912 and Thomas 1916, deaths registered in Thame, Oxfordshire nearby.

Marjorie Jean Ayress
(Natalie's aunt, Audrey's sister) Born Jul 1924 in Southwark, she was by 1939 at 16 Millward Road, Ryde, IOW with parents, siblings and grandmother. (Although she died in 2013 Ancestry still have her redacted on the Register). In Oct 1946 in All Saints church, Ryde she married Ronald Kimbel from Essex and they settled on the IOW. Ronald died there 1988 and Marjorie 2013.

May Edith Ayress
Daughter of Henry and Maria, she was born 27 May 1899, baptized on 14 Jun at St James, Kennington Park Road, and died 4 months later at 4 Regency Place. She was buried in Lambeth Cemetery on 3 Oct, in unconsecrated plot G3/262 with 4 others unknown to me.

Ellen Mary Ayress
Another who died in infancy, she was born in Jan 1861 at 6 Portland Place to Levi and Rebecca, then appeared in census in April of that year. She died in Sep 1863.

Norman William Alfred Ayress
Born 31 Mar 1826 in Southwark to James and Louisa, thus Audrey's brother, Similarly he appeared on 1939 Register, but is still redacted, although he died 13 years ago. In Oct 1951 in Surrey (possibly Carshalton) he married Peggy M J Clark. She may have moved with him to the Isle of Wight, as he can be seen there in 2003 and died there in 2008.

Thomas William Ayress
Eldest of Henry and Maria's twelve, he was born 24 Nov 1887 at 19 Goldens Place, Chester Street, Kennington and baptized at St Mary the Less on 14 Dec. As 1891 census for this family is missing, he is next seen in 1901 census at 4 Regency Place with parents and siblings. Although I have been told he died in 1971 I don't know where, or if he married etc in the mean time.

Victoria Emma Ayress
His sister, 8th of the twelve, (twin of "George5", who died aged 18 months), born 27 May 1897 at 12 Chester Street. The twins were baptized along with cousin Victoria Gamble at St James, Kennington Park Road. 1901 census caught her aged 3 at 4 Regency Place, with parents and siblings, but by the next in 1911 her father had died and she was in the orphan's home with sister Rose - see below. Unfortunately I cannot locate her after this as she seems not to have married and the death record in 1971 is probably a Victoria Charlotte.

16th November 2021

Jane Ayress
Born 30 Mar 1872 to Levi and Rebecca at 7 Edward Street in Lambeth, baptized at St Philip's along with sister Elizabeth Matilda - see below - on 21 April, aged 3 weeks (Elizabeth was 3 years). In 1881 census she was at 11 Regency Place with parents and siblings, then in 1891 she was servant to a hatter and family in Newington. I know many hatters suffered from symptoms of mercury poisoning, so when she died aged 21 in 1893 it could be related. She was buried on 8 Dec in St Pancras Cemetery plot R/37 and followed in 1895 & 1898 by two males (?colleagues), but I don't know them.

Joseph Levi Ayress
Born in Jan 1890, fifth of Henry and Maria's twelve, at 35 Glasshouse Street, Lambeth, he was baptized at St Peter's, West Dulwich. He should have appeared on 1891 census with the family, but this seems to be missing. He died aged 2 in August 1892 in St Thomas' Hospital and was buried in an unconsecrated plot E3/325 at Lambeth Cemetery with 14 others.

Levi Ayress
He was Maria's father-in-law, born in 1835 at Stoke Mandeville, Bucks and can be seen there aged 6 in 1841 census with lacemaker mother, siblings and maternal grandmother. In 1851 he was with his widowed father, siblings and grandmother again, by this time aged 17, an "Ag Lab" like his father and brother in Oxford Road, Aylesbury. On 20 Feb 1854 he married Rebecca Spiers at St Mary's, Aylesbury. They had five children, the first in Buckinghamshire, then in 1857 they moved to London. In 1861 census they are at 6 Portland Place, Newington with 3 children, then in 1871 above the pub - see below - with two. By 1874, when Rebecca died, they had given birth to five, although one died. He married again on 1 Nov 1874, to Naomi Ming nee Cole, who had been widowed after only two years of marriage, at St Philip's. They remained at the same address until 1880, when they moved round to Regency Place in time for George's birth. They can be seen at various addresses in that road over the next few years. Nowadays, this area, around White Hart Street, is full of blocks of flats known as the Kennings Estate, built in 1928. When Levi died here in 1900 they lived at number 50, and Naomi can be seen there the following year in the census with 3 children and a grandson. Likewise in 1911, but by 1918 she had moved to Grove Park, in the borough of Southwark, and died in 1926 in Streatham.

Lucy Maria Ayress
Henry and Maria's third child, born 22 Dec 1885 at 15 Regency Place and baptized on 10 Jan 1886 at St Philip's. As I said, 1891 census is missing, so she is next seen in 1901 at 4 Regency Place, aged 15, with parents and siblings. In Jan 1911 she married local boy James John Adams (he grew up around the Emmanuel and was baptized there 11 May 1885). In 1911 census, taken a few weeks later, they gave their address as 71 Dalyell Road, Stockwell, James a plumber's labourer. They were still at that address in 1919 but by 1936 had moved to 52 Broadway Gardens, Mitcham with daughter Lucy and father George, where they were still in 1939 Register. James died there on 8 Feb 1951, leaving £390 to Lucy. In 1962 she was at 55 Worcester Road, Sutton but when she died 30 Mar 1966 she was living in a home at Percy Gardens, Manor Drive, Worcester Park and was buried on 7 Apr at Merton.

Rose Harriet Ayress
One of the little girls who, on the death of their father in 1908 when she was 5, was put into an orphanage - see Henry below. In July 1928 she married Francis Budd from Marshalsea Road, Southwark, wharf labourer. In 1932 electoral roll records show them at 97 Fitzalan Street, a road I know well as it was the next to my grandparents' block Clayton Buildings, now modern flats. In 1938 Rose was at Gardener's Cottage, Parkhill, Chertsey with her father=in-law William. I don't know where Francis was but the following year in the 1939 Register he can be seen with mother-in-law Maria at 9 Dore Gardens, Merton, and Rose was an in-patient at Epsom & Ewell cottage hospital. Francis died 12 Aug 1950 and Rose remarried in December to Frederick Ebden (who in 1939 Register was in Carshalton with his first wife and son).Frederick died in Jan 1972 in Merton, and Rose Nov 1997, buried 2 Dec at Garth Road Cemetery, Merton in plot A/336 with Frederick.

13th November 2021

Henry James Ayress
Husband of my great great aunt Maria and father of HEJ below. Born 25 May 1858 to Levi and Rebecca in Southwark, he can be seen in 1861 census at 6 Portland Place aged two with parents and sisters, then 1871 7 Edward Street, a 12-year-old printer's boy. By 1881 his mother had died and his father remarried, so he can be seen with sister Annie and family at 1 Chester Street, by now a blacksmith. In May that year he married Maria Gamble, who was a domestic servant living in Mortlake. They married in the Registry Office in Lambeth and Maria's mother Harriet was one of the witnesses, then barely two months later along came son Henry, so draw your own conclusions... On his marriage certificate he stated he was a miller, but he described himself as many different things over the years. Miller until 1884, then Carman. I suspect he was a delivery driver and at times claimed the job associated with his customer e.g. 1887 corn chandler, 1885 pickler. In 1901 census "wine stores carman" but most documents bore the single word carman. By 1908 he was admitted to St Thomas' Hospital and died there of cancer of stomach and liver. He was only 46 and was then described as "bottle washer". I think he may have been sampling the wares he transported to the wine stores! With twelve children it's not surprising that Maria could not support them and in 1911 census she can be seen alone in Luscombe Street, working as a charwoman. Of the children three had died (although Maria said seven had, which makes me doubt her mental state), the two youngest girls were in an orphanage, Henry and Lucy were married and James living with Henry and his family, also two (maybe three) were working. By 1939 Register she was living with son-in-law Francis Budd, while his wife Rose was in hospital, in Merton at 9 Dore Gardens and she died there 3 years later.

I omitted Audrey Margaret, as I said. She was Natalie's mother, daughter of James Frederick. Born 9 Jun 1935 in Ryde, Isle of Wight to James and Louisa nee Robinson, she only died in March of this year so is still a redacted record in the 1939 Register. I can tell which line is hers though, with her parents and siblings at 16 Millward Road, Ryde. She was at this time only 4 years old, but in 1960 she married Michael Catlin and settled in Ryde, having three daughters. Latest electoral roll record I could find showed them at 35 Parkway and she died 10 Mar 2021.

James Frederick Ayress Audrey's father, born 2 Oct 1895 at 12 Clayton Buildings, Lollard Place, Kennington, and baptized on 7 November at Emanuel church, which you may remember was directly behind the buildings, where I spent much of my youth looking down on the roof. No.12 was the home of Maria and her family, in the name of her father Isaac Gamble, at this time, but by 1898 they had scattered. 1901 census showed James aged 5 at 4 Regency Place with parents and siblings then 1911 aged 15 at 26 West Square, Southwark with brother Henry and family (see above). In 1913 he joined the Royal Navy, stating he worked in a sugar factory and lived at 19 Sharsted Street. In 1918 & 1919 he was an Absent Voter registered at this address and working aboard HMS Pembroke II as stoker. Christmas 1920 he had shore leave, went home - with a medal - and married Louisa Robinson, daughter of a Newington fruiterer. They had 4 children and by 1939 were living at 16 Millward Road, Ryde, Isle of Wight (must have moved there just before 1935 for Audrey's birth). He died at no.19 (opposite) on 6 Mar 1981, Louisa having gone before on 7 Mar 1975.

12th November 2021

George 5 Ayress was born on 27 May 1897 at 12 Chester Street to Henry and Maria, twin of Victoria. They were baptized on 14 July at St James, Kennington Park Road, along with cousin Victoria Gamble. Unfortunately George died aged 16 months on 2 Oct 1898 from pertussis - whooping cough. Vaccines for this weren't available until the 1930s, so many children succumbed.

George 6 was George John Frederick, the son of Frederick John and Violet nee Newby born on 1 Oct 1926 in Milton, Kent (I understand this was near Sittingbourne, not the part of Gravesend we know as Milton today) and can be seen in 1939 Register with them at 5 Cemetery Road, Deal aged 13. In Oct 1950 he married Margaret Lorden, draper's daughter from just down the coast at Sandwich. They must have stayed in the same area, as Margaret died there in 2000 and George 5 years later.

Harriet Rebecca Ayress. Born to Henry and Maria on 30 Oct 1886 at 4 Golden's Place, off Chester Street, Lambeth - I see now it is called Denny Street. She was baptized 7 Dec 1884 at St Philip's (where my parents married) along with brother Henry. Unfortunately the vicar transcribed their surname as "Harris", but I found the record! She died the following year aged 9 months, but her parents went on to have 10 more children, although three more of these died in infancy too.

Henry Edward James Ayress Her brother (first of their 12) was born in the house on 6 Aug 1882. He can be seen with the rest of the family on 1901 census at 4 Regency Place, aged 18 listed as a stableman. In Apr 1909 he married Elizabeth Hawkes in West Ham and they went on to have four sons. Unfortunately two of these (twins born in 1916) died aged 2 and were buried in West Ham Cemetery plot 122219 JC on 6 May 1918. No details were given on the document, so I don't know if this was due to natural causes or wartime. 1911 census shows them living with only one son at this point, and Henry's brother James at 26 West Square, Southwark. It must have been after this that they moved to Essex, possibly at the death or illness of her parents. The next record is 1939 Register and Henry can be seen at 6 Church Lane, Hornchurch with sons Henry and Bernard and lots of redacted lines. Elizabeth died in 1922 and he remarried in 1924, to Amelia Allen who was 20 years younger than him. They may have had several children, but the redacted lines on the Register don't help... It seems that Amelia died in 1964 (buried 20 Feb 1964 in Rainham Cemetery) and Henry in 1968 (address given as 3 Ingrebourne Road, Rainham and buried with her on on 5 Dec). 

Henry Frederick William Ayress Eldest son of the above, born on 15 Apr 1910, a year after the first marriage, and can be seen a year later at 26 West Square, Southwark with parents and uncle. In 1939 Register he was with the family in Hornchurch. There was a Frederick who became a POW that year, but I think it wasn't him, despite the fact that he did use his middle name on occasion. As he was listed in 1939 as a market gardener, he may be the one with a greengrocer shop in 1930 in Plaistow. In Jul 1944 he married Rosa May Smith from Leyton. He died 19 Nov 1973 45 Clockhouse Lane, Stifford, Grays, and when Rosa followed 16 years later, her address was a "retirement housing complex" nearby.

11th November 2021

Frederick John Ayress Born 16 Apr 1901 at 4 Regency Place, Lambeth (see Florence yesterday) to Henry J and Maria. He was a musician in the navy, enlisting on 26 Sep 1916 aged 15 and was awarded two medals for service aboard HMS Impregnable, Devonport, in the Royal Marines Band. After the war, electoral roll records show him at 80 Villa Street - this end of the road has been redeveloped into blocks of modern flats. In Jan 1926 in Southampton he married Violet Newby in the Southampton area, then can be seen in 1939 Register at 5 Cemetery Road, Deal, Kent with two sons. This address is now Hamilton Road (the name of the cemetery) He died in 1977 in Dover and Violet in 1980 in Deal.

There are six Georges on this branch, so as usual I shall number them and deal with them chronologically:
George 1 was born in 1727 in Cold Brayfield, Buckinghamshire, a village nowadays part of Milton Keynes. He was baptised on 8 Oct, probably at St Mary the Virgin and his parents were Henry and Susannah. In about 1752 he married Ann and they had 4 children, all registered in the Chalfont St Giles area (7 miles south of Cold Brayfield). Both he and Ann lived into their eighties and died there 1814 and 1808 respectively.

George 2 was their son, born 1760 in Chalfont St Giles and baptised there on 9 Mar. He ostensibly married twice, once in 1785 to Hannah Moore and then in 1792 to Elizabeth Green. The fact of most records being made as "Ayres" means he had entries as fishmonger, postal worker and blacksmith, and I don't know which is correct. He did have a son George 3 - see below - with Hannah and 3 other children with Elizabeth. He died in the Oct quarter of 1842 in Amersham, aged 82.

George 3 was born around 1800 in Chalfont and on 17 Jun 1814 joined the navy as a "boy", remaining in service until Dec 1816. in 1828 he married Mary Harris at Stoke Mandeville, when the record states he was a blacksmith. Likewise in 1841 census he can be seen in Chalfont village listed as such, with wife Mary and 6 children. In censuses of 1851 and 1861 likewise and two sons are blacksmiths too. He died in 1876, at 1 Chester Street, Lambeth, so must have been staying with his granddaughter Anne.

George 4 was George Anthony, Anne's half-brother, Levi's son with his second wife Naomi. He was born at 11 Regency Place and is there on 1881 census with parents and siblings. In 1891 they are at number 23 and in 1901 number 50. At this time his father had died and he is with his widowed mother, two siblings and a nephew, listed as "farrier and blacksmith". 4 months later he was married to Mary Ann Watson at St Paul's Lorrimore Square. The 1911 censusshows them living at 2 Wilds Place, Lambeth (off Regency Place), George a 30-year-old horsekeeper with 3 sons. In Dec 1915 he signed up to the Royal Field Artillery, Camberwell Brigade, as a Driver, giving home address of 5 Bywell Place, Brook Street (now Drive) Lambeth. He served from then until 1919, posted to France for two sessions. In 1932 a document shows him living at 53 Henry Street, Battersea along with wife Mary Ann, 3 sons and two daughters-in-law. 1939 Register gives address of 55 Winders Road, Battersea, with 2 closed records and a Kenneth, who was only5 so was probably a grandson. George was working as a lorry-loader. He died in the area in 1959 and Mary Ann in 1971.

10th November 2021

Dennis Gerald Ayress Born 11 May 1928 to Frank and Violet nee Newby, (thus Audrey's first cousin) in Devonport, Devon, although I'm not sure why there. He can be seen on 1939 Register at 5 Cemetery Road, Deal, Kent aged 11. In Jan 1953 in Eton, Bucks he married Elizabeth Goodman and it seems they settled in Devon, where he died in 2015. His family remained in Kent.

Elizabeth Matilda Ayress Born 1 Dec 1869 in Lambeth to Levi and Rebecca, thus Maria's sister-in-law, baptised at St Phillip's aged 3 with her sister Jane on 21 Apr 1872, giving address as 7a Edward Street. This is significant to me as my parents got married at St Phillip's, among other events, and 7 Edward Street was the Bricklayers' Arms, 7a was no doubt the flat above - the building is still there, but no longer a pub. By 1881 census her father had been widowed and remarried, so Elizabeth can be seen with him, her step-mother Naomi and 3 half-siblings. By 1884 there were a further two half-sibs and evidently the family was too big for the premises, so Elizabeth was admitted to Leavesden School with 2 sibs, while their father was in Highgate Infirmary. She was discharged 5 months later and evidently got a job as servant as she can be seen as such in 1891 census at 11 Brixton Road, Kennington. Incidentally there were two lodges at that address with the surname Newby, so maybe there was a family connection, her nephew marrying a Newby. Unfortunately I have no further records for Elizabeth, marriage or death.

Florence Lily Ayress Born 25 Apr 1894 in Lambeth to Henry and Maria, baptised at St Peter's Vauxhall with home address of 47 Glasshouse Street, Vauxhall. At this time, her uncle Isaac was living at number 35 (my great grandfather) with his widowed mother Harriet i.e. 6 houses away. (This road now holds some of the buildings of the Peabody Estate, built in the early 1970s). In 1901 the family was at 4 Regency Place, which was off White Hart Street, now modern, and she can be seen there with parents and sibs, aged 8. In 1911 census she can be seen working as a servant to a shipping clerk and family at Fresco, Wimbledon Park Road, then in 1913 she was listed as a teacher of music in Shirley. On 8 June 1919 she married William Albert Hickson Moyses at St John the Divine, Vassall Road, Kennington. She was working as a telephone operator and he was a shop assistant and in the army in wartime. They had 3 children and she is listed in electoral roll record of 1926 at 28 De Laune Street, a mile away across the main Road, with her brother Frederick (just prior to his marriage), By 1939 they had moved out to Dagenham, Essex and can be seen at 193 Valence Wood Road, with two sons and two closed files, William now working as a lift attendant, eldest son Frederick a milkman. William died there in 1952 aged 58, Florence in 1973 aged 78.

9th November 2021

Earlier in the year I was studying the family Maria Gamble married into - surname Ayress - but was in the middle of it when taken ill and admitted to hospital. Recently Natalie Dawkins, with whom I share these ancestors, as her mother was Audrey Ayress, (daughter of James Frederick) contacted me. Apparently I didn't have her mother on my tree, so I have amended that and worked on it to include plenty more Ayresses. Incidentally, as you can imagine, this was often transcribed as Ayres, so although unusual did cause difficulties. As I didn't let you know about them, I shall bring you what I have...

Anne Ayress Born 1856 in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire to Levi and Rebecca, who, as was the custom a lot of the time, had their first child in the mother's hometown (often in the home of her mother, in this case Port End, Haddenham) then moved on. By the birth of the next child Henry, they lived in Lambeth, and his birth was registered in Southwark. Anne can be seen in 1861 census aged 5 at 6 Portland Place, Newington with parents and siblings. The next document is her marriage to brushmaker Thomas William Hardaway, on 23 Jan 1871 at St Mary's, Lambeth, both parties under-age (she was 15) and the reason arrived 6 months later - daughter Annie - and they were living at 1 Chester Street (now Way), likewise in 1881 but now with 4 children. By 1891 they had moved round the corner to 81 White Hart Street and she died there in 1894 aged 38.

Bernard Edward Ayress Born 15 Feb 1912 to Henry E J and Elizabeth nee Hawkes in West Square, Southwark, and was baptised on 1 Mar at Victoria Docks Ascension church in West Ham. His father was a "carman for furniture stores", so there may have been a link to the docks. By 1939 Register the family had moved to Hornchurch, his father now a "labourer in market" and Bernard had gone into "Metal Manufacture" and was aged 27. He appeared on electoral roll records in 1964 & 1965 at 3 Ingrebourne Road, Havering and died there in 1986.

Beryl Sylvia Ayress Born 21 Mar 1930 in Romford to James F and Louise nee Robinson (i.e. Natalie's auntie). In 1939 Register she can be seen at 16 Millward Road, Ryde, Isle of Eight with parents and siblings, also maternal grandmother. In Oct 1959 in Ryde she married Roy Ives, who had been born in West Ham and trained as an aircraft fitter in Canada in the 1950s. In 1939 he had been with his parents in Standon, 8 miles from here, at school. After returning from Canada into Southampton, he must have remained in the area (Hampshire) as he married and settled on the Isle of White with Beryl. They had no children that I can see, Roy died in 1990 and Beryl in 2007, both on Isle of Wight.

More tomorrow...

7th October 2021

As this set of records relates to Essex, some of my tree branches are irrelevant, as I have said. For example, "Knight" brings up 3167 records, and most of mine are in Cornwall, numbering 685 on my tree! So, I shall pick and choose from now on...
The Small branch has 34 on it, so I cross-referenced with the 143 records on this list, and nothing matched (although a fair few married in Essex)
Woodfords were the reverse, the Essex list only 74 when I have 297 on my tree.
Arthur Fardell Woodford was there for his marriage to Esther Amelia Jackson on 30 Dec 1873 at St Paul's, Stratford
The record gives Esther's address as "Buckingham Villas, Stratford", which I cannot locate due to Google being distracted by "The Villas, Stratford Road, Buckingham"!

6th October 2021

The next branch, the Ingrams, has 453 recoords, so again I shall cross-reference using the 29 on my tree.
Nothing matched - not surprising as mostly they are from Bath, and a few from USA.

The Hawkins, similarly 1541 on the list, 39 on my tree. And nothing matched again.

I am in the process of setting up a new site for updating you on information gained from the 1921 census, being released in the New Year. The new site will be hertfordhistorysmith2.co.uk but isn't up yet. As they say, Watch This Space...

5th October 2021

Pressing on with the Essex Marriage Records, I have today searched the 127 in the name of Gamble, finding my 1st-cousin twice removed John Augustine Gamble's marriage to Mary Ann Phillips. It took place on 3 June 1916 at a place called The Ascension, Victoria Docks. Her home address was given as 7 Wade Road, Custom House, which no longer exists (Custom House is still an area of London, but is now in the borough of Newham) and his as Dover. I covered them in detail previously - see 24 Apr 2015 and 5 Aug 2018.

No other Gambles match up. There are 211 Hatton marriages on the Essex list, but only 19 on mine, so I had to seek individuals.
The record of a Benjamin Brett Hatton confused me. He was the first husband of Mary Ann Coleman, who later married James Gamble, my 3xg grandfather, and he died in 1821 after only 6 years of marriage. However, looking into all the records I see that in this time they had 4 children, one named after his father, which became a bit of a habit. There were several generations of Benjamin Brett Hatton and one married Mabel Florence Pratt on 6 Aug 1905 at Emmanuel Parish Church, Lea Bridge Road, Leyton (which I passed on a daily basis 77 years later on the way to work) Home address was 29 Salcombe Road, Leyton, just down the road

No other Hattons match up, but then almost all lived in Leicestershire.

2nd October 2021

Lucy Harriet Roffey married Alfred Edward Seaden on 14 July 1934 at St Paul's East Ham. I have been unable to locate them in 1939 Register but electoral roll records show they lived at 51 Cannon Street in 1950s, then 14 Great St Thomas Apostle London EC4 in 1960s. Alfred worked as a Quantity Surveyor, probably in Hornchurch, as he had a telephone number there. They must have retired to West Mersea, Essex as he died there aged 72 in 1981 and Lucy's in 1998 in Colchester.

Of 58 Wooldridges, and 105 Dances, none were ours.

1st October 2021

Yesterday I completed the check of burial records in Leicester, but there was nothing to report. Today, Findmypast contacted me advising of new marriage records, so I shall move on to these. A little more cheerful!

Searching through the 26 surnames in my trees, I found details on Ethel May Samways. She was married on 28 Oct 1928 at Dovercourt, Essex to George Edward Francis Scott. This was useful, as it led to 1939 Register and thus exact date of birth. Ethel 2 Jan 1900 and George 18 Jun 1905. In 1939 they lived at 6 Lime Avenue, Harwich, Essex George was a wharf labourer, but worked full-time in the Auxiliary Fire Service during war-time. There was a redacted line too, who was no doubt their son Gerald, then aged 9. I see that George died 18 Jul 1969 and Ethel 27 Apr 1985, buried in Dovercourt.

Arthur Eldridge Roffey, as I did already know, married Lucy Neave on 2 Apr 1904. It was in All Saints Church, West Ham and home address was 48 East Road, not the same as in 1901 or 1911 censuses.

Charles Alphonse Roffey, his son, married Lily Beatrice Irene Bull on 25 Feb 1933 at St Bartholomew's, East Ham. When Charles died in 1962 the record gave home address as Marsh Hotel, Rhuddlan, Flintshire but he died in Mossley Hill Hospital, Liverpool. The following year she re-married and he also lived in hotels, working as a wireman for GPO. He was Arthur Jenkin Gwyn Vaugan-Morris, very welsh as you can see by the name, and he too died in Rhuddlan, on 10 July 1979. Lily was by then living in a Home in Putney, Southwest London, and she died on 26 November that year.

29th September 2021

The Pick family was in evidence for many generations in the local area (Old Dalby, Syston etc and there was a part of Melton Mowbray called Pickwell), and links with my tree at least twice. William Woodford (brother of my 3xg grandfather John b 1820, central character of this tree) married Mary Ann Pick and Mary Woodford great grandmother of John, married William Pick b 1741. I don't know if these branches are linked - investigations are not helped by the fact that most are called Mary or William! Also, there are more than 500 burials registered in this name in Leicester alone! I have 50 ancestors on my tree, so will seek them from there. For example:
Most of the females married and thus died with different names, of course
Henry died in Syston
Horace I had great hopes for, as he died in Leicester, but it was too late for these records, being 1996
James - there were two records in 1851, one in Twyford in July and one burial at Welford Road in November. I assume these weren't the same man, and as 1851 census showed the family living in Twyford, I gather the former was correct.
James William and his wife Dorothy both died in the Leicester Central area, but neither shows on Deceased Online's list
John b1834 was in the lunatic asylum in 1881 & 1891 censuses, so may well have died there in 1892. Where he was buried I cannot tell, but not in Leicester city cemeteries it seems. The asylum may well have had its own cemetery, as many did.
There were several other Johns but all died in Twyford, which has at least one cemetery of its own
Mary Ann, as we know, died as Woodford and was buried in the churchyard at Old Dalby
All three Richards died in Twyford or nearby
Samuel was only 8 when he died, but as it was in Twyford he is no doubt there, likewise Selina aged 2 in Melton Mowbray.

28th September 2021

Alice Kate Woodford, 1st cousin 4x removed, married Herbert W Morley, had 7 children and died in December1938. She was interred in Gilroes Cemetery plot MM/733, to join her husband, who died in May of that year, his mother Jane 1923 and their son John, who had died aged 14 in 1911. This last was a lesson, as I had assumed his to be the death in 1967 aged 71, rather than 14, as it seemed more likely... Herbert's brother Frank was buried with his wife in plot SS/603 (Frank 1942, Lucy 1976). His other brother Edwin died in Sheffield. The other 4 siblings were girls, so married other names (or died in infancy). 

Priscilla Woodford, 1st cousin 5x removed, married John Noble, had 9 children and died in 1888. She was interred into unconsecrated plot F/638 at Welford Road Cemetery, last of five, all called Noble. Investigating, I found that the other 3 were sons, one who died aged 5 and two who died in infancy

Martha Ellen Woodford, 3rd cousin 3x removed, married Richard Parr, they had one son and these three are in plot SS/1099 of Gilroes Cemetery. Martha was interred in 1951, Richard in 1958 and son Walter in 1991.

27th September 2021

My 1st cousin 4x removed Edith Ellen Woodford married Charles Fox, so when she died she was buried in unconsecrated plot B/344 in Welford Road Cemetery with him and two others of his family

Ann Maria Holmes, known as Maria, married Josiah Woodford and died in 1905, buried in Gilroes as outlined on 21st September below. I checked her family - parents nothing, the only sibling worthwhile was William Walker Holmes. Due to his unusual middle name (which may also have been his father's) I could match him up with several imteresting records. It seems he was born in the July quarter of 1859 and can be seen with parents and siblings in 1861 & 1871 censuses. By 1880 he had joined up to the Army Leicester Miitia, 29th brigade on 4 Jul 1877. Next we hear in 1880 he deserted in Northampton. It seems he disappeared for a few years, so maybe was deported, but when he reappeared in 1901 he was doing very well - a colliery owner who joined the Freemasons in Swansea. He can be followed through the first decades of the 20th century there, living at Eaton Crescent, finally dying there in 1925.

Another ancestor with a useful middle name was Elizabeth Ball Miles (Ball was her mother's maiden name). She was the granddaughter of Ellen Miles, who married Andrew Woodford, my 3xg greatuncle. By the time Elizabeth died in 1894 she had married John Mitchell, so her burial plot - E/46 at Welford Road - also contained her mother-in-law Ann (d1879~), her husband John (1913) and her sister-in-law Susanna (1922). The original inhabitant was John Edwin Mitchell, possibly John's uncle.

26th September 2021

Examining the siblings from last night I discovered Priscilla's eldest brother Joseph Dakin married three times, and died in 1915. I have now traced his burial in Welford Road Cemetery unconsecrated plot L/590, and over the years his third wife Emma (1935), son-in-law Edwin Jarvis (1933) and daughter Jane (1947) joined him there.

Next brother Thomas is confusing, as there are two "versions", one married a Harriet, had lots of children and died in 1916, buried in Welford Road plot F/502. The other one didn't marry, died in 1878 and was buried in unconsecrated plot R1/737. I can't tell which one is "ours".

Sister Catherine married a Charles Greenwood, had 8 sons and died in 1910.

Next brother, Samuel Dakin, died in 1942 in Derbyshire.

Jen Dakin - it seems this wasn't short for anything, as it appeared on all his documentation as such - married a Sarah in 1891 and died in 1934. He was buried in Gilroes Cemetery plot MM/604 on 6 Apr 1934. Oddly, there were 11 Sarah Dakins in the local area, so I cannot tell when/where she was buried.

Next sibling Mary Elizabeth Dakin married Harry Taylor and died in 1932 in Leeds.

Last sibling was Robert John Dakin and I think he was a draper, in 1911 married to a Fanny nee Wilson and with 3 children. By 1939 he was widowed, living at Wharf Street, where he died the following year on Christmas Day. I can see he left his legacy to son Horace, but cannot find his burial.

25th September 2021

My ancestor Mabel Hatton married into local family the Boulters, and many are buried in the Leicester cemeteries, but as she was only 2nd cousin 3x removed, they are rather obscure, so I won't pursue it. 

Ruth Brewin Underwood has always puzzled me. She was born to parents called Brewin, and in 1857 aged 20 she married Joseph Woodford, my 1st cousin 6x removed. This was the only time the name Underwood appeared, and I suppose she could have married a Mr Underwood, but I cannot find him. She had given birth to a daughter 11 months earlier, called Emma Underwood. She lived with the family as Woodford, except for the 1871 census where she was called Underwood, step-daughter (this says more about the census-taker - or the fact that Ruth had just died). Ruth's death was probably due to stress of childbirth exacerbating the TB she had for 10 months. Ruth - and later Joseph - was buried in Old Dalby Church Cemetery but Emma was soon admitted to the Lunatic Asylum in Humberstone as Brewin. William Brewin, Ruth's father, was also in an asylum in Leicester, but I don't know if it was the same one (now The Towers Hospital). This may have been after Joseph's death in 1882, and she remained there until her death in 1944. She was then interred into plot P/626 of Gilroes Cemetery with 4 others who I do not know.

Harriett Woodford, my 1st cousin 5x removed, married William Corner in Leicester in 1873. Both she and William died elsewhere, but their eldest son John Robert Corner died in Leicester on 8 Sep 1943 and was bvuried on 11th into unconsecrated plot T/97with two others I don't know. However, the other 5 siblings were buried elsewhere.

Similarly Alfred Miles Woodford married Priscilla Dakin in 1885 . Neither was buried locally but her father Robert Dakin was interred into Welford Road Cemetery unconsecrated plot R1/2875 on 6 Sep 1886, Her mother Alice nee Berrington re-married the following year and died in 1909 as Laxton, when she was buried at Gilroes Cemetery. I cannot match up Priscilla's 6 siblings

24th September 2021

There were no further Woodfords buried in Leicester, as Welford Road came up with nothing matchable, also the Baptist Chapel and the Congregational Chapel.

So, moving on to the Hattons, relatives of my 3xgreat greataunt Jane Woodford. I have 19 on my tree, but they almost all died in Old Dalby and were buried in the church ground.

Two other 3xg greataunts married and died in Nottingham under other surnames.

You may remember Georgiana Bakewell married Joseph Woodford, my 1st cousin 5x removed. Her brother Joseph Edward Bakewell was buried at Welford Road Cemetery plot L/1009 with his wife and his mother., both Susannas,

23rd September 2021

Ellen Woodford nee Smithurst was the first wife of John, and died aged 37 in 1892, was buried in unconsecrated plot N/1153 with 2 others (and a third followed some years later). One of these was called Twigg, the surname of her daughter-in-law Mary Jane.

I did already know of the burial of Josiah Woodford, who died aged 3 and was interred at Welford Road on 18 Nov 1881. His father, also Josiah, and mother and two aunties were in Gilroes - see below. Josiah junior was with 6 others in unconsecrated plot N/1489, including 3 other Woodfords (but I can't match up their death dates at the moment)

I have searched many more but, especially women, found them difficult to pin down. Of course, those who marry into the surname will then rely on my having a year of death to match up with and those with names like Mary Ann, Jane etc are among many.

22nd September 2021

Moving on to Saffron Hill Cemetery records

There are only a few listed but the first one is Alan Woodford, son of Jessie. He died in 2007 in Glenfield Hospital and was buried here on 28 Feb. His wife Patricia presumably joined him in 2012.

I did think another was "mine", as it was a Florence married to an Albert Ernest, but my equivalent was Ernest AlFRED and the dates were wrong.

Next is Welford Road Cemetery
 
The Eliza Woodford on the list may be the laundress daughter of Joseph and Georgiana, but I don't know who the others in plot CON O/1170 were; William Spencer Woodford, Herbert Claude Hopkins and Jack Vivian Tozer.

21st September 2021

Josiah Woodford - see 18 Jul 2013 - died May 1938 and was on 13th interred into plot Z/962 with his wife Maria (who died 1905) and his sister Sarah Marvell (died 1922) and sister Annie, who died 3 months before him, so may have been contagious...

Mary Jane Woodford was the second wife of Ernest Alfred - brother of Gertrude. I covered him before, last time in February of this year, his military records. At the time of her death Mary Jane (nee Twigg) was 64 and had been married to him for 12 years (previously to Ernest Ludlam, to whom she was only married for 5 years when he died). On 30 Apr 1955 she was interred into plot NN/287 with 4 others I don't know.

Sarah Ann Woodford, wife of Francis, see Sunday, was interred on 23 Jan 1940, followed later that year by her husband.

There is another Sarah Ann record, who was interred into plot G/567 on 11 Dec 1940, giving home address of 40 Houghton Street. She was 81 years old, so born in 1859, so I cannot match her up with one of mine. She was probably married to a Woodford and I may not have her middle name...

I see that on 17 Aug 1940 a 10-year-old Sylvia Woodford was interred into plot Q140, having died at the City Isolation Hospital. She was the daughter of Ernest Alfred - see above - and I see in the 1939 Register, taken the previous year, that Ernest was living with his 2 daughters in the same house as Mary Jane and her son. They subsequently married 4 years later.

Thomas Henry Lucas Woodford was brother of Francis Pateman, born in KB the year before him, in the July quarter of 1858. In Apr 1887 he married Sarah Ann Stannage in Leicester and can be seen in census records of 1901 and 1911 in KB, working as a gardener. He died in Feb 1932 and his mother joined him at the end of that year, in plot RR/703.

20th September 2021

James Edward Woodford was one of Francis' brothers - see yesterday - 12th of Job's 14 children. In censuses of 1871 & 1881 he can be seen at KB with parents and siblings, then in 1890 he attested to the Royal Artillery, working as a driver in UK, then India 1891-1896. He was sent home as he was ill then served "at home" 1896-9. In Nov 1899 he saw more action, this time in South Africa, in Cape Colony, then returned home 9 May 1900. He, then Emma, drew an army pension for many years. In 1901 census he was back at Weir Road with wife and 2 daughters, with his widowed mother next door with his sister Fanny Matilda. By 1911 they were living in the village of Tur Langton, KB and he was working as Farm Labourer. He must have continued with the smithy as he completed the1939 Register as Blacksmith, although he was by then 70 years old and died 3 months later. On 23 December 1939 he was interred into plot Z/926 Gilroes Cemetery, 3rd of 5, and was later joined by wife Emma (1956) and then daughter Constance (1963).

John Woodford, son of John and Hannah and father of Gertrude - see yesterday - when I dealt with him before I called him "John 4", but had my doubts as the ages were all wrong on 1901 and 1911 censuses. I suspect he and/or Eliza didn't know how old they were. But burial records at the cemetery show him and Eliza in plot A/322, Eliza in Nov 1918 and John 20 Nov 1935 . Two others were put in that plot, one before, one after.

19th September 2021

Francis Pateman Woodford - I discovered his wonderful unusal middle name at his burial in Gilroes Cemetery and was able to match up records telling his entire story. He was born on 10 Dec 1859 in Kibworth Beauchamp, Leics (KB) to Job Bull Woodford and his second wife Charlotte. He lived with these parents and lots of siblings (9 eventually) in KB in 1861 and 1871 censuses. By 1881 he can be seen at 57 Upper Charnwood Street, Leicester, lodging with a pork pie maker and working as a baker. (Nowadays numbering ends at 43). In Apr 1888 he married Sarah Ann Chesher in Northampton. She was by then 37 years old, so it may not be a surprise that they had no children. He seemed to be a general manager in shops etc over the years, as in 1891 he was a wholesale confectioner at 111 St James Road, Northampton. (This was until recently a barber's shop, but has now closed, probably due to the pandemic). In 1901 census they were at 2 Leslie Street, Kingsthorpe, Northants (numbering shows no. 2 is missing), working as what was transcribed as "shoeroom foreman", but as he always worked with food I suspect should read "shoproom" or "showroom". By 1911 he was 51 and he and Sarah ran an Egg dealership from home, 59 Twycross Street, Leicester. 1939 Register showed them retired to 8 Cranmer Street, Leicester, Francis listed as Retired Confectioner, and this was where they both died the following year. Francis died in City General Hospital at the end of November 1940, was cremated and ashes scattered in the Garden of Remembrance at Gilroes Cemetery on 2 December, as Sarah had been on 23 Jan that year, having died at home. He left his money to two solicitors' clerks, as he had no close kin left.

Gertrude Mabel Woodford - I have covered her before, but had little information after 1901, when she was one of 26 laundrymaids in a convent in Oxford. I now see she was interred into plot K/644, 3rd of 5, when she died aged 71. I see that there may be an explanation for the lack of information, as she may have gone to USA as a student, and only returned to these shores on death.

18th September 2021

Continuing with the burials at Gilroes Cemetery with surname Woodford, I have come across a few more.

Edith Emma Woodford was interred into plot G/578 on 22 Jun 1944 with two others I cannot link for now. There was another burial on 27 Nov 1969 into plot Z/405 with 4 others, but I cannot tell if she was moved or if it was another by that name.

Florence May Woodford nee Hopkins was the wife of Ernest Alfred, married in 1921. She was buried 6 Nov 1934, 5th of 8 burials in plot JJ/88 over a period of 80 years. By the time Ernest died in 1975 he had been married again, and wasprobably buried with his second wife Mary Jane (although not the one I found in plot NN/287 in 1955)

*****

I am so sorry this ground to a halt. I have been ill and in hospital, but am on the mend now.

*****

17th September 2021

Findmypast informed me that Deceased Online have recently added Leicester burials to their collection, so today I have studied these. I discovered a 4th cousin once removed, who died in infancy, then subsequently was able to study his sisters. They married, so had death records elsewhere under other surnames. There are now records for 4 cemeteries in Leicester City, and in the next one I found his father.

Donald Woodford was both born and died in the Oct-Dec quarter of 1922, to Albert and Nena nee Trotter and was subsequently interred into a public plot at Belgrave Cemetery with 80 others.

Albert Edward Woodford was placed in a family plot at Gilroes Cemetery, after he died at Hilcrest Hospital on 11 Feb 1972.

There were 2 other children, but as they were girls who married, they died in other areas under other names.

20th May 2021

As you may know, I have been slowly plodding through the ancestors on my mother-in-law's tree, awaiting the release of the 1921 census in the New Year. I just came across a family I knew little about and have padded out their story, so will bring it to you.

William John Manhire was born Feb 1871 in Roche to Samuel and Elizabeth Ann nee Williams and can be seen 2 months later in the 1871 census at Paradise, Roche with his parents and 2 sisters. In 1881 census they can be seen at Caudle Down, St Austell, with the addition of 2 brothers. 1891 & 1901 censuses appear to have gone astray, but in Oct 1905 in Redruth he did me a great favour by marrying someone with a very unusual name; Boadicea Martin. She had been born in Redruth on 26 Mar 1875 to John and Jane and can be seen in 1881 with them at Carnmarth, near Lanner, her father and eldest brother tin miners. Likewise in 1891, but Boadicea was by then 16 and a dressmaker. By 1891 their father had died, so son William was head of houehold, mother Jane and 4-year-old niece living with Boadicea. In Oct 1905 she and William John married in the Redruth area, so may have been Lanner, as they settled there. In 1911 census they can be seen at Lanner Square, next to a bakery/shop, and are still there in 1939. Jane, her widowed mother lived with them until she died in 1916, and Boadicea & William had 4 children. In the 1939 Register she can still be seen there, as I say, after his death in 1937, with her eldest and youngest children, Samuel a stonemason and Lilian a shop assistant, possibly working next door. In 1946 she (Lilian) marriied Alfred Phillips, related to the baker next door, and despite being 18 years older than her, survived her by 2 years.

May the Fourth be with you 2021

In 2019 and 2017 I spoke of two versions of William Knight 3, as I called him, who emigrated to America. I have now found almost the whole story, a third version who also emigrated there, but to Colorado, rather than Pennsylvania or Utah. He was born in Tresible, Roche in May 1847 to William and Kitty nee Roache, and was baptised there on 7 June. as I showed you in 2019. As I said, he can be seen at Tresible with parents and sibs in censuses of 1851 & 1861. On 6 Nov 1869 at St Stephen-in-Brannel he married Mary Ann Rickard, local girl 8 years older than him, and he immediately set off for Colorado. He was an ore miner, so probably went with others for work. Mary followed him, as was customary, when he had settled, in this case in 1874. In the next census in 1880 they can be seen at Silver Plume, Clear Creek, Colorado, William mining, Mary keeping house, no children. In 1885 Colorado performed their own census, which is good because 1890 is missing for many states (destroyed in a fire in 1921). In 1885 they were still at Clear Creek, William an ore miner aged 37, Mary aged 45. They seem to have boarders with the same surname, so may well be relatives, Frank and John, and a son aged 11, also John. I cannot track him down as by the next census in 1900 he was long gone. In that year, William was still mining at Silver Plume, aged 53 with Mary 61. His brother Nicholas had come over and was boarding with them, along with 4 other boarders and a 6-year-old child, William. I initially thought the boy was William's son, but the column for his mother's place of birth states Illinois, so he is no doubt son of Nicholas. William died in 1902, leaving Nicholas in charge - he signed the probate documents but these have since been lost. I do have one more thing to say here. As Silver Plume only started up in 1880, William was one of the first miners to settle there. Wikipedia says:
"Many tales circulate about the town. One involves its naming. According to records and legends, Louis Dupuy, the owner of the Hotel De Paris, was also a newspaper editor for the town. When miners from Silver Plume brought him samples of the town's ore and asked him what they should name the small camp, he allegedly wrote a short poem on the spot:

Knights today are miners bold,
Who delve in deep mines' gloom,
To honor men who dig for gold,
For ladies whom their arms enfold,
We'll name the town Silver Plume!"

What intrigues me is the first word of this poem, as William shared his surname with several there. For further information: https://www.uncovercolorado.com/towns/silver-plume as the settlement is still there.

Tuesday 20th April 2021

I have been checking records of the Knight family (Jessie's paternal grandmother Tahpenes' family in Cornwall) and not had anything worth reporting to you lately, but today found an interesting story concerning the death of Jenifer nee Knight, who was married to tailor John Martin for over 50 years. The newspaper article I found, telling the story, is very smudgy, so I shall bring it to you here:
"St Austell Star 15 August 1901
On Thursday last Mrs Martin, wife of Mr John Martin, tailor, residing at Station Road, St Blazey, attended the Flower Show at Tywardreath and was taken with severe pains in the head from the effect of the sun's heat. She was removed to a friend's house, then her home... where she was attended by... Dr Tuckey, but although every attention was paid to her she never thoroughly regained consciousness and died on Monday. Deceased was about 75 years of age."
She was actually 85, but as John was 75 she probably admitted to that.
"Mr John Martin, husband of the above, who was greatly affected by the death of his wife, after arranging for the funeral, went on Tuesday...to his brother's house at Treesmill near Tywardreath. He got up early...to go to Par Station to meet his daughter who was coming by the mail train but...a railway packer proceeding to work at about 6 o'clock found him dead on the railway bridge at Treesmill. Information was immediately given to the police and his brother. Both Mr & Mrs Martin were very well known and greatly respected, having resided at St Blazey about 50 years. Mr Martin was for over 20 years a member of the Par Volunteer Artillery."
There was an inquest into John's death (in case he committed suicide, presumably, being so upset) and it was decided he died of a weak heart he must have had for some years.

Sunday 28th March 2021

Her brother John Noonan - see 21 Apr 2014 - was born in May 1827 in Cork and baptised on 21 Jun 1827 at St Finbarr's, sponsors John Daly and Mary Sullivan. I have told before how he travelled to London with his mother and siblings and can be seen wih them in 1861 census, working as a printer/compositor. I could not find him in 1871 census, but I think I know where he was. His mother was living with his brother William, who was a tailor, but maybe John's work had dried up, as he can be seen in the Workhousein 1870 and I can't find a release date. He may have entered the workhouse as his mother's lodgings were small, he may have required medical attention, or it may have just been his turn (mother followed in 1874 & 1881). He can be seen living with his sister Margaret in the following two censuses, when she was eventually properly married and settled. He died 12 Feb 1897 at 8 King Street, Holborn, (Margaret informant) and was buried in Manor Park Cemetery a week later.

Margaret Noonan herself - see same date - was born Jan 1836 in Cork and baptised at St Finbarr's on 28 Feb, travelling with mother and siblings as said. In about 1858 she took up with Thomas Boyce, calling herself Mrs Boyce and subsequently bearing him five children. All details are there on the 2014 tab, but I see that she didn't wait for Thomas' death to marry Alfred Cooper (although it wasn't long). She was of course 41 by then, so I'm not surprised she only had one child with him, especially as Alfred had 9 children, 3 had died, one was in the Navy but the youngest three were still at home. Her brother John was always there until he died in 1897, then Alfred followed in 1900, and Margaret 1904.

The remaining sibling was William James Noonan. He was born second child, in 1834, baptised at St Finbarr's south in July, sponsors Cornelius Donovan and Bridget Muleshy (?). As before, I have nothing more until he appeared in London in 1861 census, and then he confused me by calling himself James. (As you may remember, his father just died and he himself was recorded as both William and James at times). He (WJ) may have been in the Army in 1857, but I have no way of proving that was him. He said in the census that he was a printer compositor like his brother but as he went into the workhouse William James started calling himself a tailor. He possibly did both, then the printing failed. In 1871 he was with his mother at 8 Edward Street, Berwick Street. The next census 1881 was when his mother was in the Workhouse and died there, William seems to have popped in & out too, I can see him in Holborn Workhouse in 1868, but then not again until 1903. However, I don't know where he was at the time of the 1881 census, or 1891 for that matter. However, electoral roll records show where he was from 1890:
1890-2    21 Great Barlow Street, Marylebone, renting one room unfurnished
1894-7    240 Ossington Buildings, Portman Square
1898-1902 106 High Street, Marylebone,
1904-9    29 High Street, Marylebone,  renting 3 rooms and a basement and subletting to John Noonan (I did think this was hs brother, but as he died in 1897 it must be a nephew etc)
In 1903 he can be seen in Westminster Workhouse and he remained there until 1906. He died at the age of 73 in Jul 1907, when James Tarr took over the letting arrangement.

Saturday 27th March 2021

Margaret Hyde was Catherine's other sister, born in Jan 1805 to Con and Nancy. On 3 Oct 1827 she married Edward Collins at St Mary's, Cork, witnesses Michael Hyde and Margaret Collins (maybe her mother-in-law).I did think that Edward was in the army and was killed, but although the records show a wife called Margaret all other details are wrong, so I have discounted that. Likewise, I have a death for Margaret in Ontario, Canada, but cannot confirm this. I do believe they had two children Michael and Johanna, but there were probably lots more - as you may appreciate, the names are all very common.

Catherine Noonan, my great grandmother, has been covered many times before - see 22 Dec 2013, 19 Apr 2014 & 23 Apr 2016 - she married Frederick Hennig in 1867 and then John Miles in 1886 and died in 1918 of cancer.

Thursday 25th March 2021

Catherine Hyde was born in Jul 1802 in Cork to Con Hyde and his wife Nancy nee McNamara and baptised in St Finbarr's South, on 27 Aug. She married James Noonan on 24 Sep 1826 at the same place, witnesses Jerry Mullins and Mary Sullivan. They had 4 children, all in Cork, and I have postulated that she only moved to London when James died in 1864. He was buried in Ballinakill Graveyard, Charleville . However, she can be seen with the children in London in 1861 census, so there is something wrong there. Maybe she left with the children, calling herself a widow. There had been many years of famine and depression in Ireland, and it wasn't over yet. Her sons were employed as printer compositors and Catherine as glove-maker. I have told her story before, but to summarize, she lived in Westminster with her son William, a tailor, until she entered the Holborn Workhouse (probably in need of medical attention) and he lodged locally. She died there on 1 May 1884.

Con Hyde, her father, was a bit early for the Irish records. I have told you that Irish Catholic recorda were largely lost. I am told Con can be short for Cornelius, which makes sense as Margaret named one of her sons Cornelius, and then he did himself, so the name is in two other generations of the family albeit with surname Collins. However, even with this name I still cannot find any details on him.

Wednesday 24th March 2021

I thought it was about time I reviewed my Dad's Irish connection. I'm not sure how best to do this, so I'll do as I have before, and deal with them in alphabetical order. This is the tree of Catherine nee Hyde, my great great grandmother, who married James Noonan then moved to London

Ann Hyde was the youngest sister of Catherine, born early 1810 at St Barry's, Cork and baptised at St Finbarr's South on 9 Jan 1810. This church was a mile from the house, and 18 years later she married Timothy Power there, on 10 Jul 1828. Witnesses were Daniel Collingham and Henry Hyde (evidently a relative, but not one I know). She and Timothy had two children in Cork, then in 1837 moved to Worcestershire, England and had four more there. In 1841 they can be seen in Grey stone Street, Dudley, now a narrow little passage at the back of Asda, then by 1851 they had moved 5 miles southwest and can be seen in King Street, Wollaston with 6 children. It does (from the birthplaces of the children) lokk as though they moved about a lot, possibly following Timothy's work as a glass-cutter, firstly Cork, then Dudley, then Kingswinford in 1845, then Wollaston by 1848. In 1861 they can be seen at Tobacco Box Hill, Amblecote with 2 sons, one of whom John was a glass-cutter too. Nearby is now the Ruskin Glass Centre. Ann died there aged 52 the following year and Timothy moved to Camden Street, Ladywood, Birmingham (now a multi-storey carpark) and died there in 1875. The eldest child Sylvester Power stayed behind in Ireland, and because of his unusual name I was able to follow his applications for dog licenses over the years, in Upton, Wexford, a red dog, licensed in 1897-1920. He also had some land, house and garden in Grange Upper, Gaultiere, Waterford 1845 onwards, rented from Joseph Waring.

Wednesday 3rd March 2021

Edward Richard B Samways - see 25th Oct 2016. His service number was 128452, but nothing new arises.

William Michael Burton married Alice Louisa Samways - see 16th Oct 2016, where I gave lots of detail. His service number was 146283.

William V Pack married Jane Samways - see 11th Nov 2016. Service number 107141, nothing new.

William Stanley Yeomans married Dorothy Samways - see 22nd Oct 2016. Service number was 324692 but this gives me nothing on FWR search, although there are 53 with that name, oddly, without the middle name.

John Stanton married Alice Samways - see 1st June 2019 - service number was 17842 but too early for these records. In WW1 I see he was stationed in
UK 22 Oct 1914 - 29 Aug 1915 (312 days)
France 30 Aug 1915 - 3 Sep 1916 (1 year 5 days)
UK 4 Sep - 28 Feb 1917 (178 days)
then into the Army Reserve

Frank Jabez Smith married Beatrice Mary Samways - see 17th Oct 2016 & 2nd June 2019 - I cannot track down his service number and often there is no middle name, so this search gets me nowhere

Henry W Camm married Barbara Samways - in 2019 I said "born Henry Walter Camm in Sunninghill, Berkshire on 17 May 1895 he too was a twin and was also not baptised. In 1901 and 1911 he can be seen in Sunninghill with the family, his father a carpenter/joiner and in the latter Henry was baker's errandboy. He evidently trained as a joiner, like his father. He enlisted in the Royal Naval Air Service, completing 8 trips in WW1, then was discharged to the RAF in 1918. Presumably he met Barbara in Sunninghill, as they both lived there in their teens, and married in Jul 1923 in Windsor". Service numbers were F10648 in RN, 210648 in RAF but nothing new. 

Tuesday 2nd March 2021

Albert Victor Hodd - see 19th Jul 2016 - service number 118253 but no news

Stephen James Hodd - see 31st Mar 2019 - service number 11187 but no newws

William T S Epsly married Eliza Roffey in 1868. See 12th Sep 2014, where I gave a great deal of detail on his naval service. Service number 36638 gave me nothing on the FWR search, as his records were from all over the world, and too early for these wartime records.

Henry Arthur Roffey - see 1st May 2020 below. He had several service numbers, as he was with several services, Army Service Corps in 1914 (Motor Ambulance Unit 375442), By 1918 when he joined the RAF, it was apparently from the Royal Navy with rank AC2 45111, then transferred ro Class Z Reserves with this number. Each of the records has a different letter or number ahead of this, so does lead to confusion. Evidently he was with the navy for long enough to entitle him to be treated for the eyeball damage in 1924.

William Stanfield Roffey has popped up several times, including service in the Royal Navy from 1911 to 1928, service number K10748, then see May 2020 below.

Henry James Samways - see 11 Nov 2016 - confused me (and the Royal Navy) by always being called James, so the FWR search doesn't work

Ernest William Philip Samways (linkman of this tree) had service number 181591 and this brings up documents confirming my previous story.

Monday 1st March 2021

Thomas Joshua May, Cliff's Uncle Tom, was covered fully on 20-21 June 2014, now with service number 23850 I come up with nothing new.

William Robert Hodd was covered on 8th Aug 2014. I now have his service number 99561 but this comes up with nothing, searching the FWRs.

Thomas George Hodd - see 3rd Aug 2014 - service number G/8069, Killed In Action in France. I see now that although he only married in 1909 he/Lily already had 2 children. Lily was a flower-seller in Limehouse, calling herself a widow although her father had the same surname. She was 5 years older than Thomas and was thus 38 when he died and 41 when she remarried in 1919. Thomas Junior (Thomas Sidney) changed his name to Hodd, probably in order to gain from his father's war pension, daughter Daisy married in 1923.

Henry William Hodd - see 12th July 2014. Service number is given as S/3566 but this comes up with nothing in FWR search.

Ernest William Hodd - see 7th July 2014. His service number was 8546, and there are lots of documents now, clarifying the story:
He was reported "Wounded and Missing" on 10 Jun 1918, it was assumed he had died on 13 May
Discovered to be a POW in Germany 6 July 1918, reported as such 27 Aug 1918
Released from POW camp in Germany, arrived in England 17 Jan 1919
Discharged "no longer fit" 23 Jul 1919
Medals and silver war badge sent Nov 1920
(Oddly his Next of Kin was named as a Louise Blockley, guardian - I have no idea who she is; granted his father died when he was 12, but he married before he enlisted, so his wife should be)

James George Golder married Matilda Hodd in 1916 - see 28th Jul 2014, when I said James had joined up to the Royal Fusiliers in 1914 in order to fight in WW1 but had been discharged after only a couple of months as "not likely to become an efficient soldier" (he was constantly in trouble for those weeks, evidently could not take orders and was reported to have "bad character"). Service number was 319 but I found nothing new.

James Joseph Hodd had service number 624284, but all that led me to was his medal card I already had.

Gerald Richard Hodd - see 11th Jul 2014 - IOW postman with service number 40672. No news.

Saturday 27th February 2021

Herbert Henry Smith junior - see 17th Aug 2014 - no new details except service number 2590

John J Pratt (Ted) married Alice May - see 9th May 2014 for an outline. As I said, he served firstly as a gunner with the Royal Horse Artillery 1905-8, then was called up for WW1 in 1914, with service number 38289. This gives me a little more information; when wounded in 1916 he was serving in Calais as Corporal, sustained shrapnel wounds to his left shin on 15 Nov, was admitted to Ward P, treated and discharged back to service on the same day. On 4 Feb 1919 he was discharged as "unfit for service" awith the rank of Sergeant and a pension. He had served a total of 13 years 188 days, of which 3 years was in France and I understant to disability that caused this discharge was Concussion, but don't know how he came by it. His Conduct Sheet had two occasions noted; in 1806 when he was found to be "drunk in barracks", then ten years later in 1916 he was guilty of "neglect of duty" (no details). On bothe occasions he was "severely reprimanded"

Cliff's uncle Bill William John May - see 23rd June 2014 and 12th July 2016. Even having his service number 134868 gave me no more information, apart from on his entry medical to join up he was found to have tachycardia, probably due to rheumatic fever as a child. but this was not sufficient for rejection.

Charles May was in the Royal Navy 1843-73 service number 71971, then 1873-1882, as a sailmaker. He was always of "exemplary character" and received a Good Conduct Medal (maybe several, it's hard to read).

James Edward May - see 22nd May 2014, where much detail was given. I cannot find anything with service number 1022A; although having the rank of Warrant Officer, he was a teacher, not a soldier.

Thursday 25th February 2021

Richard Stephen Hancock married Claudia Retallick, but they emigrated before he was called up.

Ewart B W Retallick is the final one from this tree. He joined the King's Own Royal Lancashire Regiment on 7 Aug 1916, service number 33504, aged 18, served in UK then France (5 months), received Gun Shot Wounds to the left arm and was discharged on 6 Sep 1918 with pension and medals, including silver war badge.

The last tree is that of my late father-in-law Cliff

Manlius William Smith - see 28th Aug 2014 & 14 Apr 2019, the POW in Germany.

Ernest Sidney Smith - see 15th Aug 2014 - Cliff's father. Unfortunately his names were all very popular and there are 1,827 records for "him", in all services, with no way of telling which ones are really his. Except his final ones, service number 1043000, showing his death in El Alamein (no new details).

Wednesday 24th February 2021

Joseph Couch Knight was an Australian drafted into US Army, so there are no documents in the FWR.

Although Arthur Theodore Knight was in both World Wars he was in USA, so no documents for him either.

Hugh Hewitt, (see 11th Feb 2017) who married Sarah Knight, was in the British Army in Canada, but in 1807, too early for the FWR

Walter Cock Knight was another in USA

Elison Retallick also.

Viole Retallick - see 20th Jan 2013 - was the one who emigrated to USA with his parents but returned to live with his grandparents when his mother died the following year, as he was only 5. He enlisted on 9 Apr 1918 into the 4th Battalion Wiltshire Regiment and they intended to send him to France. Instead, as I told you, he went for training to Dunnington, then Dublin and never got to France. On 1 Mar 1919 he was transferred to Class Z and demobbed. Along with many others he put in a claim for disability pension, and had a medical on 11 Apr 1919. He apparently had bilateral otitis media (ear infection) and the skin condition impetigo, which turned into seborroeic eczema, but these conditions were not considered sufficient. He received treatment and the pension refused. He had after all only served 325 days.

Simon Retallick was another in USA, also William Drew Retallick.

Thomas Henry Retallick's service number was 273346, but nothing comes up in a search on the FWR. This surname is so often misspelled, I'm not really surprised. See 10th July 2017.

Everet Harry, who married Olive Retallick, was in America all his life.

John Robert Smith Retallick - see 10th Apr 2020 & 3rd Dec 2012 - new information being his service number 2094, enlistment date 1 Feb 1913 and discharge 5 Oct 2016, with 3 medals and a silver war badge.

Tuesday 23rd February 2021

On to the tree of my late mother-in-law, that I call the Manhire tree.

Her uncle Claude Manhire joined the Royal Navy on 20 Aug 1895 when he was 16. I have covered him in depth on 1st July 2012 and 7th Dec 2019 and can only add now that his service number was 185355.

(Clifford) Stanley Liddicoat (who later married Gladys Manhire) travelled to USA and joined up there, service number 319615. There are no documents available on the FWR.

Likewise Fred and David Manhire in Idaho, also Arthur Stanley Manhire.

For the story of Reu Manhire Senior see 15 Apr 2017, but there are no documents as again it was in USA

See 3rd April 2017 for Theophilus Manhire. His RN service number was 281431.

Harold Nicholson married Alma Manhire in 1923. He had served in WW1 as a stoker in Royal Navy, service number K29440.

Theodore Manhire was another only in the services in USA, also Frederick Manhire (see 5th July 2012 & 19th Mar 2017)

I told the story of Joseph Colman Manhire on 4th Apr 2017. His service number was 39736 and was dismissed with a collapsed lung after 1 year 68 day in 1871 with Royal Artillery.

Emile Minty married Gladys Manhire in 1913 and enlisted into the Royal Flying Corps on 8 Mar 1917 as Airman 3rd Class (AM3), service number 64705. On 1 Oct that year he was promoted to AM2, then transferred to RAF when they formed in 1918. On 12 Oct 1918 he was "unpaid Corporal Clerk" then the following May officially Corporal, but only for a month, as he was transferred to the reserves on 7 Jun 1919 and Deemed Discharged 30 Apr 1920.

Arthur Stanley Manhire was another of the USA branch

John Richard Manhire was one of the branch in South Wales, see 20th January 2020, His service number in the Royal Tank Corps was 200445. i told you of his medal awarded in 1919, but can now report he was wounded on 4 Oct 1918. Whether these were related I can't say but I can say he was a corporal and within a few months was home, marrying in London then settling back in Wales.

Monday 22nd February 2021 (Happy 99th birthday in Heaven to my Dad

Charles Albert Cox enlisted in the London Regiment at Camberwell in 1908. He had been in 1st Surrey Rifles VRL since 1906 as a Private, and in Jul 1909 was promoted to Sergeant, He was discharged 5 Apr 1912 (Lance Corporal) after serving his allotted time, but 1914-1919 re enlisted in the Royal Fusileers. He served in France, Salonica and Palestine, was wounded in 1916, and rose to the rank of Captain.

Archibald Charles Cox was Killed In Action on 4 Mar 1919 and buried in France. The only new information I have is his service number R4/127696 but no details. His pension was paid to his wife Winifred, living in Gloucester at the time. He had married in 1917 before he was shipped out. She later remarried, but not until 1932.

Victor Frank Cox - see 20 July 2018 for his story. All I can add is his service number was 45040 and he served 18 months in France and 8 months in UK. As far as his pension rejection, I have seen the medical report which stated that he was in pain when lifting things but could walk well. This seemed unfair as he worked as a warehouseman, so lifting was central to his job. It was his conviction that really scuppered it. 

His brother Edward John Cox was the one who was diagnosed with a heart condition at his enlistment medical. They called it "soft myocardia" and evidently didn't cosider it severe enough to reject him. He attested to the ASC on 8 Dec 1915 and he was put in the Army Reserves from the following day then "mobilized" 6 Sep 1916. He evidently excelled in this role as he was promoted to Corporal on 28 Nov 1917 and to Sergeant on 11 May 1918, as which he was transferred to Z Company on 1 Mar 1919. After demob he had another daughter and evidently ran a draper's shop in Sutton with his wife until they retired to Brighton. When he died he was 77 years old.

Final Cox is Albert Charles Cox, service number 44878 Rifleman in the 14th Royal Irish Rifles, previously 2711 with the London Regiment. But no new details. He was killed in France on 21 Apr 1917, but was 47 and had 5 children.

Oops, I seem to have missed out John Augustine Gamble, but then there is no new information apart from his service number 10347, which leads to no new documents. See 24th Apr 2015 for his story. The reason his story was so difficult to read was that the documents were burned, but I don't know why, and also why only the edges!

Likewise Thomas Herbert Hatton has slipped through the net. See 7th Oct 2020 for his story, as there is nothing new, service number 42967

Sunday 21st February 2021

Reuben John Woodford 2, as I called him, as his father was 1 and his son 3, was my great great-uncle, brother of Charlie and Carrie (and 6 others, 2 of which died in infancy). He enlisted in RFC 10 May 1917, service number 80750, and was transferred to RAF on its formation a year later, so he didn'y have much of a chance to achieve anything. He was promoted from Air Mechanic 3rd Class to AM2 but then back to Private, as his brother, when joining the RAF. In Mar 1919 he was sent to Purfleet Dispersal Station and to "G Reserve" in the November, "deemed discharged" 30 Apr 1920. I did have a fright when the War Records suggested he may have signed up again in WW2,when his wife died, and been killed in a plane crash in 1943. But when I looked into the details I saw he was 64 and died of fairly natural causes (fortunately I had the death certificate, obtained from another relative last year)

Sid Reading married Lilian Cox, but prior to this he was in the Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry in WW1. He served from 1913 to 1919, including service in France Oct 1915, demobbed 5 Jul 1919, discharged 31 Mar 1920. He was disabled by deafness attributable to service, returning home sick, no longer fit for duty on 27 Apr 1919, later receiving a silver war badge and the usual medals. On 19 Nov 1922 he and Lil were married. I have found another record regarding his discharge, but it obviously isn't him. The address was Devon and he had gunshot injuries to his hand - which as far as I know has never led to deafness! As far as I know he died in 1957, death registered in the Westminster area of London.

Henry Thomas Cox (Lal) was in the Cadet Corps from 1914, aged 16, then the Army Reserve two years later, training reserve number 2145 (no records) then he joined the Essex Regiment service number42254, 18 Jan 1918. According to his medical report, he was treated by a field ambulance on three occasions for otorrhoea (ear infection) in Mar 1918. On 3 Sep 1918 he suffered a Gun Shot Wounds of his hand and shoulder, was admitted to a hospital ship then sent home until 4 November, when he was posted again, then 6 Dec again. I can't find a discharge/demob date, but they were generally in 1919/20. As I have noted before, he returned to his old job in the tobacco industry, moved with the company to Liverpool, where he died, unsurprisingly of lung cancer, aged 60. 

Edward Albert Cox was his brother, born just a year before Henry. He was Killed In Action in France on 24 Jan 1917 in the 9th London Regiment, Queen Victoria's Rifles.

Saturday 20th February 2021

Ernest Alfred Woodford enlisted on 28 Oct 1916 into Royal Army Medical Corps. He was a 30-year-old grocer living with his parents at 66 Navigation Street, Leicester. He was at that point put into the Reserves, but called up for service on 23 Jul 1917, and sent off to France with the BEF on 11 Sep. He was sent home in Nov 1919, wounded, and demobbed 3 Jan 1920, awarded the usual 3 medals. By this time his home address was 12 Little Lane, Leicester (maybe his parents moved when his grandfather died in 1918) but the following year he married and his daughter Dorothy was born at 12 Little Lane in 1925.

Charles James Woodford "Uncle Charlie" - I already knew he joined the Royal Flying Corps and was transferred across to the Royal Air Force when they started up in Apr 1918. But I know more now. He enlisted on 16 Nov 1914, a 26-year-old Motor Cyclist (he had trained as a carpenter for an engineering company) and was ranked as a Second-class Air Mechanic (AM) with service number 2190. On 1 Mar 1916 he was promoted to AM 1st Class, then a month later Corporal, on 16 Aug 1917 Air Sergeant and then on 19 Mar 1918 received a MSM Award for Gallantry. It seems most unfair that on 1 Apr 1918 he was absorbed into the RAF back as a Private, but did achieve promotion later that year - he was AM class 1 on 24 June then "Acting (unpaid) Corporal Mechanic" on 24 Sep 1918.
These related to movements around the RAF; he started in "RD" then on 11 April 1918 moved to 134 Squadron, which closed and turned into 132 Squadron in July, then in December he was sent to the School of NBD (navigation and bomb-dropping apparently), on 11 Jan 1919 to Purfleet Dispersal Station and thence demobbed in April.
His story wasn't all positive though. He was evidently sent to France on 2 Dec 1914 and returned home 27 Apr 1917, being admitted to hospital for the effects of gas on 11 Aug 1915 then 18 Aug to Le Havre for the same.

John Straw married Alice Woodford on 12 Jul 1913, but he had enlisted in Nottingham on 25 May 1910, aged 24, into the Notts and Derby Light Infantry, commonly known as the Sherwood Forresters. He trained wih them for a few weeks every summer (except 1912 when he was unwell) and on 1 Aug 1913 re-engaged for another 4 years..Postings:
Home (i.e.UK) 25 May 1910 - 10 Nov 1914
BEF in Europe 11 Nov 1914 - 19 Aug 1915 (and wounded 9 Aug 1915)
Home 20 Aug 1915 - 21 Jul 1916
France 22 Jul 1916 - 27 May 1917
Home 28 May 1917 - discharged 13 Nov 1917
A familiar story emerged in that he was AWOL a few times in Sep 1915 , Oct 1915 and Jan 1916, leading to fines. On 1 Jul 1916 he was promoted to Corporal then 2 weeks later back to Private. On 11 Oct 1916 re-instated to Lance Corporal while in France, transferred ro RDC (reserves) on 21 Aug 1917 then discharged on 14 Nov.
I suspect when he was AWOL he just went home - third son and namesake was born exactly 9 months later.
In Dec 1937 he died aged 51 and his pension was paid to Alice, his widow, in 1939 a shopkeeper.

Friday 19th February 2021

Robert Johnson married Louisa Woodford in Aldershot on 2 Oct 1900, He had joined the army in the Royal Highlanders: attested 24 Apr 1896, at the age of 21
appointed Lance Corporal 15 May 1897
Corporal 22 Jun 1899
posted to South Africa Oct 1899 - Mar 1900, during which he was wounded in both arms
Lance Sergeant 23 Jun 1900
serving "at home" 5 Mar 1900 - 24 Apr 1902, during which time he was married
back to South Africa 25 Apr 1902 - 20 Sep 1902
Sergeant 12 Aug 1902
Joined The Black Watch 22 Apr 1908
Sergeant Black Watch 24 Aug 1909
posted 3 times as sergeant 1912 - 1914
promoted to Colour Sgt 17 Dec 1914 then Colour Sergeant Major 20 Jun 1916
Finally he was discharged in Jul 1918 after serving 22 years and 95 days. He was awarded the S. African medal and Kings S A medal, both with clasps and a Good Conduct Medal
He had two sons, but one emigrated to America and settled there (New Jersey) You will no doubt appreciate that Johnson is an extremely common name, so I cannot find a death for either him or Louisa.

Thursday 18th February 2021

Unfortunately, any stories today will be an anti-climax after Mark yesterday.

William Dobbins married Emily Woodford in 1918, but had been in the army throughout WW1. Actually, what I said above may not be true, as he was considered a "bad boy" from the age of 10, when he first came to the attention of the Authorities. A report dated 1 Dec 1903 states he was guilty of theft and was to be investigated until the age of 16. At the time he was living in Lochee, Scotland with his parents, but at the end of this period he was "discharged to friends" on 3 Nov 1907, then reported on in 1908 and 1909. In 1908 he was working in a mill in Lochee, then on 5 May 1909 aboard SS Greatham, where he had been sent. On 1 Sep an agent visited his home in Lochee and was told he was employed fruit-picking. On 23 Dec he was found on the pier, out of work, surly and of bad character. On 18 Oct 1910 he moved to Glasgow with his mother and found employment in the bottle-works. His father was with them too, but a coal-miner, he had lung problems and died aged 47 in 1904.of "probable pneumonia". Unfortunately there doesn't seem to be a 1911 census in Scotland, so next we see him enlisting in the Royal Field Artillery on 4 Sep 1914 as a gunner. He was wounded in France in Dec 1917, but healed by 6 Apr 1918, when he was awarded the Silver War Badge and discharged 20 Dec 1918 as "surplus to requirements". 8 years later he sailed with his wife and two little daughters aboard the Beltana for Freemantle, Australia. I understand this was a sponsored scheme to rebuild Australia, but it didn't work and they moved to Perth. I heard that he served in the forces in Australia in WW2, but have no details, apart from his death in 1947 which was in Perth. One thing that intrigues me is what his speaking voice was like - he spent his childhood in Scotland, his middle years in South London and his final years in Australia, so what was his accent? He always looks very fierce in his photos, but had 3 little daughters, so I hope he wasn't.

Walter Wells Woodford was in the East African Supply Corps in WW1, service number 4047. He can be seen 18 Oct - 30 Oct 1915 in the Royal Fleet Reserve, an Able Seaman being treated for catarrh aboard HMS Glory. Then in 1918 a deck-hand aboard the SS Sabrina, when he was awarded the usual medals, with the rank of Corporal. He obviously was very taken by South Africa, as he settled there to live. In 1946 he can be seen popping back to Southampton, stayed in Hose, Melton Mowbray, his birthplace, for a few months. He died in South Africa in 1953 aged 64.

Wednesday 17th February 2021

Walter Woodford joined the Durham Light Infantry in July 1914 when he was 21. He was firstly in the Leics Regiment, service number 9908, then the Labour Corps 165798, then West Yorks Regiment 80191. He was wounded in Feb 1915 and several times late back from leave, leading to fines and eventually disobedience, so I don't think he was a happy man. In 1919 he was discharged unfit and returned to marry his landlady's daughter and settle in Yorkshire as a postman. They had 3 children and he died aged 89, his wife 102!

(Oswald Cyril) Charles Woodford, known as Charles, enlisted in 1914 when he was 17, in Exeter to the Leics Regiment, sevice number 19199 and sent to France. He was wounded in Aug 1916 and on 22 Mar 1918 Killed In Action. His effects and medals were sent to Emma, his mother and he was commemorated on the memorial at Arras, next to Bertram, who I dealt with yesterday

In 2013 I told about Mark Woodford, but I don't expect you to remember. He enlisted on 11 June 1884 in Brecon into the South Wales Borderers aged 18 but his service was one list of disasters. His service number was 1163 and his service was as follows:
enlisted 11 Jun 1884
14-18 July in hospital with bronchitis
27 July found AWOL and deficient of kit - sentenced to 168 hours hard labour and to pay for kit
9 Sept same, 10 days incarceration
10 Oct - 7 Nov hospitalized for 27 days with serious abscess on hand
27 Nov AWOL again and sentenced to 7 days Confined to Barracks
22 Dec AWOL - this time the case was taken to court and he was declared deserted from 29 Nov.. (This is odd as this date falls inside his dates of confinement.)
I did tell in 2013 what happened next; he re-enlisted on 19 Jan 1885 (i.e. merely weeks later) "back home" i.e. Leics, service number 1199. He did declare his previous service, but said he was discharged, not dismissed. On 11 Feb 1885 he did it again, and was confined 14-16 Feb, then again 1 Mar 1885, when he was docked a day's pay and given 7 days Confined to Barracks (2-8 Mar). This was really very silly, as they examined all the facts and discovered he had "fraudulently enlisted into the Leicester Regiment to obtain a free kit, worth £1 5s". I suspect he was selling these off. The case was brought to Court in London on 13 Mar 1885 and he was found guilty, and imprisoned for 56 days with hard labour (2 Mar - 5 May) instead of the above. All of this did not stop him, as he was AWOL again 4 June, confined 5-8 June, then 19 June deserted, still owing for the kit. I don't know why the list on Ancestry said Canada, I can't see that he was there at all. He appeared in England in the Police Gazette and was summoned to Colchester for Court Martial 22 Feb 1886 when he was sentenced to 6 months hard labour. When he was released he probably had changed his name, so I stand no chance of finding him.

Tuesday 16th February 2021

James Thomas Gamble enlisted on 9 Jan 1915 into Leicestershire Regiment, service number 16644, fought in France and was wounded. He was discharged on 22 Jan 1919, achieved 3 medals and a "wound stripe".

I was puzzled by my notes relating to Maria Gamble, as I had her husband James Ayress in the Navy in 1913, although he died in 1908. It turned out I was looking for her son James Frederick Ayress. He was working as a Van Guard at the age of 15 in the 1911 census, then on 2 Oct 1913 in Chatham he volunteered to join the Royal Navy for 12 years. He was at that time a labourer in a sugar factory, but served as a stoker on HMS Pembroke until 1921, sevice number K20998. He thus appeared on the list of absent voters in Lambeth in 1918 and 1919. On Christmas Day 1920 he married Louise Robinson and they went on to have 3 children. By 1939 they had moved to the Isle of Wight and James was employed as an "automatic machine inspector". Louise died there in 1975 and James in 1981. I think all the children are still alive, as they are redacted on the Register.

Michael Christopher Hayes married Elizabeth Gamble in 1911 but 10 years before this he joined the Royal Navy in his home town of Liverpool, aged 15, service number 217182. His Naval Service sheet is full, as he embarked on 27 trips over 14 years. It wasn'r all plain sailing though (if you'll pardon the pun), as in Jan 1910 he was sentenced to 42 days "patrol" for desertion. It's difficult to understand the handwriting, but it looks to me as if he went home for Christmas and didn't go back on time. This was when he was 27, ostensibly working on the docks in Liverpool, lodging with a friend (also a docker). The following year he had settled down, got married and started a family. However, I suspect his wife died in 1914 after only 3 years of marriage and one child. On 23 Apr 1919 he was discharged on demob and Christmas Day 1922 he married local widow Lily Smith nee Conner. The death I have for him would make him 95, so I am not sure.

William Charles Woodford enlisted in the Cheshire Regiment on 11 Dec 1915, service number 36966 (later 50877), a grazier aged 32. He served "at home" until 3 May 1917, when he was posted to France with the British Expeditionary Force. Unfortunately he was seriously wounded on 10 Aug 1917 and sent home. Returning to France he repeated the experience (gunshot woulds both times, the second compound fracture too) in June 1918, this time in hospital in Rouen for a month, then transferred to hospital in England before being discharged as "no longer physically fit for service" and pensioned in Jan 1919.

William Edgar Woodford enlisted in the Leicestershire Regiment in Sep 1914, was immediately sent to France and Killed in Action on 15 May 1915 aged just 30. A pension was paid to his father "for life" from 14 May 1918 (his mother had died)

Service numbers are very useful, an example is Bertram Woodford 240756, who was listed with three different middle names but the number remains the same. He joined up in 1915, also to the Leicestershire Regiment, and also was sent out to France, Feb 1917. (While there he was in hospital fr 5 days for a personal condition he would no doubt dislike me mentioning, but was soon back in the trenches). On 24 Mar 1918 he was Killed in Action, a Lance-Corporal aged 21 and buried at the cemetery in Arras.

Monday 15th February 2021

Percy John Wooldridge was one of those who joined the Royal Flying Corps and then transferred into the RAF when it was formed in 1918. I see now that his service number was 124868, he enlisted on 13 Feb 1918; from 1 Mar 1819 was AC1 (aicraftman 1st class) and 1 Jul 1919 became Leading Aircraftman. He was discharged home to his father George at 30 Apr 1920. Four years later he married and moved to Walton-on-Thames, dying in 1943.

William Brooker married Agnes May Wooldridge in November 1917, having lived in Kennington at the time and after marriage he moved in with her family at 11 Clayton Buildings until they emigrated back to Canada in 1920 (with their daughter). He was in the Canadian Machine Gun Corps, formed early 1917, probably in the group based in London after serving in France from 1915. I see now that he was born in Amersham Vale, in London, and his parents remained there. There are lots of documents pertaining to his service, which runs as follows:
Enlisted 3 Jun 1915, sent to France
Given 14 days leave to get married Nov 1917
Hospitalised 14 Sep - 6 Oct 1918 with PUO (fever)
also 23-26 Oct and 9-10 Nov 1918 with influenza (epidemic was that year) then home to recuperate for a month over Christmas
2 Apr 1919 he was demobbed and sent to Seaford depot (near Brighton)
19 May 1919 on the RMS Aquitania sent to Canada but only a week later discharged and returned to UK.
They can be seen in Canada in 1921 census with Agnes' sister Lily and daughter Ellen, having travelled out the year before.

I covered James John Wooldridge on 25th Oct 2013 and 30th Oct 2018, Although he wasn't allowed to proceed with driving as a Railway employee, he was one in the Royal Field Artillery, service number 118997. He returned to work as a porter, but was dismissed in 1921 for stealing milk and by 1939 was a general labourer.

Arthur Edward Wooldridge was in 1916 in the Royal Naval Engineering Unit, then transferred to the Royal Engineers as Major and sent to France with them to construct tunnels for the Battle of Arras. He earned 3 medals. There is a document saying he joined the Home Guard (Dad's Army) in 1941 but as he died aged 66 in 1934 I don't believe it.

Sunday 14th February 2021

Search for William Isaac Wooldridge gave me just the information I already knew - he was a Commander in the Royal Navy in 1880s, apparently dating from 1864.

I already had the information that Aleck Sawyer married Eleanor Ellen Wooldridge in 1905 then was a Petty Officer in the navy in WW1. With the service number 207180 I can now see that in 1915 he was on HMS Alert in the Persian Gulf a Leading Seaman, then in 1918 was awarded 3 medals, by then Petty Officer. He was one who appeared twice in 1911 census, as he was listed in the Navy (no details) and also at home (evidently his wife misunderstood)

At the age of 19, Philip John Wooldridge attested to the Medical Staff Corps in 1885 in Aldershot. I have a service number of 6650, but this was far too early for this to be useful in the war records. I see from his attestation, however, that he was stationed
in UK Apr - Sep 1885
Malta Sep 1885 - Jul 1889
Egypt Jul 1889 - Apr 1890
UK   Apr 1890 - Apr 1891
He was discharged after this, probably because of his own bad health. He was admitted to hospital with scarlet fever on three occasions; for 6 days in 1888 in Malta, 7 days in 1889 in Cairo and 28 days in 1892 in Dublin.
Next of Kin was given as mother Ann and brother George (eldest brother Charles died aged 10)
After this, as we know, he worked as a messenger for a bank, had two children, but died in 1902 aged only 37.

Elizabeth Mary Wooldridge's son Percy Charles Wooldridge Lea (see 6th Sep 2015) enlisted in 1915 into the Royal Garrison Artillery as a gunner. He was the one who lived in Newport, Wales (down near the hospital) and worked as a foreman of bottling for a brewery and had 3 sons. He was stationed in UK Sep-Nov 1915, then posted to India for 3 years, followed by Mesopotamia for four months. While in India he was hospitalised with dysentry and his Next of Kin informed (would be his wife). He was discharged 14 Apr 1919, documents stating he was deaf, but "not attributable to service" (despite him being in "Heavy battalion, RGA"). He appealed in 1920, calling to be listed in the Z Reserves, but by the time papers were found, the Z reserves had been abandoned. He appealed for a pension, which was eventually granted, then he had to write for his medals - he must have been considered a nuisance and ignored! As it was, he died in 1924 aged 49.

Alfred Newman Vincent Wooldridge was brother of Percival Joseph, who I dealt with yesterday, and was also a nurseryman in Ham, Surrey, enlisted in the Royal Fusiliers, service number 12800, and served in 4 different battalions over the next 3 years, then discharged wounded on 24 Sep 1918. Three years later he was widowed and can be seen living with his niece Dorothy in 1939. He died in 1960 in Ham.

Saturday 13th February 2021

On to my Mum's tree:
Walter Charles Wooldridge - I told his story on 23rd Nov 2013. On 8 Mar 1858 at Westminster he joined the army as a private in the 20th Foot Regiment. He lied about his age (he was 16 & claimed to be 18) but age was not an issue until the 1916 Military Service Act. The Crimean War had not long been over, and no doubt fired his enthusiasm. On 23 Oct 1866 he volunteered to join 107th Foot Regiment (the Bengal Light Infantry) and 10 Nov 1867 was sent to Allahabad, India. On 5 Mar 1879 at Aldershot he was discharged after 21 years service (18 of those in India) to his parents' home at 4 Askew Road, Hammersmith. As I have said before, Army records are very detailed and I know that he was a labourer, 5 ft 8 ins tall, with fresh complexion, grey eyes & light brown hair, he obtained four good conduct badges & a silver medal for long service, awarded on 7 Dec 1876. Documents from FWR confirm this, but he did confuse matters by dropping the first name (this was no doubt necessary in the family, with three generations of Walter Charleses, but not official forms!) He claimed a pension from 1878 as a Chelsea Pensioner, regimental number 2680.

Percival Joseph Wooldridge enlisted in the Royal Engineers in 1915, a nurseryman aged 25, as I told in 2013. As I also said then, he was discharged on 6 Oct 1917. As he was only 28 and the RAF was formed the following year, it isn't really surprising to see he enlisted with that service in Feb 1918. His service number was 124862 but I cannot find anything more. He died aged 38 nine years (and two more children, making a total of seven) later.

Lewis Richard Wooldridge was Killed In Action as a Rifleman in the London Regiment, service number 301413 on the Somme. I told his story on 4th Nov 2013.

As was John William Wooldridge; he enlisted in the Honourable Artillery Company of the RFA as a driver. I don't know a date, as the pension document has a note on it "file destroyed 1966". This names as dependent Mrs Emma Ann Laws, grandmother, of 32 Pretoria Road, Streatham, and when he was killed in 1918 his effects were left to a William Henry Laws, presumably to provide for Emma, who may have been his mother. I don't know what John's wife Florence thought of this, but looking at her details I see she was brought up in Berkeley Square, London and when widowed she had a shop in Belgravia and a home in Purley. I can't imagine she was too worried about effects worth £50.

Friday 12th February 2021

The final few on my Dad's tree:
Sidney Walter Hennig was in the Army Ordnance Corps in WW1, service number 0/1332. He served in France, attained the rank of Corporal, then was transferred to Z Class on 14 Jul 1919, earning 3 medals

William Walter Hennig was in 23rd Battalion Lancs Fusiliers, service number 330003, and was awarded two medals

Herbert William Hill joined the tree by marrying Marian Parker. He had quite a story but I don't know if I have brought it to you before. He enlisted with 19th City of London Regiment on 26 Aug 1910, service number 1104, and was still with them when he married in 1912, then had 2 sons. On 1 Oct 1915 he re-enlisted for 4 years. He went over to France with the Expeditionary Force a few times. returning home in between, but on 15 Oct 1915 was reported missing, then in November they discovered he was a "POW in German hands." He was put on the injured list, and exchanged for another POW, then repatriated to a British hospital, at Christmas that year declared unfit for service and on 21 Feb 1917 discharged. I have no details of his wounds but he died only 7 years later aged 41.

Charles J R Parker enrolled in the Royal Marines Light Infantry Portsmouth on 29 Dec 1902, service number 12785. All I can see from his records is that he was discharged as invalid from RN Hospital Haslar with "waterworks problems" but with Silver War Badge as well as the usual three medals.

Thursday 11th February 2021

Albert Edward Matthews' document confirmed what I already knew; he enlisted in RAF on 7 Jun 1918, trained for a week then was transferred to the Reserve. He never actually served, but was "deemed discharged on 30 Apr 1920. Service number was 193674.

William Seagrave married Ada Annie Matthews in 1892, but had enlisted in the Grenadier Guards in Nottingham 12 years previously. Those years had been served "at home" i.e. in UK, 6 in the Guards, 6 in the Reserves. He gave as Next of Kin his brother Thomas, who died in 1891 but then William married in 1892 so it would have been his wife.

I did know that Harold Leslie Matthews was a railway worker who emigrated to Australia in 1923, so when he enlisted for WW2 it was in Newcastle New South Wales. Thus even with a service number of N470144, I could find nothing new.

In 1916 Herbert George William Matthews was in the Royal Flying Corps, then transferred to the Royal Navy in Oct 1917. He served on board the President, then transferred to the RNVR (Royal Navy Voluntary Reserves) in 1918, demobbed 1 Mar 1919.

Herbert Frank Matthews joined the RAF at Calne, Wiltshire service number 66606, transferred in from the Army on 14 Mar 1917 at the age of 18, then in WW2 he was in Queen's Royal West Surrey regiment from 18 Apr 1939 to 17 Apr 1941, when he trsnsferred to the BARC (British Army Reconnaissance Corps), service number 6089788. This was why in the 1939 Register, his wife was living with her mother and brothers and he was nowhere to be seen. In 1946 Sergeant Matthews was awarded a long-service and good conduct award.

Wednesday 10th February 2021

Albert James Clifton married Ethel G Matthews but then emigrated to Philadelphia, where in both World Wars he completed registration documents but there is no sign of any service.

John Thomas Drummond, later husband of Winifred Jessamine Matthews, served in the Royal Navy aboard Vivid and Cumberland 1917-19. He lived in London with his parents but went to Bath to marry, then worked as a fishmonger in London but finally retired to Bath to die. During WW2 both he and Winifred were in their 40s, he fishmonger & poulterer and ARP warden, Winifred worked at a police canteen.

Frederick Maffey married Leah Matthews in 1899, but I see now that he signed up to the Royal Marines Light Infantry in Portsmouth 5 years earlier, when he was 17, service number 7605. There are no details on the document re service, but I do have a note saying that in 1901 census Leah was staying with her mother and two daughters, which suggests Frederick was elsewhere. Since he then died in Portsmouth I think he was still in the marines, but I can find no record to this effect.

Frederick Matthews 2 was only in service for the final 3 months of WW1, aboard SS Powerful, spending its final years as a boys' training facility. He was Boy second class, then Boy first class, then Ordinary Seaman, before transferring out in 1919. By WW2 he was in his 40s and was not called up, it seems, as his death was on the Civilian War Dead list. He was apparently injured in the street and buried at Paddington Old Cemetery.

I already had a lot of details re Thomas William Matthews, and service numbers have only confused matters and not provided anything new. These weren't useful in WW1, really.

I have mentioned Robert Edward Matthews before, with a lot of detail - see 21 & 22 Mar 2014 and 4 Apr 2016.

Edwin George Lomax married Madeline Matthews in 1929 and they emigrated to Australia in 1953. What I didn't know is that he enlisted in the Somerset Light Infantry. I am puzzled by the dates, though, as he was a private dated 1947 and corporal 1946, both with service number 5670343.

Henry Charles Matthews apparently joined the 1st battalion Honourable Artillery Company in 1912, at first in UK, then France, re-engaged in 1920 to complete 6 years, then 1926 to complete 7 years. However, I can't find him in the War Records.

Tuesday 9th February 2021

I had a note to say Iris Caroline Matthews joined the army in 1950 but I cannot find anything regarding this. She got married and had a daughter in 1952 but nothing military appears under maiden name or married.

I had full details for Arthur William Matthews already

William John Francis married Alice Maria Matthews in 1897, but he had been seen to be in the army in 1891 census. I had WW1 attestation papers and now have earlier ones (under name John) showing service from 1889 aged 18.

Alfred James Matthews also joined up when he was 18 in 1904, and served his minimum 2 years (I think) as driver. He was due for transfer on 30 Oct 1906, but did not turn up, similarly his mobilization 6 Aug 1914 and discharge 30 Oct 1914. A form was prepared for his Court Martial, but guess what, he was absent! I could tell them where he was all this time - in Nov 1906 aboard the SS Moorland, he sailed from Liverpool to Philadelphia and settled there. He married a local girl and had a son and namesake, who sadly died aged 8 of diphtheria. Alfred's parents had emigrated with him and were all naturalized. In WW1 he attested to the Canadian ASC and again served the minimum 2 years. In civilian life he was a baker and sometimes a waiter. He was discharged on 15 Jan 1918 "on compassionate grounds", his son having died 2 months before. [I have now found his original attestation document, as "boy" in 1902, when he enrolled only to purchase his release for £18 on 1 July 1904 and £12 being reimbursed to his mother]. This was all very odd and raises doubt about his mental stability. All I can see regarding this is a (hilarious) comment that his "eyebrows meet". He was last seen in 1938 employed as a waiter on a ship, but his wife called herself a widow in the census.

Albert George Tobitt, my Aunt Olive's first husband, enlisted in 1940 to the Queen's Royal West Surrey Regiment, service number 6099527, then 3 years later transferred to the East Surreys. On 20 Jul 1944 he was transferred to the South Lancs Regiment and sent out to the Western Europe Front. He was Killed In Action on 8 Mar 1945 and buried at the Reichswald Forest War Cemetery, at Kreis Kleve, Germany.

Monday 8th February 2021

Next one on the list was son of yesterday's Silas James, Sidney Albert Matthews, who was in Royal Artillery Ordnance Corps in WW2. This document gave me his Service No. 1518125 and confirmed his death on 4 Jan 1945 in Netherland East Indies. Also that he had been taken captive 9 Mar 1942 and held in a POW camp in Borneo until 2 Sep 1945. You may have noticed he died before this, so evidently did not get to be liberated. His father had died in 1943 so his mother was written to at 14 Wells Place, Bath (Wells Road is across the river to the south of the main town centre, but was bomb-damaged at around this time). Sidney was buried in Kranji Cemetery and commemorated on a panel of the war memorial. His mother inherited his £255 and she died 4 years later.

Robert Albert Matthews was Silas James' brother. I already knew his details, including service number in the Army Service Corps, medals and his return to civilian life in 1919. There was a gap in his children's birth dates, but little else.

George Thomas Swales joined the family by marrying Mary Ann Matthews in 1913 in Wales, and they settled there. He had been born in Jarrow 30 years earlier, worked as a bricklayer and labourer and soon enlisted in the Royal Navy (although I have no details of him in WW1, he won two medals). By the time he can be seen going to New York in 1925 he was a Steward and by1929 had five children, although two died in infancy. He remained in service between the wars (can be seen on duty aboard ships traversing the Atlantic) but died on 2 Nov 1942, Chief Steward on board the SS Empire Leopard, aged 59, when his ship was torpedoed off Nova Scotia.

Similarly Frederick Richard Pomroy married Laura Emily Matthews in 1921 in Exeter, where they both lived. He had served in WW1 in the Royal Army Medical Corps Territorial Force, enlisted 7 Aug 1914 and discharged 9 Jun 1919. This was a medical discharge through malaria, and he earned a silver badge and a pension. I may have said before that he ran a gents' outfitter shop in Exeter. He died there on 31 Mar 1969 and Laura followed 6 weeks later, both aged 74.

Sunday 7th February 2021

I made 144 references to military service, have cross-checked with my trees and will now investigate the records on Forces War Records (FWR), bringing to you anything I discover.

Silas William James Matthews, record gave me his regiment numbers, but no details, Not to worry, I have details from Ancestry

Silas James Matthews - I knew that he was a driver with the Labour Corps, transferred from the Wessex to the Royal Berks, discharged in 1919. What I didn't know was that in 1917 he was with the ASC (Army Service Corps) in Southport and was court-martialled for bad discipline, sentenced to 112 days, reduced to 56 days, detention. In 1919 he was injured in Dunkirk, returned to Britain and demobbed there.

Monday 1st February 2021

I'm not quite sure how to proceed with this project, as I'm not familiar with the site(s). This means I don't know if I have all the records on one person and when to move on to the next. So I apologise if it is confusing.
I thought I had found a worrying record, where my grandfather (see yesterday) had joined up aged 18 in 1899 and deserted, where the date and place of birth were reasonably correct, but I went on to discover he was a labourer, so evidently wasn't him. The physical descriptions didn't tally either. I don't know whether records would be available when he subsequently enlisted, as I don't know how efficient they were, so how much checking was done. 

I am working my way through the tabs at the top, compiling a list of references to Military Service, and will get back to you when I have completed this.

Sunday 31st January 2021

Forces War Records have been in touch to say they now have over 7 million records relating to WW2, as part of their 26 million records collection. So, having completed the schools listings, I shall move on to these. It has to be borne in mind that the MOD has a 100-year exclusion rule on many records, but there are plenty that fall outside this.

Walter Charles Matthews, my father, enlisted into the Royal Air Force (RAF) in Oct 1941 at Cardington, Bedfordshire. This was a famous site, where airships were made and developed in WW1 but became a "barracks" in WW2. The site is now under development plans again - one shed is home to Warner Brothers Studios but the other is planned for rebuilding as homes. I see from his document that his service number was 1639995 and that he was awarded the War Medal 1939-45. I have both his medals. If he had joined up a year earlier he would have a third, the Battle of Britain medal, but I don't know why he didn't. Maybe his father wouldn't release him from his duties at home. Talking of which...

William George Matthews was his father, my grandfather, although I didn't meet him as he died 4 years before I was born. I see from his military history that he joined the Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS) on 8 Aug 1917. His half-brother Walter Henry Parkinson had just died at Ypres 8 months before, and this may have had a bearing. He was no youngster, being 35, worked in a factory, polishing jewellery and they were expecting their third child (my Auntie Con). According to this record, his service number was 235190, but the following March the RAF was formed and he joined their service. In the RNAS he had served on what was known as President II, an accounting and training facility located at The Crystal Palace in Sydenham. After a month there, he was sent off to Dunkirk - some baptism of fire! He must have done well, as he gained promotion from ACII (aircraftman second class) to ACI (aircraftman first class). After the creation of the RAF he remained in Dunkirk for a few weeks. Another document I have seen says:
No. 4 ASD 6/6/18 - 10/6/18 transferred RAF private
RD 61 Squadron 10/10/18 reclassified RMAM 31/10/18
Transferred to RAF Reserve 6/2/19
Deemed discharged 30/4/20
If anybody knows what this means, could you email me?

Wednesday 27th January 2021

Several stories of Taylor families in and around Lambourn, Berkshire fell into place until closely examined, then I discovered wrong dates of birth, names and professions of father which didn't match up.

I was very careful with the Smiths, and it's a shame that, as they lived in and around Battersea, this was not covered in the admissions list. Also, it wasn't possible to double-check with fathers' names, as these were not included. (Incidentally, I already had some school records from Ancestry for this area).

The same as this applied to the Mays too, largely in Oxfordshire, also not covered. This is a shame, as I was looking forward to tracing the children with lovely unusual names e.g. Eiley, Vida, Julietta, Rosina, Ena, Phyllis etc.

Tuesday 26th January 2021

I found a whole family of schoolchildren who moved to London; John Common Knight took his family to Battersea in 1880, prior to emigrating to USA in 1888. However, they do not appear on the admissions records.

The same applied to another family of six siblings who went to Wingate, Durham - some were born there - but again did not appear on the lists. Their father was Thomas, a coal miner.

Another family left Cornwall and the children grew up in Exeter, Devon. Joseph Knight senior and his wife Emma ran a Refreshment House/Coffee bar on the western side of town. After marriage, his son Henry (Harry) gas-meter maker, lived in Melbourne Street, then Commercial Road, both near Rack Street, where son Joseph was admitted to the Central School on 28 Aug 1911. I cannot bring photos as the whole area has been developed into a modern housing estate. According to the admission record, he was at this school until 30 Nov 1917, when he left because he was not attending enough (there was a big clamp-down as this school came to official notice for this very reason). Many of the boys went into the Royal Navy, hence the affectionate joke name of "Rack Street Naval College". Joseph's father served in WW1, so he may have, although I cannot find a record.

As I have searched all 679 Knights, it is time to move on. Taylor, Smith and May are, as you might expect, gargantuan searches, but I will use my own trees, bearing 56, 61 and 83 respectively, very manageable, I would say.

Monday 25th January 2021

Edgar Matthews' family seemed to bounce about all over the place and this record places him at St Peter's School, Barnstaple, Devon, but only for a year. He was admitted 22 Jun 1896 but left 25 Jun 1897. His father was a shop assistant in a boot shop, then branch manager. Edgar's sister Laura Matthews attended Bishop Blackall Middle School in Exeter for 2 years (Sep 1908 to Jul 1910), previously at an "elementary school, Plymouth". Brother Harold was admitted to Exeter Episcopal Boys' School in on 1 Sep 1908, only to leave 10 days later for Halls school (?). The home address is given as Public Benefit, 212 High Street, which it seems was the name of the boot company:

I also now have another chapter (probably the final one) of the family at 1 Skinner Street, Worcester, dealt with yesterday. Youngest boy George Charles Matthews (baby Elizabeth died in infancy) was admitted to the Infants' School on 10 Sep 1907, was transferred to the boys' school 27 Jul 1910, then on 1 Apr 1912 left "to enter orphanage".. This was because of their father's death when George was still only 9, and presumably mother was unable to look after him. She may have needed looking after herself, as she appeared to have moved in with son Thomas at 73 Foley Road, who was in the Army Service Corps, and she died there in 1918.

Herbert Frank Matthews was admitted to Great Somerfield C of E school on 30 Jun 1902, aged 3, but only stayed for 4 months, leaving 27 Oct 1902

No more Matthews matches have cropped up, so the next to tackle is surname Knight. The search of school lists comes up with 10,380 hits, but I have 679 on my (mother-in-law's) tree, so this will take a while...

Fortunately for me, a lot of these contenders are outside the age range, but when I started searching I discovered Cornwall is not covered anyway, so not much is matchable. I have so far checked 200 of mine, to no avail.

Sunday 24th January 2021

Unfortunately most of the 257 grew up in the Bath area, not covered (yet).

Thomas William Matthews was born in Somerset but moved to Worcester in 1896 in time to go to St John's Infant school, then transferred to the Junior school on 2 Nov 1898. They lived less than a mile away, in Skinner Street.

Brother Harry was admitted in Nov 1901, then the following 4 siblings, although I do not have admission records for Albert and Alfred, Bessie went to the girls' school transferred from the Infants' 28 Aug 1902 then proceeded to the Seniors' 24 Jul 1907. William was admitted in 1908 and left 23 Dec 1913, as he was over age.

Saturday 23rd January 2021

After slogging through about 80 Woodfords I came across a match. Elizabeth Ann Woodford who in 1897 was admitted to the Derby British School, progressed well and left 4 years later, on 23 May 1901. I was looking for her sister Maud Mary, but it seems she died at the age of 5, just as she would have been admitted. So sad, but a regular occurrence in those days.

Search gives 12.398 hits for Matthews and I have 257 on my tree (including me). I am trying to match them up, but Nottinghamshire, Somerset and certain parts of London are not covered - and are the regions where my family lived.

Thursday 21st January 2021

The search for surname Parker gave me 18,541 entries on the school list. I only have 43 on my tree, only 19 in the correct age-bracket and some I already knew their school. Otherwise nothing.

There are 1609 entries for surname Small, and I have 34, 14 in the age-bracket.

602 for Woodford, but I have 289 of them

Wednesday 20th January 2021

In 1881 census blacksmith Charles Cox can be seen living at 7 Parker Road, Croydon with his wife and 4 children, as well as his parents and a couple of nieces. Archbishop Thomas Tenison had built a school nearby as well as one in Lambeth, near others on this branch. The Archbishop Tenison's Croydon school was one of the oldest mixed schools in the world, established in 1714. The only matching admission record in this set is that of Alice, dated 21 Apr 1890, when she moved across from the Infant school. The following year's census shows eldest sibling Albert is now a wheelwright, Louisa is a dressmaker, Edith Fanny (known as Fanny), Maria Mary (Minnie) and Alice were all at school. By 1901 Minnie was also a dressmaker but Alice was herself a school-teacher. Hopefully one day I can continue this story when later records are available.

Meanwhile I have found Eva Cox, admitted to St Andrew's Infant school on 16 May 1904 at the age of 3, home address 7 Parker Road. She was daughter of Albert, the wheelwright, mentioned above, and can be seen in 1911 census there with parents and 4 siblings; the youngest 3 girls were at school. Hilda was admitted to St Andrew's 7 Apr 1902 and Mabel Sep 1905. Apparently this school closed last year. Sister Minnie was admitted from the infants school on 1 Apr 1900, and brother Herbert probably too, but I cannot find his record.

Tuesday 19th January 2021

Hawkins came up with 6572 school entries, but I only have 39 on my tree.
Jane Hawkins, born to George & Betsy in early 1881 in Southwark can be seen living nin Borough in the census of that year, along with parents and sister Betsy. She and younger sister Rose were admitted to Haydon's Road C of E School on 2 Feb 1892, and can be seen living in Merton in the 1891 census. The record states that they were previously at Wandsworth Board/Council School. Both Jane and Betsy married in 1900, Rose worked as a Housekeeper. Baby sister Nellie attended a workhouse school as "pauper inmate" then went to Market Harborough, Leicestershire, worked as a boner in a corset factory and boarded with a railway clerk & family. Youngest sibling George doesn't appear on the school lists either, he married in 1914 and emigrated to Australia.

Cox comes up with over 14 thousand school entries, but I have 142 on my tree, but only 77 in the correct age-bracket.

Monday 18th January 2021

That's the end of the Dancing, on to the Burleys. As there are 2410 entries on the school lists and I only have 43 on my (father-in-law's) tree, I shall do the reverse checking I mentioned on Saturday.
It came up with nothing, as lots were too early or had no d.o.b.

The Gambles - there are 79 on my tree and 1123 entries on the school list.
[The difficulty with no date of birth is highlighted here by an entry stating "19th July 1870: gave Thomas Gamble leave for 3 weeks to assist his mother". The school is in Kew, which is where my great great grandfather and his family lived. Thomas was 5th of his 8 children and the youngest three at this time were under 9 (Thomas was 11). As the census taken the following year shows only 4 remaining at home and Thomas lodging elsewhere, it could well be him. But with no date of birth, parent's name or address shown I can only guess. If it was him, he may well have not returned from his leave. I see that he became a groom in later life, maybe he was working undeclared in stables even then.]

My great grandfather Isaac Gamble was the youngest of these, born in 1868, so only 16 months old at this time. I have found an entry for him, and this does include d.o.b. The school is the same one; The Queen's School in Kew (1824-1970) and Isaac was admitted in June 1879 aged 11. There he remained until 1884, when he left. His father ran a hansom-cab and Isaac took over the business when his father was unable to work and died in 1890. [The above does suggest this was the correct family, but an entry for the same school in 1886 "re-admitted William Gamble" cannot relate to them as he would be 33 years old! There is another entry at the same school admitting "Henry & William Gamble" in Oct 1884 in similar vein, with my ancestors in their 30s]

The next surname Hatton has 1866 entries and I have 24 on my tree, but again there are many with no d. o. b. and my search came up with nothing.

The search for surname Ingram on the school list came up with 2549 and I have 29, but almost all in the correct age-band were from USA.

Sunday 17th January 2021

There came up a similar story to yesterday. In 1873 John Henry Dance moved, with his wife Jane nee Jones and
their seven children, from West Meon, near Winchester, to Warnford, which is 34 miles away. The three youngest girls all enrolled at West Meon National School nearby, aged Alice 9, Susan 6 and Lizzie 4. They had a further two children by 1878. The record I have before me shows that on 2 Jan 1877 the three girls mentioned above were transferred to Warnford National School. They only stayed just over a year, this school no longer exists, so I don't know if it closed or they moved on. They can all be seen in 1881 census at Warnford, near Wheely Down, except Alice, who had gone into service and can be seen in nearby Winchester (11 miles away), as a domestic servant. She was in Titchfield in 1891, kitchen maid at Stubbington House, then I lose her, she may have married. Stubbington House was a naval college/boys' prep school, which relocated to Ascot in 1967, the old buildings demolished and then it was closed in 1997. Susan married William Rumbold in Apr 1889, had six children (the eldest was killed in WW1) and can be seen at Moorgrave, Hampshire (near the Southampton Arms) in censuses of 1891, 1901 & 1911, then retired by 1939 to Northam Road - where the M27 runs nowadays. William died there in 1941 and Susan in 1945 (home address still Northam Road but she died in Knowle Hospital, aged 77. Lizzie married irishman Bernard Connolly and it seems had 6 children (information from fellow genealogist).

Edward William Dance was younger brother of the three girls above, born 21 Oct 1874. He was admitted to Warnford National School on 28 Apr 1879 aged 4.5 (so the school obviously didn't close then). There is no leaving date, but he is still there with the family in 1881 census. By 1891 his father had died and he moved with mother and sibs to Lancing, eldest brother George Head of Family. Edward worked as a carter then trained as a platelayer on the railway, and married Rose Ellen nee Charman in 1901. He died Jan 1949 then Rose in 1954. As far as I can see they only had one child; daughter Harriett.

Final sibling Sarah Ann Dance was admitted to the school on 6 Jun 1881, then moved with the family to Lancing. In 1901 she can be seen as cook in a school in Hove. Unfortunately she died a few years later aged 27.

Saturday 16th January 2021 

The reverse way of cross-checking worked well with this list and I have succeeded in checking all of the Brewsters, but with no matches. So it is on to the Dances, giving 647 hits on the school list. I have 67 Dances.

Mary Jane Dance came up with a match! As she was such an obscure relative; second cousin 3x removed, I hadn't studied her at all, but now I have. She was born 28 Sep 1875 in Linkenholt, Hampshire to Charles Dance and Sarah nee Walters, second of their eight children, and can be seen with them there in 1881 census. On 18 Apr 1888 she, with four sisters, was admitted to Linkenholt National School. She was 13, and her sisters ranged from Florence, aged 11 to Agnes aged 5. Brother Albert was admitted in the July, when he turned three. (Two other brothers died in infancy). Mary Jane attended until 4 Oct 1889 (i.e. a year and a half), when she left to go into service. She can be seen working as domestic servant at the Manor House, Tidcombe in 1891 census. I can see that in Oct 1900 at Hartley Wintney she married William Stent, they settled in Odiham and had 5 children, although two died in infancy. She died aged 74 in Aldershot.

Clara Louisa Dance was one of the sisters mentioned above, born 30 Apr 1879, admitted to school aged 9 and leaving 31 Mar 1893, when she was 14. Five years later she married William Scarrett, farm labourer, and they had four children. She died aged 88 in 1967.

Edith Ann Dance and Agnes Selina Dance were the other two sisters, born respectively in 1881 and 1883, Edith left 19 Sep 1893 aged 12, also to go into service I believe, this time I think in London. I lose her then, as she probably married. Agnes married William Coombes in 1912 on the Isle of Wight and died there in 1960 aged 77.

I mentioned brother Albert Charles Dance above. He was born 19 Jul 1885 in Linkenholt, then joined the school on 23 Jul 1888, I have no leaving date for him. He married Beatrice Laurence in Apr 1910 then they had a son 4 months later, followed by two more children. Albert was in the Machine Gun Corps in WW1 and a bricklayer. He died in the New Forest area on 10 Jan 1968.

Friday 15th January 2021

A finally finished checking the Wooldridges, and have to confess to zero out of 571, pleased now to move on to Brewster, which has 971 hits, but a lot of these have no date of birth for cross-checking, so are of no use to me. I only have 136 on my (late father-in-law's) tree, so it may be better to do this in reverse.
I will get back to you if I come up with anything.

Tuesday 12th January 2021

I did have a bit of excitement when I thought I had found Dorothy Wooldridge in the school list . Although in Worcestershire when she lived in Twickenham, I have been disregarding this due to the Samways family at the weekend. The father's name of John was correct, but Dorothy's date of birth was wrong and I found this one in the 1911 census with her family, nearby.

After checking off about half of the Wooldridge school list I had to stop as my concentration was going...

Monday 11th January 2021

Julia Martha Roffey was another of the family who appeared to live in South London but went to school in Southampton (see Charles & Edward yesterday). She was admitted to Woolston St Mark's on 14 Feb 1904, giving address of 58 Church Road, aged almost 9, and left 3 years later, due to "leaving the district". I see that she returned to Woolwich, married aged 20 but lost her husband in WW1 when she was expecting their second child.

That was the only branch, as all the others in the list were incorrect age, so moving on...My list is in "order of commonality" of surname, and it seems to be correct. A search for Wooldridge comes up with 571, so I shall be a while on that. I have 152 on my tree.

Sunday 10th January 2021

Percy William Samways was brother of Eveline & Frederick I mentioned yesterday. He was admitted to St James Infant School on 27 Aug 1894 but was only there a month before moving to the Junior School. On 4 Mar 1897 he can be seen on the admissions list for Peartree School but unlike his brother 6 years earlier, he did attend. He was in the Boys' school for 2.5 years, then the Mixed for another 2.5. Home address for the first of these was 74 Alexander Street, which I can't find, then 24 Olivier Street, half a mile from the school.

My next name is Noonan, but as I only have ten on this branch currently, and they are much too early for this collection, I shall move swiftly on.

The Roffey branch will take some time, as there are 434 entries on the list and I have at least 165 on my (father-in-law's) tree. However, the Woolwich/Greenwich area they mostly come from is not covered.

Charles Alfred Roffey was "mine", son of Edward James Roffey, born in Greenwich and living in Deptford with the family in 1901 census, aged 2 months. He was admitted to Woolston Junior School in Southampton on 27 June 1910, when the family ostensibly lived at 97 Manor Road, just around the corner. He left there on 3 Mar 1911 to "go to Sholing". There is a college in the area of Southampton called Sholing, that used to be a school, so maybe they meant this. I am confused, as in 1911 census he can be seen with his family in Charlton.

His brother Edward Joseph Roffey had exactly the same story; in the censuses at home with the family in Charlton, school records showing admission to Wooston 13 Mar 1905 & Sholing 25 Feb 1907

Saturday 9th January 2021

Emma Louisa Samways was admitted to Pirbright C of E School on 7 Apr 1902 aged 6 but left on 1 Aug 1902 as they "left the village". Home address was given as "No. 16 Hut", so this may have been part of the ATC Pirbright (Army Training Centre) and thus temporary. She was readmitted on 6 Oct 1902, but no leaving date was given.

Eveline Gertrude Samways (daughter of Jonas)  was admitted to St James Infant School, Derby on 23 Aug 1886, the day before she turned 5. It is still there. Home address was given as 35 Malcolm Street, which is 0.4 miles away, just around the corner. There is a note on her record saying she was re-admitted, but giving no dates.

Frederick Samways was admitted to Hedge End Schools, Southampton on 14 Jan 1907, aged almost 4, In my records I can see the family still there in 1911 census, living in Freegrounds Road, right by the school. There is no leaving date in the record, but he would no doubt have left before 1917, probably to grow or transport fruit, like his father and brothers.

Frederick Charles Samways (son of Jonas, brother of Eveline above) was listed as due to attend Peartree School, Derby, in Aug 1891, moving from St James, but I was amazed to see the entry crossed through as he "altered his mind and would not come". I do see though that he was by then 13, and Peartree was over a mile away, so maybe it was decided that as he would be leaving school the next year, it wasn't worth changing.

Martha (Mattie) Sybil Samways was admitted to Gosport & Alverstoke Secondary School on 14 Jan 1908, aged almost 13. She was living with her mother, her uncle and cousin at 5 Little Anglesey, Gosport, half a mile away, while her father was in the Navy. He died a few weeks later, but Mattie can be seen in the same household in 1911 census, listed as an apprentice dressmaker. She married in 1920 and can be seen back at 5 Little Anglesey with her mother in 1939. As her husband's name was John Smith I cannot trace him. Mattie died in Wales in 1968, her mother in 1943. I see from her record that she was at the school for two years, leaving at the end of 1909, to work from home.

Friday 8th January 2021

The next name is Trethewey and search comes up with 43 records
Francis Herbert Trethewey was admitted to Tavistock Grammar School, now known as Tavistock College, on 3 Nov 1897, aged 12. Home address was originally Rock Park Villa, Tavistock then crossed out and amended with 1 Fernbank Road, Redland, Bristol. I see from my own notes that in 1901 census he was living with his uncle William Middleton, who was a headmaster in Tavistock, so this may well be his term-time address. Another interesting fact is that I see he went on a trip to Japan in 1917, before returning to UK, getting married and going off with his wife, travelling all over the world but eventually returning to UK. His wife came from Tavistock too, so they may have been at school together. This school had links with Japan, so may have set their travels in motion. Francis was an electrician and a Freemason. They both died in Bristol, while living at Redland Grove, Francis in 1963 and Marjorie in 1974

His brother (William) Reginald Trethewey also attended Tavistock Grammar School, from 19 Sep 1899 aged 9 and can also be seen in 1901 census living with Uncle William Middleton. He also bounced around all over the world, as did their father, it seems, as he died in India.

The search for surname Hodd only comes up with 14 hits, and I cannot match any up.

Oddly, a search for Samways produces 143 hits, but after checking 29 to no avail, I don't have hopes for this search either. I think the main problem is most of "mine" are from Dorset, a county not covered by these documents.

Thursday 7th January 2021

Austell Glendower Retallick was another who grew up in the North, Lancashire this time, and went to school there. His record states that he was admitted to Ulverston C of E Infant School on 18 May 1908, aged 4. with home address of 91 Quay Street, Ulverston (now part of the dual carriageway and numbers don't go up that far). He remained there for 3 years, with very good attendance, then "left to go to Council School" on 4 Oct 1910. The following year they can be seen in the census at 20 Quebec Street, Ulverston, which is nearby.

His brothers Edgar Retallick and Jon Robert Smith Retallick attended Chapel Street School (boys) in Dalton-in-Furness for a few months in 1898, giving home address of Cleator Street. The record states Edgar had previously attended Ulverston National School, so it seems they bounced about a bit. This was no doubt due to their father Adam's job. I already noted that he was an engine driver (stationary in mines) but became unemployed and took to selling fruit & vegetables.

Ella Lilian Retallick, daughter of Hart, was at Kingsteignton Council School in Devon from 1 May 1899 to 18 Oct 1901, aged 3-5. She remained in the area and I have now found her subseuent marriage and death.

Ewart Balthazar Retallick was brother to the Ulverston boys above, and attended the Boys' Infant School 15 Aug 1905 - 14 Feb 1908 (i.e. the 3 school years prior to Austell above), when he went to Dale Street School. Home address given was 9 Quay Street (which explains the discrepancy above).

Isabella and Mary Retallick, daughters of Charles, were admitted to Widecombe-in-the-Moor Primary School on 13 Jun 1904, aged 13 and 6 respectively, Isabel having attended Bovey British Scool previously. Mary left on 2 Aug 1912, as she was 14, school leaving age. The re is no date for Isabella. 

Olive Retallick, sister of Ella above, attended Kingsteignton Council School from 18 Apr 1898 to 5 Oct 1906, aged 5-13. Her brother Percy overlapped with her time there, as he attended from 14 Feb 1905.

Wednesday 6th January 2021

Findmypast advised me that they have just incorporated over 7 million school records, so I am currently examining them (NB this only covers 1870-1914). Not an auspicious start, as there are none from Cornwall, but at least this cuts down the number of branches I have to search. It isn't easy to decide which approach to take; should I centre on areas/towns or branches? I think I shall try the latter, using the list of surnames I used when looking at the newspapers. 
 
The Manhires
Of course, most of this branch were in Cornwall, so I made a shortlist of 27 to look into, born elsewhere, only to find there are only two with that surname listed - and they were the two daughters of Unita and Theophilus, Unita and Lily Beryl. This adds another piece to the jigsaw of their early life. In 1906 their father Theophilus sailed to USA, an engine driver aged 29, intending to settle there. Unita had both her daughters in UK, then travelled out to join him . On 10 Apr 1910 they arrived back in UK, Lily aged 5 , Unita aged 7 and Edwin was born in September of that year (this may be why Unita returned, as she wanted her children born in UK). The girls, it seems, were enrolled into Cadbury School, in the Devon village of that name, where they lived on Pitt Farm, on 6 Feb 1911. Unfortunately they were only there a few weeks and left on 3 Mar 1911 "to return to US". This was Unita and all three children, although Edwin evidently returned in the next few years as when he died in 1916 it was in Cornwall. I suspect there was a divorce as Theophilus started another family in USA and all the girls returned to England, around the time of Edwin's death.

Catchesides - search came up with nothing

Hennig likewise

Retallick gave me 39 results, so, learning from the above, I am listing these to tick off or otherwise.
Allivyan, David and Charles were brothers and they have come up at school in Cumberland, in Arlecdon, called Lamplugh Parochial School. I see they were admitted on 1 Feb 1880 aged 5, 3 and 4 respectively. It is noted they were previously at Millom school and again they only stayed a few weeks, leaving on 8 Mar 1880. This time it wasn't through moving, as they can still be seen in the area the following year in the census. After this they returned to Cornwall, where their father died and David & Allivyan settled as Tin Miners, Charles married and emigrated to USA.

Sunday 3rd January 2021

"Mopping up" any London burials for other branches, I found Elizabeth Knight 9 (Lizzie) was cremated on 30 Oct 1975 at Kent & Sussex Crematorium, Tunbridge Wells. Also cremated there were siblings Lucretia on 14 Aug 1962, Renee Gwendoline 17 Nov 1967, Kate 26 Jan 1968 and William 7 June 1971. Other members of the family were not, as it only opened in 1958, including Gwen's husband Henry Hellyer, but her son came along later - 2001.

Jessie's aunt Marian Dickson nee Manhire died 12 Sep 1956 in Battersea, at Bolingbroke Hospital, then was buried in plot 16/9298 of London Road Cemetery, Merton, Surrey, where her father-in-law was interred 20 years before, I don't know why Hugh wasn't there, or his mother Maria, but there were only two in the plot in Merton.

I have now searched all branches, so will only be back as & when.

Saturday 2nd January 2021

William George Matthews, the one who was 3rd cousin twice removed, not my grandfather, married Alice Laura Stone n Jan 1935 in Staines. Unfortunately he died in Kings College Hospital on 11 Mar 1935 and was buried on 18 Mar in Nunhead Cemetery, in a plot with 13 others. Alice was 86 when she died in 1999.

Uncle Will, William Horace Matthews, died on 24 Mar 1967, when they lived at 38 Croydon Road, Keston. I do remember this, as I was 11, but I thought of him as an old man, when he was only 60 (kids, eh?) and his wife (Maud) Lilian Matthews nee Purdue died in 1996, aged 90. I can't find burials for either in the list, but they were both no doubt cremated.

Friday 1st January 2021 - Happy New Year

I will continue here as a new start may be required elsewhere later in the year.

James Matthews 3 died aged 3 in Holborn, so it isn't surprising he isn't on the list, as infants/children often weren't.

As I said on Wednesday, I could not find Jane Von Joel nee Matthews or her husband Henry, but today I have tracked them down (Von was transcribed as the middle name), buried in Highgate Cemetery plot 38937 with two of their daughters. Jane was interred first. in 1913, followed by daughter Lena later the same year, then daughter Jane two years later and finally Henry in Feb 1917. Lena was married to a restaurant owner in Lynton, Devon, but maybe she and the two Janes were looking after each other when sick, then died, in London.

Jemima Stocks nee Matthews was the great great-aunt who moved from the Westcountry to London, married Samuel Stocks and founded a dynasty there. It seems she was at a Ladies School in Brighton, then married in London, and the rest of her family followed. She died at 47 Church Street, Camberwell and was buried at St Pancras Cemetery on 9 Dec 1898. Her husband had been interred there in 1880, leaving her in charge of the tobacconist/newsagent shop. She developed the printing/bookbinding side of the business with several of her children, who then continued with it whan she retired and died.

Kathleen Hutchinson nee Matthews died Oct 2004, but this is much too late to be on the list. Her husband James died in 1976 in Hendon, but appears to have been cremated in Grimsby, where he may have had family connections.

As far as deaths of the two Leah Matthews, mother and illegitimate daughter, the latter died at birth or shortly afterwards in the workhouse at City Road, Holborn and was no doubt buried in an unmarked grave on the premises. Her mother married twice and died in 1953 as Leah Flint. Her death was registered in the Pancras area of London, but I cannot find her on the list.

Mary Ann Williams nee Matthews died in Brentford, Middlesex aged 79 but she was probably visiting, as she lived in Bath, and was buried on 24 May 1937 in St James Cemetery there., in plot Con/OF/15 where her husband had been interred 35 years earlier. There were just the two of them in the plot

I thought that Norman Douglas Silas Matthews was still living when I last covered him in Jan 2019, but I see now that he died on 27 June (my birthday!) 2016. He is still redacted on 1939 Register and no burial record is listed yet. His wife probably died in Oxfordshire in 2007 but Dorothy Beatrice is a strangely common combination.

Thursday 31st December 2020

George Henry Matthews, my great grandfather, died in Holborn Infirmary 3 Jul 1886, having been at Princes Street, Clerkenwell in the previous census, which was off Northampton Street, now under the buildings of City University, I understand. I can't find a burial in the Deceased Online lists.

Henry Charles Matthews died in Dec 1953 in St Stephen's Hospital (incidentally, where my husband was born 2 years later) and then buried on 18 Dec at Brompton Cemetery. His wife Marjorie Winifred nee Russell died in a nursing home in Bristol in 1993.

Henry Charles Matthews 3 died aged 7 months on 16 Aug 1901 in Holborn and was buried on 22 Aug 1901 at Manor Park Cemetery in a plot with 14 others. He was probably part of a vaccination study, because his burial was noted with some other and the word "vacc" was by his name.

Wednesday 30th December 2020 

The Matthews family was that of my Dad's Dad, some of whom ended up in London. Unfortunately it is a very common name and I always have many to choose from.
I thought I had found the last resting place of Albert John Matthews at the same crematorium as my Dad, in 2000, but that would make him 136 at death! The same man died in Washington, USA in 1908, although he can be seen in 1911 census in Woking, Surrey, and I cannot locate his wife's burial, although I know where & when it took place. Very frustrating!

Arthur Matthews died at the end of 1926 aged 55 in the City of London, and I can see he was interred into a public plot in Manor Park Cemetery on 2 Feb 1927 along with 16 others. By the time his wife Ada died 32 years later, she was living elsewhere. His brother Charles joined him on 27 Jan 1930, in a plot with 11 others

Daisy C Matthews married Ernest Dorrien Kitchener Sussex (what a wonderful name!) in 1950 in Lambeth, where they both lived, Ernest 15 years younger than Daisy. I see he was a telescope polisher, so most likely worked at Dollond, the famous optical company, less than a mile away beyond The Oval. The next thing was her death 10 years later, and burial at the Lambeth Cemetery plot ConL2/197, long with a Charles Edward Sussex, who I guess was a son she died bringing into the world. Ernest didn't pass on until 1989 in Wandsworth (so should be on the Lambeth list but maybe too recent).
NB Later I found a death record in Apr 1950 for a Charles E Sussex I think was Ernest's father, as he died aged 75 in Lambeth.

My great great-aunt Eliza Blunt nee Matthews died at the end of April 1926 in Highgate and was buried in Highgate Cemetery on 8 May 1926, in plot 25340. The plot already held eight members of the Von Joel family (her sister's in-laws), over 1882-1909, and her husband Walter Blunt, interred 14 Jun 1921. (oddly Jane and her husband are not there, and must have been buried elsewhere, although they died in Holborn in 1913 & 1917.

Eliza Emily Neighbour nee Matthews died Jan 1964 and was interred into plot 93/13844 of Camberwell New Cemetery on 10 Feb, last of ten over 3 weeks. Her husband was in the same cemetery but 18 years earlier (with 8 others). Incidentally, she was the one who lived and worked at the Prince Albert in Peckham and I said when I dealt with her before (30th Jan 2014) that it had undergone changes over the years and was currently Peckham Bazaar restaurant. I am glad to tell you that in the following year, 2015, it was renovated again to what it had been, The Prince Regent, serving real ales, and hopefully will weather the current storm and be back in full action soon.

Tuesday 29th December 2020

Moving on to the Hennig family - my Dad's mother's family

My great-uncle August Rudolph Hennig was buried on 6 Jan 1927 in Camberwell Old Cemetery plot 48/9877 on 6 Jan 1927, the final interment of the five family members. In 2016 when I visited this cemetery I said: "I was seeking a family of Hennigs, Flo's half-brother August Rudolph Hennig, his wife Hellen and their sons William Walter Hennig, Frank Edgar Hennig and Horace Augustus Hill Hennig. After a lot of searching I did find Square 48, with a lot of help from a gardener, who stopped his strimming to help me, evidently a keen genealogist! It turned out to be nowhere near Squares 46 & 47, but down a footpath in a wooded area with notices up all over, warning of unstable graves and work in progress to eliminate Japanese Knotweed! We both checked all the plots close to the path, then I moved into the wooded area and my helper moved on. There was no sign of what I wanted, but it was extremely overgrown. Stones were sometimes covered with ivy, some with trees growing up through the grave, others obscured by undergrowth or with illegible worn stones. I checked all I could, but the numbers were too high, I suspect the area round grave 9877 is now impenetrable forest. I think August purchased it when baby Horace died in 1886 and he was certainly the final one to be interred there himself in 1927."
About the search for my grandmother's grave I said: "Next I sought my grandmother Florence Augusta Matthews in Square 119, again to no avail. While searching I met a fellow genealogist, who works sometimes for the Nunhead Cemetery, and said he thought this was a Public Grave, as there were 6 unknown people buried with her. Examining the burial record, I can see the plot marked "Consecrated" but not "Private", so suspect he may be right. In this case, they probably just used the grave until full, then covered it over and moved on. This would have been 16 days later... I must say I am surprised my grandfather didn't purchase a family plot. (Uncle Bert did for Nellie as hers says "Private" on the record, but it hasn't made it any easier all these years later). In this case, if the grave were marked at all it wouldn't necessarily have borne Flo's name, although she was the first in there, but I also looked for the name of the final burial Thomas Henry Palmer and couldn't locate him either. Square 119 is grassy and open, with many worn and damaged stones. It is a shame I couldn't locate Flo's final resting place, as it was her I especially wished to find, to commemmorate the 30th anniversary of her son's death (ie my father)."
With all the experience of recent searches, I do believe this was a public grave, and there wouldn't be a stone, just maybe a marker (or not) originally.

Francis Edgar Hennig was put into the plot above on 4 Jul 1910, when he died aged 18.

Frederick Charles Edward Hennig disappeared, along with his wife, after their marriage in 1905 and I cannot now locate them by burial records.

Frederick William Hennig, my great-grandfather, "fell down dead suddently in the street" from a heart attack, but I can't find a burial for him (or either wife)

William Charles Hennig died in Feb 1896 in Lambeth and was buried in unconsecrated plot UnConD2/393 on 19 Mar 1896 alone, followed 19 years later by an Elizabeth Buckman. I don't know what the story is here.

William Walter Hennig was interred on 19 Jan 1925 into the plot above, with his siblings in Camberwel Old Cemetery.

Monday 28th December 2020

I think I got the two Joseph Hodds mixed up. The one who died in 1901 (see last Wednesday) was probably Joseph Hodd Junior buried in Lambeth Cemetery, fifth of eight in plot ConB3/575. His wife Martha died 15 years later and was interred into plot ConH3/355, second of six in Jun-Jul 1916.

Lily Florence Hodd was a bit of a disaster, as I found her marriage to Charles Powell was another Lily entirely. I think she may have been the one who married Ernest Sweeney in 1915. He was in the Royal Navy and was killed in France in WW1. She can be seen in a hotel in Leatherhead in 1939, employed as a cook, and died in Warrington, Cheshire in 1978 aged 87. However, although it does hang together, I cannot prove it was her.

Cliff's grandmother Martha May nee Hodd died in early July at 18 Princes Square and I now see she was interred into plot ConI3/1304 in Lambeth Cemetery. This plot had been used in 1881 for 5 interments, then "topped up" with 22 more in 1937, of which Martha was number 5. I have the death certificate of her husband John, and I have matched it up with a death registration, He died on 5 Apr 1907 at 23 Royal Street, probably part of St Thomas' Hospital, informant was his eldest son William. I am hesitant to purchase the plot details in Lambeth Cemetery, as interment did not apparently take place for 3 months, which is odd at the height of the summer. It also mentions a middle name of Charles, not on any other document. If this record is his, there were 12 others in the plot.

Stephen Richard Hodd, Martha's brother, died end of Jan 1934 and was interred into Lambeth Cemetery on 23 Feb. The plot ConI3/1117 was used for 4 burials in Dec 1880, then in Feb/Mar 1934 "topped up" with 14 more, of which Stephen was the tenth. His wife Caroline was similarly interred, last of 24 in plot ConI3/910, on 23 Oct 1930. Six of these were 1880, the rest 1930

My great great-uncle John Noonan died in Holborn of bronchitis and was interred in pot 61/613 of Manor Park Cemetery on 20 Feb 1897, third of seven in a few weeks.

His sister Margaret Cooper nee Noonan joined him seven years later, interred into plot 6/550 there, second of eight over a month.

Sunday 27th December 2020

Moving on to the Hodds (Cliff's maternal grandmother's branch)
Agnes V Hodd married Thomas Thatcher in 1942 and can be seen at 108 Stamford Street, Lambeth (where she had lived with her parents from the age of 16) until his death in 1963. At that time, Thomas was at the Workhouse in Marylebone, where he was presumably in the infirmary, known as Luxborough Lodge. This institution closed 2 years later and after WW2 was home for the sick and the elderly. But he was on the electoral roll records at Stamford Street, so the family evidently still lived there. I think she may have died the following year in South Norwood, leaving £8197 to an Albert Thatcher. However I cannot find a burial/cremation record for her.

Albert Hodd's death was registered Jan 1979 in Westminster but I cannot see his burial, or that of his wife Edith 5 years earlier.

Derek Wilfred Hodd, Cliff's second cousin, died 10 Sep 2010 and was cremated at Kensal Green on 14 Oct. His wife Sheila died the previous year, but I cannot locate her on the list.

Eliazabeth Hodd married Alfred Percival in 1882 and he died 1922 and was buried in Camberwell New Cemetery plot 37/27188 on 13 Mar. I see now that Elizabeth joined him on 10 Jan 1938 in the same plot, and they were the only two in there.

Ellen Hodd married William May, Cliff's great-uncle (one of twins who both died of heart conditions in their 30s.40s).William died on 30 Dec 1890 and was buried in plot 12086 of Camberwell Od Cemetery on 3 Feb, second of ten interments over 9 days in that plot. Ellen's death was registered in Southwark in Jul 1919 but I cannot find her on the list (of course WW1 did lead to a glut).

Ernest George Hodd died aged 11, so not surprising I cannot find a burial

Ernest William Hodd married twice, died at the end of Feb 1941 and was interred in plot ConJ3/381 of Lambeth Cemetery on14 Mar, with 20 interments from Jun 1886. Then when his wife Rose died, on 24 Jan 1971 she was cremated and her ashes joined him on 16 Mar 1971.

Florence Louisa Hodd married Leonard Smithers in Lambeth in 1916, and when he died in 1939, he was interred into plot ConV3/290 of Lambeth Cemetery, penultimate of 15 burials that year. Florence then moved in with her daughter in Leicester, so when she died in 1961 it was not local. 

Saturday 26th December 2020

Sarah Burley 2 married twice, so when she died it was under the name Sarah Pert, nice and rare, so I can be sure of her burial; 26 Apr 1881 in Lambeth Cemetery. However, I will not buy the plot details as she is such an obscure ancestor.

Sarah Ann Burley had an illegitimate daughter but I can't see a marriage. I also can't see a burial in the Lambeth area under that name, so she may well have.

William George Burley was interred in Lambeth Cemetery plot ConE3/500 on 9 Oct 1864, fifth of 14 in that plot (1857-1921). His wife Ann died at 67 Broad Street, Lambeth (where they had lived since marriage 1825) of chronic bronchitis and was interred into plot ConK3/499 fourth of seven in one week.

William John Burley, Cliff's great great-uncle, died at 460 Old Kent Road, where he lived with his daughter since widowed, and was buried at Cambnerwell Old Cemetery on 27 Sep 1913, in plot 13/23303 fifth interment of nine over a week. His wife Eliza was in plot 75/21392, interred 24 Mar 1909, third of eight interments in a week.

Thursday 24th December 2020

I need to complete the study I made last thing yesterday, regarding the children of Eliza Chandler nee Burley. On 1939 Register Eliza and Robert can be seen at number 34 Leo Street, Camberwell and Jessie next door at number 32 with her son Walter. This road is a turning off Old Kent Road and the houses are gone, but they were close to family (and 1.5 miles from the cemetery). I can see no bomb damage at home on my map, but they may have been elsewhere. 

Elizabeth Burley married William May Junior and Martha married his brother Thomas. I can see William was buried on 15 Apr 1873 at West Norwood Cemetery, tenth of twelve in plot 31/13844. There was an Elizabeth May interred in that cemetery in 1900, but as I don't have the censuses between, I can't be sure.

Her brother James Burley was living at 18 Broad Street, Lambeth when he died on 8 Feb 1893, and was buried in Lambeth Cemetery with 5 others. His wife died 10 years later at that same address and was also buried there on 1 Jan 1903, then their son Robert, who she was living with, followed in 1905

Jane Burley was only 12 when she died in Borough, Southwark, and I cannot find her in Deceased Online's list, and Mary Burley only two, likewise.

I think Samuel Burley was interred in St George the Martyr Cemetery on 18 Nov 1869 (and maybe his wife Rebecca in Bethnal Green in 1876)

Wednesday 23rd December 2029

Mary Brewster was another of Cliff's great great-aunts, married to James Perry on 4 Apr 1880 and he died a few weeks later. He was buried in Lewisham Cemetery on 30 April. Mary was left to bring up 4 daughters, three of her own and one of James', all from previous marriages. Luckily daughter Mary went to live with her sister Elizabeth and was the 14-year-old with them in 1881 census. Mother Mary died in June 1882 and was buried in Lambeth Cemetery (I'm not going to purchase the plot details though as I cannot match it with a death registration)

I knew her elder sister Susan(nah) Hodd nee Brewster died on 9 Feb 1881 aged 50, of meningitis she had suffered from for 20 days. Now I see she was interred on 15th at Lambeth Cemetery in plot ConI3/1153 second of five in 1881, topped up with 15 more in 1934. I had death dates for her husband Joseph in 1883 and 1904 but now have a burial in 1901, fifth of eight in plot ConB3/575.

Her brother Thomas Brewster died in Jul 1903 in Southwark and was buried in the Nunhead Cemetery in a plot with 21 other burials, on 16 July. His wife Emma nee Reseigh had died the year before and was also there, but in a different plot with 14 others. 

I had thought his father, also Thomas Brewster, died Jul 1879 and was buried in Lambeth in plotCon D3/598, but I now see that was Thomas Walter Brewster, with a Walter Downing joining him 20 years later. Mine was Thomas Henry Brewster, but the only record I could find related to a burial in 1933, when he would have been 130 years old! Sometimes this business is not straightforward. Of course, this surname has so much opportunity for typos.

Amelia Burley died in the New Year 1940 and was buried on 10 Jan 1940 at Camberwell New Cemetery, second of eight interments in plot 90/6132.

Eliza Chandler nee Burley was interred in Nunhead Cemetery on 13 Dec 1909, with her husband, who had been there for 6 years, in plot 75/26683. Their children joined them: Jane in 1917, Kathleen and Eliza in 1943, Robert in 1948 and Jessie in 1949. I was rather worried when I saw two died on the same day in March 1943 and looking into it found that 3rd Mar 1943 the Bethnal Green Tube disaster happened. However, they were not on the list of casualties and didn't live in the East End anyway.

Tuesday 22nd December 2020

Dealing with the Small family, most of them died across the river, and Alice in Lincolnshire.
Louisa Woodford nee Small was interred in Lambeth Cemetery on 30 Apr 1904. I dealt with her husband Reuben on 11th December (see below), who died 2 years later, when he was placed in another plot when they were "topping up". Plot ConE3/611 had four interments in 1859, then Louisa was one of five more added in 1904.

Cliff's great great-aunt Elizabeth Kelsey nee Brewster died in 1900 in Lambeth and was buried 14 Feb in Lambeth Cemetery in plot ConB3/297, where she was second of four "top-ups" in a grave occupied in 1860. Her hisband Henry had died 10 years earlier, when they lived in Bermondsey/Southwark and he was buried there

Henrietta Brewster died aged 6, when her parents were in Southwark, her death registered in Lambeth in the April quarter of 1872, but I cannot see her on Deceased Online's list.

Cliff's great great-uncle Joseph Brewster died Jan 1871 aged 36 and was buried on 8 Jan, third of six in 1871, followed by three more over the following 128 years. His wife Mary Ann had moved to Poplar by her death in 1914.

Joseph William Henry Brewster's death was registered in the October quarter of 1962 in Lambeth but I cannot find him on the Lambeth list (or indeed any other). His wife Mary died there the following year, but I can't find her either. 

His sister Martha Robinson nee Brewster was interred in Nunhead Cemetery, one of 22 in plot 45/27491 over a period of a month in Nov 1904. Her husband had been placed in the Lambeth Cemetery in 1886.

Monday 21st December 2020

Henry Charles Gamble junior died in Camberwell in Nov1938 and was buried on 5 Dec 1938 in Camberwell New Cemetery. His wife had been interred into a mass grave at Tooting in 1931, with 15 others, when they lived in Kennington.

Mary Ann Hatton Pearce nee Gamble a 2xg greataunt, died in 1921, her death registered in the July quarter in Wandsworth. I see a Mary Ann Pearce was interred in Lambeth Cemetery 26 Nov 1921 but that's too long a delay, even in winter time! Also, her husband wasn't there, the nearest with his name being Brompton Cemetery in January (his death registered in Wandsworth in July quarter, presumably by Mary Ann) 1916.

I thought I had found the last resting place of Victoria Louisa Gamble, aged 12, Lambeth Cemetery. But I realise that she appeared in 1911 census the following year, aged 13. So unless someone made an error, this is wrong..

William Isaac George Gamble, Uncle Bill, died in Oct 1959 in Lambeth and I see he was cremated at Honor Oak Crematorium on 5 Nov 1959 and Aunt Mag followed him there on 21 Jan 1982.

Louisa Woodford nee Hatton was interred into unconsecrated plot D3/840 in the Lambeth Cemetery (5th out of six) on 23 Sep 1886, As I said on 11th December (see below), her husband joined her 8 years later. Again, I don't know why, but guess she had typhoid or somesuch. I had assumed TB, as that was rife and killed at least some of the children.

Harriet Gamble nee Hawkins was buried at Lambeth Cemetery in plot ConA3/1632 on 5 Sep 1913. Her husband had been interred in Mortlake in 1890, as he was in the Workhouse there at the time.

Sunday 20th December 2020

Returning to the Deceased Online records, I found that my 2xg granduncle John Dance was buried in unconsecrated ground in Lambeth Cemetery on 15 May 1901 in plot UnConG3/480. He was followed in the subsequent days by 8 others. I don't know what he died of, so it may have been typhoid etc as I said before.

The rest of the Dances died in Hampshire, so on to the Gambles

Amy Ethel Lockyer nee Gamble died in Dec 1977 and was buried on 13th in Streatham Cemetery, part of the Lambeth group of cemeteries, in plot K750, inhabited by her husband since his interment on 3 Oct 1955 (just those two in plot)

I couldn't locate 2xg granduncle David Gamble in the list, but that's hardly surprising as he died at Middlesex County Asylum (actually built as the Surrey branch, in Wandsworth, not Middlesex at all), with a home address of 14 Hamilton Road, Brentford

Great granduncle Edward Isaac Gamble died in Nov 1951 in Camberwell and was buried in plot 88/42897 of Nunhead Cemetery on 22nd, second of four interments over 4 days. His wife Fanny had been interred in a different plot in that cemetery on 11 Feb 1941

Thursday 17th December 2020

We have just returned from a trip to Wales, where we said goodbye to my lovely mother-in-law Jessie Iris Smith nee Manhire. She lived to the age of 95, a "good innings", as they say, and was cremated in South Wales, where she lived for the last 40 years. RIP Jessie.

Saturday 12th December 2020

I knew my great great grandfather George Wooldridge died on 4th Nov 1893 at 20 Clayton Buildings, Lambeth, the flat I mentioned yesterday directly below that of my grandparents. I can now see he was buried on 11 Nov in plot ConO3/352 of Lambeth Cemetery, second of six interred there over 10 days. His wife Louisa (nee Catchesides) didn't join him when she died 22 years later, as she lived for most of that time in a Workhouse at Essex, and was no doubt buried there (usually unmarked). I noticed, when looking into the above, that Louisa in 1911 said she had given birth to 10 children, 4 of which had died by then. I only knew of 8, and have tracked down only one death (*). It didn't help that she and/or George appeared to be number-dyslexic, as the ages of their children were all over the place. I had assumed that Ellen born 1862 and Helen, 16 in 1871 were one and the same, but maybe not. I thought I had solved it when I found a baptism in the Westminster records, of four children with parents George and Louisa Wooldridge on 25 Jul 1870 at St Clement Danes. However, they lived in Battersea, so don't know why they would cross the river to baptise some of ther children and not others. Also, I can't locate the address they gave 1 Eversley Court. In the end I got so confused I had to give up.

In looking for the burial site of my great grandfather Henry John Wooldridge, known in the family as Grampy, I knew he died on 1 Jul 1954 at 27 Clayton Buildings, Lambeth, so he should be there. However, the only interment I could find with this name took place in 1875, when he was only six, in which case I would not be here myself!

My great great-uncle William Isaac Wooldridge was the one I marked * above, the one of Louisa's offspring I could see died before 1911. He died in Aug 1905 at 11 Clayton Buildings and was interred into plot Con D3/602 of Lambeth Cemetery on 29th, final of three in that plot over a few days.

Friday 11th December 2020

You may remember that I (and also my mother) was surprised to find out, when I started this project, that the man we knew as Uncle Charlie, Charles James Woodford, was in fact my grandmother's uncle, born 1888, the last of his generation. I can see him on the list of Deceased Online, at Lambeth Cemetery. The surprise for me regarding this was that he was cremated and his ashes scattered on the lawns at the crematorium in Tooting. I did not attend the funeral, as I was only six, but my mother did. However, I do remember asking her about it some years ago and she remembered nothing. It seems he died in St Thomas' Hospital, where I was born. I also found that an earlier "version" of him had been born in January 1886 but died aged 6 months, presumably not baptised as he was buried in unconsecrated plot E3/457. He had been born a year after sister Louisa and Uncle Charlie followed 2 years after his death.

His brother Edmund Woodford died in 1951, while living in Brixton. However, I cannot see him on this list, so he must have been buried somewhere else (not St Matthew's church, Brixton, as I have checked)

Jane Marriott Mellish nee Woodford was buried in that cemetery on 10 Apr 1926, but as she was only a cousin 4x removed I won't spend money on the list of names of 12 others buried with her.

John Woodford, my 3xg grandfather, however, was a direct descendant, so I can see he was interred on 22 Sep into plot ConR3/33, second of six over the final 10 days of Sep 1894.

Josiah Woodford was the 3xgreat uncle who died in 1871 of smallpox 10 days after his wife died of typhoid, leaving two small daughters who were sent away to an orphanage in Bristol. Josiah was one of 6 interred into plot ConH3/696 on 18 Jun 1871, followed by another seven over the next few days. In 1917 they topped up the plot with another five. I don't know why, but his wife Millicent had been put into unconsecrated ground plot C3/404 with two others. Maybe typhoid was dealt with differently, as you couldn't be vaccinated against it, as you could against smallpox (not that vaccination helped Josiah) until 1896, 25 years later, and they didn't know at the time that it was contracted through food/water not contact.

My great great grandfather Reuben John Woodford died on 7 Feb 1906 and I can now see he was buried in Lambeth Cemetery plot ConD3/757. This was the other side of the story, in that 10 interments were performed on this plot in 1858-9 and then Reuben was added on 14 Feb 1906.

Because of the confusion in the family, the man who I knew as Uncle Reub, Reuben John Woodford junior, was actually my Nan's uncle. He was the one who lived in a flat directly below Nan, married to Aunt Lil. He died the year after Uncle Charlie 1963, and again I didn't attend his funeral, being only seven. I can see he too was cremated, on 10th May, and his ashes scattered at the crematorium.

Thursday 10th December 2020

This exercise is expensive, as Deceased Online charge £1.50 for each plot and it is mounting up. But today's discoveries have made it all worthwhile.

Cliff's paternal grandparents were Herbert Henry Smith senior and Edith Annie nee Roffey, parents of the Herbert I was checking yesterday. I just noticed I had the death record of their son in 1944 on the file of Herbert Henry senior. Finding Edith's interment in the new records, I see Herbert went ahead of her in 1932 and she was placed with him in plot ConE1/310 of Lambeth Cemetery on 11 Apr 1936. This explains why I couldn't find him/them in 1939 Register.

Edith's father Manlius William Roffey (Cliff's great grandfather) was also buried there, interred 3rd of six in plot ConM3/534 over the first week of May 1891.

You may remember that I discovered fairly recently that my maternal great grandmother Carrie (Catherine Wooldridge nee Woodford) had a daughter before my grandmother, called after herself, who died just before her third birthday in 1906. I have found her interment, in plot ConD3/430, first of 17. By 1934, when Carrie died, in Jan 1934, they were evidently reusing old plots and she went into plot ConI3/1135 8th of 18 in the grave originally occupied by Frederick Smith and George Spackman in 1881.

Wednesday 9th December 2020

My notes now direct me to check the Smith branch - wish me luck!

Edwin Smith was last seen in Lambeth in 1891 census. There is a burial the following year in Lambeth Cemetery, but equally he may be the one who married in 1915 in his birth-town of Potterspury. Electoral Roll records don't help as there are 13 by this name in the Vauxhall area alone (where he was last seen)

Ellen Smith was buried there in 1896 aged 19 but I have already found this plot.

Henry William Smith died aged 21 and his death was registered in the October quarter of 1875. I see a burial record in Lewisham Cemetery dated 9 August, with 7 others in the plot, but I don't want to spend more money on this surname.

Cliff's uncle Herbert Henry Smith died in Jan 1944 and his death registered in Wandsworth, where he was living, and may well be the interment of plot 11/180 of Streatham Cemetery. However, I do not recognise the Emily who joined him in 1967 (mind you, with this surname, she may not even be known to him, let alone a relative!)

The final branch I need to check is the Taylors, who married into the Coxes, but again they tended to move away from London.

(Maurice) Sidney Taylor may have died in Lambeth, as he was last seen there in 1939 Register. However, his wife died in 1942 in Camberwell but I cannot pin down her burial. There are 96 entries for Sidney Taylor, as he was known, as I can't narrow it down to year.

The trouble with this branch is that they tended to be known by their middle names. William James Taylor was an example, as he was Jim, and I have no idea when or where he died. Also, if he married.

Tuesday 8th December 2020

Moving on to Lilian Ada Cox, I found she was buried in Nunhead Cemetery, with her father Charles John Cox, who had died a year before, in plot 27/38978. Her sister-in-law Helene nee Jager was the other in the same plot, buried Mar 1947.

My great great-aunt Sarah Ann nee Cox (Tal) died 31 Oct 1931 in Lambeth and I can see her on the new records, in plot Con13/977 at Lambeth Cemetery, second interment in the grave inhabited by Jonathan Seaman since 1880, of fifteen dating from Nov 1931 to Jan 1932.

According to my notes, the next branch is the Mays (on father-in-law Cliff's tree). However, most were in other parts of the country at death.
Alice Sarah nee May's death was registered in Jun 1945 in Battersea, and I see she was buried in plot 12/923 in Streatham Cemetery (one of the Lambeth Cemetery group) first interment in this plot, followed by 12 others over the next month.

Frances Sophia May died aged 7 and should be there in Lambeth Cemetery, but as this was 1850 it was very early.

James Edward May was interred into plot 21/30519 of Old Camberwell Cemetery on 6th Mar 1947. I visited that cemetery a few years ago, but didn't find the grave. He was 4th of five in that plot over a month.

Rachel Sarah nee May died in Jan 1930, a few months after her husband Henry. and was buried in plot ConU3/313 of Lambeth Cemetery. Her husband was one of the last listed in Southwark Parish Records in 1929, and there is no note of where he was interred. Rachel was followed in her plot a few years later by an Eleanor Miller in 1935 and an Edith in 1936, maybe Henry's sisters or daughters I don't know of.

Rosina/Rosa Alice May is probably the burial in Lambeth dated 21 Jan 1882, as she died there aged 3. I don't want to spend money on opening this record as it is transcribed as Maynard.

Sunday 6th December 2020

Albert Cox was born in early December 1886 to George William Cox, my great great uncle and his wife Bessie nee King but sadly died at the age of 3 months. He was buried in Lambeth Cemetery plot ComJ3/428, on 9th Mar 1887, the 17th in a communal plot opened 2 weeks earlier. t2 more interments followed in the next few days, then 2 more in 1940 and 1962, when the cemetery was almost full and they were "topping up".

I have four Barnard Coxes on my tree, and when I found a burial in Lambeth Cemetery I hoped it was that of my 3xg grandfather, but details led me to my cousin 4x removed, buried in plot ConB3/305 with three others in February 1900. However this led to my discovery of his marriage to Sarah Hopson in 1862 in Lambourne, birth of four children and moving to Lambeth in 1867.

Dewey Florence Cox, daughter of Edward and Harriet (Annie) nee Taylor, was born Dec 1900 (sister of author Vic, for regular readers, although born 9 years before him). She died at the end of January 1902 in Kennington, where her father was managing the Off Licence, and I now see she was buried in communal plot ConD3/225 at Lambeth Cemetery on 10 Feb 1902, 16th interment of 21 in that plot. All of these were in the first half of Feb 1902, then a final one in 2012.

When I came to Eliza Jane Gamble nee Cox, my great grandmother, I had a surprise, as she was buried in Camberwell Old Cemetery, one I had visited a few years ago. I had long lists of ancestors for that cemetery, and did find a few, but they were all on other branches. Now I can see that she was buried in plot 102/27618 4th of 15 interments over the first 2 weeks of Feb 1923.

The George Williams had very different stories. George William Cox 1 died at the Workhouse in Kennington and was "buried there by friends". George William Cox 2 died on 3 Sep 1939 (didn't quite wait for 1939 Register on 29th) and was buried on 14th Sep at the Lambeth Cemetery in plot ConV3/287, third interment of 19 over 3 months. George William Cox 3 was killed in action in France and buried there at the Doullens Communal Cemetery.

Saturday 5th December 2020

As my newspaper searches have ground to a halt, and are not worth the time they take, I have ceased.

Deceased Online sent me an email yesterday, advising of the 580,000 records they have just added to their collection of those interred/cremated at Lambeth Cemetery (which is in fact 3 cemeteries and 2 crematoria). I do know of some, especially those on the Greater London Burial Index released fairly recently. But will pick up where I left off with those, namely the Cox family (on my maternal Grandfather's tree)

Tuesday 1st December 2020

Sorry not to be updating here - I have such a lot on at the moment, I will probably only get a chance to drop in once a week for the foreseeable future. If you have any questions, comments etc please email me at the address above.

Monday 23rd November 2020

Sorry for the delay - I have another project on at the moment

Eliza Woodford search only came up with Mrs, so I moved on to Elizabeth Woodford

In 1886. Elizabeth 4 died on 2nd Aug and was buried on 4th. This was the only sure hit of 9 Elizabeths.

Emily Woodford - nothing

Emma Woodford- nothing

Ernest Alfred Woodford - there was a boy with this name of the correct age who appeared in court for stealing a ring and pawning it, but no address was given or name of father to confirm this.

Ettie Maud Woodford - nothing

Wednesday 18th November 2020

Although on Sunday, I said "nothing" regarding Algernon Woodford, I see under his father's name Edmund Charles Woodford, there is a mention of the decision that he pay towards the expenses of keeping his son Algernon in the mental hospital. He must have done so as he was still there 19 years later in 1939. Edmund appeared a few times over the years, called by the coroner to give evidence as an expert witness. He helped in 1904 by describing in detail a fatal accident whereby a trap was overturned, so when a consignment of lamb's fat was stolen in 1919 he was called again to give his opinion (same coroner and by then Ed was Deputy Meat Agent for Devon)

Edwin Woodford was secretary of the local Rugby Club in 1905 and made arrangements for the Christmas Dance

Eli Woodford appeared on the occasion of his marriage. All I previously had was month and town, so this helps a lot.

Tuesday 17th November 2020

Nothing emerged on any of the Charles Woodfords

Clara Woodford - nothing

Cordelia Woodford - nothing

David Woodford 1 appeared in court in 1882, aged 45, one of a bunch of 13 men who were found drinking in the Rutland Arms, Old Dalby after hours. They pleaded guilty and were fined 6s 3d each and Mrs Marriott (who owned the pub and may have been a relative) fined 40s and her licence endorsed. One of the bunch was a Thomas Woodford, so may also have been a relative (I can't tell as there is no age etc given)

David Woodford 2 - I spent some time on this 2nd Sep 2018 - see then, as he appeared in the newspapers several times

Nothing found for the three Edith Woodfords

Sunday 15th November 2020

Beatrice Annie Woodford. I came across what no genealogist ever wants to find; a newspaper account of a court case involving an indecent assault on an ancestor. The case was held in August 1903 and both Beatrice and her mother Elizabeth gave evidence and identified the accused. Beatrice was aged eleven, considered old enough to testify, although another youngster, William Wadsworth, aged seven, was considered too young to do so. In the end, the accused was acquitted as his workmates swore he was with them and the case fell apart, considered as Mistaken Identity. I see from my notes that the family had just moved at this time to the Grantham area from Harby, Leicestershire, and can still be seen there in 1911 census. Beatrice married in 1915, in Melton Mowbray.
NB Looking into the language used, I suspect this was "merely" a flashing, rather an actual assault.

Bertha Woodford - nothing

Bertram John Woodford - died in France in WW1 but nothing in local news

Catherine Woodford - I found this in the Leicester Journal of 3 Nov 1871, but without more detail I cannot tell if it was my Catherine, living at the time with her widowed father and her illegitimate daughter. This last detail may be related, but I cannot find out more

Catherine Emma & Catherine Selina produced nothing too

Saturday 14th November 2020

Continuing with the searches:

Algernon Woodford - nothing

Alice Woodford x2 - nothing

Andrew Woodford appeared twice - his death in 1882 and his marriage in 1860:

There were 5 Ann Woodfords, but I was unable to attach any reports to any of them, as most were just names

Anna Maria Woodford - nothing, but she did die aged 29

Anne Woodford x3 - nothing

Aubrey Woodford - nothing

Annie Woodford - nothing

Arthur Woodford x3 - nothing in the newspapers, but I have found the death of Arthur Fardell Woodford in 1914 in Chapel-en-le-Frith, Derbyshire, so he was probably still living with his daughter Ettie. I had previously put his death at 1932.

Aubrey Woodford - nothing

Wednesday 11th November 2020

Moving on to the next name is difficult, as it would be Small. As with May, this search is impossible, because it cannot differentiate between the name and the word. So on to Woodford, which I am aware is also a place, having stayed there when at University. As this is the founding family of my study, I have hundreds of them... Limiting the search to Leicestershire & Nottinghamshire (unless one of those in London) helps, but generally comes up with cricket selection/scores, which I don't do.

Abraham Woodford - nothing

Ada Woodford - I thought I had something as in 1886 an Ada Woodford was arrested for drunkenness in Nottingham, which was where one of mine came from, until I realised she was born that year. Ada Rosina Woodford was in London, no hits.

Adam Woodford appeared in a list of those accused of not submitting a list of employees not eligible to serve on juries in 1862. He was an Overseer at Old Dalby Hall, in charge of a team of gardeners, so I'm not sure how that went; gardeners probably didn't need to know how to read & write. Earlier that year he had charged one Elizabeth Greasley with neglecting her illegitimate child, but the case was dismissed. What business it was of his I don't know.
The other by that name, "infant son of James Woodford of Old Dalby" appeared in a death announcement in 1861.

Albert had died in 1911 of cancer, but in 1879 (aged 18) he had appeared in court, accusing another man of stealing his new boots at the swimming bath. Apparently the thief had swapped his old ones for Alfred's and had been seen walking off in them! The sentence was 2 months hard labour, and the bathkeeper said 5 pairs of boots had gone missing recently.

Tuesday 10th November 2020

Sorry for the delay; I have been looking into the intriguing (and confusing) stories of Uncle Bill May (Cliff's uncle) with Eunice Belsham in Australia. Now I must press on here...

William Henry Parker and William James Parker were also uncle and nephew, living in North London. A lot of hits were regarding a senior police officer who specialised in the new science of fingerprinting, which I find fascinating. But neither name came up with anything.

Thursday 5th November 2020

John Henry Parker Junior was nephew of the one I did yesterday. In order to trace him backwards, as ever, I had to search Herefordshire and Worcestershire from his death in 1973 back to 1919, when he married there, then London as a young man & child. Apart from the publisher mentioned yesterday, I found a lot of hits related to a medical officer of prisons by this name, but nothing relating to mine.

His sister, Marian Parker, remained in North London all her life, but of course after 1912 she was Mrs Hill. I found nothing for her.

Mary Ann Parker was another 2xgreataunt, and the same as Marian until she became Mrs Holgate in 1880. I hope she wasn't the one by that name who had her purse snatched from her person on 4th May 1880 (i.e. 11 days before her wedding). The thief had the cheek to blame her. Most hits on this name were a ship, but one was the capsizing of a pleasure boat due to messing around (she was 14 at the time so I could believe it) but it was in Leicester, when she never left London.

Wednesday 4th November 2020

John Henry Parker senior, my great great-uncle, lived for 19 years in north London, then died there. He and his father James caused me much frustration, as there were a couple of historians who wrote under the names "John Henry and James Parker" but were father and son the other way around. I think they were booksellers/publishers, come to think of it; they were much too proliferate and varied to be writers.
Later: I confirmed this, they were publishers and had two shops, one in Oxford, one in London.

Monday 2nd November 2020

George William Parker gave me 235 hits, covering 100 years for my ancestors; great great-uncle and his son (although he seemed to use Walter as his middle name after the death of his brother William). I have examined all of them to no avail.

I have a James Parker Senior and Junior too, my 3xg grandfather and my 2xg. I had to use the search term Clerkenwell, as there were too many hits. And came up with nothing applicable.

Sunday 1st November 2020

My great grandmother Emily Ann Parker came up with nothing, searching with her middle name, and without was again mainly a ship! There was also a "championship swimmer" who appeared in many newspapers from 1875, but she was fifteen at that time and my great grandmother was twenty - you wouldn't make an error like that at that age! This young lady also had a brother (also a swimming champion and her trainer) Henry/Harry and mine didn't. There was in 1869 another Emily Parker in the correct area, Clerkenwell, but again she was the wrong age, this time 85 instead of 14. Also an 18-year-old prostitute was attacked in the street in Marylebone when my ancestor was only 10.

Again Emma Amelia Parker came up with nothing and Emma alone thousands of hits, mostly again a ship.

Friday 30th October 2020

Albert Edward Parker started off well (for me) in that I found a newspaper article straight away that appeared to be him. It gave his names, including the middle name, but gave the address as "Evelyn Avenue, Kingsbury". He had lived at Evelyn Street, Deptford in 1911, when he was in the Metropolitan Police, but otherwise lived in Edmonton, North London. So I think this was a coincidence. The story was regarding a fatal road accident, where a pedestrian walked out in front of him, hidden by a van parked illegally at a crossing, and then drove off. He was a warehouseman and this was a delivery van, but he was by then 68, so would have been retired. He died the following year, so I hope this wasn't exacerbated by the stress. Nowadays, of course, CCTV would have confirmed his story, but there were several witnesses who did anyway.
In 1947 there was another by his name, this time a milkman from Sydenham, who helped with an illegal "betting house", but he was 11 years too young. In 1925 an article appeared mentioning a Town Hall employee, which was definitely him, as I know he worked at the Town Hall for at least 20 years. There was a most amusing article published in 1894 telling of one by his name, who had been released from Wandsworth Prison, realising he did not know where his girlfriend was living, telegraphed the Queen to ask her. He said he found that the Queen had been killed by her staff, so he contacted the Mayor. He was brought up before him and declared a lunatic, so conveyed to an asylum. This was obviously not my ancestor, as he was only seven at the time!

Amelia Jane Parker, my great great-aunt, with her middle name, had only two hits, both turned out to be married ladies. When I removed the middle name I found a very naughty young lady who I wished was mine because of the stories popping up. She was arrested in Birmingham with her friend for loitering and when searched, police found hidden in their bustles the proceeds of a robbery. When investigated, they were found to be part of a series of burglaries in the area.

There were three generations of Charles James Robert Parker, but I got no hits with all the names. Just Charles gave me thousands, including many stories regarding Prince Charles and Camilla Parker-Bowles. Charles James Parker was mostly a bishop in Gloucester, while Charles Robert Parker a firm of solicitors in Greenwich. None of this was appropriate to me.

Edith Parker died aged 25, and her name only appeared with the wrong address applying to a girl who was regularly arrested for shoplifting in the West End through the 1910s and the activities of a contralto singer, neither mine.

Great great-aunt Eliza Ann Parker was next. Both names used in a search came up with a lot relating to a breach of promise case but it was in Sheffield, not London. Just Eliza gave me mostly a boat and nothing for her.

Wednesday 28th October 2020

William Cox 2 lived quietly in the village of Oxted all of his life, so no hits.

William Cox 1 died in 1875 and the first article I found said "two young men..." As he was 85 I don't think it was him. I'm not sure what he was up to in the years between 1841 & his death as he wasn't with his wife and children in the censuses. Mind you, in 1841 where I have found him, he was at the salon in Market Place, Wantage with his apprentice. There are very many convictions in between these dates (mainly for drunkenness), so he may have been in prison, but none gives any detail (age, address etc) by which I could identify him. His wife died in 1860 and if this is him, he must have become a blacksmith - his father was, and his brother Henry, so it may have been so. She appears to be known as Mary here (or it's a typo). In 1858 a William Cox of Wantage was fined for refusing to pay an assistant William Carter, but the article doesn't say what the business was. I have just found the death of the hairdresser in Wantage in 1843, so that wasn't the same as the husband mentioned in the above article.

Winifred Cox is a fairly unusual name, and the only possibility told of a little girl of 2 who was run over. As I know mine married and died of cancer aged 71, I can be confident this is irrelevant.

Tomorrow, on to the Parkers, on my Dad's tree. Emily Ann was my great-grandmother and married George Henry Matthews, one of the children brought from Bath to London, and created a branch in the Clerkenwell area.

Tuesday 27th October 2020

Continuing with William Cox 3, I was thrilled to find so much detail in his obituary. I see also that William and son Gordon had in 1945 been in trouble for not sealing a cesspit on their land. One can only imagine the "inconvenience" this caused in the village. In court Gordon stated he was going to replace the whole thing when workers came back from War Service. (The Women's Institute were also in trouble for failing to dispose safely of their waste into the existing facilities). Other than that, I found nothing in the search, as most hits were a bookshop/stationers in Whitstable High Street (oddly the place my mother, whose tree this is, retired to 150 years later).

Sunday 25th October 2020

There are three William Coxes in my tree. In reverse as usual, I shall deal with William 3 first. This has just changed, as I have discovered he didn't die in 1927 (that guy had a wife called Elizabeth who hadn't gone before him) and I can now see him in 1939 Register, at the same address as previous records; Hammer Field, Westerham, Kent, with son Gordon (master builder) and his wife, also daughters Ruth and Ethel, retired school teachers. This has led me to change his death to Apr 1947, in Tonbridge, Kent, aged 91. Gordon died the following year in Guys Hospital London.

Saturday 24th October 2020

Rebecca Cox appeared only once, and was a ship, Richard Cox nothing I could match, nor Sarah Cox, although the latter was interesting in that there was one by her name who married a bigamist, then expired just after he had given her a pill. She was not on my tree, as mine was only eight at the time of this marriage, and survived to marry my great great-uncle in 1915. Another Sarah Cox in the same year 1866 appeared telling of a man who seduced her, pretending to be a surgeon, then gave her medication to give her a miscarriage. She lived in Camberwell, as did my Sarah, but as I say she was only eight.

Sidney George Cox apparently died in Stanmore, where he was the licensee of The Fountain pub and was aged 78. This was not true as he died in Potters Bar Hospital in 1971 aged 69, lived in Kennington in his work years, packing machinery. The only time he really appeared in the newspapers was in 1943 when he was fined 20s for a light showing during the blackout at his home in Balham. As they moved to Stevenage after this, and Hertfordshire newspapers aren't listed after 1916, he appears no more.

I know very little about the four Thomas Coxes on my tree, not nearly enough to confirm any stories.

As far as Victor Allerton Cox is concerned, I know many stories, as he was an author and I have his autobiographical accounts. And anyway, with the middle name I had no hits, without it well over a thousand. I did look through these and fund one in 1905, where Victor was Best Man to his brother Edward, who was marrying a young lady with the great name of Florence Eighteen. There were several problems with this though, as my Vic wasn't born until 1909 - although he did have a brother Edward, who was also a "no-go" as he was Killed In Action in 1917 aged 18, never having married. The other Victor (Victor Frank Cox) was similar and he did marry a girl with an excellent name; Parthenia Stevens.

Friday 23rd October 2020

The 3 James Coxes on my tree were all different, so I searched individually.

"Plain" James, my 5xgreat uncle, was a little early, as he was born 1754. He had an uncle by the same name, even earlier (born 1728) so nothing for them. James Henry Cox my 3xgreat uncle came up with no hits - but then I don't know if he did die at the same time as his wife in 1892. His grandson was the other James Henry Cox, but again came up with nothing.

Jemima Cox had no matches, even under her other name of Jane

John Thomas Cox (poor man!) had nothing too, and the same applied to Lilian (x2) and Louisa, Maria/Minnie, Martha and Mary. The last name appeared several times, generally as victim of crime, but as all I know is her birth & baptism, I can go no further.

Thursday 22nd October 2020

My 4xgreat uncle, Henry Cox's death was announced in the Reading Mercury on 1st June 1861. Unfortunately the landlord of a pub in the area was named Henry Cox - my ancestor was a blacksmith with 11 children, so very different. I just have to doubly check. There was also a police constable by that name, always a difficulty, and a grocer, frequently prosecuting thieves. I suppose a blacksmith could be asked to do labouring jobs, but he evidently wasn't the one who cut a branch off a tree in 1829, and fell, as that man did not survive. 

Henry Thomas Cox, known in the family as Lal, had an interesting story, born in Berkshire then going to London as a child and working in a tobacco factory, injured in WW1, returning to London, then relocating to Liverpool when the company was merged, and he died there of cancer due to the product. However, none of this appeared in newspapers.

Hester Cox was too early.

Wednesday 21st October 2020

Nothing arose regarding Edith and Edward. My great grandmother Eliza Cox seemed to sail all over the world, but it turned out to be the name of a ship! I'm not sure if the lady herself ever left South London. There were a couple of hits too for a Mrs Eliza Cox. There was one very disturbing account; Eliza Cox was stabbed in the eye by Sarah Cox, her sister in Rotherhithe. Now, this was upsetting for me as my great grandmother not only lived in Rotherhithe but had a sister called Sarah. Reading the detail though, showed me they were both married, so weren't mine. It turned out to be a bigamy case and they both married a Mr Cox. Nothing else emerged on my ancestor. The other Eliza Cox on my tree was equally disturbing; an account of her, a servant aged 21, in a house fire in 1858 (she was 23 but may have appeared younger or lied about her age). Anyway, this wasn't her; the fire was in Dublin and she did not survive. "Mine" was a servant to a Water Company executive in South London.

I have only two full Elizabeths, one died aged 3 and one was born in 1777, so was actually too early for most newspapers.

There was an odd coincidence (fire) re Emily Cox. In 1870 there was an account of a fire at Rotherhithe, involving an Emily and her brother Henry, greengrocers. Henry was injured in the fire jumping out of the window, but Emily escaped unharmed. My great great-aunt Emily had no brother Henry, and although I cannot locate her for sure in 1871 census, I think she may have been a servant in Herne Hill.

There were no hits for Esther, so on to the Georges. "Plain" George gave me hundreds of thousands, so I have to use their middle names. George Henry Cox gave nothing right. I have three on my tree in the name of George William Cox; my great great grandfather, his son and grandson. This did look initially very amusing, as a George William Cox aged 92 was arrested for being drunk & disorderly in South Norwood in 1911. This would make him older even than my GW Senior, born in 1824. Investigating, I saw that the age had been mistranscribed as the type was blurred, and was really 32. None of my GWs fitted and nothing popped up for them from then on.

Sunday 18th October 2020

Today I was reading of a "little boy" Charles Walter Cox, (aged 11) "son of Charles Cox, a deaf and dumb shoemaker", who was arrested in 1888 for stealing 27 rabbit skins and subsequently sent to an Industrial School, as his mother was dead and his father "could do nothing with him". Fortunately he was not on my tree, and reading round I see that the father had been in court himself the previous year for attacking a pub landlord, so a troublesome family. The father had previous too, having assaulted a young lady in the street in 1884, then the mother hearing of the sudden death of her niece suddenly died herself (it wasn't the niece who he assaulted) and in 1883 arrested for "being quarrelsome and refusing to leave licensed premises" - I suspect we have here the reason for all this trouble.

The Elephant & Castle Inn at Hurst, Berkshire passed to Charles Albert Cox in 1878. Use of the middle name raised my hopes, but as my ancestor of that name wasn't born until 1884, it evidently wasn't him.

Most of the hits here were concerning an auctioneer, before and after his death.

The search for Dewey Cox was confusing, largely through sportsmen by both names playing in the same team, and a John Dewey who rowed, sometimes listed as a cox. The same applied to Doris Cox.

Saturday 17th October 2020

Charles Cox, my 3xgreat-uncle, lived in Croydon for all of his adult life, and I am sure this is him, as he lived a mile away from the church and was 65 at the time of publishing this article in 1908. I read a harrowing account of one by this name committing suicide in 1905 on the railway line near Farnham. He wasn't "mine" fortunately

Thursday 15th October 2020

An assortment of Charles Coxes over the years had a variety of adventures, including a schoolboy burned by putting a piece of phosphorus in his pocket in a chemistry lesson (then his teacher compounding the problem by recommending an ointment which made it worse, and prevented skin-grafting), a writer of historical/archaeological textbooks (especially one I very much approve of called The Laws of Heredity), and various others robbed from, found guilty of loitering, and members of various committees. But none I could prove my own.

Wednesday 14th October 2020

The remaining articles featuring a Thomas Hawkins in 1840s and 1830s were evidently not him, as they were of deaths, or prisoners transported for life. As he was alive and well in 1841 census, one of 10 servants at a large farm in Throwley, Kent, these were evidently concerning others by that name. One was a terrible accident at the powder mills in Dartford in 1833, but it can't have been the 21-year-old on my tree, as he was blown up and his body parts found over a large area.. Equally he coudn't have been the Thomas Hawkins who was Clerk of the Canterbury Racecourse, because articles quoting this as his occupation date back to before "mine" was born. And the announcement of his death in Strood aged 57 was when "mine" was aged 2 and very much alive.

The final ancestor was William Henry Hawkins, who was born in Canterbury but moved to Mortlake, Surrey and was my 3xgreat grandfather, father of Harriet. I couldn't link any item with him.

The next name is Cox, from the same tree, linked by the marriage of Eliza Jane (Lizzie) Cox to my great grandfather Isaac Gamble in 1892.

Despite distractions regarding rowing and apples, I am searching for individual names again. The search for Alberts, Alices, Anns, Archibalds, Barnards and Catherines were unforthcoming and Charles was full of the chairman of Gillingham Football Club. I shall continue tomorrow.

Tuesday 13th October 2020

I mentioned on Sunday finding two more generations of John Hawkinses on this tree, my 4xg grandfather and his grandfather my 6xg grandfather. However, I know so little about them and the newspapers of the 1700s are so difficult to follow, I have no news on either. All I can say is that John Hawkins Junior was born in Feb 1770 in Chatham, Kent to Richard and Elizabeth nee Wooding (3 generations married Elizabeths), married Elizabeth Porter on Christmas Day 1792 in Canterbury and had 10 children, 2 dying in infancy. He died 1840 in Canterbury. His grandfather John Hawkins Senior was born around 1700 and married Elizabeth Thorpe on 1 Aug in Colchester, Essex, having Richard 2 years later back in Kent.

John Francis Hawkins was son of John Senior, and was my 4xgreat-uncle. Unfortunately no newspaper articles exist using his middle name, and I have grave doubts about my details of the rest of his story, as he married someone 28 years younger than himself and had at least 9 children in 1841 census, all gone by the next. I had 21 possible deaths and 8 possible marriages, none of which fit the new 1841 census (with all the children)

His sister Phoebe Hawkins came up with nothing, using any spelling.

Richard Hawkins came between the two Johns mentioned above. He was born 1729 in Rochester to John senior and Elizabeth nee Thorp and married there on 3 Mar 1754 to Elizabeth Wooding. As far as I can see they had only 2 children, their namesakes John and Elizabeth, the latter dying in infancy. Elizabeth died aged 61 six years later and Richard in 1811. I have just found a couple of sale notices of a piece of land dated Sep 1790, where Richard was living in his 70s, after his wife died and he had sold the farm buildings etc in 1785 after they lost their daughter. There was nothing for his final years, but he was buried in Elham, near the farm mentioned above in Dec 1811.

There were also no hits for his granddaughter Sarah Hawkins, and of course she became Mrs Cole in 1819.

Her brother Thomas Hawkins was born in Kent, married twice and moved to Lambeth/Camberwell, South London. So the search was complex and it is a common name. I have discovered his second wife Eliza remarried in 1873 in Lambeth, so have amended his death in 1880 in Canterbury to one in Southwark in 1871. He may well have been the "assistant" by his name who testified against an ex-colleague who forged work orders and ran off with the solder concerned, in 1864. There was a court case in Newington in 1849, where a fellow workmate stole 2 coats from him (among others), where he had to identify the guilty party. The perpetrator had been in court on several previous similar occasions, and it was decided he had been lucky and this time was sentenced to a year's hard labour in Brixton House of Correction (the magistrate said he should have been transported previously).

Sunday 11th October 2020

The next name is Hawkins, my great great grandmother Harriet married James Gamble. There aren't many on my tree, so I shall search on each individually.

Charles Hawkins was an inauspicious start, as due to the fact that I had an alternative story for him around the time of his marriage (which I have now abandoned, incidentally) I didn't knw where to look for details of him. I have located his burial record and did wonder about a baby who was added 5 years later to his plot, one Lavinia Smith. I now see that his widow Rhoda married a Thomas Smith the year after he died and thus used his plot to bury their baby daughter, who died in infancy. There is very little before his marriage (as I said above I don't really know where to look) but the chap of his name who was found guilty in Canterbury (his birthplace) in 1852 of stealing some tame rabbits turned out to be younger than 16, so wasn't "ours", he being 43. In 1846 when he was 37 there was a carrier by his name accused of taking a barrow belonging to his employer and selling it on. After detailed examination he was acquitted. He had appeared in court three times in recent years; I have seen one was for inciting a crowd against the authorities, one was when he had had a plum pudding stolen from him. And in 1841 he was acquitted of running away with a publican's wife - and some of his property. If this was my Charles, he mixed with mischievous company, including publicans, more of this later.

His sister Charlotte Hawkins married a William Marshall, so left the name, but I cannot find the marriage and they had no children. In later years, when she was Mrs Marshall, she herself was a publican, and had her brother Charles stay with her in 1861. However, I cannot find her in the newspapers under either name.

Their sister Elizabeth Ann Hawkins married William Pullen in 1827 and lived in Kent until she died aged 46. The only item I could find regarding her was the death announcement.

My great great grandmother Harriet Hawkins was their granddaughter but only bore that name from 1825-43, during which there were no hits on the search under her maiden name, or then subsequently under Mrs Harriet Gamble.

John Hawkins, my 4xgreat grandfather, lived all his life in Canterbury. I shall deal with him another day, as investigating the records, I have just taken this tree back another couple of generations...

Saturday 10th October 2020

I have read a lot this morning concerning Jane Ingram "leaky" and "lost on the sand", but this is not either of my ancestors by that name, but a vessel carrying passengers and occasionally goods between England and various other ports.
But this one was her: She can be seen as schoolmistress at Hull Workhouse in censuses of 1871 & 1881. Unfortunately I lose her at this point; she may have married but I don't know where to look for her then. I have several alternatives, but the newspapers don't help.

Jemima Ingram was the lady who found her mother hanged but this was the only newspaper article under this name (of course Jemima junior was Mrs Matthews after 1838).

Maria Ingram was her sister, 10 years older, at that time living nearby with 5 children. The newspaper search only goes back to 1835, by which she was Mrs Eldridge.

There was a Richard Ingram about the same age as my ancestor, imprisoned at age 16 for stealing the clothes of swimmers in the Serpentine (in London), but I don't know it was him; it would explain where he was in the 1841 census taken around that time. This was before he settled down and married, in London, then died there aged 28

Newspapers helped fill in the details of the teaching career of Sarah Ann Ingram. I knew she was Pupil Teacher in Exeter in 1871, then Certified Teacher in Carlton, Leicestershire in 1881. She was also mentioned as appointed Assistant School Mistress in Jan 1876 at Lincoln Street Girls' School, Hull (she was living at Downham Market at that time), then in Apr 1877 same at Sir Henry Cooper girls' school (named after the Mayor of Hull, not the boxer).

The final two are William Ingram, and the newspapers filled in the career of the prison governor. This clip shows that he moved from Bath to Devonport in 1854. I did guess this, as daughter Sarah Ann was born in the former in 1853 and daughter Emily in the latter in 1856. He was evidently at Market Bosworth Workhouse in 1869 and at the time of the census in 1871. However, the family moved in 1871 to Hull and he died shortly afterwards of consumption.

William Henry Ingram, his son, wasn't helped by the newspapers as he emigrated to USA in 1865 at the age of 18.

Friday 9th October 2020

Neither Henry Ingram appeared in the newspapers of anywhere they lived, as far as I can see (several counties).

I had trouble when searching for my two James Ingrams, with Sir James Ingram, in the papers constantly, and Rev James Ingram from Scotland, who lived to 103, likewise. Otherwise nothing.

Thursday 8th October 2020

The next name is Ingram, my Dad's great grandmother's branch. Originally mostly in Bath, unfortunately this family scattered all over the place. So I shall search on names and bring you anything appropriate. As you may remember, this family had a big drama at its centre, in that Jemima went round to her mother's house one day in 1850 to find she had hanged herself. This threw the entire family into chaos, naturally.

Charles Lewis Ingram (her son) was affected and tried to commit suicide himself. See 3rd May 2016, where I told the entire story. This was taken from newspaper accounts, so I don't need to seek them out.

There were two Elizabeth Ingrams in the correct areas, causing me difficulties. One was a midwife, much older than mine, and the other a married woman (she was entertaining as she appeared many times, using obscene language, with a variety of excuses).

Emily Ingram's sudden death aged 63 made the newspapers.

[I have had a solution to a red herring - sorry for the mixed metaphors - Emily Charlotte Ingram, who I suffered from in the past. It seems she was a widow and thus not born Ingram]

George Ingram 3 was previously a "licensing inspector" for the police, who lost his job under suspicious circumstances - I told the story on 7th May 2016 & 13th Mar 2018. He filled the papers, for the wrong reasons, at this time 1889, but his marriage appeared in 1870. Unfortunately, they got a few details wrong, as Emma was from Stoke Dameral and George from Bath, both by then living in Salford, Lancs.

Wednesday 7th October 2020

Thomas Herbert Hatton died in WW1 in Flanders in 1917, and was reported to be one of the names on the war memorial erected in 1919. He was the son of Herbert (see yesterday) so lived on the estate at Ragdale Hall.

The other Thomas Hatton on my tree was a bricklayer who lived in Swepstone, my 5xg-uncle. He may have been the one who was noted to have attended a parish dinner at the Queen's Head, Ashby-de-la-zouch in 1856. He had no children, as his wife Dorothy was 18 years older than him and 48 years old at marriage. To be honest, I am surprised their burials didn't merit a mention in the local paper, as they were a mere 7 weeks apart. I have searched to no avail.
[There was a Thomas Hatton in Ashby who was found guilty of attacking his father, who was from Liverpool, in 1841 and got 6 weeks hard labour for it. Thomas Senior was evidently living with his son after his plumbing business failed, and they could not agree on things. It makes for fascinating reading, but is ultimately not relevant.]
The final Thomas Hatton reference was dated July 1814, when my Thomas was 26, giving evidence in a case involving stolen lead from a residence in Ashby, but no details to enable me to confirm if it was him.

In March 1864 an article appeared regarding a sale: William Hatton Senr had been a grazier but moved in with son William Junr when he retired, probably in 1848. He died in 1855, leaving his land to son William, who already farmed 72 acres. In 1881 census he says he farms 52 acres. The sale reported may have been the result of his being taken to court for non-payment of rates a few weeks before. This of course made matters worse, and he was bankrupt a few weeks later. Luckily the family survived well, due to ownership of so much land.

Tuesday 5th October 2020

After skimming through over 2500 hits back to 1993 I have come to the conclusion again that this is a waste of time, as I have found nothing. Every hit is simply the word, references to the company Proctor & Gamble or a stable of racehorses called Ruth's Gamble, Nellie's Gamble and a bunch of others.

So, skipping a century, I have resumed at 1899 and straight away found the death of a Jane Gamble, widow of John Henry Gamble. The trouble is, the only one of that name on my tree died in infancy.
Actually, I have almost the opposite problem now; lots of mentions of injured & killed soldiers, but with no full names it still gets me nowhere. I did get momentarily excited at the sight of my mother's name, Miss Kathleen Gamble, in a wedding report, where she appeared as bridesmaid, until I realised she wasn't born until 33 years later.

After a further 500+ hits to no avail. I decided to abandon this name. I had found the Rev Henry Reginald Gamble, Mr R Gamble, singer, and Mr T Gamble, referee, but as far as I could see they were unrelated to me.

The next name is Hatton, the branch of which goes back to Stephen my 5xgreat grandfather, mostly in Leicestershire. It links with the main tree in 1847 when his granddaughter Louisa married John Woodford. I have told the story here many times, as this was why I started genealogy. They lost three of their four children and moved to London, eventually leaving the family bible to their great great granddaughter, my Nan, and thence to me.

I have decided to do the named search again.

Herbert Hatton of Ragdale purchased at auction a lot including a cottage in Aug 1920. I can see him in 1901 and 1911 censuses living with wife Ann nee Biddles and their 5 children, address "part of Old Hall, Ragdale". When he died in 1929 he left effects worth £7393 to wife and daughter, so he may well have sold the cottages. He was the cousin of my Nan's great grandad Reuben, and appeared also in Nov1909, fined for weights & measures discrepancies on his farm ( fined15s 6d) and Feb 1900 drunk in charge of a horse & cart (fined 12s). There was a divorce case in 1899, citing his adultery with a married woman, but as it happened in Edinburgh and I have no evidence he ever went there, I don't know if it was him. In 1897 he had been involved in another case, regarding the sale of 4 sheep, which the buyer never paid for. It got rather complicated as the sheep belonged to the landowner, not Herbert, and the payment was evidently given to a third party to pass on. So I believe Herbert was innocent.

Thursday 1st October 2020

The next name in my search list is Gamble (that of my grandfather). I have searched previously (in June) using this name, in the National Archives records, and come across difficulties regarding reporting of gambling rather than the surname. I shall try now in the newspapers. NB the search in Surrey and London comes up with 105,733 hits, so it might take a while...

Not helped by references to the company Proctor & Gamble, an estate agent Peter Gamble (nothing to do with my cousin) and PC Barry Gamble, I have pushed it 20 years back, as far as 1998.

Wednesday 30th September 2020

James Burley lived in one street in Lambeth for most of his life, then his wife for the 10 years she survived him. However, he was not the Thomas James Burley, Benjamin James Burley, The Hon James Burley, James Hurley or Mr James of Burley Lancs who appeared on the search. Nor, unfortunately, the young hero who bore his name, assistant sailmaker who helped in a dramatic sea rescue in the 1850s. Nor the builder who fell off a ladder in London and had to have his leg amputated - in 1838 when "our" James was only a year old and not climbing ladders.

Among John Burleys were an actor, a writer, a hairdresser, a florist, a clerk to magistrates and a bookie, but "mine" was an engineer/fitter, originally trained as a smith. Anyone called John from the place named Burley appeared on the search, and even when he was aged one he married a "buxon young widow" aged 31!

No Marthas, Marys or Samuels. Sarah Burley1 was Cliff's great-grandmother, but as she became May in 1841 and there were no appropriate hits before this, that name drew a blank too. There are 3 Williams in my tree but no hits stood up to scrutiny.

Tuesday 29th September 2020

There was a John Dance in 1870 in Wandsworth who handled stolen goods in the form of some stolen lead in a sack with some old clothes. He said he didn't know the metal was in there, but as the magistrate said, he, being a seller of old metal, should know to check every time. Back then, all my ancestors were still in Hampshire, and I'm glad because I wouldn't like to think they were that stupid!

In the 1860s a John Dance wrote many letters to newspapers, but as he was from Winchester and they were all concerning various taxes, I shall move on. 

All I managed to find though were John Dances who: stole 3 bushels of wheat, shot his sweetheart because he was drunk and she refused his attentions, was the owner of some clothing stolen by a miscreant and an orange-merchant who went bankrupt. All of these were unable to be my ancestors for various reasons.

Sarah was entirely items like "Sarah went to a dance"

Susannah was "a little old woman found dead in her bed" when she married and had 4 children then died at 54 in the name of Smart

There are 3 Thomases in my tree, all in Hampshire. However, nothing suitable came up on my search.

The Burley family were joined to our tree by Sarah Burley, Cliff's great grandmother. She and her sister married May brothers, creating a double link. Fortunately for me the entire family remained in South London.

Eliza and Elizabeth searches revealed nothing.

George Burley may be the one who appeared in the Debtors' Court in 1833, described as hat manufacturer previously of High Street, Wandsworth. He was only visible on my tree in 1841 staying at the Kings Head Inn, High Street, Southwark and this could easily be the same guy. He called himself a farmer then, but that may have been only because his hat business fell through. This part of Southwark was famous for hats but in 1839 & 1840 there was a George Burley in High Street Wandsworth listed as greengrocer. Intriguing.

Sunday 27th September 2020

Previously I told of Johns 1 & 2, father & son, but now I have 3 (son of 2) and 4 (son of George - see yesterday). There is also a son of 3 called John Dance, who I suspect was imprisoned for larceny for a year in 1907, then joined the army and went off to fight in WW1. I haven't studied him as he was only a second-cousin-twice-removed, but he did die in the January quarter of 1956 in Lambeth, where I was born just a matter of weeks later.

The main problem with this search, and others similar, is that much of the hits are things like "I met a boy called JOHN at a DANCE" and are thus completely useless. And in 1916 a man was arrested for pretending he was called John Dance. Apparently he had business cards bearing the name Sir John Dance M.P. and a Lambeth address, enabling him to steal items, especially car parts, take them home with him to Leytonstone and sell them on. He was apparently "wanted all over London". He was imprisoned for a year. He was apparently really a fish-fryer called Chas.

Eventually I found a real John Dance, but it turned out that he was the owner of a hay-rick in Harmondsworth, near Heathrow, so not mine. Apparently the guy in the dock swore that all the hay-ricks that he was accused of setting fire to (and there were I think five over a period of time) just met their demise through spontaneous combustion! He was sentenced to 7 years, but would be life if he ever set fire to anything again.

There was a disreputable John Dance, who appeared in court for receiving stolen goods and framing his brother for his crimes in 1899, then in 1897 damaging a shop front and assaulting the manager's wife. These took place in Stockwell, but the ages don't match up with "mine" (Later, I found the address of the latter, and he lived in Brixton. He may have had a stall in the market as in 1895 he was assaulted by a man and a woman there). As I go backwards in these lists, it may have been this John who in 1885 aged 16 was sent to remand home until he was 18, for breaking & entering. If so, it evidently didn't work...

Saturday 26th September 2020

Moving on to the Dance family - see 21 Mar 2013, 9th Apr 2015 & 22 Jul 2018. My great great Grandfather George William Cox married Dewey Dance from Hampshire and brought her to London. When searching for this family, there are 2 million hits for Hampshire & London, so I shall have to do the names individually again.

Not a good start - no Deweys, Elizabeth was imprisoned for stealing bedding and clothes, but "my" Elizabeth was only eight, and at that time went by the name of Bowley.

George Dance lived 1794-1883, so I searched 1800 (the earliest) - 1883 - he did have a son George, but he died in infancy. He was Dewey's brother and one thing I have already discovered is that I had two duplicate versions of him. Fortunately Ancestry has a simple convenient button for this nowadays and I have sorted it.

There appeared in 1869 a most dramatic account of a George Dance and his family, falling into the river in their horse-drawn trap and a local landowner saving them from drowning. However, the child was aged 4 and our George's youngest would have been 24, and this took place in Devon 150 miles from where they lived.

Friday 25th September 2020

On this tree there are 5 William Brewsters going back to 1669, all in Essex. I covered them on 7th & 8th July 2018. As yesterday, the newspapers available to search don't cover all those years. Williams 4 & 5 are too early.
The first article I found that matched was from Nov 1871, so could only have been a William who I deemed too obscure, Cliff's cousin 4x removed, the son of Abraham and Ann. He lived in Roxwell, the village where 3 young men were caught trespassing on the hunt for game, and proceeded to beat the gamekeeper with sticks, leading to 2 months imprisonment for the assault and a fine for poaching (or imprisonment for a further month if they could not pay)
 
It may well have been the same William Brewster who was in court in Dec 1869 for being drunk and riotous in a pub in Roxwell, and refusing to leave. His wife died in 1871, so he may have gone that step further then, committing assault and going to prison. However, it could equally have been his son, who was a boot & shoe repairer, rather than an Ag Lab. It was definitely him (the son) who appeared in court in 1868 to accuse a fellow villager of stealing some carrots.

Thursday 24th September 2020

No luck with Marys, Sarah and Susan were too early

There are many Thomases on this tree - I dealt with them 30th June - 3rd July 2018 - and they range from 1626 to 2002. The newspaper collection at Findmypast is much more restricted, only covering this name in London 1800 to 1990 and Essex 1750 to 1949.
The only article I could be sure of was the account on 5 July 1836 of a court case dealing with the theft of a watch from Thomas Brewster of Writtle. I am pretty sure this was Cliff's 4xgreatuncle, as Writtle is a small village and he would have been 61 years of age and an Ag Lab, which all fits. Apparently he attended a "club feast" at the Cock & Bell (still there!) then going to sleep in a barn nearby and while asleep was robbed of his watch & chain by an 18-year-old labourer James Gladwin. He claimed it was a joke and Thomas asked for leniency. I have mentioned how hard they came down on thieves; he was sentenced to 6 months hard labour and a whipping.

Wednesday 23rd September 2020

John Brewster (Cliff's 3xgreat uncle) appeared in the newspaper as part of a pub brawl in 1844

There are a few Johns in this tree; it could have been his uncle John Brewster2, but his son was only 8 so it wasn't him. (There was another court case concerning a John, charged with stealing iron from a local and selling it on to another, but he was 15 in 1840, so didn't fit with any of these)

In Oct 1837 there were competitions at the Roxwell County Fair, and John Brewster won the First Class ploughing contest, the prize for which was a "coat, waistcoat and breeches value 25s". However, he (or his uncle) was arrested for abusing a soldier, and the Queen. I suspect too much celebration had been consumed.

Going backwards, as ever, I see that in 1832 a John Brewster was found guilty of manslaughter, by attacking a prostitute in Chelmsford. Lots of detail was given, including that he lodged with his brother-in-law Mr Shipton. I don't have any by that name in my tree. It seems the entire party were "under the influence" and had been on a substantial pub-crawl. The man concerned was sentenced to year's imprisonment with hard labour.

This tree has a stem of three generations of Joseph Brewsters. Joseph Brewster1, Cliff's great greatuncle, his son Joseph Alfred and grandson Joseph William Henry, all living in Lambeth. Searching for London, I got no hits, and Surrey wasn't offered. However it enabled me to study these gentlemen. I won't bring you their stories now, but press on.

There are two Martha Brewsters, again both spending their lives in Lambeth, but nothing comes up for that name either.

Tuesday 22nd September 2020

Moving on to the next name, as I have skimmed hundreds of Wooldridge articles with none of "mine", so on to the Brewsters. They are part of my late father-in-law Clifford's tree, centred largely in and around Roxwell, Essex. His great-grandmother Susan Brewster married Joseph Hodd. As there are not a lot of names, I shall do searches for each, alphabetically, rather than mentions of the surname in time.

Abraham to James has come up with nothing, but I will press on tomorrow.

Saturday 19th September 2020

This was interesting, Aug 1915. It was the second marriage of John Wooldridge4. First wife Fanny died in 1912 and he had another 24 years without her. It's nice that he found a widow to share his final years. Mary Ann Weston had married Charles Hunt, pork butcher, in 1873, had 5 children and was widowed by 1905. John moved in with her at Ivydene and lived there until she died there on 29 Feb 1928 aged 75. John followed in Apr 1936 aged 83.

Incidentally, I came across an advert for Cuticura soap & ointments, signed by a Mrs Fanny Wooldridge on 24 Jul 1912, claiming that it cured her eczema. It didn't stop her dying in the October quarter of that year. (Of course, I cannot prove it was her, as she didn't give an address or age etc)

I rather wish young Jennie Wooldridge was on my tree, because of the interesting court case she was involved in. Apparently she met an Albert Taylor of Battersea at a dance and subsequently they became engaged. The banns were called, the wedding booked, she gave him her jewellery to deposit in a bank and she had not seen him since. It turned out he had also conned £10 from her friend and was a married man with a family.

Thursday 17th September 2020

I knew as soon as I found one of mine, it would be a felon! I scanned through 700 hits, only to then find the following: On 30th June 1917 the Middlesex Chronicle reported on the James Wooldridge I mentioned yesterday, when he was only 17. He went on to be an ARP in the next war, but at this stage was just mixing with the wrong friends, it seems. Studying his record I can see that he worked as a railway porter, released for war service, returned 1920 then dismissed the following year "for stealing milk".

Wednesday 16th September 2020

The next name to seek for is Wooldridge, my Nan's family, largely centred in Surrey. I shall start with her marriage date in 1929, when she became Gamble instead. and work backwards as usual.

James Wooldridge appeared, however, he lived in Staines Road, Twickenham, not Hanwell. But of course his workplace could have been in Hanwell, it is only 6 miles away.
Later: it is not him, in a later account his home address was given and it wasn't correct.

I am having the usual trouble with interlopers (not on my tree), including George James Wooldridge, surveyor to Woking Council, a cricketer for Surrey and a Wooldridge Road, Guildford. Also a Professor G H Wooldridge, Royal Veterinary College and a Miss Ada Wooldridge, actress and ballet tuition.

I am getting nowhere, but will press on tomorrow.

Tuesday 15th September 2020

A very interesting court case was reported in the Kentish Independent of 13 Jan 1844, involving our friend George Roffey the baker. It seems he had a father Thomas Greenfield and his son in his employ, Thomas was challenged by a policeman and admitted to stealing a sack of oats from his master, and wanted to bring him in for trial. George pleaded for him not to, as he had known him for years and was concerned he would lose his army pension. The magistrate thought it was an extremely serious crime, was an unfair burden on his horse (!) and would almost certainly lead to transportation. George pursuaded him to give him another chance and limit it to a fine and loss of his job. Fine was immediately paid and all was well. (I suspect George paid the fine too.)

There did seem to be an odd double-standard in those days with regard to crime. Citizens readily took thieves to court but the sentences were so strict they seemed to regret it. George appeared the previous November, but I found it odd too that "the prisoner" was not even named. George's name was also in that year published as one of the Directors of the Woolwich Consumers' Protective Gas Company. I'm not sure what that entailed, but research tells me that the Woolwich Equitable Gas Company was formed in 1832, but concerns over the price of gas led to the formation of the WCPGC, later merging with others nearby in Plumstead & Charlton. 

The 1800s ended with the "stranger-Roffeys" (i.e. those I have been haunted by, but cannot place,) fighting among themselves. Richard took on Thomas, who later ran the vestry, both in Lambeth, and the battle went on for years, with libel suits passing back & forth, getting ever more spiteful.

Joseph Roffey, gravedigger at Westminster all his life, following his father, same, was interred himself in 1810, but I cannot find records dating back that far to link them to my tree.

George was only 12 at this time, and coupled with the scarcity of interesting/relevant stories, I shall stop there.

Sunday 13th September 2020

George Roffey, baker, appeared again in the newspapers in 1855, as he had helped out a fellow baker Thomas Homewood by selling him flour when his business was in trouble. They had to go to court to get the money back, which was granted, and then presumably Mr Homewood went on to file for bankruptcy.

He appeared in the newspapers also in 1854 in conflict with a lodger who left suddenly, owing rent, she claiming he was holding a letter from her husband, which may contain money. George said he had received nothing and published a "letter to the editor" to this effect.

Through the early 1850s there were many references to Roffeys, including attendance at various local events, deaths with no initials (including one just yards from where I grew up 105 years later), assistance with bankruptcies/dissolving partnerships etc, births of children, none of which I can pin down, generally due to lack of information.

Moving back into the 1840s, George could be seen complaining in 1849 that his neighbour had an engine that produced sulphurous fumes and made living/working in Artillery Place very uncomfortable, not to say unhealthy. This may have prompted him to look into the machinery he was later so proud of (see yesterday 1857)

On 5 June 1847 the Kentish Independent reported on a case where two ladies entered the cheese shop in High Street, Woolwich, while Edward Roffey was sitting in the back. One, Ann Thomas, purchased some cheese, while the other, Catherine Johnson (18), took a piece of pork that was on the counter and left the shop. Edward followed her and challenged her outside. She denied all, but dropped the meat on the floor and Ann hit Edward in the face. The police went to Catherine's house the following day and she was arrested as she refused to apologise, and was sent to Maidstone gaol for a month's hard labour. Edward applied for a warrant against Ann Thomas for assault, but the judge only advised that if she did it again he could have one. I have noted before that in the 19th Century theft was considered much worse than assault. I have two suitable Edwards, father and son, one aged 66 and the other 32. I would imagine this was Senior, as I can't imagine a young girl would punch a young man. Ed Senior died 5 years later.

Saturday 12th September 2020

On 15 May 1858 the Kentish Independent printed a long report on a court case involving Maria Roffey, widow of George the baker. Apparently some ladies had been trying to defraud several shopkeepers in the same way (involving change for a sovereign), and gave a false address. However, when they were called next day, a friend gave a good reference and the judge let them off with a caution.

I read of an Eliza Roffey who died at London Bridge through falling on the point of her own parasol. It made interesting, if horrifying, reading, but I can't find her on my tree.

Similarly, I have attempted to find a Mrs Charlotte Roffey, but not knowing her husband's first name cannot pin her down. The story is very entertaining, although tragic. Apparently her husband was sick in bed and, although 70 years old, she was working in a beer-shop nearby and on returning to her house found a "vicious donkey" by her gate and it injured her. As she could no longer earn her 6s a week, she brought the case to court to obtain compensation. Meanwhile her husband died, so this was made even more urgent. Many villagers rallied round, providing meals etc, but in the end she was awarded compensation and the owner of the donkey (a greengrocer) paid her medical bills. Apparently the animal had been spiteful on a couple of occasions before and had attacked a horse, biting its ears off! (You couldn't make this stuff up, could you? The Croydon Chronicle headed the article "A Savage Donkey")

In early 1857 George was called to testify of the success of his smoke equipment, following the Clean Air Act, and in 1856 he had donated to the police inspector's wife, who had lost her savings in the collapse of the British Bank. As we know, his family were well-respected citizens, and 2 sons ended up becoming Special Constables.

Friday 11th September 2020

William Stansfield Roffey (see yesterday) of Albert Street, Woolwich, appeared in court in April 1862, as he was caught drinking in the pub next door outside hours, on Sunday morning. The landlord , Stephen Marsh, also his brother-in-law was fined 20s + 2s costs as it wasn't his first offence. WS had been sitting in the bar, writing a letter but he was called to testify.

Edwin Thomas Roffey died aged 26 aboard HMS Wasp at the Cape of Good Hope: (see this blog on 12th Sep 2014, it's fascinating!)

George Roffey, baker of Church Street and Cliff's great grandfather, died on 16 May 1859, leaving his effects to his wife Maria. She lost 2 sons and husband in 3 years, so it's not surprising she sold up and moved in with her daughter in Paddington. They must have owned 2 bakeries, one in Artillery Place and one in Church Street, as we know James took over the Church Street one. The alternative is that this was the Church Street one and James bought it or rented it, as he married the following year, remained in residence and brought up his family there and lived there all his life. In June 1859 the Board of Guardians dealing with the tender for bread supplied to the Workhouses had a conversation with George's wife, Maria nee Bicknell. They agreed to release her from the contract George had had with them and they then introduced the 3-month arrangement James entered into in later years.

Thursday 10th September 2020

On 10th Dec 1864 the Kentish Independent announced the death of Thomas David Roffey junior, son of Thomas David Roffey, Cliff's greatx3 uncle, tailor of St Mary Street, Woolwich and Martha nee Owen

James Roffey baker of Church Street had the tender for bread accepted by the Guardians of the Woolwich Workhouse in Sep 1864 

William E Roffey (3xg uncle) featured in an article. William senior lived with his son William Stansfield Roffey at his death, then the family moved to Chatham in 1869 for a few years, then returned (WS worked in the dockyard, so travelled from one to another, as they do) by 1873. If there are children born every couple of years, as in this family, it helps to locate them.

Sunday 6th September 2020

An interesting little snippet occurred in the London Gazette in November 1869, reporting on the bankruptcy of Cliff's great grandfather Manlius Roffey, baker of Portland Street, Woolwich. I think this provides the evidence for the changeover noted in his fortunes. The bakery at 48 Church Street was in his father's name then youngest brother James took over, but in the mean time Manlius had one in 1860 directory. I studied him 16th Oct 2014 & 19th May 2019 and noted that in 1861 census he was called "Clerk HM Service" instead of Baker, then by the census of 1871 James was in residence in Church Street. I cannot find Manlius at this time, but know by his daughter's baptism that he was living in South Lambeth, listed as a baker. The business had evidently failed in Vauxhall, where he was listed in 1881, calling himself Retired Baker. As we know (see Tuesday below) he ran a sweetshop after the bakery failed, and died in 1891.It seems that they originally hadn't noticed George had died, as bankruptcy notices kept appearing through 1869 in his name, then (deceased) was added. James Roffey was already a pillar of the community in Aug 1869, not afraid to take offenders to court, although it didn't always work. He was also already providing bread to the workhouse from at least 1866. I see from a clip in 1867 that he and brother George were both listed as Special Constables in the Woolwich area, which explains the social involvement.

There was a very interesting case in Aug 1867, whereby two workmen on a building site in Dulwich, one a Robert Frederick Roffey, insisted that one of their workmates had broken the "rules" and caused a young lad carrying slates on his head to back up, when traversing a ladder, so that he could pass. This entailed the payment of a fine of half a gallon of beer. He refused to pay and was summarily strung up by his feet - twice - but still refused to pay. He was furious, as he had been suffering from a hernia/rupture for 3-4 years and was "severely injured". The guys said it was a practical joke, but because of a medical expert giving evidence, the jury found them guilty of Common Assault and they were fined £2 10s each. I do not have a Robert Frederick on my tree but wish I had! Apparently the jury were amazed at the way workmen treat each other, as this was apparently quite normal and was called Lynch Law.

On 27 Jan 1866 in the Kentish Independent the death was announced of Maria Matilda Roffey, Cliff's great-great-aunt. She was only 38. Although this says George was "of Church Street", he died 6 years before and Maria moved with her mother to Paddington to live with her grandparents. Maria left her effects to brother George.

Saturday 5th September 2020

All through the early-mid 1870s the Roffey hits are almost entirely sports-orientated. Exceptions:

James Roffey, the baker in Woolwich, gave evidence in September 1874 of boys throwing stones and breaking shop windows. He said he had suffered the same himself but claimed on his insurance and didn't take it to court. 

Another article told of a Mr W Roffey (no more information) who worked at Chatham Dockyard as a temporary clerk in May 1872. He wrote direct to the Admiralty with some ideas for improvements in ship-building, considered "highly valuable", but because he didn't follow normal procedures and forward them via his head of department, but wrote straight to the Admiralty, he was immediately suspended from duty with no pay!

Friday 4th September 2020

Edward Charles Roffey ran the bakery at 100 High Street, Woolwich from at least 1871 and in 1879 was involved in a court case against a young lad.

In 1878 a Mrs Roffey, cabman's wife, and her child were killed by slipping when boarding a train (hence the call "mind the gap"). I cannot tell if they were on my tree as no first names were given. I understand recommendations were made to employ more porters at Bow Station, but I don't know if these were implemented as witnesses' accounts conflicted re this.

There were many articles regarding the career of one Thomas Roffey, elected to secretary of the Lambeth Vestry, then having an accident and some lengthy time where he was unable to fulfil his duties, then eventual retirement. Not enough information was given to enable me to match him, but it was the correct area.

Another interesting event was the death of publican John/James Roffey and the subsequent sale at auction of the site in the centre of South Croydon, the Stag & Hounds in Selsdon Road. I cannot connect him with my tree but we know the area well. Unfortunately the pub closed in 2018 and has been demolished. I say John/James because the licensee in 1867 was given as John but James later, but they may be the same chap.

Edward Charles, the baker in High Street, appeared in another court case, March 1876. It was a case of milk being watered down before being sold in a grocery in High Street. It turned out that the farmer delivered it to Edward's bakery first, where it stood for 2 hours before being taken to the grocery, then sold. As this was not the first time, the grocer wished to redeem himself of blame, but it does seem that this case only served to confuse matters as nobody was sure when it was "contaminated". It was recommended that it be placed in sealed containers, rather than the cans that were used.

Wednesday 2nd September 2020

James Roffey the baker had another experience reported in the local newspaper in May 1885. What a life full of drama they had! At the same time, though, there was a William Roffey involved in Croydon, on the receiving end of an attack by a tramcar driver wielding a lead pipe, injuring his shoulder and biting his thumb. I cannot match him to one of "mine" and the story was a bit odd anyway (and drink may have been involved). Suffice to say that driver lost his licence.

There was a serious storm on 26th January 1884, which caused a lot of damage in the Woolwich area, including James Roffey's bakery. Roofs were lost in the Barracks and a theatre, but the bakery was listed under minor damage, probably chimney stack, slates or tiles. Two local schools were affected and classes resited.

Another James Roffey was injured by the same storm in Lambeth when a "large iron pail" fell/was blown from a building site and hit him on the head. I cannot match up the age with my tree though.

"Our" James did have history with the tram-drivers as he had spoken on behalf of the RSPCA, reporting the Woolwich & Greenwich Tramway Company for cruelty to some of their horses in Aug 1883. The case fell through as the horses that were examined were deemed fit for work.

Tuesday 1st September 2020

On 29 Mar 1889 the Kentish Mercury announced the winning tenders for bread provision to the Workhouses, including James Roffey for South Woolwich, Plumstead and Charlton (see Saturday below). Then again on 29 Sep 1888 Plumstead, Charlton, East and West Woolwich. 30 Mar 1888 East Woolwich, Plumstead & Charlton. 11 Nov 1887 East and West Woolwich and likewise through the years.

An Alfred Roffey was one of a gang of teens scrumping from a market garden repeatedly, and the court was at a loss as to how to deal with them, as fines were evidently not working. However, they fined them again this time (1887) and left punishment to the parents. Disappointingly, "my" Alfred may have been the correct age, but lived in Cheshire all his life and this ocurred in Croydon.

We have already met Sir James Roffey, but I hadn't realised he was the first engineer ever to be awarded KCB (aka Order of the Bath)

Manlius Roffey had a lovely memorable name. I have enjoyed the unusual nature of this, and can be sure the witness here in Lambeth Oct 1885 is Cliff's great-grandfather. He was here giving an account of an accident which occurred outside his sweetshop, which he ran from home after he retired as a baker. [I was going to bring you a photo of where the shop/house was but the even numbers are now Priory Park]. Apparently that part of the road was bombed and the prefabs were put there after the war. Then the whole of that side was cleared and is now a park.

Sunday 30th August 2020

Edward James Roffey, 25, labourer of 2 Star Terrace, Charlton, was quoted in the Woolwich Gazette on 17 Oct 1890, in court to testify regarding a fight between seamen he knew, resulting in the death of one of them. He (Edward) is on my tree - he was Cliff's second-cousin-twice-removed, son of William Stanfield Roffey and Martha nee Johnson and can be seen with them in 1891 at just that address. Here he helped the court to build up a picture which resulted in the jury deciding that, although both parties were drunk and fighting, there was no malicious intent on behalf of the accused. 

For some weeks before this, his father William Stanfield Roffey had been the contact for those wishing to buy 1-6 Star Terrace. They were evidently spacious, as he and Martha had brought up 11 there (they had 12 but one son died in infancy). By then he was a 66-year-old pensioner, retired from the Civil Service. [as I have said, no information is available as to where these stood, as the area has been completely rebuilt and changed.]

In July 1889 baker James Roffey 2 again appeared, but only indirectly and no more details were given.

No more was available, as the Ancestry site was playing up, So I shall leave this here.

Saturday 29th August 2020

I had hoped to bring you a real soap-like story of one Mrs Jane Roffey involved in a full-scale catfight with a couple of other women (one her mother), reported in the Islington Gazette. I thought this was Jane Elizabeth nee Smith, married to George Roffey2, living in Islington. However, I see that she died in 1876, before her husband, so wasn't the one fighting in 1894.

Equally, the story of Robert Roffey and Richard Roffey attacking a Leonard Roffey outside a pub wasn't feasible, as I have none of those names.

I'm also pleased to see another felon was not mine. William Roffey aged 19 was a homeless labourer and seemed to spend his time attacking other men then turning on the policemen who apprehended him. Maybe prison was preferable to the streets...

The next Roffey mentioned was one of "ours", James Roffey 2 who I told of on 26th Sep 2014, the baker who was assaulted. Please use tab above for the story. It was reported in Lloyds Weekly and the Woolwich Gazette.

As you may know, I love names, so wish the next marriage announcement was mine. Mr Delamark Banks Roffey married Ida Constance Maria Chomley Harrison, both of Kent.

The next was an achievement of one of "mine". James Roffey (see above) the baker, was awarded contracts for supply of bread to the workhouses of Plumstead, Charlton, East and West Woolwich in March 1892. The tenders were for 6 months.

Friday 28th August 2020

A brickie named William Roffey unearthed 50 skeletons when digging in Southwark Bridge Road in 1896. I wish he was on my tree, but none fits the age. Shame.

I was less disappointed to find James S Roffey of Croydon was not "mine" as he was in court in 1896 for assaulting his wife, and we want none of that!

A lot of the hits were for booksellers/publishers Roffey & Clark, based in Croydon, as well as sportsmen by the name, and a Madame Roffey's dancing and deportment classes.

After much wasting of time, I at last found one of mine, which furnished me with much new information: Alison Johnstone Roffey. I didn't have much info on her as she was only Cliff's second cousin twice removed. I knew she was the middle child of James & Emma's seven, born in Oct 1869 in Charlton and have now researched her and built up a picture. And what an interesting family! In 1871 census she was living at 14 Kingstone Terrace, Charlton with her grandparents, mother and siblings, while father was a Naval Engineer, staying in Portsea, her grandfather listed as "no occupation, house proprietor". By 1881 her grandfather had died, and she was with her parents, widowed grandmother, siblings and a servant (father was Inspector of Machinery in the Royal Navy). These addresses in Charlton cannot be located, as that area has been completely rebuilt in recent years. But by 1891 they had moved to Hampshire (presumably for James' work) and can be seen at Pallant House, Havant, Hampshire. (I dealt with her father Sir James on 9 Oct 2014 & 30 Apr 2019 - he has quite a story in his own right!) As I noted in the newspaper list, she married John Edric Blaxland in Havant on 25 Oct 1894 and they settled in Belvedere, Erith. 1896 was rather dramatic, as Alison gave birth to a daughter in February, baptised her 29 days later John described as Captain of the Royal Navy. He may have worked with her father, as he was 21 years older than her. Alison evidently suffered from post natal depression or somesuch, as on 13 March she was admitted to West Malling Asylum, privately. On 28 July she was released, apparently much improved but the baby Kathleen, died on 4 Aug, aged almost 6 months. It was 9 years before she had another child and I cannot track her down in 1901 census, although her father was still at The Pallant and her husband at sea, Captain of HMS Hood. In 1911 they were at No. 1 The Causeway, Petersfield (now Tesco carpark) John a retired Vice Admiral, with 2 children, a cook, housemaid & nurse. John died in 1935 aged 88, but I can't find Alison in 1939 Register. She died 2 years later in Little Chalfont, Bucks, although giving her address as 10 Foster Road, Alverstoke, leaving £3000 to daughter Rebecca and a colleague from the Royal Navy. (By the time Rebecca died in 1993 this was £218k)

Tuesday 25th August 2020

Eunice Belsham and I have been working hard on Clifford's Uncle Bill, William John May and his wife Stella alias Jane Violet. We have tracked them down in their later years, and although I still cannot find Jane's death, we have achieved so much.

I shall proceed with the Roffeys in the newspapers list today, but I don't expect much...especially from "Mr E Roffey, retiring from the Croydon histrionic society" (OCR at it's best!)

In the Woolwich Gazette of 12 Feb 1897 Woolwich baker James Roffey appeared, having caught his employee red-handed, stealing bread from the shop. This was 48 Church Street and the felon concerned was Harry Carr of 43 High Street. Apparently Harry had worked for James for 6 or 7 years, who had his suspicions as bread was going missing, so he had him watched. Detective Rutherford and Sergeant Bishop saw him take them from the shop to the Criterion pub, just across the street, where he apparently swapped bread for beer (landlord denied all) as he had been doing for weeks. He was committed for one month's hard labour - and presumably lost his job.

In 1896 there was a case of stolen cricket paraphernalia (equipment and kit) from a William Roffey, club treasurer, who summoned one Alfred Webb, but it turned out that one of the youth team had taken the items in question. His name was Roffey too, but that's all I know... In another account it said the "curious cricket club dispute" was a squabble over not paying membership fees and one of the youths left, presumably with his kit & equipment.

Sunday 23rd August 2020

I read of several Noonans today; Richard, who was a policeman in London, Joseph & Michael, who were Fenian prisoners in Australia, another Michael illegally fishing. The tale of Joseph was dramatic, involving a leap from a moving train in England, but none of these are on my tree. Thomas Noonan was another felon made hilarious by the mis-transcribing by OCR, apparently "sentenced to tea" (I found that funny, not being partial to the beverage mysel) which should of course read "to ten", meaning years. A Patrick Noonan, soldier, was accused of robbery when he turned up at a jewellery shop in Kent with some gold chains belonging to a senior officer, Daniel Noonan, beerhouse keeper in Bradford was declared bankrupt. Many references were made to a jockey and/or racehorse owner.
In March 1866 an inquest was held on the body of a 9-year-old called Catherine Noonan, who had pierced her hand with a dirty stick she was running with, and developed Lockjaw (tetanus). I don't have any evidence she was on my tree, but it was in the right time and area to be a daughter of John or William that I don't know about (there was a Catherine born in County Cork late 1857 father John Noonan but she doesn't appear on 1861 census with the family)
A Patrick Noonan beat up his wife in Hampstead but again I have nobody by that name. George Dennis Noonan was house-sitting for his employer in Mar 1862, in Holborn (where the family lived, but have no George) and pawned all the contents of the house without permission.

Continuing with this tree, but moving on to the next surname, it is the turn of the Roffeys. They were centred almost entirely in the Woolwich area, which helps, but this area itself didn't know if it was Kent or London. They were on my tree from 1898 back to 1747, so I shall search on these dates. Edith Roffey, Cliff's grandmother, married Herbert Smith to link the trees in 1894.
It doesn't help that Roffey is a place, near to Horsham, and there was a police constable in Uxbridge mentioned several times, P C Roffey.

Saturday 22nd August 2020

I think maybe the marriage between James Noonan and Catherine nee Hyde had failed some years before his death, as it wasn't in 1864 that she brought the children to London; they were already here in 1861 census. Either that or he had to remain for his work. He was of course a publican (Catherine junior stated "publican deceased" on her marriage in 1867) although I cannot find any documentation re this. So, I decided yesterday to trace the others on their arrival in London. As the clips are listed in reverse order, they start in 1880s with fishing results for John Noonan. He died in London in 1897 but I cannot prove he fished. Equally, I cannot link him to the many references to the Reverend John Noonan, president of the Barking Road branch of the League of the Cross, a Catholic temperance group. He was a printer compositor, last seen living with sister Margaret & family in St Lukes, Finsbury

I suffered a lot with this search finding incorrect OCR terms, for example "Apply Fat Noonan Mouse" was supposed to read "Apply Ford, Norman House". And even worse "Noonan Catholic" for "Roman Catholic", as they were indeed Catholics. In 1883 there was a story of one John Noonan who fired a revolver at someone, but it turned out it was reported from Ireland. As, I suspect, are the fishing results.

In 1870s hits were mainly of a Rev James Noonan of Baltimore, so irrelevant.

Friday 21st August 2020

The next name is the Noonans, my father's Irish ancestors. However, despite limiting the search to Cork, I could get nowhere. I had no idea how many Noonans there were in that city, and they didn't help me by calling their children by very common names; James, William, John and Catherine, mainly. The only one I had any luck with was Edmond, but I still don't know if it is the guy on my tree. I do know that James, Catherine's father (my great grandmother) died in Cork in 1864 and his wife Catherine nee Hyde took the three "children" to London. Unfortunately, the Irish newspapers didn't even have his death, so I am at a loss... I suppose I must pick up the story at that point, but it does seem that Catherine senior spent much time in & out of workhouses, so that may not be reported.

Thursday 20th August 2020

Today's research suffered from vagueness on the part of the reporters, for example there was a fascinating account of a firearms accident in Bridport in 1858. Apparently a young boy was playing with a gun belonging to his father and it went off and blew off some of his fingers. I don't want to appear ghoulish but this is drama and the surname Samways was all that was reported. 

A father and son Henry & Thomas Samways were remanded for stealing a spade. It seems they were working in the fields and the spade was later found in the father's house. Now I do have a father & son by these names, but the son would have been only 12 at the time so I have my doubts...

Equally, a Richard Samways was one of three accused of grubbing up and stealing a portion of a fence, but "my" Richard would have been 76 years old, so I doubt it...

In Nov 1857 a Mr Samways stated that he had bought a butcher's stall in Bridport market, paid off the debts that came with it, and was now paying rent for two stalls. The court insisted this wasn't valid unless he had paperwork and he was sent off to get the previous owner to draw this up (a Mr Warren) then they would be happy to deal with him.This may have been part of the story I told on Tuesday regarding Alfred Samways. Looking back, I see that in the August the council had claimed the stall was theirs as Mr Warren had not paid rent for 18 weeks, and after 13 weeks it reverted to them.

Our friend Philip Samways was advertising through 1856 & 1857 as Bridport Nursery, West Street. He appeared in court in Jan 1856, accusing one James Hayward of stealing seeds and plants from him, who was also accused of a robbery at the Royal Oak Inn. He was found Guilty and sentenced to 2 years Hard Labour at Dorchester. The same had happened in Sep 1855, two brothers accused of stealing apples from his nursery trees. They were fined 20s + costs.

In July 1849 Martha White was found guilty of obtaining from Stephen Samways a pound of butter "by means of false pretenses, with intent to cheat and defraud" and sentenced to one month hard labour. There are no details, but he had just buried his wife a few weeks before, so I can see he would be easy to con.

As there were no further tracings in 1800s - 1830s I shall leave the Samways here

Wednesday 19th August 2020

On 26 Mar 1867 the Sherborne Mercury reported the results of several court cases, including the sentencing of Ann Samways to 14 days hard labour at Dorset County Prison. She was at this time an 18-year-old servant and she stole "four yards of flannel and a pair of boots". The following year she was married off to local Ag Lab William Cox and settled down to raise a family.

In March 1867 Philip Samways was declared bankrupt. He was described as "florist & seedsman" in censuses but evidently it was his previous business which failed, that of publican, that his wife referred to, as I mentioned yesterday. It seems that the decision to go into the publican business was just badly timed in his life, and we can see that he recovered by falling back on his seedsman trade. There are in the newspapers of this time a lot of details concerning his troubles; it seems that for years he had been summoned in & out of court for minor difficulties e.g. missing barrels of beer, unpaid seed transportation bills etc which ultimately led to the bankruptcy. He published this regularly all through the year. It must have cost him a fortune! He didn't have all bad luck though: on 8 Jul 1865 he had a bit of good fortune. I'm sure this came in handy because in the February of that year they had suffered a house fire, apparently started in the bedroom by a maid searching under the bed for an item of clothing (this is where they kept a lot of their clothes) with a candle! Fortunately they were insured but lost a special violin and all of their clothing. The house was in West Street, and it may have been this that prompted the move to the George, in South Street.

William Samways and his wife Sarah nee Elliot were arrested on 12 Dec 1863 for being drunk and discorderly. They were perhaps celebrating Christmas a little early, but did a lot of shouting and abusing of passers-by at 11 o'clock at night. They were fined 2s 6d each.

Even before the fire and subsequent financial troubles, Philip Samways was evidently not one to be trifled with. In moving backwards I have now come across a court case reported on 8 September 1859 in the Dorset County Chronicle. It seemed he couldn't even have a peaceful bus ride!

Tuesday 18th August 2020

Sorry for the delay, I have been in consultation with two fellow researchers regarding ancestors Edith Caroline Gamble (from my grandfather's tree) and William John May (my father-in-law's uncle). More later, possibly.

Moving on through the newspaper collection, on 31 Oct 1873 the "other" Alfred Samways (see Friday below), licensee of the Mail Coach Inn in North Street was mentioned again, this time in a squabble with George Henry Groves, pork butcher. Apparently Alfred's dog was stealing meat from the butcher, who used a stick to beat him off. Alfred grabbed George by the collar in the town and accused him of beating his dog with a stick. He presented the stick in court, but the case was withdrawn as dog owners are responsible for their pets. [I am not convinced this is my ancestor, as I said, but he does have adventures. The previous year he had been mentioned as a member of a jury, so was respected.The same week he was mentioned as applicant for a Licence for the Dorchester Cricket Club, as he had to under under new legislation. This was accepted.] I suspect there may have been more to the story above, though, as this had appeared the previous year. But I won't go into that...

Meanwhile, in Bridport in 1872 Mary Ann Samways was summoned for using threatening language to her husband George, but after hearing the evidence, the magistrate dismissed this too. Other mentions related to assaults witnessed and references to where various Samways lived etc.

Stephen Samways had a complaint against a Mr Loveless who he employed to do some renovations and, despite dragging on for years, the case was never settled.

Miriam Samways (see Mon 11th below) testified in Oct 1868 regarding some "goings-on" in the George pub they used to run before retirement. [Her husband died 4 years later and she followed 15 years after that]

Friday 14th August 2020

The Southern Times on 21 Mar 1874 reported in great detail a court case brought against a bunch of men including Thomas Samways, accused of trespassing in order to catch rabbits. Four men were expected. having obtained persmission of the local landowner, but the traps were set on the wrong side of a hedgerow, and they did not know this land belonged to another. I suspect a setup, as they were watched when they emptied the traps and apprehended immediately. In the end they were fined 10s each or 7 days imprisonment. This was not a good time for Thomas, as his daughter Sarah Anne died aged 2yrs 3m a few weeks after this and his wife Rhoda had another girl very shortly after that. So, as was the way at the time, they re-used the name and the "second attempt" survived until she was 46 and died, married, in USA.

The next one is rather frustrating. I found a newspaper article (Southern Times 14 Feb 1874) telling of a small boy called Master F Samways whose parents ran the Mail Coach Inn, Fordington, Dorchester. He broke his leg but I was interested to see that one of "ours" ran a pub. The Directory of the day said this was Alfred Samways, and I have one who fit the bill, unresearched, so I put that to rights. He was born and baptised 7 Jun 1856 in Symondsbury to Edward and Eliza nee Crofts (see yesterday), baptised as Edward Alfred but due to his father having the same name, was always known as Alfred. When he was 22 he married Frances Emily Guppy - that family again! They had 6 children and by 1911 were running the New Inn, Kimpton, Hants with the help of their daughter Daisy. My main problem is that up til then Alfred had been a butcher with no son starting with F (who would have been born when Alfred was in his early teens) so I suspect there is another Alfred somewhere. As his father Edward was one of 13 it would be very likely. I cannot track down the Mail Coach Inn, by the way, so it probably changed its name. The address at the time was North Square, which has buildings of an assortment of ages on it. [later I found an 1881 census where Jane Samways, widow of Alfred was running the pub in North Square]

On 15 Jul 1873 the wife of the "other" Alfred, of North Square, gave birth to a stillborn son. Incidentally, I never get to hear of these by other means unless the child was baptised, which did not occur if they had not breathed.

William Samways worked as an Ag Lab and in 1871 census can be seen at home in Cattistock with his wife Mary and 4 children. The Southern Times of 19 Apr 1873 published an account of one very unusual day for him. When interviewed he said he had worked for John Peach of Holway Farm, Cattistock (a mile outside the village to the north) for many years. On this day he wandered into the barn and found his boss dead.. Mr Peach was evidently not feeling well, hadn't eaten much for a few days and his wife said she was alarmed when he hadn't returned home (he evidently didn't live on the farm), he was moody and distracted, hadn't paid the rent but withdrew a cheque from the bank. The inquest found "suicide from temporary insanity".

Thursday 13th August 2020

On 18 Mar 1882 the Southern Times reported on Edward Samways. This man was on my tree but as a very obscure ancestor I haven't researched him. Looking now, I can see he was born 7 May 1813 to Stephen & Mary nee Symes in Toller Porcorum, and baptised there on 12 June 1814. On 27 Apr 1841 he married Eliza Crofts and a few weeks later in 1841 census can be seen at Symondsbury, working as an Ag Lab. 1851 census is missing for them, but we can see the rest. They had 6 children, all working on the land in some way. I am a little concerned about his death; according to this report he maybe had a heart condition or some such, being under a doctor, but his son Stephen died 4 days before (aged only 40) and they were buried together in the same ceremony. His wife Eliza died the following year.

On 13 Aug 1874 (i.e. 8 years before) the Poole & Dorset Herald publish the following story:

William George Samways was the son of Edward & Eliza nee Crofts (5th of 6). I see that he recovered from the loss of his fiancee, as in November of the following year he married Rosalie Anne Guppy. We have come across this family before - also associated with suicide - see last Friday below, George (as he was known) and Rosalie had 11 children, 2 were killed in WW1 and one died aged 102. George served in the Wiltshire Regiment in WW1 and died in 1931 in Symondsbury. Rosalie appeared in 1939 Register, although "incapacitated", with her daughter Florence and family. She died in May 1950 aged 96 in a tiny village called Piddletrenthide. It all seems very strange that these obscure family members lived (and died) in the very village where my husband and I spent our honeymoon 30 years later. but we knew nothing at all of them.

Monday 11th August 2020

Moving backwards in time, I came across Mary Anne Samways nee Morgan again (see Saturday) in October 1887 (8 years before she found the cap), when 2 young boys - John Davis and John Cross - were brought to court to answer to assaulting her. Apparently they threw sticks at her, but she could not be sure of her identification of Cross. Davis threw a stick which hit her in the leg, and his mother told how the boys and Mary Ann often threw things at each other - which Mary Ann denied. The assault charge was dropped but a local shopkeeper swore that Davis had stolen some wooden pipes from him, so he was sentenced to 21 days in gaol followed by 5 years at a reformatory. It does amaze me how hard they punished theft in the 19th Century. And how they considered someone's opinion (here the shopkeeper) as proof, but not others (Mary Ann was 66 and called an Old Woman). Also, the fact that the boy wore "noiseless shoes" was suspicious!

On 13 May 1887 the Bridport News announced the death of Miriam nee Biddlecombe, "relict" of Philip Samways - I hate that term and am pleased it gave way to "widow". Researching this couple I found I knew nothing of her, but that they had married on 19 Sep 1847 in Symondsbury nr Bridport and Philip had died there in 1872. I am pleased to see unusual names, as I struggle with John, William etc. I'm sure they will come up again. Philip was a "liveried servant" then later became a seedsman & florist. I think they had no children.

Another case of assault cropped up in the Southern Times 31 Jul 1885, when they reported an assault on Henry John Samways by a complete stranger Frederick Wells at the Half Moon pub, who had been drinking and knocked him down twice "by mistake". He was fined 11s 6d and 9s 6d costs. Use of the middle name enabled me to identify this ancestor as the groom from Albert Street, husband of Elizabeth nee Foot, with 3 children at this point, eventually 7.

Saturday 8th August 2020

On 4 Aug 1899 Samuel Samways was prosecuted for moving 8 pigs without written permission. I have no Samuels, but wish I did! In March of that year he had been fined for not sending his son Walter to school. What a renegade!

On 18 June 1895 an inquest was held at Bridport concerning the demise of one Sidney Langley, sailor aboard HMS Blake. Apparently he had been spending some leave with his brother, who lived in Bridport at Priory Lane. Sidney had been drinking so heavily in London that he had DTs and his brother had taken him home with him and was watching and restraining him. However, he escaped and ran off towards the river. Later in the morning, Mary Ann Samways (nee Morgan, wife of Henry) was walking by the river and found his cap. In it was a pipe and a scrap of paper with a London address on it. She took it to the local police station and they centred their search to the river, soon finding his body at the mill. He was carried to the Five Bells Inn, identified by his brother and It was decided he had committed suicide while of unsound mind. With regard to Mary Ann, they lived 30 miles away in Blandford but maybe she was in Bridport for her husband to visit hospital, as he died a few months later. Granted, his death was registered in Blandford, but hers was in Bridport when she followed 10 years later, and she was buried in Loders, Bridport.

Friday 7th August 2020

Moving on to the next name; Samways. From my experience with the National Archives records in April, I have restricted the search to Dorset. They are the family of Clifford's Uncle Ernest and mostly hail from that county, although many died elsewhere. You may remember this tree is complex for the same reason as the Tretheweys and the Hodds, Mary Ann nee Adams married twice, once in 1877 to William Murray Samways and when he died 13 years later, she married George Voss Samways. "Our" family comes from the first of these, as Ernest was the eldest of her 6 children with William. Her second family goes right back to 1660 at least, and I haven't yet found a link, despite the unusual name.

As usual, I am working backwards and the first item dates from 1906, concerning an Arthur Samways involved in shoplifting. I do have an Arthur, but he was born 8 years later in Los Angeles, so it evidently was not him.

As there was a Police Constable G Samways and a Borough Accountant C J Samways, several hits popped up, but I cannot match these details. R Samways, fisherman, I had high hopes for, but still came up with nothing.

I next came up with a very detailed account of the death of one Mrs Chrissy Little, who had died when her husband slept upstairs with their young children in May 1900. The account of her funeral mentioned that her sister was Mrs Samways, and I managed to track her down. The deceased was Chrissy nee Guppy, whose brother Arthur attended too. The sister was Isabella Jessie Guppy and married Thomas Samways. Incidentally, a suicide note was found, and a letter from her mother, and the inquest decided she had committed suicide due to bad treatment by her husband, who was drunk at the time.

A few days before this the list of prize-winners for perfect school attendance had included Arthur, Frank and Samuel Samways as well as Walter Guppy. They received a Half-Crown each, equivalent to nearly ten pounds now.

A couple coming home from the pub in Bridport one evening saw a pile of wood and decided to help themselves. They were caught, taken to court, pleaded guilty and fined 10s each with 6s costs. Their names were Mary Anne Samways and Joseph Westcott. I do have a Mary Anne on my tree but she would be 75 years old and unlikely to be behaving like this. I don't have much information after her birth though, so maybe this was her daughter or granddaughter...

Thursday 6th August 2020

Having trouble still with all the irrelevant hits, I came across this - haunted by previous searches!

On 23 June 1888 the Croydon Advertiser reported on the distressing suicide of Richard Hodd, husband of Matilda nee Saunders, and I featured it here on 8th Aug 2016, so please use the tab at the top.

Wednesday 5th August 2020

Today I was confounded by a prolific barrister called Hodd, who seemed to specialise in marital difficulties and divorce cases in the early 1900s, and many hits were reports of irrelevant desertions/affairs etc

I found one I could recognise in the Croydon Guardian 31st Aug 1901; Thomas Hodd This is all very odd, not least because at the address quoted were a couple called Huggett in the 1901 census, taken at this time. Thomas Hodd lived at number 49, some distance down the road, with a married woman Caroline Chatfield and her two young children. I don't know what was going on, but Thomas married Florence Lowry in 1909 and moved to Pawons Road, half a mile away. As far as I can see, they had no children.

Tuesday 4th August 2020

On 27 Dec 1913 The Daily Mirror published a list of subscribers to Queen Alexandra's Pudding Fund, including one Matilda Hodd. She was at this time working as a Cook, so most probably donated a pudding, and she was listed as a Carol Singer too. Apparently 100 "plum puddings and toys" were donated to 500 poor children and were much appreciated.

Sunday 2nd August 2020 - Happy 68th Wedding Anniversary to my parents in heaven

After making notes yesterday, I realised the Tretheweys were almost completely blank for the rest of the years covered by newspapers in the area, so will move on to the next name

The Hodds were my father-in-law's maternal grandmother's family, hailing from London, mostly. She died in 1937, having married John May in 1882. The Hodds were covered here in Jun 2014, Jul 2016 and Mar 2019. This family is like the Tretheweys in that they intermarried and confused me with recurrence of the surname. I have two trees that interlink through marriage. I shall do the search in London only at first, then widen the net if I need to.

Of course, this is the first name I have dealt with that can be read as an everyday word - hood/hooded - the other part of this branch, the Mays, is so impossible in this regard that I cannot do it. So for this search I have had to tick the box for exact match, to miss the hoods, and hope for the best.

Unfortunately I am still pursued by sport, irrelevant here, this time cricket scores and football reports. Also lots of typos e.g. "High Hodd Heti" was "High Road, Streatham", Mrs Rodd etc gave wedding gifts and there were performances of Red Riding Hodd and Robin Hodd. Also, newspapers sometimes mention publishers Hodder & Staughton and abbreviate.

But at last I found someone I knew! Laura Esther Hodd was Cliff's 1st cousin once removed, being daughter of his great uncle Richard Stephen Hodd (RSH). She was born in Lambeth in 1899 and lived there with her parents until the death of her father in 1943. So she was there when the Norwood News published the exam results for Clapham Business College in July 1932. Apparently "the certificates for the London Chamber of Commerce are highly valued, so the students at the College are always encouraged to take them". Laura evidently did and achieved Distinction. She can be seen in 1939 Register at the same address, descibed as "Bookkeeping Clerk & Burroughs Operator". I dealt with this on 3rd Aug 2016 - exactly 4 years ago! - and included a picture of this machine.

On 18 Jun 1918 the War Office & Air Ministry published their Weekly Casualty List, and included a "Hodd 8546 Cpl E from the East Surrey Regiment, in the Wounded & Missing list. I can match this up with Ernest William Hodd, who I noted was discharged from the army at that time, corporal with the E Surrey Regiment., with 2 medals. I have had a look round, as I cannot locate the death of his first wife, although his marriage to his second would suggest it occurred around about 1920. I have located a daughter I didn't know about in the process so maybe there are more. As Louise Lydia was in the Workhouse for the first couple of years of her life I would think so. She married local "newspaper roundsman" Henry Cook and settled locally, but I cannot see they had any children. Ernest lived as a tiler's labourer and died in 1941

Saturday 1st Aug 2020

I realised yesterday that when I studied the Tretheweys previously (2018) I didn't make any notes. So that has now taken priority and as it is Cup Final Day I shall be otherwise engaged anyway. So I shall catch up and return here tomorrow.

Friday 31st July 2020

I have been "speaking" to a couple of cousins by email recently: Ray Hennig and Gavin Fraser Knight, both related to me through the Hennigs. Ray is my second-cousin-once-removed as he is the son of my second cousin Frank, Gavin my second-cousin-twice-removed, descended through Ethel Maude Hennig. For her story please see this blog on 21 Dec 2013 and 10 Dec 2018.
As far as the newspaper collection on Findmypast is concerned, it is time to move on to the next name, Trethewey. This branch is on my mother-in-law's tree and goes right back to Robert born in about 1610, Oliver's 7xgreat grandfather. However, as the Cornish newspapers only start in 1810 we will lose 3 generations, possibly more. Mind you, they had an awful lot of children, so this shouldn't be too restrictive. I shall study the newspaper articles in reverse order again, as Findmypast present them this way. This branch joined my tree when Jane Trethewey married George Manhire in 1842, so I shall start my search with that decade.

On 10 Aug 1849 the Royal Cornwall Gazette published names of those who had been elected to various committees, including one Humphrey B Trethewey. I had always been curious about him as I was told his middle name was Betty. Seeking out the scans I can see why on his baptism. I have seen it transcribed as Belly, Beattie, Belley and Batty. As an adult he always used just the initial (don't blame him), including his burial.

In Feb 1849 Samuel Trethewey married Caroline Hocking, but I cannot match this up, despite having several Samuels. Equally, I can't match the marriage of Miss M Trethewey to Mr R Telham reported in Sep 1848.

The next 2 articles report of the death in Oct 1847 of the "wife of John Trethewey aged 73" and in January of that year the birth of a son to farmer John Trethewey. I don't think these are the same man (!), but with such little information I can get no further.

On 24 Apr 1846 it was announced that Mr Trethewey, shoemaker had married Miss Truscott. I have several of both but cannot match them up.

William Trethewey said he was 14 in 1843, which would have his date of birth in 1829. Thus I cannot match him.

In Oct 1839 Miss S Trethewey married Mr S George, but the only two I have by that name were Susan Jane who became Mrs Terrell and Susanna who died aged 10.

There are lots in this vein, so I won't bore you with them. 

Thursday 30th July 2020

1878 gave me only 24, a good sign, and several of those were not billiards. There were 2 stories, one regarding an officer in the German Artillery, who had been approached by an Englishman and bribed to pass on information regarding military plans. He called his superiors and the man was arrested. No Christian name was given, so I don't know if he was one of mine. The other story was of an accidental death due to a gun going off in Clifton. However this turned out to be a Mr Hennings anyway..

In 1877 a Johanne Marie Hennig arrived in Newcastle. Now, this is very similar to Johann Christian and he did have a daughter Johanne. However, her middle name was not Maria but Christiane, and as far as I know she never left Germany.

In 1876 I finally found one of my own! Pall Mall Gazette of 31st Mar 1876 featured the marriage of my great-uncle August Rudolph Hennig to Hellen Emma Hill aka Nellie.
I will talk about him at the weekend.

There were no hits for 1875 & 4, then 14 for 1873, of which 2 were not billiards, but gave no information, 24 for 1872, all billiards apart from one, which referred to Hennig von Bismarck, so irrelevant too. Nothing in 1871, then 8 in 1870, all irrelevant. The 1860s was represented by 106 items, including a meeting of London Hairdressers, where a Mr Hennig spoke against Sunday working, but no Christian name given, all I know is that he worked in High Street, Bloomsbury, which is where the billiard company had just been set up, and his company advertised through the mid 1870s, particularly proud of the technology used to brush hair

Plenty of references to Herrs Hennig in Germany were equally vague, despite talk of treason etc. And I am suspecting that the mention above of arriving in Newcastle was on a vessel called Hennig, as I have found several more that sound like this was the case.

Alexander Hennig was listed as a director of Imperial Fire Insurance Company several times, but I don't know him.

Mr Hennig mentioned above was "Deputy" for Strasburg, then part of Prussia, in the Chamber in the 1860s (elected May 1862). 1850s were largely erroneous, as they related to Hennige or Henniger.

Hennig & Wiese was one of the biggest sugar-beet processors in Germany in the 1840s, (when they led the world in this) although who this relates to I don't know. Most of the articles of this era were shipping lists, declaring the Hennig to have arrived and what it was carrying (and for whom).

The 2 articles relating to the 1820s were both concerning an old man who fired a gun off in the face of an official who had expelled him from the benefit society he was a member of since losing his job. Unfortunately I could go no further with this story, as it turned out his name was Hennigan, not Hennig.

There is of course no point in going any further back, as our family was not in this country then.

Wednesday 29th July 2020

631 hits for 1881, one was one of those typos "silk Hennigs" was "silk banners ready to be painted", one a musical evening, the rest billiards. 1880 collected 699 hits similar, the 134 for 1879 included nine of Miss Louise Von Hennig's first appearances at various theatres and the rest billiards.

Tuesday 28th July 2020

407 hits in 1883, 619 in 1882. Again the OCR typos were my only distraction - the best transcription of the ubiquitous "Hennig Brothers Ivory Works" was "Hennig Brothel hot works" oh dear. And you are urged to send for their "illustrated catalogues", which I have seen mangled into "castrated catslippers" among others!

Miss Von Hennig is I suspect called Louise, and doesn't appear in my tree. She was reported in 1882 as "singing rather too loudy, as vocalists of her school are rather apt to do". There are no clips on YouTube un/fortunately.

Monday 27th July 2020

In 1889 and 1888 there were 773 hits, all billiards etc except one OCR typo: "hennig veice" turned out to be "leaving Venice"! Mind you, the company offered all sorts of services eg "Old balls bought, adjusted or exchanged" - keeps up the spirits! Study of 1884-7 brought the tally of hits to 2629.

Miss Von Hennig and her singing lessons and concerts were a pleasant relief, but with no Christian name didn't help me. She was a professor of music, trained in Berlin, but that's all I know.

I have found a few details of the Brothers. They were "Ewald and William of Cottenham Park". In 1887 there was a dispute regarding their entitlement to go on the Electoral Roll, being "foreigners". They did not appear when summoned to court, so in their absence they were crossed off the list. I have nobody by the names in my tree. I have seen in their adverts "established 1862" so will see what happens near to that date.

Sunday 26th July 2020

The next 200 hits on the newspaper list covered half of 1898 and was entirely made up of billiard tables! This continued through the rest of that year and the next, although there were a few teaser articles about rowing teams, but this turned out to be on behalf of the company, not rowers by the name of Hennig. In Dec 1896 there was an article about a Charles Hennig who stole articles of jewellery in Lewes, but we have no Charles. In Jan of that year there was a jewish wedding between "Ross, daughter of T Hennig, to Sina Oppenheimer, at the synagogue in Hartlepool". I know nothing of these names or that place.

I have taken the search back to 1890 with nothing coming out of it.

Saturday 25th July 2020

Middlesex Chronicle 27 June 1914 announced the marriage of Arthur Henry Hennig to Minnie Biggs. He was one of the children of JFW and Minnie was (or later became) Conservative Councillor and was a local school teacher. After marriage, the couple lived at 60 Thornbury Road, Isleworth for at least 30 years. The next item, as I am going backwards, was a road accident they had on 7th June 1914, 2 weeks before the wedding. This was in the road they were to live in and presumably his fiancee was the passenger. To put this into context, it was 2 weeks after the wedding ie. 28th June that Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria was killed and WW1 was declared. This can't have been an easy time for his father, who had just retired as manager in a metalworks, or really for any of the family.

The next (previous) 10 years was almost entirely billiard tables. Hennig Brothers advertised in several papers on an almost daily basis, so there were thousands of red herrings here. There was also a run of frankly thrilling accounts of the apprenhension, escape, search for and subsequent execution of a Rudolph Hennig in Berlin. Sad to say I cannot find a link with him.

When a mention came, it was almost laughable in its banality. The Middlesex Independent on 3 Oct 1903 reported on the Chess & Draughts Club in Isleworth, stating that Mr Ernest Francis Hennig asked whether a "member of the public hall (not being a member of the club) should wish to join the club". After further discussions re the extent of usage of the facilities this entailed (gymnasium etc) voting took place for officers and Ernest was confirmed as Hon Secretary. He asked for anyone wishing to join to contact him at "Ecclesfield", Castle Road, Isleworth. He was younger brother of Arthur, and was at this stage 21 years old. He died 4 years later in the West London Hospital. Another brother Herbert was also on the committee of the club. Until this year (2020 closed by Covid) the club was still alive and well, centred at the London Apprentice pub in Isleworth.

Afger perusing another 5 years of Billiard Table ads, I will leave it there and return tomorrow.

Friday 24th July 2020

Catchesides was not very productive, unfortunately, and ran out after 632 articles, mainly about rugby

So moving on to my grandmother's maiden name of Hennig. Of course, this name relates mainly to Germany, so we shall see... My tree only dates from 1845 in this country as this is when Johann (JFW) came over from Prussia, so I shall restrict my searches to this date. The surname only comes down through subsequent generations thanks to August Rudolph, as the other sons only had girls.

As before, the first personally-identified member of my tree was for petty crime. Herbert Augustus Hennig, my 1st cousin once removed, son of JFW, was fined for speeding in Ealing in Nov 1935. He was at that time 56 years old, living in Ealing, having just moved there from Maidenhead. He does seem to have moved around a lot, probably to do with his job as a motor/engineering buyer. 1939 Register says he had his own Motor & Spare Part business but it had folded. At that time he was living in Epsom.

Unfortunately I was hampered by a great many red herrings again - most of this list was made up of ether items regarding a diamond broker, a billiard table manufacturer or the characters in a very popular play.

However, gems do turn up. I just came across an article concerning Sydney Walter Hennig, another son of JFW, "mentioned in dispatches" in WW1 Apparently he was part of 2 local choirs and his employer British American Tobacco Co awarded him 50 guineas for his gallantry. I did know from his medal card that he was awarded 3 medals and that he had gone to France, but there are never any details there.

On 23 July 1915 the Chelmsford Chronicle published a notice of the marriage between William Walter Hennig and Winifred Beatrice Knowles. I can't bring you a clip, as the scan is very bad. So I shall quote: "William Walter was a member of the London Scottish, Winifred the daughter of JT Knowles of Chigwell. Guests included several of the groom's comrades in uniform. Bride was given away by her father and attended by her sister Grace Knowles and E. Hennig, sister of the groom. Mr Arthur Block officiated as Best Man...The reception at The Oaks was attended by 70 guests". The sister was Edith Kate Hennig and Mr Block was married to their sister Maude Clara.

Thursday 23rd July 2020

Yesterday I found the first marriage of Nicholas Manhire and was about to tell you the rest of the story. After this marriage, the couple firstly lived in a "portable home", sited at the clay works Nicholas worked in (possibly a caravan). 1871 census shows them at the clay works at St Enoder, which was fine as they only had one child, Effie born Jul 1869. However, she was followed by Hetty in Oct 1871, Reuben in Apr 1873, Annie in Apr 1876 and Mabel in Oct 1877. By mid 1878 Mary-Ann had had enough, it seems, and set off with the 3 youngest, leaving the 3 eldest with Nicholas, aided by his sister Ellen, bound for The New World. She was expecting her 7th child, and Guy was born on 16 Dec 1878 in Boston, Massachusetts. However, conditions there were maybe even worse than here, as on 2 August Mabel had died aged 10 months, of marasmus, a kind of malnutrition. I know the address was 169 Silver Street, but this area has been completely redeveloped and I cannot find what it was like. Mary Ann had a terrible time, losing all her children: on 18 Jun 1879 Nicholas died of diphtheria aged 4, and Effie aged 9 two weeks later the same then Guy died on 18 Aug of marasmus aged 8 months. I don't know if Nicholas visited at some point (no passenger lists) or whether she was a naughty girl, but the following January she gave birth to a still-born child and died herself of complications. She was only 28. Nicholas did wait 2 years to remarry this time.

Going back to the newspapers, the next item was marriage of Hannah Manhire to Thomas Dally of Gorran, at St Austell on 12 Nov 1866. She was daughter of John & Elizabeth nee Johns. It led me to an all-too-familiar scenario. William, Oliver's great great-uncle, married Elizabeth Grigg in St Dennis and over the years they had 15 children together, starting with Frederick a few weeks after the marriage, and ending with Alfred 26 years later. By 1871 they had lost 5 of the 15 and set off for New Zealand. Alfred, here, was one of the losses, also Nathaniel aged 29, Sabrina aged 22, Henry aged 4 and Jemima aged 1. They travelled on the "Zealandia" on 9 Dec 1871 and son Frederick followed a few years later. Elizabeth died aged 70 in 1881 and William aged 93 in 1895. Of the other children, Selina and Elizabeth remained in Cornwall, married and settled there. Daniel married and it was he who first went to New Zealand in 1863, followed by the family after his wife died. Dinah married in Cornwall and then followed the family to New Zealand, her husband died and she remarried there. Felix did things differently, he went to California, married and settled there, running a store. William remained in Cornwall.

There being no further stories for the Manhire surname in the Findmypast news records, I shall move on to the next most uncommon name in my list (for the want of an order), Catchesides.

This family is linked to me by my greatgreat grandmother Louisa Agnes, who married my greatgreat grandfather George Wooldridge. There won't be many in the direct line, as the name disappears in 1867, with Louisa's father, her brothers dying in infancy. But of course she has cousins etc.

The earliest hits were concerning a Robert and a Thomas Catchesides standing as trustees for bankrupt businessmen in Newcastle, so that probably has no relevance.

Most of the clips I can see in 20th Century are regarding rugby, but I have no H C Catchesides in my tree, although I understand he was quite famous himself and married a famous lady golfer Stella Newlands.

I have at last found one of mine, just to discover he was in court and found guilty of a crime! On 11 Nov 1905 the East London Observer reported on court case brought against dock-workers regarding the placing of their barges, in effect parking offenses on the water. As you may know, I am very fond of the canals and waterways, so am pleased to find one of my ancestors worked on them, albeit erroneously. He was Joseph Catchesides, my 3rd cousin twice removed (apparently), son of George Perfoy Catchesides, who can be seen in 1901 census at home with his parents at 15 Eugenia Road, Rotherhithe, 15 years old and an office boy. (This is all modern flats now) By 1911 he had graduated to Lighterman, but the court case was when he was 19 and was fined 20s plus 2s costs. (£123 today)

Wednesday 22nd July 2020

On 14 May 1891 the Royal Cornwall Gazette announced the marriage of Julia Manhire to Mr E Taylor of Market Harborough. She was daughter of Samuel, who moved to north London for a few years and had 2 children there, Julia being one, then returned to Cornwall. This was all I knew about her, but this marriage not only confirms that by then her father had returned to Goonbarrow, working as an engineer, but that Julia returned to London. I still can't find her in 1891 census, taken the month before. The family portrait, taken approx 1908, shows they had at least 5 children. They are Sidney Edward b 1894, Elsie Evelyn b 1897, Beatrice b 1899, Herbert Samuel b 1902 and Ivy May b 1905. 1901 and 1911 censuses show the family in railway cottages and Edward and Sidney working as railway guards (in 1901 also Elizabeth, Julia's mother was there with them). There was also a daughter Ruby Lilian, who died in 1892 in infancy. Records of burials in the plot in Ealing. Herbert was their son-in-law.

There followed dozens of mentions that were either a single initial, or related to P.C.Manhire, local bobby, very interesting but no use to me. Or they were competitions, concerts etc.

So on to Sep 1876, when an announcement of the death of Jane Manhire nee Trethewey, wife of George (Oliver's grandad) appeared. She died at Molinnis on 22 August, aged 64. (It was Richard, their son, who moved to Battersea after his marriage, and established the tree there).

Tuesday 21st July 2020

When this announcement appeared in the Cornishman on 27 Aug 1896 of the marriage between William Manhire and Adeline Nichols, little did they know what was to follow - see Sunday - where I told of the death of both William and his son (William Lambert Manhire, aged 6 months)

I mentioned Frederick on Friday, who emigrated to New Zealand with his family. The next clip gave me information about his son Alfred Manhire. It seems he married Emma Jane Potter in 1894 but she died the following year. He was still only 25 so it's not surprising that he soon remarried. This was in 1897 to Margaret McAlister from Scotland. He died himself in 1934 after a fall from a train. Then Margaret followed in 1949. One thing I will say though, is that it seems that he and his brother took a shop in a village called Hornby and started up a model-railway company. This became world famous and was eventually bought up by Woolworth's. One of these days I shall do more research on this...His father Frederick had died in Jan 1895 and the announcement appeared alongside the death of his daughter-in-law featured above.

The next story seems to have shocked the newspapers. Oliver's great-uncle Richard Manhire, "almost 80", married Katie Goodman aged 21. The authors of several reports exclaimed that she "may be his grand-daughter" but that they hoped she would "make a kind companion and be a good nurse". It seemed he died after 7 years of marriage and they had a daughter.

Sunday 19th July 2020

In account of a marriage in 1924, the bride was Unita (which I suspect was supposed to be Juanita) but here we only get an initial anyway. In another paper her name was given as Meta (which explains the initial).

Also reported on was Elizabeth Ann nee Williams, widow of Samuel, who died 12 April 1902.

I told the story of David Manhire 2 on 2nd Jul 2012, 14th Mar 2017 and 7th Dec 2019. I can now add a little chapter dating from 1902, when he was 18, living in Adelaide Street, Camborne with his parents (father a butcher) and 7 siblings. He was summoned to court for attacking another young man, Henry Dunn, in the street and it turned out to be a kind of "gang war", where he and friends were walking home at 11pm and got into an altercation with another gang. David struck Henry in the face, giving him a black eye, but one of his friends swore Henry struck the first blow, giving David an even worse black eye. "The magistrates considered the parties were as bad as one another and dismissed the case". As I told you, 4 years later he emigrated to Idaho, USA and married there, twice.

In the Deaths column of the Guardian on 16 June 1902 was "Edward Manhire at Camborne, aged 1 day". I did know Edward and Adeline of the Cornish Choughs pub had registered the birth and death of their son in the same quarter.

At the other end of life, the Births column of 7th Jan 1902 announced the arrival of daughter Dorothy Augusta Manhire to Samuel & Maud Mary.

On 3 Dec 1900 at Carrancarrow Mary Jane Manhire died aged 48. This event has been mentioned as significant because Reginald was born as Sloman... see last Sunday. 

On 15 May 1900 at Carbis Levi Manhire died aged 14 weeks. He was the son of Felix & Annie. Also on 25 Jan 1899 their daughter Felicia died aged 7 months

I feel sorry for Adeline Manhire nee Nicholas, who in the space of a few months in 1897 had her husband Billy leave for Johannesburg, South Africa, she gave birth to a son, then both died, leaving her all alone in Adelaide Street.

Friday 17th July 2020

A very Happy 37th Birthday to my son-and-heir Alden Smith

On 27 Jan 1911 the funeral of Mary Ann Manhire nee Nichols was reported at Stithian. She was wife of William, who passed on himself 25 years before.

In 1909 there were a couple of court cases involving a rape of an Alma Manhire, but ages and residence do not fit either of mine, and a kitchenmaid called Laura/Dora (different in 2 papers) Manhire gave evidence against a cook - I won't investigate as it didn't involve the maid

The only other mention in 1907 was at the inquest of a Samuel Sweet colt trainer who died aged 39, leaving a wife and 4 young children. He fell from a colt he was training for a Mr Manhire, cracking his skull and subsequently died. Mr & Mrs Manhire attended the funeral (along with most of Cornwall it seems) but no more information was given.

Mary Ann Manhire nee Pinch died in Christchurch, New Zealand, where she and husband Frederick had emigrated in 1878 with 5 children (Herbert was born in New Zealand). Frederick died 13 Jan 1895 and Mary Ann 2 Aug 1906

The fate of James Henry Manhire was similar to that of Woodman, see yesterday, but unfortunately no family members were mentioned by name.

An accident occurred in Dec 1905 to several miners at Carn Brea mine, involving Arthur Manhire. This would explain (or at least contribute to) his decision to emigrate - see Arthur Stanley above

In Feb 1905 the marriage took place between Lucy Manhire, daughter of Samuel & Elizabeth and Francis Vosper.
Bridesmaid Winnie Manhire was presumably not her sister, who died in 1886 aged 8, but Florence Winifred, who was actually even younger, but still alive!

Thursday 16th July 2020

On 1 Dec 1917 Luther Best Manhire married Bessie Furse in Roche. Luther had been in USA in 1911, a 30-year-old miner, working in Wyoming, then he served with the Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry in WW1, discharged due to sickness in Sep 1917. So he soon got married, as we can see, and by 1923 was in Canada, harvesting. He did get back to Wyoming as he died there in 1942, but I can't see that Bessie had joined him. She may have remained to nurse her parents. She did have an illegitimate daughter before her marriage, and brought her up while working as a housekeeper in Cornwall.

I just came across one of those local newspaper articles that shows what a small place it really is. The occasion was the funeral of Tom Bullock in Jul 1916 held at Carne Hill Church, and thence to the churchyard for interment. He was a part of Sunday School, various churches and schools and lots of people attended, including Mrs Felix Manhire, his sister Annie. The widow could not attend through illness (they lived in Ohio), but she was a relative too, being Harriet nee Knight

Next funeral was that of Elizabeth Jane Warne nee Manhire, and most of the listed attendees were from our tree. Too many to list. Deceased was only 49, died at Molinnis on 29 Nov 1915 and was interred at Treverbyn

An article relating to the demise of Woodman Manhire filled in some details regarding his latter years. I covered him on 29 Jul 2012 and 25 Jan 2020, but now know why he travelled where he did and it involves his health. According to this article, he was fine until 1912, then his medical advisors in Idaho told him to return home to UK, where "the change and his native climate would again restore him to his usual health". However, this did not work and a UK specialist advised him to go to Adelaide, where he would benefit from the sea voyage and warmer climate. But this was again not the case and he was admited to hospital in Adelaide after living there for less than 2 years and died of "TB with complications". He left his effects woth £164 to his father Thomas, retired clayworker of Molinnis, but he died himself less than 2 years later.

Fanny Payne nee Manhire died on 2 Sep 1912 aged 57 and mourners included her husband, son & 2 daughters, brother W N Manhire from London and sister Mrs Harris from Roche. Also Mrs W J Manhire, Boadicea.

Reported 8 Aug 1912, regarding Ambrose Manhire, son of Felix & Annie. At the time he was 18, so was referring to siblings (he was 3rd of eleven) and the Wiltons lived next door. The other side there was also several small children, first cousins of Ambrose. It was evidently thought a good idea for Ambrose to go into the army when the war came, and he joined the Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry, won 2 medals, then married on his return.

Wednesday 15th July 2020

Wedding announcement published 20 May 1921. Groom was Eli Manhire, son of Felix, bride Ella nee Chapman, best man Levi and bridesmaid Eden, both Eli's siblings.

The funeral of Hannah Manhire nee Yelland was discussed in Cornish Guardian on 9 Jul 1920. She had been a widow for 4 years, died at Molinnis on 25 June and was buried in Treverbyn Cemetery and left £753 to son Wilson. Also present were their other 4 remaining children, John Warne, Elizabeth's husband and 5 grandchildren.

A piece was published on 9 Aug 1918 and was confusing for me as it fitted Samuel, son of William John and Boadicea, except he would have been only 9. I see that this date of birth came from the 1911 census, and there is a crease on the page which may have led to a misreading of a 2. Also, the only birth registration I could find was for 1895, which would make more sense. All the army records lead me to believe he is Samuel Horace Manhire DCLI. However this all means he was born 10 years before his parents married. Mind you, it is possible as they were in their 20s.

Tuesday 14th July 2020

There was an article published in the Cornishman 6 Apr 1927, concerning a fire at the Pendarves Arms, Tuckingmill, Camborne, started in the kitchen by the wife of the licensee, where she was drying clothes. All the information they gave was that he was a Mr L Manhire and he was "at work" at the time, and it resulted in the gutting of the pub, but no damage spread to the neighbours. Looking at the current building, I suspect it was subsequently rebuilt. Unfortunately with only an initial to go by, I cannot tell if this was Leonard, Lewis or one of the Lots. I favour the former, as he lived in Camborne. He was the one with the dog, featured on Sunday, and I think this may have been a short-lived occupation (publican) due to the accident.

In the Cornish Guardian 10 Dec 1926 a wedding announcement appeared. Groom was Samuel George Manhire, son of Nicholas and Bessie (who had died in the March of that year) and subsequently father of George Keith and John Bryce Manhire. He married Fannie Varcoe.

Another item I cannot match up was from Cornish Guardian 10 Sep 1926, concerning an Edwin P Manhire of Mitchell. He was riding his motorcycle near Truro in August, with his fiancee riding pillion, when they were involved in a collision with another motorcylist, Michael Penna. Penna was killed at the site, Edwin seriously inured and Clara less so. There was an inquest and the jury found Penna blameless. They decided Edwin was going too fast and they wished to make pillion-riding illegal, but other than that, no criminal blame was attached. Edwin was still in hospital, Clara attended. The only Edwin I have would have been 79, but I think may have died in 1903.

The next story involves Edward Manhire of the Cornish Choughs pub, charged in 1924 with gambling in his back kitchen with his wife Adeline and a three local bakers. Two policemen saw a light on, so they listened and peeped in at the window, stating what they heard and saw and "after a good deal of consideration" they dismissed the action against Adeline but fined the men, £5 for Edward, as it was his premises, £2 each for the others.

A clip was from the Cornish Guardian 21 Apr 1922. I knew of Florence, but could not extend her to the 1939 Register as I didn't know her married name. I can now see her with her husband - excellent name Cuthbert Kitchener White - at 6 Edgcumbe Terrace, Roche - and two possible children (redacted so I can't be sure). The Misses D and M Manhire mentioned were probably her sisters Dorothy and Madeline.

Sunday 12th July 2020

On 22 May 1930 the Cornish Guardian featured an adventure of Leonard Manhire, This was the Leonard who was son of Archibald, brother of Joseph, mentioned on Friday. His father had died in 1922, hence the mention of "visiting his mother", who was Rosina nee Barber. I didn't have much information on him, so I have put that right. He was married in 1928 to Winnie Cornelius and they had a son Leonard Gordon the following year. This must have been what made him rush home that night...

On 1 Aug 1929 the Cornish Guardian posted a funeral notice for Hetty Bray nee Manhire, daughter of Nicholas and his first wife, who died aged 58 and was interred at Nanpean Cemetery. Among those attending were her husband Richard, daughter & son-in-law J Morcon, sons Maurice & Stanley, brothers Lot, (Samuel) George and his wife Fannie, and her sister Annie and her family.

Clip from Cornish Guardian 27 Dec 1928 concerned John Manhire 7, as I designated him, who married Harriet Best and died aged 83 in 1928.

Reginald Manhire was married in Nov 1928 to Clarice Winifred Mennear at Enniscaven. This couple caused me no end of trouble, he being born the year before his parents married (Nicholas had to wait for his second wife to die before marrying his third!) and thus registered with his mother's surname i.e. as Reginald Sloman. He then married Clarice, who was known as Winifred (and no comment about how similar their surnames were!) He chose as his Best Man his brother Willie, the one who emigrated then vanished, and I told the story yesterday. The bride & groom honeymooned at Penzance, then moved into Chapel Road, Enniscaven.

Cecil Manhire had an accident on 18 Apr 1928. He was at this time only 28, married 2 years, and serving aboard Vivid II. Evidently his stay in hospital was brief because he was soon serving on HMS Dolphin, where he stayed on and off for many years. He was finally invalided out in 1943, and as we know spent the rest of his life in local public service.

Travelling backwards in time, the next item is the funeral of "Mrs Stanley Liddicoat" i.e Gladys Victoria Manhire, daughter of Samuel James Manhire and Hannah nee Ham, sister of Lewis and Lilian etc who I have mentioned (see below), She was the one who died aged 26, which was usually due to childbirth. This is supported by the fact that her daughter, Gladys Marjorie, was 18 months old at the time. Among the mourners were listed her husband (Clifford) Stanley, her parents, sisters (Florence) Ada and Lilian, her brothers (William) Ewart and Lewis, all gave floral tributes.

Saturday 11th July 2020

On 24 Jan 1935 the marriage was announced of Lilian Tabitha Manhire to John T Snell at Zion Methodist Church, St Austell. She was youngest child of Samuel (one of Oliver's second-cousins) and Hannah Ham, Both bride and groom lived in Treviscoe and they lived there for a while. I see that 1939 Register finds them at Hendra Downs with a daughter Sheila, followed up a few years later by another daughter Margaret. John died in 1985 and Lilian in 1988.

On 5 Oct 1933 the marriage was announced of Lilian's brother Lewis Cyril Manhire to Freda May Best, at Hendra Road Methodist Church. Best man was Lewis' brother Ewart and one of the bridesmaids was his niece Marjorie Liddicoat, daughter of his late sister Gladys. The reception was held at Freda's parents' home just down the road from the church, and the bouquet was placed on Gladys' grave.

In Feb 1933 Miss S A Kent married Mr E Grose at Zion Methodist Church, Best Man was "Chief Petty Officer C R Manhire RN" and matron of honour his wife Grace. He was Claude, Oliver's brother and was living in Islington by then. The bride and groom honeymooned in London, so maybe stayed with Claude and Grace.

A memorial notice appeared 5 years after the death of Bessie nee Sloman, whose husband was Nicholas, son Samuel George and daughter-in-law Fannie nee Varcoe. The wording here was odd, sounding like her husband was George. A comma could have made it clearer. According to my notes, Nicholas died in 1932, but then he apparently married one of his wives 2 years after she died, so not entirely reliable!

Garnet Manhire, one of Oliver's second-cousins, wrote the following letter to the Cornish Guardian in Nov 1930, when he was 46. Unfortunately, I can see that by 1939 he was Incapacitated and could not work as an engineer, as he had. He had lost both parents and many of his siblings, so maybe there were problem genes. But he didn't die until 1954, at the age of 69.

Willie Manhire, one of Oliver's second-cousins, was ready to emigrate in the summer of 1930, so arranged a sale on 28 June at St Columb to dispose of all the livestock and equipment used at his farm. I did know he left on 5 July, and with wife Louisa and daughters Ruby and Dulcie, travelled to Canada in order to start a new life. However, all cannot have been well, as the girls were all back in Cornwall by the time the 1939 Register was taken, Ruby doing an apprenticeship in a box factory, Dulcie still at school. I don't know what happened to Willie, as he vanished. Actually, I have located the passenger list and see that they returned on 19 Oct 1931, so only stayed a year.

Friday 10th July 2029

In the Cornish Guardian of 14 Oct 1937 was an account of the marriage between (Elizabeth) Madeline Manhire and Martin Thomas, at Parish Church Roche, both of Fore Street. Madeleine was given away by her father and cousins Muriel and Gwen Jago were bridesmaids, Graeme Ogglesby, her nephew, was page. He was her sister Dorothy's son from her marriage to Dennis Ogglesby from Hertfordshire.

A very odd court case was reported on in January 1937 concerning an alleged incident on Christmas Day involving Wilson Manhire, who was at that time a 54 year old music teacher, living with his sister at Molinnis Crossing. He was cycling home and passed a couple of boys, aged 15 and 12, the elder one wearing a woman's coat and hat. He drew up beside them and chatted (possibly questioning the odd clothing). The boys had been carol singing but they claimed Wilson made an obscene gesture and they called a policeman. In court his character was examined and found to be exemplary, but the two boys, policeman and a woman (who may have been a witness and/or mother of one of them) stuck to their story and he was found guilty and fined £5. We have recently become involved in a protest at plans to remove Trial by Jury in this country, and this is evidence to support keeping it. The magistrate in this case heard all the evidence then turned round and said he had to bring a verdict of guilty. As Wilson had thought the boys were up to mischief, they may have been... 

Wilson appeared in several articles in the years just prior to this, purely as mentions like ..."pupil of Wilson Manhire" passes music examinations with flying colours etc as well as attendance at funerals, weddings etc

There was a very detailed account on 2 Apr 1936 regarding a death of a clay worker at Gunheath China Clay Works, resulting in a verdict of accidental death. The deceased was 18 year old Frederick Johns, and the man who found him was Joseph John Manhire. He was the son of Archibald, one of Oliver's second cousins. Apparently the deceased was standing in for a colleague, working on an incline with pulleys & ropes controlling a skip used in loading clay. He was found by Joseph, having been hit by the skip and shortly died of head injuries (apparently he said "help me up Jack" then died, but he could have been lying there for some time, as he hadn't had his teabreak). The funeral was immense, with 40 wreaths provided by friends and colleages, the deceased having been very popular.

The marriage of Lily Beryl Manhire was next, to Cyril Organ from Fowey. She was the younger daughter of Oliver's second cousin Theophilus and his wife Uneta. Both fathers had died, so the bride was given away by her mother. Bridesmaids were Madge and Ruby Cornelius, Lily's nieces. Afterwards, the couple travelled to London, where they settled in Lewisham.

Beatrice Lavinia nee House was married to Leonard Manhire in 1912 and lived at 41 Wesley Street, Camborne. She had been servant in the household of Edward, at the Three Cornish Choughs pub, who was Leonard's uncle. In Mar 1935 she was looking after her neighbour Caroline Kemp, who lived alone at no. 39, went in to see her and found she had fallen on the stairs and put herself to bed. Apparently she had a minor op shortly before, but the account doesn't say if this was related. Beatrice called the doctor but a few days later Mrs Kemp died. She was 75 years old. Incidentally, Beatrice can be seen at the same address in 1939 Register, then died there in 1955, Leonard followed in 1974.

Thursday 9th July 2020

I loved the clip from The Guardian in 1939, listing attendees at some function, including " Mr H Anti-Aircraft Company... Mr Shortage of Lorries" and the observation that " Mr S Carnival was less sizeably spectacular"

On 10 Aug 1939 the wedding was announced of Mr William Henry Chapman to Elizabeth Jane Manhire at Lanner Wesleyan Church, Redruth. These are ancestors I don't know about but this clip has told me much. The bride was apparently "elder daughter of Mrs B Manhire and the late W J Manhire of The Square, Lanner", who I assume is William John, Oliver's second cousin, son of Samuel and brother of Felix. All I had on him was a death in Kansas, which may not even be true. At this wedding, the bride borrowed her veil ("something borrowed") from her cousin Mrs M Thomas from Roche. This fixes her, as this is cousin Madeline I mentioned last week. Bridesmaids were her sister Miss L.Manhire and groom's sister Miss P Chapman, best man his brother D Chapman. Afterwards, bride and groom went off to Devon, as their future home was 44 Portland Road, Stoke, Plymouth

I have researched this branch now, and found that her father William John Manhire was born in Roche in Feb 1871 to Samuel & Elizabeth nee Williams, 3rd of their 11 children, and lived in Roche with them until Oct 1905 when he married Boadicea Martin from Redruth. They had 2 sons before Elizabeth in 1911, and followed with another girl starting with L, who she chose as bridesmaid, as I said above. By 1939 they lived at The Square, Lanner next to the bakery, but William John had died in 1937, so Boadicea was shown in the Register as widow, son Samuel was a 30-year-old stone-mason and Lilian - the sister, aged 20 - a shop-assistant. Brother William had died in infancy. Elizabeth had been married a few weeks and lived in the house above with her husband a sailmaker and brother-in-law Fred a labourer. They shared the house with a couple of other families, including a (useful) cook in her early 40s. Elizabeth died in 1984 and William in 1992, both registered in the Plymouth area.

Wednesday 8th July 2020

An article of great interest was published on 1 Aug 1940, regarding the marriage of our friend Norman Charles Manhire at Lanivet Parish Church. Bride was Ivy Gardner, youngest daughter of Mr & Mrs George Gardner, originally from Plymouth, but now living at Bank Vue, Nanstallon, 7 miles from Roche. Norman was called "Sergeant Charles Norman Manhire RA, youngest son of Mr & Mrs S Manhire of Fore St, Roche". Bridesmaids were Genevieve Jago, bride's niece, and Geraldine Wheaton, her cousin, best man was Sergeant-Major S G Brokenshire. The reception was at the bride's home and before leaving the bride placed her bouquet on the grave of Miss D R Riches, late matron of the Bodmin Asylum, where Ivy had been working for 10 years.

Cornish Guardian 1 Feb 1940 mentioned Oliver's 1st cousin Wilson Manhire, also he was mentioned in another piece the previous September in the same paper, along with another ancestor on this tree, Gerald Hocken Knight. They wouldn't consider themselves related though, as Wilson was Oliver's first paternal cousin and Gerald was his 3rd maternal cousin. So the musical genes weren't passed down from one to the other.

Another clip from Sep 1939 was of the funeral of Samuel Buscombe, 2nd husband of Ellen nee Lukes, widow of David Manhire, Oliver's father Richard's cousin. It is a bit obscure but meant that of the list of mourners, a high proportion were relatives. This included her son Samuel and his family, who we met the other day, from his marriage with Hannah Ham.

Tuesday 7th July 2020

Another house contents sale due to "declining housekeeping" popped up on 17 Dec 1942. Garnet Manhire was selling his but he had not been widowed. His wife Mabel survived for another 21 years, in fact he pre-deceased her. I cannot see the term on a Google search, so maybe it was a family joke. He was second-cousin of Oliver and first-cousin of Lot (see yesterday), who sold his giving the same reason.

Liskeard County Court Sessions on 21 Oct 1942 included a variety of cases, including one Leonard R Manhire, who was charged with "trespassing in search of rabbits", fined 10s and the nets confiscated. He was with Arthur Edward Weight, who I suspect was his father-in-law and was living in the same household in 1939 Register in Plymouth, described as a "typewriter mechanic". I think this Leonard R was the Raymond mentioned yesterday, who moved to Plymouth on his marriage in 1938, but the evidently travelled to Cornwall for rabbits (17 miles). He was described as a Navy Steward, which he was in 1939 Register "steward RN barracks". Maybe he wanted to serve rabbit casserole there!

The funeral was announced on 30 Apr 1942 of Mr F R O Mewton, whose sister was Maud May Manhire, after marrying Samuel. She and her husband were mentioned, along with lots of familiar names.

On 15 Jan 1942 Uneta Manhire (wife of Theophilus, nee Wilcock) was fined 5s for breaching blackout regulations at 37 Church Street, Tywardreath.

The next clip dated 12 June 1941 was announcement on behalf of Martin Thomas (whose funeral I mentioned on Sunday) and his wife Madeline nee Manhire, giving me the child's middle name

Monday 6th July 2020

The items that come up in newspapers! I never expected to find this out about an ancestor:

I am assuming that she was the unmarried daughter Hilda May Manhire who I mentioned before (see 2nd July 2012), who left money to her father to enable him to retire, in 1952. This article above was dated 18 Aug 1949.

Still moving back in time, the next was notice on 5th & 12th Sep 1946 of a sale of a 2-bedroom cottage at Treswithian. The sale took place at the Cornish Choughs pub, as was normal, and the cottage was described as "recently in the occupation of Mr R Manhire". This may have been Raymond, who moved to Plymouth with his wife Vera.

On 1 Apr 1943 was a report of the funeral of Silvanus Warne. He was aged 40 and died at Molinnis Crossing, the son of Elizabeth Manhire and grew up with her there, so lots of guests are from my tree. Aunt V Hawke mentioned was Verena nee Manhire, who died the following year and Miss Manhire was Lona, Mr T Tanner was Evelyn's husband Thomas, H & V Warne were Hedley and Vernon, his brothers. One of the wreaths read "fragrant memories from Aunties Lona, Verena & Cousin Lily"

On 20 Feb 1943 there was a sale by Lot Manhire of his house contents and poultry with their sheds etc. at Rosemelling. His wife had died in July 1941 and he presumably wanted a new start. He said he was "declining housekeeping".

Sunday 5th July 2020

I next found a report on the marriage of John Bryce Manhire on 5 Jun 1952. I won't bring you the entire description, as it went into incredible detail, suffice to say it gave me his middle name along with plenty of detail about his family. He was the son of Samuel George Manhire, Oliver's second cousin, and Fannie née Varcoe. His best man was his brother (George) Keith Manhire and bride was Bernice Ruby Williams, daughter of Mr & Mrs F H Williams from St Dennis. The bride had worked at the St Columb Co-op. I see that John took over the farm Coldvreath Farm from his parents, probably in 1978 at his father's death and was last seen there in 2004, when he was 72, and Bernice too. Brother Keith died in 1992, before their mother (1996).

Next clipping was the death announcement of Samuel Manhire in 1950. He was the father of Cecil Redvers and 4 others, his wife Maud May nee Newton

On 16 Mar 1950, Edward Manhire of the Three Cornish Choughs at Treswithian, spoke in court for the extension of hours during the summer months June-September, allowing pubs to remain open until 10.30, instead of closing at 10.00 as they usually had to. He represented 56 local pubs, and the request was upheld despite objections from Methodists and Women's groups, who said the extra time would mean more crime due to drunkenness (although the police were happy with it), in ten minutes.

The next clip was an announcement of the funeral of Martin Thomas, and several ancestors attended, including Cecil and Norman, who were his wife's brothers. She was Elizabeth Madeline nee Manhire, and the article said they had a "young son". I researched and discovered he was aged 8, called Harry after Martin's brother. He is still living in the area with his wife Brenda nee Gregor. Samuel and Maud (Elizabeth's parents) both attended and gave a wreath marked "Mother & Pop". Apparently, after working in London for a number of years, he had taken over a grocery & drapery business in Fore Street, Roche and became the first secretary of the Victory Hall Committee and Parish Clerk (later replaced by his brother-in-law Norman).

Adeline Manhire nee Nicholas, wife of Edward of the Three Choughs pub, died in Oct 1949 and many relatives attended. The wreath from Edward read "To my dear little wife from Eddie", from her children "To Momma" and many more.

On 6 Oct 1949 was reported the wedding of (George) Keith Manhire, who I mentioned above to Hazel Bullock. His brother John was best man, as the situation was reversed 3 years later. It took place at Stenalees Methodist Church.

Verena Manhire, sister of Lona, Jasper and lots more, was buried in Aug 1949. Her daughter mentioned here, was Margaret Lilian Hawke, evidently known as Lily.

Saturday 4th July 2020

Continuing with the newspaper articles involving Manhires.

I read several listing various attendees at functions, usually weddings and funerals, and some more shows organized by our friend Norman Charles - see yesterday - and an invitation to send him tenders for work with extending the cemetery in 1969, as he was Clerk to the Council. [Incidentally, these newspaper articles have been transcribed by Optical Recognition software and this sometimes produces hilarious results. An example was in 1968, where he was judging another bellringing competition and one of the churches mentioned was "St Columb Pariah Church", also one advert for newborn chicks available from "Jacobstow, near Rude"]
I am moving backwards in time here and the next clip regarding Norman Charles told me he had a daughter called Annette and I have been able to ascertain that she was born in 1946 in the St Austell area (probably Roche) with middle initials D F and in Jan 1966 married local lad Kenneth Tabb. They may well be still alive, last seen living in Scotland. It seems she was an only child as there are no other births with mother's maiden name of Gardner.
A clip from 1965 thanked Norman for 15 years service as secretary to the Show committee, assisted by his sister-in-law. This was Euneta, Cecil's wife. Her address was given as a house in Roche called "Veronica"

[Another one of those typos puzzled me for a while, concerning one Darlene Manhire (who I do not know) as she was congratulated on 101 years full attendance at school! It turned out to be 10½ years!]

Almost all of the reports were for parish business involving Norman and Cecil, including request for a new Post Box, development of the burial ground and consideration of demolition and subsequent development of some derelict properties, or reports/adverts on behalf of W E Manhire & Sons. This was a business run from Spar Villas, Treviscoe by William Ewart, his wife Gladys and son Alan (see below) involving the sale of newly-hatched poultry for farming and/or consumption. 
   
Cecil Redvers Manhire was elected in 1958 and Len (Leonard) led the silver band. (I included here a photograph, saying the reason Len may have looked unhappy was that at the same event, he had to step in himself to replace one of his orchestra members who was taken seriously ill and he may have been upset and worried)

You may remember Lona Armenia Manhire, Oliver's first cousin, who didn't marry and lived at Molinnis Crossing, in the house named Armenia. She died in Dec 1956 and the following was in the local paper a year later and several family members mentioned. She was aged 70 and Evelyn was her sister Elizabeth's daughter. Lily may have been Evelyn's daughter (her middle name being Hyacinth maybe she continued the flower theme) but as all I have is a blocked-out 1939 Register I cannot tell. When Evelyn died in 1978 she was living at Armenia.

This following clip named a lot of people; I have only included a few here. The deceased I know as Hannah Ham, who married Samuel James Manhire, Oliver's second-cousin, in 1900 and they had 6 children; Gladys who died aged 26, William Ewart, who was the owner of the poultry business, Samuel George who died in infancy, Lewis Cyril, Florence Ada, who became Mrs Key, and Lilian Tabitha, who became Mrs Snell. Evidently the author of the report got them a bit mixed up or they were known by other names (this often flows in families and Hannah/Anna may have started it). The Norah mentioned as granddaughter was no doubt Gladys Norah, William Ewart's daughter, but I don't know Eric.

Friday 3rd July 2020

As Findmypast are increasing their list of newspapers, I thought I would have a look through, to see if I could find ancestors there. If so, I could bring you some interesting stories in the coming weeks. We shall see...

Starting with the Manhires:

If you remember, Lilian Manhire, Oliver's sister, married cousin Jasper and the above was a dedication published the year after her death by her children, all of whom have died themselves since. For Lilian's story see 14 Jul 2012, 7th Apr 2017 & 16 Dec 2019.

Cecil Redvers Manhire was Oliver's second cousin once removed, so I didn't study him in depth but the funeral report in the local paper of 16 Dec 1971 gave me a couple of useful snippets of information. Among the list of mourners (not included above) were his sister Madeline - actually Elizabeth Madeline - whose married name was Thomas. So I could match up the marriage to Martin Thomas in 1937. Also a brother Charles, who I knew nothing about. Going by Madeline's evidence, he may have gone by his middle name. He was probably born after 1911, as he wasn't in that census, and in the St Austell area, So, I have tracked him down: Norman Charles Manhire, born 22 Sep 1911. He enlisted in the Royal Artillery in 1933, so that was why I couldn't track him down in the Register as army camps were secret. But he married in Jul 1940 in the Bodmin area, his wife Ivy Bessie Gardner, born in Plymouth 10 Apr 1914. He was discharged from the army in 1956 and died in Truro in 1984 and Ivy in Jan 2010 aged 95. Oh, I have seen him in other newspaper articles, in 1971 judging a bellringing contest in St Columb, and acting as secretary for the Autumn Show in Roche. He gave his address as 3 Rockland Place, which I can't find.

The next clip was announcement of a wedding between Alan John Manhire (from which I learned his middle name) and Hilary Joy Hicks (likewise), also in 1971. They evidently moved in with his parents in Spar Villas and lived with them there until they died in 1981 (Gladys, his mother) & 1992 (William, his father). They were both still there in the most recent electoral roll.

Thursday 2nd July 2020

Woodman Retallick, see 15th July 2017, I searched the baptism pages of the parish records 1874-80, in case he was baptised with his younger sister Mary Jane, but he was not. Marriage scan but of course, his burial was too recent for scans

Yvonne Retallick, see 15th July 2017, nothing new

When I completed the Retallicks in 2017 and returned to my trees in 2018 I moved on to a selection of minor branches, so thought I'd follow suit now, but with only 2 years since I last did them, it would no doubt just be a list of "nothing new"...

Tuesday 30th June 2020

Willie Courtney Retallick, see 15th July 2017, when I said a fellow genealogist said he emigrated to New Zealand but I could find the records. I think I have a coherent story now.
He was baptised at the age of two with his younger baby sister Louisa. While he was at home with his father, he was known as Willie (his father was William) but when he left home he reverted to William, which made it hard for me, unfortunately. On 3 Jul 1884 2 clerks A Retallick and W Retallick travelled to Sydney from London on the Lusitania, but evidently continued their travels; as I said in 2017 he went to New York and back in 1894. He then moved on to Sydney and married Amy Sabena Whittington the following year. Maybe he met her on his first trip 10 years before (when she was only 9 years old. 1896 electoral roll records show them at Huxley Street, Sydenham, Christchurch, where William worked as a labourer. They had 5 children but one, Olive, died aged 2 in 1903. 1916 electoral roll shows they had moved to 21 Woodhouse Street, Linwood and were still there when William died aged 76 and was buried in Linwood Cemetery. Amy joined him in 1953, having lived with daughter Gladys at 24 Surrey Street, Avon until her death, when she joined William and Olive in the family plot at Linwood.

Sunday 28th June 2020

William Drew Retallick, see 28th Jan 2013 &14th July 2017, baptism scan. However, I cannot bring you marriage in 1921 or burial in 1968 as parish records don't extend that far

William Henry Retallick 1, see 15th July 2017, nothing new.

William Henry Retallick 2, see 15th July 2017 & 26th Jan 2013, baptism scan and marriage. Unfortunately the burials are too recent (William in 1914 and Ann 1919)

Friday 26th June 2020

William Retallick 6, see 14th July 2017, where I was concerned about inconsistencies in this tale. I have built an alternative, where he married Jane Rowe on 3 Apr 1817 at Luxulyan, witnesses Thomas Rowe and Rich Harper, had a subsequent child Jane Rowe Retallick, who was married on 12 Feb 1848 to Richard Cullis, son of Thomas Cullis, carpenter. However, there is no proof linking any of this to "our" William.

William Retallick 7, see 14th July 2017, another link I cannot prove, and again baptism scan is all I have

William Retallick 8, see same, again baptism scan only

William Retallick 9, see same, baptism scan, I can't track down the marriage (that volume is very faded and/or damaged) but have burials and an account sheet for payments of rent to Rev W Bunce for property in 1798/9.

Thursday 25th June 2020

William Retallick 2, see 26th Jan 2013 & 11th July 2017, baptism scan and that of marriage. I have found an interesting record of a time spent in Bodmin Gaol. The name and date of birth are correct, but it says he was born in Devon, a miner living in St Austell, married with one child. I assume these details relate to the discharge in 1853, when our William had at least two (Richard and Jane. I still don't know about Jemima, and William had died). He was a miner in Roche, but so were most men. [Incidentally, I had another look at Jemima, and despite having her mother's name I don't believe it was this family.] He got 9 months for "simple larceny" in Jan 1853, then was acquitted in 1859. Our William died 14 Apr 1886 at the Asylum and was buried in Roche then Jemima followed 3 years later

William Retallick 3, see 28th Jan 2013, I have baptism scan, marriage, his burial and that of his wife 6 years later:

William Retallick 4, see 11th July 2017, he appears not to have been baptised and I cannot confirm the marriage in Victoria, Australia or death/burial.

His father, William Retallick 5, see 28th Jan 2013, I have baptism scan. (as I said, his father had just died, so was described here as "the late William") I have searched the marriage records at Roche by hand, to no avail and on the baptism of son John in 1841 I have just noticed the word "illegitimate", although the surname is Retallick. I covered him earlier this year as John 11, but didn't notice this. His sister Mary Anne was baptised by the Bible Christian Church in 1842 so is not in the Luxulyan parish book or Roche. As I said before, Elizabeth's family were Wesleyans, so maybe didn't worry about her lack of registration. Anyway, they were always known as Retallick and when they emigrated to Australia in 1855 everybody was under that name. William was mentally ill, so maybe nobody dared question him. I gave all the details in 2013.

Tuesday 23rd June 2020

Thomas Soby Retallick, see 11th July 2017, I have his baptism scan and he died aged 16:

Victoria Regina Retallick, see 19th Jan 2013, sister of all the Thomases, see below. I have her baptism scan. Her marriage to Richard Mewton is frustrating; although I can find the registration in the St Austell area in the April quarter of 1882, I cannot find the parish, so cannot track down any scan. The same applies to his burial. I suspect theses were both in Roche, but the records jump. The same applies to her second marriage, probably in Luxulyan, registered in Bodmin area but I cannot find a scan. One thing I have found which is new is that J G was admitted to the Insane Asylum on 28 Dec 1908 and discharged 26 Apr 1909 "recovered". I don't know anything about the condition, he had been a clay labourer and Sunday-school teacher when she married him 22 years before. Their son John Courtney Stockman was interesting. He fought in WW1 and earned 3 medals but was accidentally shot dead by a friend when culling rabbits in 1921 and J G had to testify in court (J C was 27). JG died in 1930, his death registered in the Bodmin area so was probably in Luxulyan. Victoria died in 1938 in the St Austell area.

Viole Glanville Retallick, see 20th Jan 2013 & 11th July 2017, nothing new, including the closed files in 1939.

William Retallick 1, see 26th Jan 2013 & 11th July 2017, the baptism scan I mentioned. I also have marriage, his burial and that of his wife

Sunday 21st June 2020

Thomas Retallick 3, see 10th July 2017, looking hard at the baptism scan I think I believe those who say the date was 31st October, but as to the further records, investigation is making things less, not more, clear. I now have two marriages, both in 1754, one in St Keverne to Christiane Davys on 12 May and one in Padstow to Elizabeth White (which has however been removed from the Family Search site). There are then 5 possible burial records:
4 Feb 1757 at St Eval
18 Jan 1780 Constantine
5 Nov 1780 St Gerrans (smallpox)
1 May 1788 Bodmin
9 Oct 1790 St Austell
none of which unfortunately gives the age, so I am none the wiser.

Thomas Henry Retallick 1, see same for all 3 "versions", I have baptism scan and burial aged 3:

Thomas Henry Retallick 2, his brother, baptism and burial (unfortunately a mistake was made and his father's name was given):

Thomas Henry Retallick 3, final "incarnation" of this guy, and he led an interesting life. Baptism scan. On 5 Apr 1902 he travelled from Southampton to New York, remained in USA for 18 months then returned and a year later married Amelia/Minnie. I find it odd that both he and his father were described as farmers, when 3 years before, William was a "labourer on highways" and Thomas clay labourer. By 1911 he was Asylum Attendant and William OAP.
His brother Willie had travelled to USA 8 years earlier, I don't know if it is related, or who they stayed with (Willie ended up emigrating to Australia). His daughter, as I said, emigrated to New York, but retuned to UK at her death. Thomas died 9 Mar 1970 but there are no scans of records that recent.

Saturday 20th June 2020

Terence Retallick, see 10th July 2017, obviously very recent, so no scans. Similarly no deaths, though, so that's good news.

Thomas Retallick 1, see same, a little bit more about Roy (who I seem to have missed in the general list). As I said, he continued at Hill House, alone, running the farm. [I have traced a marriage in Apr 1953 to Muriel Rowse and a death for them both. Unfortunately the latter 2 events relate to a Roy born in about 1927, so may well be his son. Looking at other people's trees, it seems not and he may not be related. This is a shame, as I have a lovely photo of Roy & Muriel and also their gravestone.] My Roy died on 2 June 1969 at St Lawrence's Hospital, Bodmin, which was the "new" name for the Insane Asylum.

Going back to his father Thomas 1, he appears not to have been baptised, the marriage isn't available as a scan and the burial records don't go that far.

Thomas Retallick 2, see same, who married Polly Merrifield when his cousin Jane married Christopher Merrifield. I tried again to find the link, to no avail, although Christopher was one of the witnesses at her marriage. I have scan of his burial in 1846 and that of his wife 6 years later

Friday 19th June 2020

Richard Retallick 7, see 13th Jan 2013 I have nothing new, but can confirm his baptism

Richard Retallick 8, see 13th Jan 2013, I have baptism scan: and marriage, his burial in 1822 and that of his wife 2 years later:

Richard Retallick 9, see 13th Jan 2013, baptism, marriage, his burial in 1852 and his wife in 1845:

Richard Retallick 10, see 13th Jan 2013 & 4th July 2017, I have baptism scan, I have searched for a marriage, as no search engine finds them, in registers of parishes St Wenn (where Richard was baptised) and St Issey (where son Simon was baptised) to no avail. Unfortunately I know only Elizabeth's Christian name, not surname, nor where of when she was born.

Sarah Retallick, see 4th July 2017, where I told of how she died aged 2 in Devon. As there are no scans for Devon, I can't bring you more.

Simon Retallick 1,son of Richard 10, baptism scan in 1752 St Issey. After he emigrated in 1774 to USA, he married Elizabeth Miles and had 2 children, but by the time his widow died there was no trace of him.

His son Simon Retallick 2, see 14th Jan 2013 & 10th July 2017, was in the Army, as I told, and on 6 May 1812 was given a tract of landby them, in Illinois. However, I think he died on 18 Mar 1824. What I doubt, as I said in 2017, was his marriage, as he would have been 13.

Tuesday 16th June 2020

Richard Retallick 4, see 13th Jan 2013 & 4th July 2017, I have baptism scan, marriage, burial of his wife in 1841 and that of Richard. I also can see from electoral roll records that he lived at Baytree Hill, Barn Street, Liskeard (his address in 1851) already in 1837. Thus I know where he was in 1841, when I still cannot find the census. There was one that distracted me, thinking he was with his parents or brother & sister, as he was in St Allen with a John and a Catherine, but this was incorrect as they were all dead by then.

Richard Retallick 5, see 12th Jan 2013,  I have baptism scan, marriage, burial of his wife and of Richard:

Richard Retallick 6, see 13th Jan 2013,  burial of wife Grace in 1737 and of Richard in 1746. Other scans were too early

Saturday 13th June 2020

Reginald Arthur Retallick, see 3rd July 2017, nothing new

Reuben Retallick, see 4th July 2017, baptism scan. Incidentally, I found another story here. Next to Reuben's record, baptised on the same day at Roche was a Richard Retallick Common, son of Elizabeth and William Common. I was intrigued at his middle name, tracked back and found his mother Elizabeth was Betty Retallick, daughter of Richard 3, who I shall deal with shortly, and Elizabeth. Betty was in pencil in my notes, as I had no evidence to connect her, but have found it now!  Reuben died aged 29 and was buried in Roche and again I found someone missed previously. His father (the one who had been in gaol) died 2 years before him and was buried in Roche too, so his burial record was a few pages from that of Reuben.

Now for the Richards, if you remember there were ten.

Richard Retallick 1, see 13th Jan 2013, baptism scan, marriage, burial and burial of his wife:

Richard Retallick 2, see 12th Jan 2013, scans for baptism and marriage but no burial scan unfortunately for him in 1903 or Amelia in 1914

Richard Retallick 3, see 13th Jan 2013 & 4th July 2017, where I hope I straightened out the confusion re his parentage. He was actually baptised in St Enoder, not St Wenn as I thought. I also have scans of marriage and burial:

I have just discovered a document I was able to get free from the National Archives; Richard's will, proved when he died in August 1803. He left most of his land, goods etc to executor eldest son John (although he was only 12 at the time), to his wife "a dwelling house...garden...with some other household furniture and if she lives to attain the age of 55 then to have £2 yearly during her life". This is worth £207 now, not a lot! She did live to that age, she was 86 at her death. In 1841 she can be seen living with her son farmer Richard of Burney House, Roche, describing herself as "Housekeeper". He had recently been widowed with 3 small children, so she must have been a godsend. She didn't quite make it to the next census in 1851 though, and Richard can be seen still there with 3 teens.
As I just discovered a new offspring, see above, I shall cover her now. As well as John b 1791 and "Richard 5" b 1800, there was a daughter between them, Elizabeth (Betty) b 1795. In 1839 she married William Common, so was not around in the 1841 census mentioned above.

Wednesday 10th June 2020

Phyllis Retallick, see 2nd July 2017, when she was a closed file in 1939 Register, and I found a marriage in 1945 in St Austell to Oswald Venton. The situation is oddly the same but I can see she died in Jan 2004 in Southampton aged 80. This doesn't actually help, as there is no sign of her husband in 1939 or dying since.

Polly Jane Retallick, see 2nd July 2017, I don't think she was baptised, but I have a marriage scan. Unfortunately Luxulyan burial scans don't go to 1912.

Ralph Clifton Retallick, see 3rd July 2017, nothing new.

Raymond Retallick, see same, nothing new

Tuesday 9th June 2020

Peggy Retallick, see 5th Jan 2013 & 1st July 2017, all I can add is her burial scan and that of her husband 3 years later

Percival Donald Retallick, see 2nd July 2017, nothing new (no scans as all events occurred in Devon), including still no sign in 1939.

Philip Retallick, see 2nd July 2017, nothing new

Phoebe Retallick, see 7th Jan 2013, I have baptism scan and she was buried in St George's Anglican Cemetery, Grafton, Northumberland, Ontario.

Sunday 7th June 2020

Myrtle Avanda Retallick (great name), see 26th June 2017, nothing new. There are lots of trips across the Atlantic in the name of Arthur Bloomfield, where he was crew, but I do know that his given name was Nugent Arthur, but he was known as Charlie, so I have no evidence this was her husband. As far as I know he was settled at home in Bugle as a dairy farmer.

Norman Kenneth Retallick, see 26th June 2017, I have filled in a few more details of what he did between age 6 and his marriages. On 8 Dec 1922 aged 18 he attested in Newton Abbott to the Territorial Force of the Royal Artillery for 4 years. He gave his occupation then as Motor Mechanic, so evidently learned the application of these skills to larger machinery in the services (by 1939 was an Aircraft Fitter if you remember). Next Of Kin at this point was his father, H Retallick of Wisteria, Kingsteignton, and Norman was discharged when his 4 years were up on 7 Dec 1926 as a Gunner. He evidently settled at 23 Woolaton Terrace, Kingsteignton until marriage, when he may well have moved to Yeovil (60 miles northeast).

Olive Emily Retallick, see also 26th June 2017, a very detailed account so it's not surprising there is nothing new.

Olive Millicent Retallick, see 1st Jul 2017, Norman's sister, who I lost track of after 1911. I see now that in Jan 1916 in Paddington, London she married Jonathan Ellery Bose (Ellery was his mother's maiden-name). A few years earlier he had been to Australia for a trip and obviously loved it so they went there for their honeymoon. I know this as son Roy George (or George Roy) was born there 9 months later. If they truly intended to stay, it wasn't long before they returned, Feb 1920. Jonathan's mother may have been ill, as she died in 1922, also the boy attended school in England. In Jul 1929 he had finished junior school and they set off again to Freemantle on the SS Bendigo, intending to stay in Australia. Jonathan was a bricklayer, so could presumably find work wherever they went but in Jan 1931 Olivia and George returned to England. This time Jonathan's father was ill and he died in the March. The family evidently settled back in Cornwall as in 1939 Register they were at Sandy Nook, Wadebridge, Jonathan a Mason, George a plumber, Olive UDD.The following year George married Dorothy Masters in Bodmin and died there aged 60 in 1977. Jonathan died at Wadebridge, still at Sandy Nook, on New Year's Day 1956 and was buried at St Menefreda's Churchyard. Olive followed 12 years later, address given as Penlee, Fernleigh Road, This address is gone now, but may have changed its name. It may have been a nursing home.

Olive Mary Retallick, see 1st July 2017, nothing new except her address at death was 14 Polvillion Road, Fowey, where they had been in 1939, 30 years before.

Saturday 6th June 2020

Returning to the "normal" way of things, I will pick up where I left off in April, with the Retallicks:

Mary Jane Retallick, see 13th December 2012 & 20th June 2017, I have now seen the passenger lists transporting her and baby William to Ellis Island in 1902 and her burial at Hillcrest Cemetery, Bessemet, Gogebic County, Michigan

Mary Jane Retallick 2, see 20th June 2017 (& 30th Sep 2012 for her husband). Nothing new, as unfortunately many of the scanned documents previously available on FamilySearch are still missing.

Melinda Retallick, see 20th June 2017, scan of marriage is here and burial

Milicent Retallick, see 14th Dec 2012, nothing new

Miriam Retallick, see 23rd June 2017, quite a story but with frustrating holes. I have found her in 1911; at that point she had travelled to Canada, lived with her sister Bessie for a while, then moved on to be with brother Charles, but once her son William married and settled, she joined him. The Jones family, headed by William, a miner, and his wife Evelina also then included 2-year-old Ernest and year-old Miriam as well as 2 boarders. As Miriam senior was a nurse, no doubt she looked after her grandchildren. This was in Bole Avenue, Chilliwack Riding, New Westminster, BC. By 1920 census she had moved on to Livingstone, Montana, having married and been widowed again. I suspect I have the right man for her 2nd husband John Baptiste Renier, who she married on 11 Oct 1913 in Vancouver and he went home to the Netherlands in 1922 and died there. She called herself widow again in 1920, though, but I think she liked the term, having done the same in 1891 when her first husband was still alive (and so had he). She was at that time (1920) working as a nurse to a private family in Livingstone, Montana, where she remained, living with brother Charles as I described

Miriam Olivia Retallick, see 25th June 2017, another emigree. Regarding the job application I mentioned, she did get the job, but as I said before she wasn't there long - it was in fact less than 2 week then she was dismissed. I have searched again for her death, but after 1955 in Everett, Washington, she doesn't appear again.

Wednesday 3rd June 2020

I can report that as it is very slow going and not very productive at all, I am going to stop wasting my time with the Archives. I have examined 151 records in my search for the surname Gamble, selecting specific names and areas of the country, and all the records I have found relating to "mine" are available elsewhere.
The best one I found was not related to me, but was a jolly interesting tale. It told of a William Gamble, who attested to the 2nd Life Guards regiment on 3 Jul 1844 when he was 18 years and 11 months old, having been born in Norfolk. He can be seen in 1851 census in Hyde Park Barracks, London. On 1 May 1854 he married Mary Ann Holland in Chelsea, but she died - there are lots of deaths with that name, so I can't tell which one - and he remarried on 23 Jul 1859. This was to Amelia Small Pratt - she must have been grateful to get rid of that name but I'm glad it wasn't the fashion in those days to double-barrel on marriage, as she'd be Amelia Small Pratt-Gamble! By 1861 census they were living in Model Cottages, Windsor, working as servants to Colonel Vyse. His life was not so good, though, as by all accounts he was disturbed and took to drinking. He ran up debts but I don't know if this was cause or effect. On 13 Sep 1862 he borrowed a gun from a colleague and blew his face off. He was only 36 and was buried in a common grave at the (nearby, famous) Brompton Cemetery on 17 September. 

So, not sure how to proceed with this, I have been asked to return to Working from Home, so will have to drop this for a few days anyway. I will return to you if I can next week.

Thursday 28th May 2020

I became aware that the same records were coming up and much of the work was getting repeated, so moving on from the Wooldridges I moved a step closer, on to the Gambles, where the National Archives digital records gave me 1546 on a search for the surname. I was aware that some were regarding gambling, so decided to turn the method around and search for individuals. On my database I have 72 with that surname, so searched for individuals I know were mine.
I'll get back to you on whether this method is better, and is a more productive use of my time. At the moment the jury is out.

Wednesday 27th May 2020

Much of the same over the past few days. Sunday I examined 15 documents, Tuesday and today 25 apiece. Only a couple of these were mine, and I already had the information. There were some with stories attached which intrigued me but were not my guys. For example Sergeant Samuel Wooldridge, who was born 27 Sep 1872, volunteered for the Royal Marines Light Infantry on 29 Jan 1890 in Portsmouth until 1909, then in several places abroad including Ostende and the Dardanelles in 1916, when he was injured and invalided out with 5 Good Conduct Badges.
Another was the Will of John Wooldridge, corporal in the Marines, Portsmouth, aboard the ship Dido at Bridport, then a patient at British Naval Hospital Leghorn, where he died on 10 Oct 1810, leaving his brother Thomas his executor and sole heir.
Archibald David Wooldridge was born 16 May 1892 in Bere Alston, Devon. The document was the Naval history sheet dating from 1913 until 6 Aug 1920 when he died of multiple injuries. The Court of Enquiry found "Death by Accident as a result of falling through opening from Upper to Lower (illegible) caused by small ducting oval spontaneous combustion, smoke resulting". I'm not really sure what that means, but it sounds jolly dramatic! Apparently "all customary precautions had been taken and therefore no blame is attributable to anyone".
William Henry Wooldridge, "Van Man" from Portsmouth in 1920 "forfeited 21 days pay for drunkenness when on active service".
Thomas Wooldridge born 9 May 1870 in Bow joined the navy in 1885 and died 16 Aug 1915 "when the trawler Japan was blown up". It is unclear whether he was on board or doing the blowing up.
And gas-fitter William Sidney Wooldridge joined the navy in 1909 aged 18, served 4 years then in Oct 1913 at Langhope, Orkneys "drowned through falling overboard from a whaler".
But by far the best story was that of Roy Lance Wooldridge, born 25 Feb 1943, who was in the Royal Engineers, 209 Field Company, in command of a unit involved in Mine lifting operations. Apparently they cleared an entire minefield with extreme expertise, so the rest of the company could pass through and engage the enemy, for which he was awarded the MBE.

Saturday 23rd May 2029

I had 30 more negative records, then got excited when I came across Florence May Elliott Wooldridge, who enlisted in the Queen Mary's Army Auxilliary in 1917, giving her address as Regents Park, London along with her Next of Kin sister N. I have a Florence M E Wooldridge on my tree, but I was disappointed to find she was only 10 and lived in Twickenham. She also didn't have a sister with initial N. But this lady was interesting, so I read on. In 1918 she was posted to Holland Park, 3 miles away, and stayed in a hostel there, then a nurses home, working as "forewoman". Her papers are very detailed, including references for her job, and she was hospitalised for influenza (this was the time of the Spanish Flu epidemic) once in 1918 and then again in 1919. Then on 8 Sep 1919 she was "discharged on compassionate leave", maybe to look after her parents, and it used the term "furlough", which we are again familiar with - in fact this applies to me at this moment. But on this document there is a hand-written note down the side "she has been missing for (illegible) years". This note is undated, and there is nothing to say whether she just did not return! Intriguing. [I see that by the next war she was working in Atlantic City then Ottawa as Companion].
Another intriguing document was a letter from "Henry Wooldridge, Guardian of the Poor of Southampton", requesting of HQ what were the expected qualifications required for the post of Medical Officer. It was dated 22 May 1844, so doesn't match up with any Henry of mine, and the list of requirements is missing from the reply, so frustrating again.
10 more documents weren't mine.

Thursday 21st May 2020

Just an update. Tuesday I studied 35 documents and yesterday 15, all to no avail. Today I did 5 then came across an ancestor I did know, Lewis Richard Wooldridge, who died in action in France on 9 Oct 1916. However, I already knew this information and had it on another medal card.
I also came across an interesting chap, Leonard Gordon Wooldridge, son of an Arthur Tylee Wooldridge, neither of whom I have on my tree, who enlisted on 2 Sep 1914. He was a legal articled clerk from Totnes in Devon and gave his father as Next Of Kin at Ellastone, Camberley, Surrey. Unfortunately his service was not a good experience and he had only been there 119 days when he was discharged and went home. The medical notes say "insomnia melancholia, nervous breakdown". He was only 19. Looking back to 1911 census he can be seen as inmate in the infirmary of Wilson House College in Epsom, so he was already ill. Mind you, he didn't die until 1970, so was OK once he settled down. In 1932 he went on a trip to New York and was listed as a solicitor, and on death he left well over £10,000 (£156k today)

Monday 18th May 2020

I examined another 26 Wooldridge documents on Saturday, then another 24 today, none advancing my trees, but there were lots of little stories popping up along the way. For example, Samuel Otway Wooldridge, who was appointed Lieutenant on 25 Jan 1846, then in 1856 "quitted his station" and was dismissed. He died on 5 Dec 1862, so there may have been a story there. Florence Elizabeth Wooldridge enrolled at RAF Cranwell (in Lincolnshire) and worked as a cook. The trouble was this was in June 1918 and the war only lasted another 5 months and she was discharged on 22 Nov 1918 and went home to her mother Elizabeth at Darby Green, Blackwater, Hampshire. Robert G Wooldridge was sergeant in the Middlesex Regiment, fighting in the Balkans and Died of Wounds but E A Wooldridge earned 2 medals that could not be issued as they had no name for him. Alfred C Wooldridge was a private in Queen's Regiment, fighting in France, was Missing in Action 25 Sep 1915 and his 3 medals were sent home.
None of these were "mine" so I haven't looked into these stories further.

Friday 15th May 2020

After 12 more blanks for Wooldridges I came across a tenuous link which may or may not be real. I found a medal card for a William Wooldridge who earned at least one medal as a private with the Army Veterinary Corps in 1918, but there is a note on the card to the effect that it/they were returned as the "Man was Inmate of Surrey County Asylum, Netherne". I have a Dinah Wooldridge on my tree who lived in the staff cottages there, as her husband worked there, and they had a son called William. However, of course he had her married name of Weller and Dinah had died in 1909. Her husband may well have been there when this soldier was inmate, but I can't locate another link. I found lots of photographs of the asylum (now converted into housing) but cannot access patient records, so I can't see if his home address was familiar.

Then followed a further 14 blanks (the one who may be my great grandfather would be in his fifties, so unlikely).

Thursday 14th May 2020

Yesterday I perused 22 more entries for Wooldridges, all strangers, then today the first record belonged to one of mine, Arthur Edward Wooldridge, who I discovered had a shining career first in the Royal Marines, then in the army. The document here was notification of his promotion from private to acting lieutenant in the Engineers Division of the Marines, dated 5 Jun 1915, but it bore a note dated 31 Jan 1917 that he was being transferred to the army. (By the end of the war I see he received several medals and was a Captain).
Then followed 26 blanks, but when I looked at the medal card of Walter E Wooldridge (not mine) I was shocked to see he was awarded 3 medals for his service, which included fighting in France, but that he died on 11th November 1918, which was of course Armistice Day! Actually, reading round, I see that there was a final 11, not just the 11th day of the 11th month, but on that final day 11,000 men died. A lot of them we can understand more this year than others, as the Spanish Flu epidemic was sweeping through the trenches.

Tuesday 11th May 2020

18 more wills etc for Wooldridges not on my tree, then I had to give up because the Ancestry site was failing. This almost always happens when they open it up to the "public" for free trials.

Sunday 10th May 2020

I soon came across a William Wooldridge but, although I had one in my tree born the same year (1885), this was not him as mine lived in Surrey all his life and this guy was in Warrington, Cheshire with a wife and 4 children when mine was (I think) a chef, unmarried in 1911. The document package contained 18 documents outlining his service in the Household Battalion, but as this only amounted to 181 days, most was an argument about whether he was entitled to a badge, as he was invalided in May 1918 and hostilities ceased in November of that year. So by the time the cogs had ground around to him it was no longer relevant. He did get a pension of 11 shillings, but how much use that was to a 32-year-old I don't know.
After 5 irrelevant wills, I decided I should narrow the search a bit, so included Surrey in the search. There followed 14 records, almost all of which I was sure were not mine. One I knew was; Charles G Wooldridge, but I already had more detail than this card gave me.
Tomorrow (or rather Wednesday) I shall return to the less specific search and hope for the best.

Saturday 9th May 2020

I completed the final 16 Roffey references, finding no more of "mine", although a few were interesting.
But moving onto Wooldridge records, there are 572, so this will take me a while. The first one was Jessie Wooldridge, which is a name on my tree but this is not her. The documents refer to her career as a Staff Nurse at Chatham in WW1 from 1915. However, by that time "my" Jessie was Mrs Carter and living in Twickenham. This story was interesting though as she was dismissed in 1917 for refusing to wear her uniform when she was off duty, which was apparently expected of nursing staff in those days. Her home address in 1915 was familiar to me, as she lived in a part of Bath I know from my work with the Matthews branch (my Dad's tree, so not related at all).
After this good start I hit a bare patch; 5 irrelevant, old wills, some in latin, and the WW1 record of Gilbert de Lacy Wooldridge OBE, who was far too grand and important for my tree!

Friday 8th May 2020

Edward Roffey, see 5th Sep 2014, 23rd Aug 2016 & 20th Apr 2019, but now I have more details at the end of his life. I know at one point I got the Edwards mixed up and thought he died in 1886 at the age of 105 but there is plenty of evidence to support 1853. In fact he was not buried in the plot I was looking at, in Charlton Cemetery, rather in Nunhead Cemetery, which I visited a few years ago. He was interred into plot 23/285 there, where a Charles Roffey had gone in 1841, and 10 other people in 1841 & 1844. I don't know who this Charles was, unless a brother/son I didn't know. Anyway, the document in the National Archives collection is one relating to a claim on behalf of Sarah, his widow, for funds owed to him by Royal Navy (probably pension payments not received), giving date of death as 30 Nov 1853 and confirming the address as 30 Coleman Street. I have referred to this address in the past, so need not do so again.
A James Goldup Roffey appeared, the document giving his naval details, also birth on 19 Dec 1873 in Battersea. I see from Ancestry that he was baptised there, father William mother Elizabeth. He had such an unusual middle name but I couldn't attach him to my tree either with or without it. He enlisted on 19 May 1892 and was sent to the RMLI Portsmouth. He trained there, then was sent out on a couple of ships before returning to Devon in 1895, admitted to hospital in Portland and died of double pneumonia at the age of 23.
I examined 22 more documents but none were "ours". There was one George Francis Atkinson Roffey of interest not merely because he was born (1874) in Bromley, near where I grew up, but that he served 11 years in the Navy then was admitted to a convalescent home in Sydney, Australia in 1900 and hanged himself, aged only 26.

Thursday 7th May 2020

Oddly enough, prior to yesterday I hadn't heard of the Army Cyclist Corps and now I have another. As I only have initials A F, I can't be sure, but think he is not on my tree. This one was awarded the Military Medal in 1917 with the rank of Lance Corporal but that's all I know.
I checked 20 more and was just about to give up when up popped Clifford's 4xgreat uncle Edward Roffey. I don't want to rush it now so I will bring it to you tomorrow.

Wednesday 6th May 2020

I was interested to see on a medal card in the National Archives collection for a Walter Roffey (unfortunately not on my tree) that as well as the Lincolnshire Regiment, he belonged to the Army Cyclist Corps. I was amazed that I had never heard of them, and reading round the subject even more so. I would have thought that my father would have told me about them in one of his many war stories, as in the 1930s he was a member of (and later ran) a cycling club in South London. Apparently the first Cyclist Corps was in North London and over the years that followed corps were formed all over the country. Granted they were abandoned in 1920, 2 years before my Dad was born, but should have been famous. This incidentally entitled Walter Roffey to draw special rations, as the trips they made were often the length and breadth of the country. They weren't often posted abroad (apparently because they were valued too highly!), but sometimes were, in small groups.

One further piece of information I have found does concern one of "our" ancestors; the stoker William Stanfield Roffey, who I told you about on Sunday. I had seen his record up to 1929 and thought that was that. I have now seen a further record that states he made 5 more trips then was pensioned in 1933. After he died in 1938 his widow was paid the pension until 1944, when he was transferred to the "permanently medically unfit roster" and presumably the pension ceased.
Today I examined 25 further Roffey documents but there are lots left.

Tuesday 5th May 2020

Continuing with Roffey records in the National Archives, I did 5 more, with only Edward Charles "ours" and nothing to add. But then Frederick Herbert popped up, who I hadn't reported on before, so here goes. He was first cousin of the guys I mentioned last week, their fathers being brothers. He was born in the April quarter of 1898 (same as his cousin Henry) in Charlton but I can't see a baptism. In 1901 census he can be seen aged 3 living at 106 East Street with parents and 7 siblings, then in 1911 aged 13 with the same at 596 Woolwich Road. This entire area has been redeveloped, so I don't know these addresses specifically, but they appear to be very close to where the other family lived. He too joined up to serve in WW1 on 29 May 1916, at the age of 18, joining the Middlesex branch of the Labour Corps. However, he was involved in an "accident involving a bomb explosion" and was discharged on 29 Apr 1918 with a diagnosis of neurasthenia (mental debilty and fatigue which nowadays would no doubt be called PTSD). He went home to Woolwich Road, where his parents lived with 3 of his brothers, but died within a few months and was buried on 24 Sep in Charlton Cemetery. The plot was already occupied by his sister Martha and brother Joseph, who had died aged 13 and 8 respectively, and their mother joined them 6 years later.
Sidney Herbert Roffey was one with further details in these documents, but I think I already knew them from Ancestry. He rose to rank, unlike most of these guys, and his WW1 medal card was in the name of Warrant Officer. There was one just under S H Roffey, dated 1926 and called him Sergeant Major, but I can't be sure it was him (none of these records state Date of Birth, unfortunately).

Sunday 3rd May 2020

Oddly, every time I recognise someone in the National Archives it fills in a bit more about that one same family. I suppose it's not surprising as there were 11 children. Today, after examining 25 to no avail, I found the eldest of the 11, William Stanfield Roffey. He was like his brothers, conspicuous by his absence after 1911, but now I have more details on him I can see he was put into the Plumstead Workhouse at the age of 10. Maybe he was a sickly child who needed feeding up; he certainly did have a tick by his name to say he was to be given a special diet, although not what that was to be. He was admitted on 4 Mar 1900 and discharged into the care of his father on 6 Mar 1900. 2 days doesn't seem long, but maybe it was enough. Either that or he had been found wandering the streets, the record doesn't say. In March 1911, at the age of 20, he enlisted in the Royal Navy as a Stoker and spent the next 18 years on 35 "periods of servce" aboard very many ships. After demob he worked as a "sink moulder" and lived at 61 Harden's Manor Way, 3 houses from his mother & brothers at no. 67. He was still living at this address when he died aged 46 at St Alphage's Hospital and was buried in Charlton Cemetery, where his brother's family joined him later. I can see that on electoral roll records, he was married and have now located the marriage record. In Jan 1916 he evidently popped home between trips and married Rosina Emily Kemp. Reading around, I see that the HMS Nottingham had returned home for repairs after being torpedoed in 1915, then proceeded after his marriage to take part in the Battle of Jutland. Stephen, his father, died in the August, but I suspect William couldn't be spared to attend... He had one daughter in Jan 1920 and a son in 1921, but we know from 1939 Register that they are both dead. After his death in 1938 Rosina moved to no.66, probably across the road from her mother-in-law. In 20 Sep 1971 she died in Greenwich District Hospital aged 73 (home adress 106 Woodhill) and was buried in Charlton Cemetery.

Saturday 2nd May 2020

I studied 25 more Roffey documents, almost all medal cards and wills, but none was ours. Of some interest was a Miss Harriett Elizabeth Roffey, aged "35¾" and described as a "Gun Cleaner Immobile", recruited in Felixstowe, but, as I say, not "ours". Also one John Horatio Roffey likewise, including lots of detailed information, including his submitted wine bill! He was described as paymaster, so maybe he was entitled...
Then I had another like yesterday, where I knew the basics about George James Roffey in that he was born approx 1894 to Stephen Francis and Martha nee Surtees, so was in fact Henry's brother (3rd of 11 children). He had the same childhood and was also missing after 1911 in my records. Today I found a medal card from WW1 which showed that he joined the London Regiment and was awarded 2 medals in 1919. 1939 Register showed he too had in the mean time got married and in the same year as his brother 1923. However, his wife was from Kingston-upon-Thames and they married in Harlesden. I have only found one child, a daughter Iris Ivy Beatrice (mother was Ivy Rose Mant), born in Oct 1927, although I can't see Iris on the 1939 Register. Unfortunately we know all too well where she was on 20 Mar 1941, at home with her mother. On that day, while George was at work, Ivy and 13-year-old Iris were at home (Iris was at school but it will have been the Easter Holidays). The Blitz started in late 1940 but March 1941 showed a terrifying new development; bombers dropped mines on parachutes, and these detonated when they hit the roof line. This was a favourite area for bombers as it was so close to the Woolwich Arsenal. On 20 March one fell on 98 Eastmoor Street and killed 9 people, including Ivy (aged 43 at the time) and Iris (13). Actually, reading round, I see she may have been at home due to the bombing of her school in previous weeks. Both were buried at Charlton Cemetery. When George died 17 years later, he was living at 106 Woodhill, where their mother had died 9 years before, although his death was registered in Dartford. He was buried with Ivy and Iris in Charlton Cemetery.

Friday 1st May 2020

Continuing with the National Archives documents, largely tedious but I thought I would show you how this can be productive. Yesterday I perused 9 more Roffeys, all of which weren't "mine" until I got to Henry Arthur. All I knew about him was his childhood, the fact that he was born in 1899 (approx), 5th of 11 children, to Stephen Francis Roffey and Martha nee Surtees and was at home with them and lots of siblings in 1901 & 1911 at 67 Hardens Manor Way, Woolwich, where his parents had lived since marriage, and his mother (previously a haberdasher but by then retired) and a couple of brothers were still there in 1939. Henry, along with lots of his siblings, had meanwhile vanished. Martha died in 1949 at another address in Woolwich, 106 Woodhill and was buried on 11th Apr at Charlton Cemetery. A document popped up yesterday with his name on, dated 8 Feb 1924. It described him as a Cable Hand aged 25 living at 8 Arthur Street, Plumstead, working for Siemens Bros. of Woolwich. It seems he had been involved in an incident and was admitted to the Dreadnought Seamen's Hospital with "severe burns of the eyeball". There was also in the Archive a Medal Card, showing that he had joined up in 1914 (possibly lying about his age as he was barely 16. At the end of WW1 he was awarded 2 medals with "clasp and roses" for service to the ASC (Army Service Corps) in the Motor Ambulance Unit. The hospital record told of his discharge on 6 Mar 1924, supposedly "cured" and a newspaper of the time spoke of a payment to him and one other man of £50 each for their trouble. If the poster above was correct, this was almost 6 months pay. His address at this point, 8 Arthur Street, Plumstead, which if it is now called Arthur Grove, was 2 miles east of "home". The next we see he is living almost back at Hardens Manor Way, at Westmoor Street, nowadays a run-down industrial estate, in 1939 and he is married to a Florence Annie. This did confuse me for a while, as the only marriage I could find was to an Annie M Edwards in Woolwich in 1923, which was before he was in hospital. But looking at the hospital record I can see it doesn't say one way or the other. So I think he married this lady (known as Annie) and then moved back "home" after his accident. In 1939 there was a closed record, which could be a son or daughter, but another child 10-year-old Jean Coates was with them, possibly an evacuee. Oh, and he was still a cable worker, by now "Head Cable Worker, heavy work". The next we hear is his death, registered in Wesminster in Aug 1967, cremated at Eltham Crematorium on 18 Aug 1967, giving home address as 139 Plumstead Common Road. He was 69 and retired. His wife followed 16 years later, and was also cremated there. The odd thing to me was that my father was cremated there only 3 years later (this is my father-in-law's tree and even he didn't know this branch). Plumstead Common Road is near to Arthur Street, and Florence's address when she died was 12 Nightingale Vale, also nearby (modern blocks now), although she actually died in Greenwich District Hospital.

Wednesday 29th April 2020

I studied 63 Roffey documents, but most were much too early for my tree. Almost all were wills and also available on the Ancestry site. Sir James and the Edwin Thomas Roffey, assistant surgeon, who died aboard HMS Wasp were there, but I knew about them already. An ancestor called Carew Roffey, may be the father of my oldest Roffey, Edward, and I have his will. So must do some more investigating at some point as he (Edward) is a direct ancestor, Clifford's 4xgreat grandfather.

Tuesday 28th April 2020

As Ancestry was very unhappy yesterday, I didn't get far. As I said, I had to cut down the Samways search using the term Dorset, and managed to cut it down to 63, then 4, 3 of which I had already via Ancestry. I then moved on to the Roffey branch of Clifford's tree, almost all of them from Woolwich and Greenwich. Using those terms I found 5, three of which were "mine" but I had already. Removing the place-names gave me 292, so I shall have to be more stringent in which ones I open. I shall continue with this tomorrow.

Sunday 26th Apr 2020

Today I looked at 106 more Hodd documents, downloading no more, as of the 9 other who were "ours", these had already been provided by Ancestry.

The next name to research is Samways, and there are 459 documents to work on. As all "my" twigs are from Dorset, I shall only consider those concerning that county i.e. 63, much more manageable. I have today done 23 of these, 16 of which I could have got from Ancestry anyway, but they were too early for my tree. One of these days I may develop the tree and take it back as far as these 16th and 17th Century records, and I will know where to look.

Saturday 25th April 2020

On with the National Archive records again.

I finished the Manhires from yesterday, only finding one worth downloading, then moved on through the Catchesides (2 of 24 *) and the Hennigs (none). I am proceeding with the Hodds now, so far downloading one will (from 11 documents). The interesting thing there was a James, who I knew about, and the possible wills of his brother and son, both Richards. They are difficult to read, so will file them for another day. * Although I only found 2 new documents for the Catcheside branch, what I did find was most satisfying. I knew that Sidney George Catchesides died in Flanders in 1918, and is commemorated on the Ploegsteert memorial there, but I see now that he had married before he left these shores and had a son and a daughter before he died. Also his brother Albert was with him in WW1 and returned. He immediately married in 1919 and had a son himself. All this from medal awards including middle names!

Friday 24th April 2020

The National Archives have opened up their site for free access to certain records, so I shall spend today searching for anything relevant I cannot get elsewhere. Don't hold your breath, though, as I'm not certain of anything after my previous attempts.

I can report that today I have located and downloaded 10 new documents regarding "my" Retallicks, and examined 43 more who were not relevant. I have listed another 20 Manhires for tomorrow, although I already did some of these before.

Thursday 23rd April 2020

Mary Retallick 3, see 13th June 2017, I now have baptism scan and marriage but no death scan, I'm afraid.
There was another John Miners in the area who confused me, but he was 3 years younger and a sailor ("our" John lived up to his name as a miner). I'm almost disappointed, as he was a felon and there are some fascinating stories told about his larceny. He started at age 11, running away from the Union Workhouse, taking the clothes with him and ended up in Australia. Just to confuse, he died in 1911 too.

Mary Ann Retallick, see 12th Dec 2012, baptism scan and burial scan.

Mary Anne Retallick, see 20th June 2017, baptism scan. I was quite excited by the abode noted as "barges", but as Henry was a tinner, I assume it was a house by that name, not a boat. In 2017, her story stopped there, but I have found her in 1851 census living next door to her parents, so can fill in the rest. Instead of working as a servant in Falmouth, which I proposed in 2017, she married Samuel Peters on 11 May 1837 in St Austell. They can be seen in census of 1841 at Livrean Moor, St Austell with a son Woodman Peters, then 1851 (as I said) next door to her parents, Samuel working as an iron miner. Her brother Luke's household was 3 houses away, and Samuel was running a grocer's shop. As I can't find any further censuses for her or Samuel, I believ the death in 1859 of fever and burial in St Blazey may be hers, which may be why she only had 3 children. Also, the death I have for Samuel was in USA, although I cannot find emigration documents, I think he may have left these shores after her death. Both sons can be seen in the 1861 census without parents, so mother may have died in 1859 and father went abroad then. Eden Ann was only 11 but was mis-spelled in a variety of ways, so I only pick her up again at her marriage.

Mary Anne Retallick 2, see 13th Dec 2012, who emigrated to Australia and had 3 children then died in childbirth aged 23. Nothing new.

Sunday 19th April 2020

Maria Retallick, see 9th Dec 2012 & 12th June 2017, baptism scan, marriage and burial, also that of her husband 17 years later

Marina Retallick, see 12th June 2017, baptism scan. Unfortunately I cannot track down a parish for their marriage, although it was registered in Bodmin and the following year they can be seen living in St Leonards. I also cannot find scans of burial for either.

Martin Drew Retallick, see same date, I don't think he was baptised, but I have a burial scan

Mary Retallick 1, see 11th Dec 2012 & 13th June 2017.No scan of baptism as those in Durham stop in 1897 and no scans in Devon for burial.

Mary Retallick 2, see 13th June 2017, scan of baptism, marriage, both in St Wenn, and burials in St Columb Major:

Saturday 18th April 2020

Luke Retallick Senior, see 12th June 2017, baptism scan, marriage scan, burial and that of his wife. Another new record is the electoral roll of 1885, showing Luke Senior at Lockengate, where he had a dwelling house.

His son Luke Retallick Jun, see same, I have baptism scan but no marriage scan, I'm afraid, or burial. Again, I have electoral roll records for 1885. He was living at "Lavrean, leasehold houses on lives"

Margery Honor Retallick, see same date, nothing new

I will stop here for now, as Ancestry is having intermittent faults.

Friday 17th April 2020

You may remember that last June Findmypast included in their records a lot of the Greater London Burials. I trawled through, cross-referencing everybody and found a few bits useful, but in the long run decided it hadn't been worth doing. Today they have extended their cover and added Surrey Burials. Learning from my previous experience, I won't go through the trees again (I do have over 13,000 ancestors on 4 trees) but will endeavour to include the new records in my regular update searches.

Thursday 16th April 2020

Lilian Maud Retallick, see 11th June 2017, baptism scan but as they took place in Devon (scans for that county not available) there are none for marriage or burials

Louisa Retallick 1, see 11th June 2017, who was not baptised, either in 1869 or 1875, the two "incarnations". Of their four girls, Allivyan and Mary only baptised the last, Emily. The first "version" died before she was 2 and I now have her burial scan. I cannot locate her marriage; I thought it was in Roche but wasn't. One of the other villages around maybe, as it was registered in the St Austell district. When Joseph died in 1946 he was buried in the Parish Council Cemetery in Roche, and Louisa followed him 14 years later. The memorial inscription reads:
In loving memory of Joseph beloved husband of Louisa Hosking, died 18 Oct 1946 aged 77 years
Also of the above named Louisa Hosking, died 3 May 1960 aged 84 years.
(I did not know the surname when I visited the graveyard, so did not snap a photo.)
Her burial record gives her address as Providence House, Carthew 

Louisa Retallick 2, see also 11th June 2017, scan of baptism. She didn't marry and died in the October quarter of 1865 in the Bodmin registration area, probably Luxulyan as she was living in Ennis 4 years before, in the census. If she was buried at Ennis her stone was probably illegible, as I have no photograph. I suspect this is the case, as she doesn't appear in scans of Bodmin or Luxulyan.

Louisa Retallick 3, see same, was baptised with her brother Willie Courtney on 31 Jul 1870. I can't locate the marriage in Luxulyan as it seems to jump from April to December. Also, with the burial records the one for Rochard in 1949 gives a different wife name, so must be the one in 1951. Louisa died in 1949 but scans don't go that far.

Saturday 11th April 2020

Lavinia Ann Retallick, Oliver's grandmother, see 19th June 2017 and 4th Feb 2017. Baptism scan and marriage(she was under age as was 19. Evidently grandma Tahpenes was already in evidence, as she was born 3 months later). As I told before, she died in the Bodmin Asylum in 1904 and husband Robert had a stone made for her plot in Treverbyn Cemetery. He joined her there 4 years later and had the lower part of the inscription added.

Lilian Retallick, see 9th Dec 2012 & 11th June 2017. Nothing new - her story was quite complicated enough!

Friday 10th April 2020

John Robert Smith Retallick, see 3rd Dec 2012 & 9th June 2017, Oliver's second cousin. This is the main reason for doing this updating process, it may be boring for you to read "nothing new" so many times but occasionally one comes along... I discovered today that JRS married twice! I hadn't noticed that when he was discharged from the army in 1917, he went home to Ulverston to recover from "sickness" then the following year he was married there to Ethel Lane, daughter of an ironworks labourer who died when she was 12, listed in 1911 aged 15 as a papermill hand. They had one son John George but Ethel died in 1926 aged only 30. JRS remarried two years later and the rest you know.

Joseph Nicholls Retallick, see 10th June 2012, nothing new, including where they went after 1881.

Kitty Retallick, see 10th June 2017, baptism scan and burial scan. Her husband, John Martyn, has a couple of scans too. (I currently cannot access his burial - hope to get back to you with that)

Thursday 9th April 2020

Despite their announcements, the National Archives still haven't been able to release their free records. I have given up trying, for now, but hope something comes of this.

Sunday 5th April 2020

An advantage of the lockdown we are experiencing due to the Covid 19 pandemic and subsequent closure of public buildings, including Archives, the National Archive is closed and they have just released some records into the public domain free of charge. So today I decided to peruse these.

Unfortunately my first impression is that they are well hidden, as my searches lead to dead ends. However, as this situation is to last 3 months, I shall continue to search and bring you anything I find.

Saturday 4th April 2020

John Retallick 10, see 30th Sep 2012, marriage scan

John Retallick 11, see 25th Sep 2012 According to his obituary he had 10 children, so I am missing one. His will was executed by son George on 6 May 1921 (10 months after his death) and filed the following month, but the death did not appear on the Death Index until 1926. A week after his death Jane wrote her will, leaving everything split equally between daughter Charlotte and sons George and Samuel. She died 24 May 1924.

John Retallick 12, see 9th June 2017, nothing new except electoral roll records extending his residence at Sandygate from 1929. However, of course these lists do not state whether invalid.

John Courtney Retallick, see 6th Oct 2012 & 9th June 2017, baptism scan. Other new records are electoral rolls, showing 1922-1931 John Courtney and Mary Elizabeth lived at Stenalees with other family members Woodman, Emmeline and their sons. In 1930 they split into separate households and John & Mary were at 1 Wesley Cresent (where they remained, possibly until they died).

Tuesday 31st March 2020

John Retallick 7, see 22nd Sep 2012. I cannot locate scan of baptism, but can of marriage, his burial and that of his wife

John Retallick 8, see 6th Oct 2012, which tells how I have doubts about this branch, so won't spend any time on it.

John Retallick 9, see 2nd Oct 2012 baptism scan, marriage, his burial and his wife's.

Sunday 29th March 2020

John Retallick 4, see 9th June 2017, nothing new but I can see on the burial record that home address was Bowdens. Unfortunately I can't discover location of this farm, or a photograph.

John Retallick 5, see 12th & 30th Sep 2012. Baptism scan and marriage.(There are records from Bodmin Gaol, the first dated 1831, giving the right birth date and place and the fact that he had 5 children at this time, which I thought was him, however, this is followed by 2 more, in 1835 stating 5 children when he had 6 by then, and 1847, giving his wife's name as Mary Ann and his occupation as miner. So I conclude this was not him. The offenses were all stealing and the final record says he was sentenced to 7 years in prison). He was landowner at Tremoderet in 1837, leasing the farm to William Rowse (some relative of his wife, presumably) and 1851-7 at Bowdens, which he farmed himself until retiring back to Tremoderet.

John Retallick 6, see 11th Sep 2012, baptism scan

Tuesday 24th March 2020

John Retallick 1 (Senior), see 23rd May 2017, I have scans of the record books; baptism,  marriage, burial 1799
and that of his wife Elizabeth in 1788

John Retallick 2 (Junior), see same, scans of baptism, marriage, burial 1826 and his wife Catherine in 1796
Oh, and I have seen a Land Tax document, stating that he paid 3s 4d to Lord Edgecombe as rent for the farm for the year 1799.

John Retallicks 3, see 9th June 2017, baptism scan is in awful condition but it reads "John son of Henrey & Elizabeth Retallick baptd Mar 2nd". There is no scan of their marriage, it took place in Hampshire. The burial scan is very blotty and his age was 76, although it appears to have been overwritten as 16!) His wife Sarah, as I said, returned to Ladock after his death and died there 24 years later.

Monday 23rd March 2020

James John Retallick, see 8th Sep 2012 & 22nd May 2017, I have now located his baptism; he was baptised at the Zoar Chapel by the Luxulyan Bible Christians on 1 Dec 1857. I won't bring you a picture of this chapel as the current one "only" dates from 1888. The other new records are directory entries from 1902, Coal Agent at Fore Street, Bovey Tracey, then 1914-1923 where he was farming at Westerbrook Farm, where he died.

Jane Retallick 1, see 22nd May 2017, nothing new but I think she died Apr 1808 in St Wenn

Jane Retallick 2, see same, nothing new

Jenifer Retallick, see 23rd May 2017, marriage scan

Jennifer Retallick 2, see same, also marriage scan, this time Pallot's cards. She was only married for 8 years, Joseph dying in 1808 aged 53, but they managed to produce 5 children in this time.

Saturday 21st March 2020

James Retallick 1, see 8th Sep 2012 & 22nd May 2017, nothing new

James Retallick 2, see 8th Sep 2012, where I gave lots of detail. Nothing new.

James Retallick 3, see 22nd May 2017. Baptism scan but nothing else, unfortunately. One possibility is a marriage to Elizabeth Hitchens on 2 May 1822 in St Wenn. The James there is described as Yeoman and one of the witnesses is a William Retallick, possibly his brother. There is a burial record for a James in 1850 in Tremoderet, but nothing to link him to "ours".

James Retallick 4, see same, when I stated that he went to Australia in the 1860s wto join his brother and died there in 1882. Now, I know Retallick is an unusual name internationally but locally is common, so there were a lot of James Retallicks scattered across the Cornwall records. I have now found a burial for James on 12 Aug 1853, giving the address Polskeys (which the Australian documents did not). The age at death was transcribed as 46, but I believe it is not a 6, compared to a 6 a few lines above. Looking at the passenger list to Australia it just says "Jas & Mrs Retallick", so possibly Mary Ann did not go either. There is a possible burial record dated 1888 but the trouble with that is I can't find censuses for 1861-81

James Retallick 5, see same, nothing new

Tuesday 17th March 2020

Henry Retallick 1, see 19th May 2017, Oliver's 4g-uncle. Just a couple of new bits; a record of apprentices including him and a Richard Hawke in 1804. He was 76, so presumably Richard was his apprentice - or of course that of his son of the same age. Also a Land Tax bill for 12s paid to Grace Slyman in rent, dated 1798.

Henry Retallick 2, see 19th May 2017, son of Henry 1 above, nothing new

Henry Retallick 3, see same, nothing new

Hester Retallick, his daughter, see same. Baptism scan but no confirmation of the conjecture regarding other records

Hugh Retallick, see 20th May 2017, only electoral roll record of 1931 showing him with his parents and brothers Ralph & Raymond at 8 Council Houses, Stenalees (possibly now Stenalees Hill). In 2003 the electoral roll record shows Muriel just up the road, at 56 Stannary Road and this was where she lived when she died in 2006.

Isabella Retallick, see 20th May 2017, nothing new
 
Sunday 15th March (beware!)

Harriett Retallick, see 17th May 2017. She had a life-style that may make a good novel. New records are: baptism scan, admission to the Bodmin Asylum, when she was 42 and subsequent death when she was 62. Apparently she was epileptic and had dementia. I can also see she was listed at the attached workhouse in censuses of 1881 & 1891. She gave her age as 29 and 16 respectively (really 49 and 59, someone wasn't caring enough to look into that - or too busy)

Harry Retallick, see 18th May 2017, where I gave all the details, but there are no new records.

Hart Retallick, see 28th Aug 2012 & 19th May 2017, nothing new.

Saturday 14th March 2020

Findmypast have been in touch again in the runup to St Patrick's Day, reminding me that I still have much work to do on my paternal irish tree. However, as it is such a formidable task, I shall leave it until it crops up in the "rota", later in the year

Guy Wallace Retallick, see 17th May 2017. No new records, but I will repeat here the details from his obituary I posted in 2017. He was actively connected with Bugle United Methodist Church, local preacher on the local Methodist circuits. He loved music and for several years was a member of Stenalees Band. He was interred in Treverbyn Cemetery.

Hannah Retallick, see 17th May 2017. I tried to study her husband, but it seems there were several Benjamin Julyan\Julians in St Austell, oddly enough. The one who appears to fit best died 3 years before the birth of youngest son Joseph, so I am loath to suggest him. I have baptism scan and marriage scan but I still cannot match up a death for her; there are several, either mentioning people I don't know or in the wrong place. I doesn't help that there are several alternative spellings for both her names.

Tuesday 10th March 2020

Francis Arthur Retallick, see 15th May 2017, nothing new

Frederick Guy Retallick, see 21st Aug 2012 & 16th May 2017, baptism scan but none for marriage or burial, I am afraid.

Frederick Maunder Retallick, see same dates. I have baptism scan. For marriage scan see 2017, no burial unfortunately.However, I can see his wartime schedule:
21 Feb 1918 enlisted 1st battalion WOR
8 Mar 1918 transferred to Machine Gun Depot Toronto
4 Aug 1918 travelled Halifax NS to Liverpool (arrived 15 Aug)
9 Nov 1918 to France
16 May 1919 back to England
23 May 1919 discharged
19 Jun 1919 medical on demob
He may have been stationed in Yorkshire, met and married Ann there, Canadian documents only state "England". After marriage in Yorkshire, they may well have returned to Cornwall to resume his job in the China Clay industry. Son Frank was born there in 1926. 

Gordon Edmund Luke Retallick, see 16th May 2017. The gravestone I featured before has been updated (2018) as Irene has joined him. I assume she was related to Joseph I featured on Sunday, as it is such an unusual name.

Gordon Reginald Retallick, see 21st Aug 2012 & 16th May 2017, nothing new

Grace Retallick 1, see 16th May 2017, dates of baptism and burial confirmed but no scans

Grace Retallick 2, see same, baptism scan but I can't locate anything else. If she died in 1788 her mother's name was wrong on the document (but it's not her - see below).

Grace Retallick 3, see same, died aged 10, nothing new

Grace Retallick 4, see same, married John Bennett. Nothing new.

Grace Retallick 5, see same, died aged 3: baptism scan and burial scan (this was the death I referred to with mother Catherine)

Grace Retallick 6, see same, nothing new.

Grace Retallick 7, see same, baptism scan, marriage scan and burial scan

Monday 9th March 2020

Eulalia Ellen Retallick, see 20th Aug 2012, baptism scan. As she never married, the only document is electoral roll of 1912, showing she was the only one at 16 Blakes Road, Peckham with a vote.. So rather than lodging with her sister and famuly, as I thought, it looks as though she owned the property and rented it out to the Kents. Looking more closely at the 1911 census, she was a shopkeeper who worked on her "own account" at home, so 16 Blakes Road was a shop. Neighbours either side were greengrocer and shoe-repairer, both working from home, but I can't find old pictures. As I said, the road is now full of modern flats. She died there aged 78 and was buried 30 Jun 1933 in Nunhead Cemetery.

Ewart Balthazar Walter Retallick, see 20th Aug 2012 & 14th May 2017, I have a few more details regarding his war service. He served in the Royal Lancs Regiment (King's Own), as I said, from 1916. He was posted to France 1917, then discharged with a pension 6 Sep 1918 due to disability arising from gun-shot wounds of his left arm. He died at the age of 70 on 27 Mar 1969, when he was living in a caravan site in Havering, leaving £2859.

Frances Retallick, see 14th May 2017, I needed to sort her husband out. He can be seen after her death in 1851 census, but it is in bad condition and thus his age has been wrongly transcribed as 50 rather than 80. He was at Higher Woon, farmer of 35 acres, assisted by sons William and John. Also living there were John's wife and baby son, his namesake. So when he died aged 74 he was buried in Roche churchyard on 16 Jan 1856.

Francis Retallick 1, see 15th May 2017. One new record I have found features him; he is on the 1799 land tax list, noted as paying rent on 2 estates to Lord Falmouth - one "Mitchell's land" with 2 others George Barratt and Peter Harwood £1 8s and one "Gibb's land" £1 - in St Enoder. I was able then to confirm his death on 11 Oct 1805 as his will concerns land called "Mitchell's". I have also seen that he subscribed to poetry in 1780 at the address of Mitchell's (this was before his marriage). Another document suggests Ann died in 1795, although I can't pin this down to a burial.

Francis Retallick 2, see 15th May 2017, where I told about Kitty in gaol. I have found an earlier case, 1836 to be exact, when Francis was called by Bodmin Debtors' Court to account for debts he owed Lydia Oakley to the sum of £73 (a fortune in those days!) and he was charged £4 costs too. He presumably didn't have the money (they had 2 children and one on the way), as he was incarcerated for a week in Bodmin gaol). I also have a scan of his burial record.

Sunday 8th March 2020

Elizabeth Retallick 5, see 18th Aug 2013 & 12th May 2017, where I gave many details.Also I have seen a lot of detail about their children, especially son Smith William Giles Retallick, who joined the Australian Imperial Force in Aug 1915. He stated he was a chauffeur, but didn't mention a foot injury he had sustained just a month earlier in a fall from a motor cycle. He was posted to 6 places over the next year but all the marching made his foot worse and in Sep 1916 he was discharged. 

Elizabeth Ann Retallick 1, see 20th Aug 2012 & 12th May 2017, she was the lady who went to Australia with her family but returned to Woodman Pascoe, who may have been her childhood sweetheart. They had one child out of wedlock, then 9 in. I still can't find her return journey to UK, but I did find a W Pascoe travelling out to Australia in 1863. As she had their first son the following year, it may have been him. 

Elizabeth Ann Retallick 2, see 12th May 2017. Nothing new.

Emily Ann Retallick, see 20th Aug 2012 & 13th May 2017, I didn't say anything about her husband Joseph Sandercock. He was born in the Luxulyan area, address on baptism given as Rosevean to John & Elizabeth Jane, baptised in Treverbyn on 16 Jun 1878 and grew up in Luxulyan, in a house called Minorca, attending Lockingate Infant School. They married in Apr 1903 in the St Austell area. He died on 21 Mar 1934, was buried in St Stephen in Brannel churchyard. The inscription, says: In memory of Joseph Sandercock beloved husband of Emily died 21st Mar 1934 aged 56 years. Also Emily died 18th Aug 1973 aged 90 years"

Ernest Retallick, see 20th Aug 2012 & 14th May 2017. He must have returned to UK around 1933 as I have found him, marrying Phyllis M Kent in St Austell in Apr 1935 then in 1939 Register at 16 Grove Road, St Austell (the address where he died 35 years later). Ernest is listed as Chinaclay Kilnsman (Heavy Work) and Phyllis UDD.There is also a closed file, which I think is daughter Jennifer, who was 4. Ernest died in 1974 and I have located the gravestone. Phyllis joined him 22 years later. Incidentally, Ernest, Phyllis and Eryl died at 16 Grove Road over a 43 year period. Jennifer married and may well be still alive, albeit in her mid-80s

Saturday 7th March 2020

Elfrida Retallick, see 14th Aug 2012, nothing new

Elison Gordon Retallick, see13th Aug 2012 & 12th May 2017, nothing new

Elizabeth Retallick 1, see 12th May 2017, Oliver's 4x great-aunt. nothing new

Elizabeth Retallick 2, see same, nothing new

Elizabeth Retallick 3, see same, I have seen the Pallot's card for her marriage but nothing more

Elizabeth Retallick 4, see same, several deaths, but none definitive. Richard can be seen in 1841 census with son John & family, at Gwennap. Thus the death in 1952 was too late. I favour 1838 but it is Hawkey, the one in 1800 may be the one, following the birth of Richard junior, but I would have expected Richard senior to have remarried. There are many possible marriages, but nothing to back any of these up. And she would have to have died before 1841, which is of course perfectly feasible.

Wednesday 4th March 2020

Back to the jolly old trees. Continuing from 12th February below

Donald Retallick, see 7th Aug 2012 & 9th May 2017, nothing new as too recent for scans

Eden Retallick, see 7th Aug 2012 & 12th May 2017. A fellow genealogist has photographed her grave in Moorefields Methodist Cemetery, Kingsgrove, NSW, Australia.

Edgar Retallick 1, see 7th Aug 2012. Nothing new.

Edgar Retallick 2, see same dates. New information is his admission to Chapel Street National School (boys) on 27 Jun 1898, transferred from Ulverston National School, with his brother John (aged 3). And electoral roll records in 1921-1924 at 16 Upper Brook Street, followed by 1924-31 at 3 Ainslie Street, on his marriage, at first with brother Austell too until his marriage. As I said before, Mystic lived here until she died there in 1976.

Edmund Thomas Retallick, see 13th Aug 2012 & 12th May 2017, a new document that has come to light is dated 1 Jul 1873 and is the Bodmin court record of 4 people accused of a case of larceny. They are Eliza and her daughter Eliza Ann, a 16-year-old servant, one Mary Franklin and a Samuel Furze. Eliza Ann was accused of stealing from her employers and her mother with receiving stolen goods. I don't know who the others were, but they were all acquitted anyway. Eliza was 47 at the time and died 2 years later, after which her daughter got a place in London, had one illegitimate son then married and settled.

Eleanor Ruth Retallick, see 12th May 2017, nothing new

Tuesday 3rd March 2020

Wooldridge stories in chronological order, as usual
William Wooldrige was reported in the Tmes 5 Feb 1813 having 2 dwelling houses at 10 & 11 John Street, Blackfriars Road, Lambeth on lease for a rent of £50 p.a. This was a little early for "my" Wooldridges; they were in rural Surrey in the early years of the century.
A Mr Wooldridge, cheesemonger at 20 Everett Street, Russell Square advertised in the Morning Post (MP) in 1813 for a nurse, 1818 for a groom, 1819 for cook/housekeeper. Again too early for us.
Thomas Wooldrige (MP 16 May 1836) was sentenced to death at the Od Bailey. All the newspaper said was this fact, so I have examined the court records for the whole story. In summary, Thomas was employed as a coachman and on 5 May 1826 he took a customer Mr Owen back to his lodgings at Oliver's Coffee House in Westminster, and charged 12s for the fare. There was an altercation due to the fact that Mr Owen was quite deaf and others thought this an extortionate fare. During the confusion Thomas disappeared and Mr Owen later discovered his purse (which he had placed on the bar) was missing. The jury found Thomas guilty of stealing the purse plus 6 sovreigns but the sentence was quashed due to a petition raised by his friends/customers who said he was of good character. He had been imprisoned 10 years before, but they evidently did not know this and I can't see whether that sentence took place. I cannot pin him to my tree, as the only Thomas I have was born 16 years before him, but lived in the same road as the coach business, ?coincidence.
James Wooldridge, reported by the Morning Post on 7 Nov 1843, was a costermonger, also living there (it's a shame that most of the streets in Vauxhall are no longer in existence due to wartime bombing and/or railway development).
"My" James didn't come to London, and died in Surrey in 1853.
Mary Ann Wooldridge lived in the correct part of Surrey, but as the Times announced in 1847 she drowned aged 12, and "mine" lived to be married, although she died aged 23 in 1862.
Mary Wooldridge brought her husband to court for bigamy. The story sounds like something from a soap! I don't have a Mary who matches
Harry Wooldridge (MP Sep 1854) bookseller of 82 Strand, London declared bankrupt. He had debts of £6000 when the company profits were only £1000. He appealed but the estate was broken up. It is currently an Itsu sushi restaurant.
James Warwick Wooldridge was also in the court of bankrupcy, according to MC 18 Nov 1854. He was shipowner of 21 Martin's Lane, Cannon Street, filed as bankrupt and ordered to join the Foreign Legion, with temporary rank of Colonel. He is not on my tree but I see from articles online that he was born in Cornwall, became Brigadier General and died in India. He had 6 sons, one with the same name. I cannot link up with any of these.
Henry John Wooldridge died aged 12, so was evidently not my great-grandfather of the same name, who everyone called Grampy. This one was bitten by a rabid dog and died of the disease, reported in Daily News 14 Sep 1875. All the surrounding area has been redeveloped, so the addresses are long gone.
Thomas Wooldridge was guard on a train to Hampton Court 11 Sep 1880, injured in a collision at Nine Elms (the area featured above). The train was damaged and so removed, he was hospitalised but recovered. It appears in the list of rail accidents on Wikipedia:
"September 11, 1880 – United Kingdom – A London and South Western Railway passenger train collided with a light engine at Nine Elms Locomotive Junction, London due to errors by signalmen and the fireman of the light engine. Seven people were killed."
The only Thomas on my tree had been dead for 18 years.

This was interesting, and no doubt made a change for you. However it ultimately was unproductive, so I will return to the usual updating procedure from tomorrow.

Monday 2nd March 2020

Next I moved onto my own family, but immediately had the problem of searching with a very common name. Matthews searches gave me many thousands of hits, so I specified only the Bath Chronicle. Unfortunately the collection stopped at 1790, so very much limited my list. Sometimes you can't win!
Captain Matthews was a water-bailiff (river police) based in Bristol, and the BC reported on 17 May 1787 the death of his wife and then on 16 Apr 1789 his daughter "in the bloom of youth". I have seen another document dated 1791, giving his name as Isaac Matthews, so I believe this must be him. Unfortunately I do not have an Isaac on this tree.
William Matthews was a very influential man in the area at the time, a founder member of the Bath Agricultural Society and subsequently helping to form the Philosophical Society. Originally a Quaker, he worked against them in the fight against slavery. He can be seen in the newspapers selling seed, agricultural tools and ultimately property. My tree contains several Williams, but the two closest contenders, father and son, both died several years before this.
James Matthews appeared at Hereford Assizes (BC 9 Aug 1787) along with James Hughes and Thomas Whittington. They were all accused of theft and picking pockets and sentenced to 7 years transportation despite being young lads (Thomas was only 13). I don't have a James on my tree who fits.
Another William Matthews appeared at Dorchester Assizes in Mar 1790, convicted of housebreaking. His dob would be 1768, which doesn't match mine either.

The Hennigs are difficult as they only came over to this country in 1845 and the newspaper collection did not cover what was known as Prussia then. There were several advertisements for Hennig Bros, billiards suppliers of 11 High Street, London WC, Ewald and William, established 1862. But only one appropriate article appeared on the search:
August R Hennig at St Martin-in-the-Fields married Nellie, daughter of Mr T R Hill of Finborough Road, West Brompton on 29 Mar. (Pall Mall Gazette 31 Mar 1876). He was my great-uncle, half-brother of grandmother Flo. From this account I have found his wife's parents, and the address where they lived and died.

The Catchesides branch was very frustrating. With such a rare name I had high hopes, but of 168 hits, all but one were discountable immediately. Most of these were concerning a cricketer by this name who had nothing to do with me.
Matthew Catchesides was reported on 4 Jun 1871 in the Evening Standard, as one of the creditors of William Jordan from Norbiton, Surrey, who died in June 1868. Full details were being requested, he living out of the area. Matthew was a butcher in Greenwich, so maybe William Jordan had been one of his customers and run up a tab. I hope he got in touch, but suspect not as in 1871 census Matthew called himself a cab-driver, so the butchery business was presumably over. He didn't have a good final few years; first his wife died, then he went into the Workhouse and finally to the workhouse infirmary, where he died.

The surname Woodford was far too common and most of my tree was in Leicestershire, not covered in the collection.

Wooldridge was better, despite repeat appearances of an irrelevant naval lieutenant/surgeon. I shall bring you the final stories tomorrow.

Sunday 1st March 2020

Amy Samways, aged 14 and on remand, stole a black satchel, gold watch, scent bottles and various other things to the value of almost £10, the property of Annie Wren, from Belvedere, Kent in West Street, Fareham. The satchel was in a bassinette, left with Amy's sister Laura while they shopped but returning home found the satchel missing. The loss was advertised for a week in the Evening News and a brooch was handed in by Laura (Mrs Etherington, wife of the landlord of the Robin Hood pub). Amy gave several conflicting statements to the police and she had a criminal record. She pleaded guily and this time was given 10 days imprisonment in Winchester gaol and 3 years in a reformatory. I have tracked down an Amy, daughter of Matilda & John but not "ours".
Finally, HA 3 Nov 1900 reported on William Samways, a "half-witted fellow", convicted of being drunk and disorderly in Cheesehill Street, Winchester and fined 1s with 8s costs.

To follow the branch of Clifford's tree involving the Roffeys, I had to specify the London area, but couldn't drill the search down to Greenwich/Woolwich as I would like to. So again many of these are not related to my family. I did study this branch in 2014, 2016 and 2019 so you may want to use the tabs above to cross-reference.
Firstly there was a Mr Roffey who was formerly ballet-master at Drury Lane Theatre. The Morning Post (MP) reported on 19 Feb 1802 that he was in court facing a Miss Richers. Apparently he had made a contract with her mother to take her as an apprentice for 3 years, then find her employment for payment of half her salary. Unfortunately at the end of the 2nd year they were both discharged from the theatre and he could not find her employment. So she found herself an engagement and kept her salary but he brought this court action to recover his part. It was stated that she hadn't "intended to harm him but the contract was void", The jury, unsurprisingly, found for her.

There were in the newspapers of that time a lot of advertisements and articles relating to a Mrs Roffey regarding Circus, Opera etc. This may have been his wife, a formidable character by all accounts, which may have been why he and the young girl were dismissed...
James Roffey was in partnership with George Crow, straw hat manufacturers of Carey Lane, Cheapside, and the Morning Chronicle (MC) of 8 Jan 1806 reported that on Christmas Day the partnership was dissolved. Reading around, I see that George Crow had dissolved his business in 1803 "by mutual consent" and one of the signatories was James Roffey. So maybe he bought him out but the business was unsustainable. Anyway, I cannot attach him to my tree.
There was a lot of information about the estate of Edward Roffey, deceased yeoman from Surrey, datied 1807-1812. His properties were let to Mrs Ann Roffey and occupied by James Roffey. I cannot link these to my tree but have reports of Ann's death in 1820.
George Roffey, reported the MP 8 Jul 1822, along with Samuel Taylor and Joseph Young, "ring-leaders of a desperate gang who infest Spitalfields and the neighbourhood and who barbarously assaulted the Peace Officers and nearly murdered John Barr, constable". They were sentenced to 12 months imprisonment in the House of Correction. These were prisons for petty offences, and he may have been sent to the one in Clerkenwell,  or Bridewell, Westminster or Middlesex. But he was probably not "our" George, who lived all his life in Woolwich.
The next two articles were very likely regarding our ancestor, though:
Mr Roffey, baker in Woolwich, was called to testify in the investigation of chimneys in that area, under the Smoke Consuming Act. He presented a report on the use of Von Rother's Apparatus. Apparently the chimney consumed its own smoke, with 2½ hours required to heat the oven. The octagonal chimney is a famous landmark, listed so is still there. The court case was reported on by MP 6 Jan 1857. He was certainly "our" George, baker of 48 Woolwich Church Street. He was further mentioned in the Daily News of 10 Jul 1857 as a creditor of Jesse Standing, fishmonger in Brewer Street, Woolwich. This is now John Wilson Street, one of the other major roads in Woolwich.
Edward Roffey (MP 17 Jun 1861 & Times 26 Nov 1864) died 13 Jun 1861 at 29 York Road, Lambeth (now a food takeaway opposite the hospital where I was born in 1956). He ran an emery & glass paper manufacture company in Edward Street (now Chicheley Street by the London Eye) and 3 years after his death the company was dissolved after his partner Mr Williams and his widow had a dispute over the dismissal of a clerk and other matters. The court dismissed the case. I cannot match him to my tree either.
However, Manlius William Roffey (Cliff's great grandfather) was definitely on it. He was reported by MP on 30 Oct 1869 to be bankrupt. He was a baker of 48 Portland Street, Walworth and I can see him still there in the Post Office Street Directory of the following year (but maybe that had already been published), nowadays modern towers.
An Elizabeth Roffey of Kennington Road (where my grandparents lived, and very close to where I was born) died 1 Feb 1873 aged 22. Apparently she was daughter of Thomas & Katherine, who I cannot find on my tree.
Back in the Greenwich area, James Roffey aged 14 was reported in the Pall Mall Gazette on 9 Jun 1881 at the Greenwich Police Court, charged with stabbing Arthur Wood and attempts at stabbing other boys. He was remanded.
Also at that court in 1885 was Annie Roffey aged 17, who along with Leah Hancock aged 16 was charged with Breaking & Entering 23 Charles Street, Deptford and stealing tools and other property. The owner, Job Nicholls was away for 6 weeks and the gils broke in and lived there. They were remanded.
Our George Roffey & Sons reappeared in the Times 16 Oct 1890, in a list of companies to provide expert advice concerning grain supplies in a dispute over wages etc at the Woolwich Docks and again in the Times 18 Jun 1901, representing the London Corn Trade Association at a meeting of the Royal Commission on the Port of London.
F G Roffey was reported in the Times 3 Jun 1918 having been killed on 28 Jan in the Royal Engineers. I did think this was "my" Frederick George, who was really George Frederick but turned his names around due to his father being George too. However, he was in the Royal Navy in both World Wars and didn't die until 1955.
Sir Gerald Walter Roffey was advisor to the Ministry of Food (MoF) from 1917, knighted in 1918 for services rendered in this way, and as chairman of the Home Grown Cereals Committee of the Royal Commission on Wheat Supply. He was also Head of the Brewing Dept of the MoF, stating in 1919 that they were hoping to expand production, SG etc disrupted by WW1. This all would follow on from George's work in Woolwich 30 years earlier, but I have no evidence that he was related.

Saturday 29th February 2020

Selina Samways was a naughty disruptive girl, it seems, so in a way I'm glad she doesn't appear on my tree. Well, we do have a Selina but she died before these accounts were published. The first in HA 9 Apr 1873 described a "young girl from the county, fined 5s plus costs for drunkenness on 5 April. The second account HA 19 Jul 1873 "formerly of Brixton [i.e. Brighstone Isle of Wight], charged with loitering about the barrack drill-field as an idle and disorderly person", she was committed to hard labour for 3 weeks. The third, HA 18 Mar 1874, "Selina Samways of Newport IOW, summoned for disorderly behaviour at Hunnyhill on the 12th". Hunnyhill is part of Newport IOW. She was cautioned and dismissed. This young lady evidently didn't learn her lesson! She may be the one born in 1859 to James & Mary Ann, birth registered in the Yeovil area. Her father died before the 1871 census, so this may be when she went "off the rails". There was a marriage under this name to a Charles Noe in Portland in 1881, which may have settled her down, as we hear no more.
John Samways, aged 20, was also convicted of being Drunk & Disorderly, this time in Queen Street, Portsea, reported in HA 22 May 1875 and fined 10s.
James Samways appeared at Gosport Police Court, as reported in HT 13 Oct 1880, with Charles Taurnic Evans, charged with stealing 4 sheeps' heads and 7 kidneys, the property of William Witt from the slaughterhouse in Clarence Road. At Charles' house freshly boiled bones were found, and on arrest James said Charles gave him 2 sheep heads. They were convicted and fined 10s each plus 5s costs or 14 days hard labour. I am not aware of a suitable James in my tree, but the history of the slaughterhouse is interesting. It was part of the Royal Clarence Victualling Yard, used to supply the ships leaving from the harbour, particularly favoured by Queen Victoria, and now redeveloped as a gym/fitness centre after severe damage in the wars.
Elizabeth Samways' death was reported on by HT 14 Sep 1889. They stressed her state of mind so must have thought she committed suicide. Presumably they couldn't prove it so verdict was accident.
There was another report, HA 3 Sep 1890, on William Samways "drunk and disorderly again, this time 2 days in succession". He was in the High Street, surrounded by a crowd, wanting a fight, but nobody would oblige. "It required 3 people to carry him to the station. Dismissed and desired to go to harvest work". I don't know which High Street, the station was probably the police station and I don't know who desired, him or the police.
James Samways attempted suicide in gaol. Hobbs Lane was beside the brewery, which may be appropriate
Another unlucky chap, who may or may not be an ancestor, Mr Samways, young labourer, died at Fordington, Dorchester 14 Nov 1892 having "run a nail into his foot, which caused blood poisoning and thus brought about a fatal result"
It is often a source of wonder to me how the children on our trees died in childhood. Apart from illnesses which killed them prior to vaccination etc, they led more dangerous lives without consideration of health and safety. The Bristol Mercury reported that Thomas George Samways aged 7 was riding a horse in the charge of groom William Cambridge (from Bristol although the child lived in Jacob's Well, Gosport) in May 1893. "The animal suddenly became restive and fell over on top of the child, who was instantly killed". He was taken to the home of Mr Howse, Clifton Hill and Dr Barclay pronounced life extinct. The body was taken home and the coroner informed.
Arthur Samways, aged 16, was accused of stealing a jam tart (value 4d) from a shop run by Josiah Jollifee in Lake Road. Apparently he called in to purchase some mussels but "when he left the tart did too". He was pursued and they found the tart in his coat. He pleaded guilty but had lots of form, so was given 14 days hard labour.

Wednesday 26th February 2020

Emma Samways, at the Gosport Petty Sessions 19 Feb 1867, charged Jane McGuire of Clarence Place with assaulting her daughter Amelia on 8th. She was convicted and fined 5s plus costs. From 1871 census I can see George & Emma Samways with daughter Amelia, but they were not "ours". "Our" George Voss Samways married an Emma but not until 1880 and they had no Amelia.
The marriage was announced of Marcia Samways to George Hatcher Burden of Stickland near Blandford in the Bristol Mercury 8 Feb 1865. Marcia was from Puddletown, father George but again not "ours" and the wedding took place 30 Jan 1868 in Portisham. We spent our honeymoon 40 years ago in Piddletrenthide 6 miles away from Puddletown.
James Samways in the Havant Petty Session was fined 5s plus costs (reported in HT 23 Oct 1869) for being "Drunk & Disorderly in Waterloo". I assume they mean Waterlooville nearby, not the place in London or the original in Belgium.
Charles Samways was a carter, charged by the Hants County Bench with stealing 90lbs of hay from his master Benjamin Sillence at Compton on 18 Sep 1869 (reported in HT 22 Sep) - I assume this is the one near Wincehester. Railway Porter George Durnford and Harry Eades, labourer were charged with "receiving same knowing it to be stolen". Charles had been engaged in carting hay from the farm to Winchester Station but PC Steed had been given certain information, and stood near the entrance at the rear of the goods yard in plain clothes. He saw Charles take the hay into the yard, hand it to George, who "threw it down onto some sleepers" and they went off to the Railway Inn close by. Henry soon appeared and took it to his father's house in Sussex Street. When he put it down, PC Steed charged him. He said he knew nothing about where it came from but had given George 2s for it. The prisoners were remanded until the following Saturday, when they were retried. Charles pleaded guilty and was given 21 days hard labour. The others were released as it was reckoned they had "no felonious intent".
Amelia Samways appeared again (see above), this time on her own behalf. She was charged with stealing a pair of gold earrings from Mr Richard Goring, her employer. This she denied and was discharged. Information was received and Mr Goring went to Sarah West in Brewhouse Yard to find her wearing them! She said Amelia had lent them to her. She was recalled and the bench blamed her mother, convicted her and sentenced her to 14 days imprisonment (not sure if that was Amelia or Emma)

Tuesday 25th February 2020

George Samways, in HT of 10 Jun 1854, was a waterman charged with having illegally unshipped 6lbs 14oz of tobacco from HMS Vulcan with intent to defraud The Revenue. He pleaded guilty but said he had a wife & child dependent on him. He was ordered to pay 3x the value i.e. £4 5s 6d or 21 days imprisonment. I cannot pin him to my tree as the George Voss Samways I have was only 7 at the time...
Private Stephen Samways (reported in HA 1 Dec 1855) of the 13th Light Dragoons, died of cholera at Scutari between 11-18 Nov 1855. 1242 were sick, 26 wounded in hospital at the time, including the Deputy Inspector General of Hospitals and an Acting Assistant Surgeon, both of whom died of cholera there at that time. I cannot pin this to either of the Stephens I am aware of.
Mr P Samways was a master mariner in Poole for many years before HA reported the death of his wife MAria at the age of 75 on 19 Jan 1856. I don't have enough into to find them on my tree
Henry Samways, sawyer, was convicted of assault on John Rogers, labourer, on 31 May 1856 at Landport. He was fined 10s plus costs or 7 days imprisonment. The only one in my tree of the right age was a groom not a sawyer.
John Samways, broker at Southsea, according to HT 14 Jun 1856, was charged with using threats of personal violence towards Alfred Baker, statuary of Southsea. He was bailed to keep the peace for 3 months. I don't know if this meant a man who made/maintained statues or was a typo and it meant actuary.
A young woman, Lucy Samways does not appear on my tree, but this is an interesting story, reported in HA 27 Sep 1856. "On 20 Sep at 11.30 the coastguard heard her saying 'May the Lord receive my poor soul - that villain has received me' and she rushed into the sea. He dragged her to the shore but she struggled very hard. He took her to the station and the officer in charge sent a man to see her safely home". Whether this station was police/coastguard/railway I don't know, but it all seems very odd to me. If she were that keen to commit suicide why do so within earshot of the coastguard? And if it were just a call for help why fight him? (I have missed some details stressing how she did)
Elizabeth Samways appeared in court, summoned by Portsmouth Police (reported by HA 16 Jun 1860), for being Drunk & Disorderly and was sentenced to 5days imprisonment with hard labour. She appears in the records of Dorchester Prison on 12 July with the note "drunk", so this was eirher a second offence or there was a month deferral. If this was "our" Elizabeth dob 1829 (Ernest's great-aunt) she died the following January aged 32.
The next story reads like an episode of a detective show! I especially like the term "burglarious", having never heard it in 50 years of cop-shows! Of course the terms "chiffonier and cellaret" are also gone, as is the extreme concern regarding a lump of cheese! Unfortunately I cannot match her up as I have no christian name for her.
James Samways aged 10, as reported in HT on 3 Oct 1866, was charged with "stealing a calf muzzle".
Glad to hear it was dismissed, especially if this was one of our ancestors.
The next one I am pretty confident about. Waterman George Samways, was reported in HA 29 Jul 1865 in Gosport Court, charging Elizabeth Robins of Hardway with "refusing to pay the fare in his boat from Portsea to Gosport and thence to Hardway". This is a ferry route across the harbour near George Voss Samways (Mary Ann's 2nd husband, stepfather of Ernest) was a "mariner" and his mother Ann died nearby 11 years later (when he had left his job as servant and taken to the water). Oh, by the way, Elizabeth Robins did not appear in the court, but was ordered to pay 3s 6d plus costs or 14 days imprisonment.

Sunday 23rd February 2020

Two more Brewsters were reported on in the correct part of the world
James Brewster JP featured in a report in the ECS (Essex County Standard if you recall) of 16 Feb 1833 that on 12 Feb he and another JP signed a document to close a highway "The Green Lane" running from Halstead to Colne Engain past Langley Mill. I don't know why.
John Brewster appeared in the newspaper in Feb 1840, aged 15, having stolen a piece of iron, "the prop of a ladder" from Mr Brazier of Writtle and sold it on to a blacksmith. He was found guilty but Mr Brazier said he had given him permission. He was retried in front of a jury with Thomas Lake aged 17, when John was found Not Guilty and Thomas Guilty, and they were both sentenced to 21 days Solitary and whipped. It all sounds rather odd to me, but I cannot pin down an ancestor with 1825 dob. The nearest I can find is son of William and Sarah, who can be seen in 1841 census with them in Writtle, aged 11, so he may not be the one.

Next family I searched for was the Samways. If you remember, Clifford (my late father-in-law) encouraged my inclusion of this family in my studies, as he was very fond of them, although they are only related by marriage to his auntie. I was keen to do this newspaper search though, as the name is so unusual.
Captain Samways was not helpful in this regard, not providing a first name, reported in The Times 5 Nov 1788 to be returning with his ship. "The Locko, homeward bound East Indiaman, has buried upwards of a third of his crew and it is thought he has made a losing voyage". Wikipaedia has helped me out, giving his name as Charles Samways, who took over the Locko in St Helena and brought her home. This was her final journey as she was broken up on her return (not surprising after the account above). I can't locate a Charles, but my tree doesn't go back as far as mid 18th Century
Thus William Samways is too early too, although the Hants Telegraph of Portsmouth (HT) of 11 Jul 1803 tells me he won 3 guineas for rearing 103 lambs from 86 ewes in Fareham, awarded at the South Hants Agricultural Society AGM, held at the Golden Lion Inn, Southwick on 28 Jun)
The HT reported the death of one Mr Samways of Custon-House, Poole in their edition of 7th Jan 1805. Apparently he fell from the quay on 4th. With no first name I cannot proceed.
George Samways was in court for the Relief of Insolvent Debtors in Winchester, reported in the HT of 27 Jul 1829. His petition was dismissed.
Thomas Samways was one of eleven "indicted for destroying a thrashing machine, the property of John Rount on 27th November in the parish of Buckland Newton". This village is in the Dorchester area and many of my twigs come from there.
In the household of William Samways in Salisbury, so reported the Hants Advertiser (HA) on 18 Aug 1832, was an infant a few days old "discovered in the soil of a privy at Broadmayne, Dorset, where it had evidently been buried for several days". The inquest showed that Ann Allingham, William's servant, was delivered of a child and the jury returned a verdict of wilful murder. She was committed to the County Gaol for trial at the next assizes. Again my tree doesn't go back far enough although this is very much the right area.
James Samways, reported the HT of 10 May 1845, at the Magistrates Court in Gosport, was convicted of assaulting one William Searing. The penalty was 2s 6d with 7s 6d costs
John Samways was found guilty of Breach of the Peace at Portland and imprisoned for 6 weeks in Dorchester Gaol (HA 10 Feb 1849)
Stephen Samways was defrauded by Martha White, a girl on bail, who obtained from him a pound of butter by false pretenses. (HA 21 Jul 1849)
Later: I have found a whole new branch of Samways by discovering that Cliff's uncle Ernest's mother married twice - to men called Samways, thus making my tree very complicated. I can't find out if her second husband was related to her first (probably good that I can't for their sake), so as they are step-family I don't need to consider them. However, the statement I made that the tree doesn't go back that far may be wrong. I will get back to you on that one although I have done a quick check and can't match any.

I see from my 2016 blog that I did know of this branch but ignored it as "they are not related to us at all".
The reason this came to light is because the Stephen Samways I mentioned above is on that branch. He was at that time (1849) newly widowed, and so it makes sense that he was easy to cheat over household goods. In 1841 census he was in Toller Porcorum, the village of his birth. By the next census he was in Lower Kingcombe, just up the road.

Saturday 22nd February 2020

Continuing to report on the newspapers search of last weekend

William Manhire lost a son Alfred aged 8 in Redruth, reported 31 Mar 1863. William also, the lessee of the Blue Anchor turnpike gate (see Mary on Wednesday) sued William H Tamblyn for not paying the toll on his vehicle, who claimed he didn't have to as the cart was empty, but he was ordered to pay the toll and costs. This was also 1863.
Nicholas Manhire of St Stephens married Mary Ann Matthews, daughter of John Matthews of Roche, 16 Aug 1868 in St Austell. This was the first of his 3 marriages and he was Oliver's 1st cousin once removed.
William Manhire, son of George, died aged 19 on 24 Jun 1874 at Molinnis
Elizabeth Mary Manhire the inquest into her death was reported in the RCG in 1875. It was held by Mr Grenfell the county coroner at the Vyvyan's Arms, Camborne. The infant died from the effects of shock caused by falling into a tray of water the previous evening. She was the eldest child of William Richard Manhire. She would have appeared in the family photo aged 21.
Jane Manhire, wife of George, died 22 Aug 1877 at Molinnis aged 64. She was nee Trethewey and was Oliver's grandmother.
Mr R H Manhire grocer of Trevarren, St Columb Major. on 4 Nov 1877, announced the birth of a daughter in the RCG but I cannot match him up on my tree. Reading around, I can see that this child was called Annie Jane, as was her mother, and she was baptised in the Wesleyan Circuit on 3 Jan 1878. Her father was Robert Hicks Manhire, grocer and his father was Robert Manhire, cordwainer of St Enoder, who married Betsy Hicks, hence the middle name. However, although it all sounds right I cannot fix this twig to my tree. The Robert mentioned on Wednesday, announcing the birth of his son, was no doubt this man (Summercourt is in St Enoder) and the child RH, in which case the next clip is about him too:
Robert Manhire of Summercourt, St Enoder died 29 Nov 1894, as reported in RCG, aged 80.
John Manhire of Mitchell, St Enoder, was founder of the local Methodist Sunday School, and died 17 Oct 1895 aged 90, with a brother still in the village aged 95. This may be related to "J" and Richard mentioned Wednesday as they all lived at the house called Mitchell. The new Bible Christian Chapel at Roche was opened in May 1883, and John Manhire did the masonry, although there was no more detail, so I cannot tell if it is the same man as the above.
Many advertisements over the years appeared for the company I covered on 19th January below, Baker & Manhire in Newport, Wales, 1880-92. And in the Bristol Mercury, an ad for "First Hand, style & fit indispensible. State age, salary and expenses".

The Brewsters are in my tree belonging to my father-in-law Clifford and they were based in East Anglia.
Thomas Brewster, it was reported in the Ipswich Journal 23rd Jan 1787, was selling up in Woodbridge, auctioning his household furniture, and later that year his timber stocks. If he was the one on my tree with dob 1735 it was no doubt the household effects of his parents. His mother died in Beauchamp Roothing in 1785 (now known as Beauchamp Roding) near Ongar.
John Brewster had an interesting story, related by the Essex County Standard newspaper of 8 Dec 1832. Apparently the Essex Gaol in Chelmsford had just been cleared of minor offenders and the remaining 73 were retried, including this case, by Sir John Gurney from Hertford (my town), involving a procession to the Shire Hall in Chelmsford in the Sherrif's carriage, drawn by "four beautful greys". John was charged with "killing and slaying Ann Bird of Chelmsford, by throwing her violently to the ground". He was charged with manslaughter and sentenced to 1 year imprisonment with hard labour. If this is the John on my tree with dob 1804, he had only been married the year before and had a baby Maria.

Wednesday 19th February 2020

I did spend a long time perusing the newspapers listed on the site, but as you cannot specify a location on most it is a long laborious task to find relevant information. However, I did find plenty of stories to tell, and it's only me who needs them to be relevant to my trees really.

Retallicks (19000 relevant hits)
Simon Retallick had several articles:
1787 he announced in the Maryland Gazette of the relocation of his blackmith's shop from "near the old churchyard to Green Street, fronting the market house" and took advantage of the opportunity to advertise his services.
1806 Maryland Gazette announced his partnership with Ben Brown dissolved. This must be Simon Retallick Junior, as his father died in 1798.
1808 evidently his father's business took a few years to wind up as this relates to a request for claimants on the estate of Simon Senior and his wife Elizabeth. This was on the occasion of Elizabeth's death.
1811 Henry Johnson and the estate of Richard Dorsey were claiming a $200 debt from the mortgage of the blacksmith's shop and some personal possessions. Simon Jr was by this time living out of state in Columbia. (He subsequently joined the Army and died aged 39 in 1824)

Richard Retallick 1843 accidental death This would give a date of birth of 1771, and I don't know of one as yet, but as it is the correct area I will keep the information for possible matching in future.

C. Retallick, in the Royal Cornwall Gazette in 1853, was charged with beating his son in St Austell. Now this is fascinating in that both these names appear in my tree. Nicholas Besetherick/Beswarrick's daughter Kitty married Francis Retallick, who was Oliver's great grandmother. If he beat a "child called Retallick" and then accused his brother-in-law Christopher of the same, this would in all likelihood have been Thomas Soby Retallick, aged 12. This was the family who ran the pub the New Inn at Carnrosemary (later the Bugle), and Thomas died 5 years later, so there is no doubt more to this story...
The next newspaper clipping relates to Christopher too, as he was described as "cattle doctor" in 1866 and this gave details of his interest on investments.

James Huddy Retallick, farmer of Ladock, died in 1854, and the next clipping was asking for cereditors etc to come forward to claim on his estate. I cannot locate anyone with this exact name, but there are six Jameses on the tree with deaths unaccounted for. As no spouse or children were mentioned I assume he was unmarried, but his unusual middle name may be his mother's maiden name and I cannot match that up. However, Ladock is very much the correct area...

Cyrus Retallick is a name I am familiar with, but in the St Austell & Luxulyan areas of Cornwall. The newspaper article was from Butte, Montana, where other family members lived, so still may be regarding an ancestor. The Daily Post has clippings from 1897, 1898 and 1899, regarding his standing for the office of Alderman and subsequently an attempt to burgle his house in Walkerville.

The final Retallick reference is most certainly "ours", from the Royal Cornwall Gazette in 1898, regarding a dispute over ownership of property by Allivyan and William Henry Retallick in Luxulyan. They were brothers on my tree.

With regard to the Manhire tree, the search came up with 3226 hits, narrowed down to 179 in UK and Australia.
Mr Manhire of St Enoder announced his marriage to Miss E Hicks of Newquay in the Royal Cornwall Gazette (RCG) on 24 Aug 1848, but I cannot match this due to lack of detail.

William Manhire of Blue Anchor Village announced the birth of a daughter in Aug 1849, same
Robert Manhire of Summercourt a son, same as with J Manhire of Mitchell a son 26th Oct 1848

Samuel Manhire had a fatal accident, reported by Cornish Advertiser on 7 Feb 1856, at work at the Delabole mine. This sounds entirely feasible in my tree, but I have none by that name so early.

Mary Manhire, tollbooth collector at Blue Anchor, St Columb Apparently the inn was historically on the A30 main highway, so this was no doubt a turnpike collecting tolls. The paper was the RCG of 26th Feb 1858. She may have been the Mary born in 1837 and I understand that she and other members of her family emigrated to New Zealand. This may be related to the stigma of a criminal record, but I don't know.

Richard Manhire of Mitchell, St Enoder, announced the birth of a daughter in the RCG of 8th May 1858, then was featured in an article stating he was fined for using "unjust weights at Mitchell Fair" 2 Nov 1860. Evidently related to J mentioned above, I still cannot match them up.

Saturday 15th February 2020

As Newspapers.com is allowing a free weekend of access to Ancestry subscribers I am using this to peruse their records. Currently I am looking at Retallicks, but it is difficult, as there is a place with that name, and many many mentions in the correct countries. I will get back to you tomorrow/Monday with stories.

Wednesday 12th February 2020

Daniel Retallick & Daniel Edgar Retallick, see 9th May 2017, nothing new

David Retallick 1, see 6th Sug 2012 & 9th May 2017, for baptism scan see Charles below 5th Feb. Nothing else.

David Retallick 2, see same dates. I have baptism scan and burial

Tuesday 11th February 2020

Clara Retallick, see 8th May 2017, was quite annoying as I still cannot find her after 1891, when she was last seen in service in Devon. The only baptism with her parents' names was her brother Adam, and marriages and deaths don't match. As far as emigration is concerned, a C Retallick born the same year doesn't help, as he is seen bouncing around all over the world, a surgeon native to Australia.

Claudia Ann Retallick, see also 8th May 2017, unfortunately no scans for baptism or marriage. After I posted in 2017 it seems I did much work on her but haven't brought it to you so I shall do so now. I said she married Richard Stephen Hancock in 1911 in Roche, and on 26 May 1915 he can be seen aboard the SS Philadelphia travelling from Liverpool to New York along with her brothers Frederick, William and Ellison "from the household of Luke Retallick, Bugle". Fred, William and Richard were listed as Clay Agents, Elison a Clerk. In WW1 Richard was drafted into the Canadian Army and in 1918 was part of the Canadian/British Expeditionary Forces, so in 1919 Claudia travelled with her two children (Alfred Maurice and Lilian) as "military dependents" to join him in Halifax, Canada. In 1921 she had a still-born son and the following year she returned to UK to have her next child, Rosalie. She remained to look after her father, who died in 1929, (while her husband returned to Canada) then in 1933 travelled back to Canada "to Stephen Hancock Ontario from mother Ellen Retallick Bugle" with Rosalie. In 1949 the household at 359 Kane Avenue, York, Ontario contained (among others) Richard, Claudia, Rosalie and her husband Harold Collins. I have a note "1968 1539 Bathurst Street, St Pauls, Ontario" but no details of who was still around, and I can't find the record. Neither can I locate death records for either Claudia or her husband, who was known as Stephen, so confusing the issue.

Constance Beryl Retallick, see 9th May 2017, I have a few details to add. Not scans as she was too recent, but I see that her father died in 1916 when she was 5, and her mother remarried in 1924, when she was 13. I mentioned her husband was a bus conductor, but not that he worked on National Buses. He ma well have been involved in evacuating children out to the West Country. After Constance died (probably of childbirth problems) he married Frances Chapman in 1945 St Austell. She was still alive in 2010 (latest records), still living in the area, but as her 1939 file is clear (not redacted) she must have died since. Leslie died in 1966.

Cyrus Retallick, see 9th May 2017, Clara's brother. Despite the very unusual name I can't find anything new.

Monday 10th February 2020

Christopher Retallick 4, the son who died of TB after running up debts. Scans are available of baptism and marriage
It was on this occasion that Christopher Senior transferred the business, but Junior was already ill, and died 4 years later, the business in ruins. Jane married Thomas Udy the following year, then 2 years after that emigrated to USA. She died there in 1921 aged 79. There was one child from the marriage of Christopher and Jane; Effie Maud Mary, born 1864 and can be seen on the passenger list with her mother emigrating in 1869. She married in 1883 to George Ingalls, had 10 children with him then on his death re-married to a Levi B Strong (no, really!) in 1910, then died 2 years later herself.

Christopher Retallick 5, see 4th Aug 2012, the one with the chippie in Cumberland. I told the story in quite a lot of detail then, and can only add scan of marriage. I told of the court case where he was found guilty of wrongful dismissal of one of his staff at the fish & chip shop (in 1904) but this was not his only appearance in court. The previous year he had successfully appealed against a demand that he vaccinate his child Harry against smallpox. He argued that in the place he previously lived 11 years had passed with no vaccination and no cases (may have been Cornwall, I can't imagine they would consider Australia to be relevant) This was all under ferocious debate at that time in UK and Australia, so he may have picked up the prejudice then. It was of course mandatory in England until 1980, when the disease was eradicated and vaccination stopped. He was on the "other side" in 1913, as he was one of a jury at the inquest looking into a mine accident. No burial scans are available, unfortunately, as 1926 & 1927 are too recent.

Sunday 9th February 2020

Charlotte Retallick 1, see 5th May 2017, baptism and marriage scans are available but her death was too late for scanning, in 1907.

Charlotte Retallick 2, see 8th May 2017, one who emigrated to Australia. All I have to add is her burial record from Lexton (the final date - 29th Sep 1927 - was her "grant" i.e. probate)

On to the bunch of Christophers - see 4th Aug 2012 & 8th May 2017
Christopher Retallick1, Oliver's 3xgreat grandfather, was born & baptised in 1734. I have a date of 2 Dec 1734, but now have found an alternative occasion in St Columb Major on 26th Jul. Maybe this was an earlier "incarnation"; a Christopher born to the same parents earlier in the year, who then died. However, I can't find a death/burial record. I have also been searching again for a mariage which resulted in the birth of son Christopher2 in 1761, but still cannot.

Christopher Retallick 2, the son mentioned above, has no baptism scan or marriage, but I have his burial and his wife's

Christopher Retallick 3, their son, was the one with the businesses. I told his story in 2017, thinking his financial problems came in 1860s, but I can now see he was incarcerated in Bodmin Gaol for a while in 1836, even before his marriage, for debt problems. Although my source for newspapers starts at 1850, I can see details relating to his admission to the gaol on 18th May 1836. He was described as 30-year-old farmer from Luxulyan, height 5ft 7in, grey eyes, brown hair, fresh complexion. The plaintiff, widow Lydia Ann Oakley, who claimed he owed her £73, won her case and he was charged £4 costs and incarcerated until 25th May. I told the rest of the story in 2017. He married Ann Thomas nee Hoare on 12 Jan 1837 in Luxulyan and I now have scans of his burial and that of his wife.

Saturday 8th February 2020

Charles Rowse Retallick, see 5th May 2017, the scanners at Family Search were very kind to him; we have baptism, marriage and burial scans for him.

Sorry, I didn't get very far due to wi-fi problems. I'll continue tomorrow.

Wednesday 5th February 2020

Charles Retallick 1, see 3rd Aug 2012 & 5th May 2017, nothing new, including the story of how son John became disabled.

Charles Retallick 2, see same dates, I have now noted that along with Charles and David at the baptism was cousin John Courtney Retallick. This was the first one, who died shortly afterward. See later. I still cannot locate the 1891 census for Charles, but can see Margaret, a 16-year-old servant in Penzance. I'm not sure whether Charles was still in Cumberland or had gone to Cornwall as yet. I think he should have gone with the family, but he is not in the house at Withiel with them. His father had just died there, so maybe Charles had gone travelling. He was back in the area in 1899 to marry Margaret, although his mother died in the mean time. Seeking the marriage scan was odd, as the dates seem to jump from June to November, when the marriage was registered in the October quarter, then to 1900. I told the rest of the story previously but have recently found the burial record from Montana. At first I didn't believe it was him, as it listed him as a Butcher, rather than miner and gave his father's name as James (not John) but all the other info is correct. I shall transcribe it for you:
Charles Retallick male married Aug 14 1867 (his d.o.b.) (age) 61y 7m 17d Butcher England. (father) James Retallick (mother) Mary Ann Matthews (informant) A Retallick (brother Allivyan) Mar 31 1929 (time sick) Mar 9 1929 to Mar 31 1929 Cerebral "Hemorage" (stroke) 1yr 6m (had condition) Dr J M Wolfe (died at) Home (buried at) W S Springs Montana.

Tuesday 4th February 2020

Austell Glendower Retallick, see 2nd May 2017, no scans as too recent and I was disappointed to see all 7 of the redacted lines on 1939 Register are still the same. Several of those chi;dren have established families in the Lake District. I must investigate when we next holiday there.

Barnet James Sturbridge Beswetherick Retallick, see also 2nd May 2017, nothing new

Bathsheba Retallick, see same, no scan of baptism, in fact I cannot find one. Her first marriage is there though, although not her second. Burials

Bessie Retallick, see 2nd May 2017, I know it's odd nowadays, but she was actually registered as Bessie, although I can't find a baptism. In 2017 I sorted out their movements and have nothing new to add.

There were 4 Catherine Retallick, see 1st Aug 2012 & 5th May 2017
Catherine 1 bapt 6 Apr 1777 should have a scan, but I don't have access to it. Her marriage although this (Pallot's Index) seemed to suffer from typos as both surnames were mis-spelled, they should be Payne and Retallick. However, by the time of their burials in Roche they were spelled Paine

Catherine 2, born the same year but died aged 6

Catherine 3, no baptism but marriage has been scanned. John died in 1889 and was buried in Roche. When Catherine died she had retired to Devon, and the records from that county have not been scanned.

Catherine 4 was one of the deaths in the Bodmin Asylum, a lunatic aged 90. I have found a criminal record, but it dates to 1863 when she was 50, and was for concealment of the birth of a child. I was thinking that it's difficult having a child that late in life anyway, but I have found further details that say she was single servant aged 20, so that probably wasn't her, imprisoned for 6 months. Weirdly, though, the newspaper accounts give the name of her employers as Mr & Mrs James "Retallack", so that may need further enquiry at a later date...

Sunday 2nd February 2020

Asenath Retallick was a puzzle. She only appeared in 1841 census with her family at Savath. Her parents were Francis & Kitty nee Beswetherick and she was entered as 10 years old. I do think that, bearing in mind that they did a lot of "rounding up & down" in that census, she is the one baptised as Asenath Beswetherick, mother Catherine, spinster, on 20 Jul 1828. However, this doesn't help because she didn't appear again; I have searched marriages and deaths with this Christian name along with emigrations etc to no avail

Augusta Courtney Retallick, see 2nd May 2017, scan of baptism showed the same problem with the mother's name as her sister Alma, see below, reading Ann Grose instead of Grace Courtney but at least it was there. As she died single aged 24 there is no marriage scan, but I have confirmed she worked at the Asylum in Bodmin; she started there on 1 Sep 1885, when almost 18, and died 5½ years later.

Augusta Ruth Retallick, see also 2nd May 2017, nothing new for her but I think I have tracked down son Egerton in 1939. He was in the Public Assistance Institution in Falmouth, as a patient. He died there 11 years later. (This was the Workhouse by its new name)

Saturday 1st February 2020

Ann Retallick 3, see 1st May 2017, no scan of baptism, but Pallot's marriage index card is available. This was an unfortunate family, as they had 5 children who died young. Only one married and had 2 children, then died aged 32. 1818 was a bad year for them; 3 children died aged 13, 17 & 25 and were buried in St Wenn cemetery. There were several epidemics in UK that year, so it may have been typhus or measles. Ann herself died in 1838 and joined her husband and 4 children in the cemetery, followed 8 years later by the final child

Anna Maria Retallick, see 1st May 2017, baptism scan and marriage scan but no burial as is London. 

Wednesday 29th January 2020

Alma Retallick, see 29th Apr 2017, where I gave baptism details of 24 Feb 1864 in Luxulyan, father William, mother Ann. Transcriptions abound with father William Henry, mother Amee RetallAck nee Grose baptising daughter Alma on that day but I think that Amee Grose should read Ann Grace and RetallIck. I still can't find her in 1891 census, but as she was employed her boss probably mis-spelled her name. Mind you, her sister Augusta had just died, so who knows. I don't know what happened to her marriage record, as the Luxulyan book seems to jump from April to September, and her marriage was ostensibly in the July quarter (which that is). Their burials were too recent for scans.

Alvon Retallick was frustratingly void again. In fact I think the name Alvon could have been Allivyan and/or a complete error, when it was only Henry who was baptised.

Ann Retallick 1, see 1st May 2017, and Sunday below as she married Adam. Her baptism scan and marriage see below, burial too recent, I'm afraid

Ann Retallick 2, see same date, should have a scan of baptism but I can only find that of a printed page. Marriage is there though. I still cannot match a death for her, although I have found several. George died in Bodmin in 1811, when their sons were in their 30s. The elder, Robert, was admitted to the Bodmin Asylum aged 77 and died there.

Monday 27th January 2020

Allivyan Retallick 1, see 30th Jul 2012, baptised on 14 Feb 1841 at the Ebenezer Chapel by the Luxulyan Bible Christians along with his cousin Reuben, who unfortunately died aged 2½. Also there is a scan of his marriage but no scan of burial this late unfortunately. 

Allivyan Retallick 2 see same dates. Nothing new.

Sunday 26th January 2020

Adam Francis Retallick Senior, see 29th Jul 2012, his baptism scan is very faint - sometimes I swear the registrars used disappearing ink! It confirms the details as 19 Nov 1837, Adam son of Francis & Catharine, from Ennisvath, father a tinner. The marriage scan is better; Bride and groom were 3rd cousins twice removed, I think. He appears on electoral roll lists as "leaseholder of house & land" 1885 & 1897. Although his death was recorded at ocurring on 11 Oct 1918 I cannot locate a burial record. It was wartime though...

Adam Francis Retallick Jnr, see 29th Jul 2012 & 28th Apr 2017, his son, this time the baptism scan was made difficult by the lack of blotting paper, and much too enthusiastic ink! This was the ancestor who went to Lancashire to work, and married the daughter of his landlady, however I don't have a scan. In 1939 Register he can be seen at 1 Braddyll Terrace, Ulverston, lodging with the Young family and another lodger, the story of whom I told in 2017. And although I know he died in Apr 1945 in Ulverston, agsin it was wartime and I cannot find a burial record.

Agar Alexander Retallick, see 30th Jul 2012 & 28th Apr 2017, nothing new unfortunately

Agar Lloyd Retallick, see 28th Apr 2017, his gravestone leads me to believe he didn't marry or have a family, as it names his parents and he was 67 years old. Interestingly his burial record states as abode"Newquay ex Stenalees", which is a lot more helpful than most.

Albert Retallick, see also 28th Apr 2017, nothing new

Alfred James Victor Retallick, Oliver's 4th cousin, was born on 5 Jan 1901 at Bovey Tracey, Devon to James & Janie nee Cock and registered at Newton Abbot. He can be seen in censuses of 1901 and 1911 with them in Bovey Tracey, then in Jul 1923 married Thirza Alice French there. 1939 Register shows them at a property called Westerbrook, near Bagtor, where there is still a hay/straw dealer called H&M Retallick. There are two closed files in 1939 Register, although I only know of one daughter Thirza, so maybe the other was staff/visitor. Alfred died on 21 June 1960 at Westerbrook Farm, leaving effects worth £1872 to his widow. She died on 3 Mar 1980 at Langworthy Brook Cottages, just down the road and left £4568, probably to her daughter.

Saturday 25th January 2020

William James Manhire, see 25th Apr 2017, where I told his story, including his demise in a mine in South Africa. As I said then, his widow went on to marry his brother Edward and I now have two more newspaper clippings, showing marriage and death

William Richard Manhire, see 28th Jul 2012 & 25th Apr 2017, his father - nothing new

Willie Manhire 1, see 25th Apr 2017, the first Willie, who died aged 11

Willie Manhire 2, see same date, where I told his story. He was the one who emigrated to Canada, sent for wife and daughters only to have them return to England the following year, as it evidently wasn't to their taste. So Louisa can be seen in 1939 Register at Enniscaven, with Ruby, 15-year-old Box Factory Apprentice and Dulcie, almost 12 at school. There is also a closed file at that address and her mother Armnell 3 houses away. On the other side her brothers Harold, Samuel & John with their families/partners, then a family called Davey, that Dulcie later married into. Ruby married William Gordon Truscott in 1945 and stayed in Cornwall. I said in 2017 that when she died, Louisa left £557 to Willie's attorney. I see that the probate document actually says "...to Ruby Irene Truscott married woman attorney of the said Willie Manhire..." This is enlightening now I know daughter Ruby's married name. However, it shouldn't be read as it seems; that she was her father's attorney. There is no mention of this fact anywhere, and there would be! I think the word "and" has been missed off. When she died on 9 June 2005 she was living in a nursing home in Fraddon (in all probability since the death of her husband, apparently known as Gordon) in 2002. Prior to this they lived in a retirement bungalow in Roche. She joined him in the grave in Roche cemetery.
Apparently they had 3 children and several grandchildren.

Wilson Manhire, see 28th Jul 2012 & 25th Apr 2017, Oliver's first cousin. I said he was the most famous twig on this tree. I was going to bring you a list of his compositions but it is too long. He wrote pieces especially for piano and for violin (and both) and a lot of hints & tips books for music examinations. Also he wrote sheet music in collaboration with others. Although famous, he just lived with his sister by the level crossing to the end, when he left his effects to her and was buried at Treverbyn.

Woodman Manhire, see 25th Apr 2017, Wilson's brother. He emigrated to Australia with the other brother Jasper and I can now inform you that he was buried at West Terrace Cemetery, Adelaide on 15 Dec 1914 after dying aged 46 in Adelaide Hospital.

Tuesday 21st January 2020

Continuing on from yesterday, John Richard's children:
Alec William Manhire, born 25 Mar 1920 in Newport, was probably one of the closed files in the 1939 Register, as I can't find him anywhere else. In Jan 1944 in Daventry, Northants he married Betty Poole, who in 1939 Register can be seen at School House, Kings Lane, Flore, Northants. Her father was listed as Storeman Odnance and she Shorthand Typist. They had 3 children, the first two in Daventry died at birth in 1949 & 1950, but in 1954 they had Wendy in Newport. 1974 - 1984 directories show Alec at Sunnyside 74 Victoria Avenue and he died there in 1993, leaving £187,780. Now, that is an awful lot of money, so may include the house. Betty moved to Green Gables, Redfield Hill, Bitton, Bristol with Wendy and her husband Peter. They were still there in 2003 (latest records) after Betty died there in 2009. (This family seem to retire to Green-somethings)

Elizabeth Mary Manhire, born 8 Apr 1922 in Newport, another of the closed files in 1939 on Ancestry. However, I have searched on Findmypast and they have cleared her line and that of Phyllis the servant. So she can be seen living at 74 Victoria Avenue with her parents and a closed file, as well as a domestic servant. Elizabeth was 17 and a student. She went with her mother to the retirement cottage at Ottery St Mary (see below), probably to look after her and stayed on after her mother's death in 1982, dying there herself in 2016. She can be seen there in electoral roll records of 2003.

John Goudie Manhire, born 15 Nov 1926 in Newport, is the remaining closed file in 1939 Register. He married Pamela S Weldon in her home town of Aberystwith in Jan 1957 and they had a son David later that year in Exeter. I think Pamela is still alive, although John died in 2016 in Honiton. They were recorded in 2003 electoral rolls at Churchill Farm, Whimple, Exeter (could have taken the name from his birthplace) As far as I can see, the latest generation has all grown up elsewhere. Wendy & Peter went to Bristol, David to Exeter. One genealogist has two more siblings for David, but there are no details, and the family was in Devon by then anyway. The latest Manhire in Newport is given as Betty Manhire in 2002, living at 74 Victoria Avenue. We do know though that she (nee Betty Poole) moved out the following year. So I think that if we went to Victoria Avenue today we would find no Manhires.

Monday 20th January 2020

The final child born to William Henry was John Richard Manhire, born 25 Mar 1888 at Sunnyside (see below) and lived there for a lot of his life. In 1891-1911 censuses he can be seen with his parents & sibs, as described yesterday. In the latter he was described as "draper assisting in business" as his father had died and his mother was "draper/dealer", while he presumably managed the shops. Apparently he was apprenticed to a William C Thomas 1906-1909, who may well have also been a draper. On 15 Sep 1914 he attested to the Army as a private, stating he had previously been turned down for service due to a weak heart. By 1914 of course the services were much less choosy and he was accepted into the RH RF Artillery in the motor machine gun section as a gunner. On 7 Feb 1915 he was posted with the British Expeditionary Force to France and was fortunate enough to survive, being posted to other places in 1915 & 1916 with the Machine Gun Corps. He was finally demobbed in 1919 with the usual medals and also the Military Medal which was apparently given for bravery in the field. He was discharged as a corporal and returned to Sunnyside. In Apr 1919 in Edmonton, Middlesex he married Helena Maud Goudie and they settled in Newport, near his family, although his mother had just died, so the listings say "Misses Manhire". In 1923 directory they can be seen at 21 Woodland Park Road, literally round the corner from his sisters. They had 3 children but by 1939 Register, as I said, had settled at number 74, next door to his remaining sisters Bessie and Lily.
At this point I think it most interesting to tell you about his wife. She was born on 10 Dec 1888 in Madras, India to the Rev William Goudie, Wesleyan Minister from Shetland, Scotland and Elizabeth nee Routledge from Consett, County Durham. Her parents evidently spent some years in India, as several of her siblings were born there, probably up to about 1894. She grew up with her mother in Headingley, Yorkshire then Highgate, London, where she trained as a teacher. It is very rare for me to have the pleasure of finding a relative in the records of the University of London (where I myself studied in 1970s), let alone a female one! She graduated with a BA in 1910 but by 1939 was described as UDD, so she will have given up her career at her marriage, which was the norm. There are on the entry for 1939 Register a further 3 closed files, but the "children" have all died, so these lines should now be open (however this was only 2016 for two so maybe is too recent). In 1946 they were still at Churchill Villa, next door to the "Misses". John died in 31 Aug 1970 in Newport, address Sunnyside, leaving £75615, presumably to Helena. She was by then 81 and evidently retired to Devon, where she died aged 93 on 25 Jan 1982 at Greenbank, Winters Lane, Ottery St Mary, a lovely retirement bungalow.

Sunday 19th January 2020

William Henry Manhire was, as I said yesterday, the son of William 2, the greengrocer, the cornishman who moved to Wales. They can be seen in 1851 census at the greengrocer's shop in Newport. As his father died when he was 5 years old and his mother remarried almost immediately, he lived with his mother and step-father (also half-sister) in the draper's shop opposite the greengrocer's where he had been born (number 90/91 but this has been replaced with new-build. I cannot track down the census of 1871, but we know that William Henry married the daughter of his business partner, Mary Elizabeth Baker in January of that year in Newport. They had 9 children, but unfortunately the first two died in infancy, then 2 others aged 17 and 20. By the time of the 1881 census Mary can be seen with her parents at Sunnyside Villa, Victoria Road, Newport. Meanwhile, William was staying at the shop, registered in the census at 40a High Street, Newport with a staff of nine: 4 Assistant Drapers (including 2 called Spencer from Somerset, who may well be relatives of his mother-in-law), 2 Dressmakers, 2 Milliners and one General Servant. In 1891 they were back together, at Sunnyside with 6 daughters, one son and 2 servants. Likewise in 1901 census, with 4 daughters, one son, one visitor and 2 servants. William died on 8 May 1902 at Mendip Villa (now Churchill Villa), leaving £10555 to Mary. So in 1911 census she can be seen at Sunnyside, described as a widowed Draper/Dealer, her son now in charge of the drapery business. Sunnyside was her parents' address, but they died in 1885 & 1891. Her father came from Churchill in Somerset, so that may explain the renaming of the house. The business Baker & Manhire featured in newspapers a few times; in 1871 a 12-year-old girl stole a jacket/cape from the shop and was sentenced to 14 days hard labour (theft was very strictly punished in those days). In 1886 the partnership was dissolved, James Baker retired and William took on the debts and continued the business. There were at this point two shops, 40a High Street and 117/118 Commercial Road. [The one in High Street is now a Subway and the one in Commercial Road has been two ethnic shops for some years.] James Baker retired aged 63 just after the death of his wife and died 5 years later. I have searched for more details of the business, as it seems there are/were records up to 1970. However, they are held in the National Archives by "Unknown", so I cannot access them.

As I have only just discovered this branch, I shall expand on his children etc now, and maybe learn more about the business.

William James Manhire was born in Oct 1872 and died aged 4 in Oct 1876

Eleanor Elizabeth Manhire was born in Apr 1874 and died the following January, aged 9 months

Kate Mary Manhire was born Jul 1875 and died aged 41 at Sunnyside. She never married and I can see why; she was severely epileptic since the age of 3. Censuses show her in 1881 aged 5 to 1911 at Sunnyside, with parents and sibs, and there were servants in the latter two, presumably to help with her condition. They employed servants with lovely names; in 1901 Norah Crush and Nellie Wookey, then in 1911 Sarah Crisp and Gwendolin Green!

Mabel Anna Manhire was born Jul 1877 and died aged 20 in Oct 1897, appearing in the censuses of 1881 & 1891 as above. This may well have been an unexpected demise, as there doesn't seem to be a will.

Alice Marguerite Manhire was born Oct 1879 and died aged 17 on 14 Feb 1897 and also left no will.

Winifred Muriel Manhire was born in Oct 1881 and died at Sunnyside aged 44 on 1 May 1926, leaving £9431 to John. Again she never married and can be seen with the family in several censuses.

At last, one who survived until the 1939 Register! Lily Mildred Manhire was born 27 Jan 1884 and died aged 67 on 22 Sep 1951 at 73 Victoria Avenue, leaving £35275 to brother John. She appeared with the others in censuses of 1891-1911 and in 1939 still at the same house, with her sister Bessie and a servant (continuing the previous theme) with the name of Mabel Sniffills. This family is an unhelthy one, as she survived the longest but was described as "Incapacitated". Brother John can be seen next door with his family.

Bessie Spencer Manhire was born on 6 Nov 1885 and died 7 May 1950, appearing in censuses and Register as above. When she died she was still at the same address, also unmarried and left £22691 to John.

John is very interesting and has a complex story, so I shall continue tomorrow

Saturday 18th January 2020

William Manhire 1, see 24th Apr 2017, Jessie's great-uncle, nothing new except death notice

William Manhire 2, see 28th Jul 2012, however I suspect the middle of this story was wrong, as the records were mistranscribed. 1851 census at Colevreath was wrong as he was called John. I suspect he was already in Wales by then, and the census of 1851 showing him with wife Elizabeth, son William (aged 4) & cousin Jane Yelland (23 year old dressmaker), showed William working as a "potatoe merchant". In 1844 Directory his premises is numbered 132 Commercial Road and listed under "Fruiterer & Greengrocer". He died in Jan 1852, as I stated in 2012 but it was in Newport and wife Elizabeth remarried as I said. His son William Henry I will deal with tomorrow. When he died the shop was presumably sold as his son was only 5 years old.

William Manhire 3, see 24th Apr 2017, one of the Devonshire Manhires, who died aged 20. Nothing new.

William Manhire 4, died before he was 2 and was buried in Roche - this was the burial I thought was that of William 2 above.

Tuesday 14th January 2020

Theophilus Manhire, see 3rd Apr 2017, to which I can add quite a lot more details. See Sunday below for baptism scan and that of marriage:

Unita was born in Cornwall too, but her name (and also her namesake daughter) did sometimes get transcribed as Juanita (especially in the States). As you see, she and Theophilus married in 1903, but he left these shores in 1906 for New York. He stated he was staying with a "friend" William Wilcox, who may well be a relation of his wife. Unita remained in England as she was pregnant, and gave birth to her namesake daughter later in 1903 in St Austell and Lily Beryl followed 2 years later. She must have joined Theo with the girls, as I can see the 3 girls returned to UK in 1910 for her to give birth to son Edwin John in Cornwall, then returned to USA by 1911, when Theophilus was Naturalized, giving the family home address as 788 Riverside Drive, New York. In 1914 he was drafted into WW1, then settled into New Brunswick, 40 miles southwest, working as an Ordering Inspector for Evans Engineering Corporation. I cannot track down a death record in USA but see that the fellow genealogist I mentioned has him mixed up with Theodore. What I can say is that Unita returned to Cornwall with her daughters (son Edwin died in 1916) and Unita Junior married local boy Frank Cornelius in Oct 1924. Lily married Cyril Organ in 1935, so 1939 Register shows Unita Sr and Lily at 37 Church Street, Tywardreath, St Austell both UDDs and also a closed record, I think this may be Lily's 2-year-old son Michael. They lived in Lewisham, but I would imagine were living with her mother as London was unsafe in wartime. Unita Jr was at Trewoon with husband Frank, a "concrete block maker" and 7-year-old daughter Ruby. All died there, Unita Sr 1965, Jr 1972 and Frank 1986

Thomas Manhire 1, see 24th Apr 2017, Jessie's great greatuncle, I have scan of baptism although I can't locate that of either marriage, I do have his burial.

Thomas Manhire 2, see same date, Jessie's greatuncle, but nothing new

Thomas John Manhire, see same date and also 17th Jul 2012, who was a bit of a mix-up, and I haven't managed to sort him out. A record from Australia may explain it all; a jeweller in 1905 living in Western Australia. But he keeps getting mixed up with a Thomas John Manhire born to a Richard and Mary nee Williams in South Australia in 1877 (i.e. 2 years before ours).

Verena Josepha Manhire, see 24th Apr 2017, also 17th Jul 2012, where I showed she was sometimes known by her middle name - just to confuse me, I'm sure! She seems to have been registered as Josepha, but I cannot see a baptism (all her sibs are there with Bible Christians then Methodists). She married William Hawke as Verena, but no scan. They lived at 7 Glen Road for most of their married life, possibly all of it, and as I said, both died here. Margaret Lilian, their daughter, died in 1974, registered in the Bodmin area, aged 74.

Sunday 12th January 2020

Samuel George Manhire, see 18th Apr 2017. As I said in 2017, I was concerned regarding the wording on his gravestone "all his children" and have spent a long time searching for these. The only glimmer I have is that there is one other person in 1939 Register with a closed file, and I subsequently found a birth registration in 1932 for a John B Manhire, who is still alive, living at the same farm, Colevreath, along with his wife Bernice. However, this still doesn't explain the wording, so maybe he fostered or something similar.

Samuel James Manhire, also see 18th Apr 2017, nothing new except a Directory entry for 1910, showing the address as Enniscaven, St Dennis

Sarah Manhire, see 21st Apr 2017, including baptism scan. Burial was from Union House, i.e. the Workhouse but she was buried at Holy Trinity

Susannah Manhire, see 18th Apr 2017, where I mentioned her illigitimacy, but couldn't find the documents, probably as I had the wrong name for her mother. She was Jane Trethewey, not Hewett, but Susanna's baptism (on 1 Nov 1840) was transcribed at Manhare, and I can't find a scan. 

Theodore Manhire, see 21st Apr 2017, which is a detailed account. The "mass baptism" at Treverbyn on 3 Dec 1888 has been scanned as has his first marriage and his second. I have also now seen his naturalization document dated 18 Oct 1900 and censuses of 1910 & 1920 in Goldfoeld, Nevada, both listing him as widow (Jeanne died in 1908). I have mentioned his death, and brought you his obituary, now I have the death certificate.

Wednesday 8th January 2029

Roderick Manhire, Jessie's uncle, see 17th Apr 2017. I can't locate a baptism, nor a scan of marriage. Electoral rolls and directory entries track him before marriage in Battersea, then afterwards at 57 Stratford Road, Thornton Heath.
I see now that they did have a son in 1914, born there but he died soon afterwards, named Roderick too. After Roderick's death, Edith can be seen living with their son Gordon at 4 Falconwood Road, Addington, 6 miles away, the other side of Croydon and she died there on 14 Dec 1971 aged 83, leaving £1326.

Rosalind Manhire, see 17th Apr 2017, nothing new, despite a lot of searching. I did discover, though, that Archie had been in the Coldstream Guards in WW1 and achieved 2 medals.

Samuel Manhire, see 18th Apr 2017, I can't find a scan of his baptism, but understand it took place at the St Dennis chapel, performed by the Bible Christian Circuit of St Ervan. Also his marriage was in London. By the way, his youngest son Felix was "caught" at the Royal Free Hospital as a patient by 1901 census and died there 3 months later, aged 13. See gravestone I mentioned in 2017. Samuel's burial record was only 2 pages on from his son's in the Treverbyn records.

Tuesday 7th January 2020

Reu Elwood Manhire, see 15th Apr 2017, was the miner whose young son accidentally shot his mother. I can't locate a baptism record for him, but once he reached the shores of America he was well documented; naturalization,  marriage and WW1 draft. He was 45 years of age by then, and died within weeks. He was buried at Idaho Springs,
joining his wife Bessie, killed some 5 years earlier. I have discovered another snippet of information - the unusual middle name was that of a popular local doctor. As this middle name only appeared in the years in America, he may well have adopted it then. Through his life, he was recorded as many things from Reuben to Ben, Ren, Rene and Ruh. As I told before, Reu Junior was taken into care and raised well, becoming a choir-master and clerk in a newspaper office. He died aged 91 in 2000.

Richard Manhire, see 17th Apr 2017 & 17th Feb 2017, Jessie's grandfather. I have his baptism record and of course,  his marriage. No burial scan, unfortunately.

Richard Williams Manhire, see 17th Apr 2017, baptism scan but nothing more. I can see Kate in 1901 census, after his death, with 6-year-old Florence, but she died before 1911. Florence can be seen in 1939 Register, working as a Paid Domestic on a farm in Penwith. It seems she never married and died aged 73.

Saturday 4th January 2020

Welcome back everyone. I will get back to work here, having spent the "holidays" with family, albeit sharing a cold, but at least we suffered together!

I am here embarking on the final page, so this time next year I have to have found something/somewhere else. In the mean time...

Maud Manhire, see 14th Apr 2017, no new records. I have a photo I suspect was taken in 1914, William Henry Senior expecting to serve in WW1. I can find no documents to show his service, although William Henry Junior apparently served in the Desert Rats in El Alamein in WW2.

Nicholas Manhire, see 14th Apr 2017. I knew he was baptised at the age of two, and can now see that this was due to waiting for his sister Elizabeth, who joined him for the ceremony on 9 Sep 1850, but unfortunately died aged 16.
Nicholas was the one (you may remember) who married 3 times to younger women and ended up alone, possibly at St Austell Priory. Unfortunately I can't find anything new here.

Oliver Manhire, see 15th Jul 2012, Jessie's father. I have no new records, but can see in 1939 Register that he is the only resident at the shop in Battersea Park Road, the others being in Cornwall. There is a little red note saying "removed" on the second line. Ivy can be seen staying at Hallew Farm, Bugle, St Austell with farmer Norman Algar and his wife Beatrice. Two lines are shown redacted, they had 6 children in all but 3 of them have died, all too recently to show on the Register, so I don't know which these are.