What need to tell...
This post was originally posted for Remembrance Day 2009. I thought it a good time to type out this poem & share it with folks.
Interesting names
I do find some interesting names as I look down lists for relatives:
While we are name dropping, here's a site which is the Genealogist's equivalent of 'Hello' magazine!
- Born in London, in 1897 (Year of Victoria's Diamond Jubilee) Henry JUBILEE Treherne. Sweet!
- Born in Ontario 1874, Annie Temperance Smith. Died of cholera as an infant.
- These next ones were pointed out to me on The National Archives pages - curious names from the 1881 Census include: a man called Donald Duck; a GP called Dr Robert De'ath; William Neal, who had no occupation because he was "too idle", and the Munslow twins called "Bank" and "Holiday".
- When I saw these pages on The Genealogue, I realised I'm a mere amateur.
While we are name dropping, here's a site which is the Genealogist's equivalent of 'Hello' magazine!
1911 Census Returns
News of the release of the 1911 Census data has spawned a wide variety of interest in the media, mainly showing us who's who:
The Guardian found Virginia Woolf and the ancestors of Kate Moss.
The Yorkshire Post looked up Parky, Alan Bennett & Rowntree.
The NME looked up The Arctic Monkeys.
See also a link here - I enjoyed the 'finds' at the bottom of the page.
"And now for something completely different!"
A Family of Fitzpatricks (July 2008, updated November '08)
Searching for the relatives of my Grandma A on the internet is where I first caught the bug for genealogy, as it was fascinating to me to see that first listing of a whole family living in Tudhoe (Co. Durham) from the 1901 Census. The family continued to live in the village, so that made it the most obvious branch of the family with which to start.
Searching for the relatives of my Grandma A on the internet is where I first caught the bug for genealogy, as it was fascinating to me to see that first listing of a whole family living in Tudhoe (Co. Durham) from the 1901 Census. The family continued to live in the village, so that made it the most obvious branch of the family with which to start.
More on the Fitzpatricks
From County Mayo to County Durham?
To fill in a few gaps from a previous post, here is some more about the Fitzpatrick father and two eldest daughters.
To fill in a few gaps from a previous post, here is some more about the Fitzpatrick father and two eldest daughters.
Thomas' family - Fitzpatricks from Tipperary
Very olde family tree blogge
An image is put up here of a VERRY olde document from the Fitzpatrick family, but I have no clues yet about exactly when it was written, by whom, or even what kind of paper it was!
Going back in time for the Fitzpatricks
1891 Census, Tudhoe, County Durham
In the parish of the Holy Innocents, Tudhoe, Durham:
The address is given as Tudhoe Village, and it is described as 2 rooms occupied.
William Fitzpatrick
William Fitzpatrick (1886-1952) was the older son of Thomas and Lizzie Fitzpatrick. He married Dorothy Ritson in 1926, but they had no children.
They lived together in Tudhoe Village, in a bungalow just 3 doors down from his sister Lizzie.
They lived together in Tudhoe Village, in a bungalow just 3 doors down from his sister Lizzie.
Thomas Fitzpatrick
Thomas Fitzpatrick is the second son (born in 1891) of Frances (Ranson) and Thomas Fitzpatrick, of Tudhoe Village.
I know he was living with his parents in the year 1901, and also in 1911 when both he and his father were recorded as Labourers.
Military Records from W.W. I
The picture below shows our very smart Tot as a Corporal (?)
I know he was living with his parents in the year 1901, and also in 1911 when both he and his father were recorded as Labourers.
Military Records from W.W. I
The picture below shows our very smart Tot as a Corporal (?)
Correct an error
Below is a shot where we thought the lady standing was Aunt Nance (Mary Hannah Fitzpatrick, a child of Thomas & Frances) - but it isn't at all. Thanks go to Hilary for correcting this!
Here's a better idea! The lady who married Tot Fitzpatrick was also known as Nance, and had children named Jean & Billy. So you can see how we got confused. OK, so I've put that right now.
Here's a better idea! The lady who married Tot Fitzpatrick was also known as Nance, and had children named Jean & Billy. So you can see how we got confused. OK, so I've put that right now.
Fitzpatricks and Sennetts (September 2008)
This post was written in the week in which Aunty Madge Sennett died, in September 2008. May she rest in peace. I'm sure you'll join me by wishing her family well.
My biggest memory of her from when I was a kid - she loved to wash dishes!
My biggest memory of her from when I was a kid - she loved to wash dishes!
Our Lizzie
Lizzie Sennett (you may have known her as Senny) seems to have been popping up all over the place, so I thought I'd just bring it all together & hopefully make it clearer.
This post will feature some photos I've just received, and they are pretty old!
This post will feature some photos I've just received, and they are pretty old!
Aaaah! Bisto!
Here's a Xmas hamper full of memories, mainly from my Mum and her siblings, about the food cooked by their Mum (Mary Armitage) and Grandmother (Lizzie Sennett).
I will warn you, though... YOU MUST NOT READ ON if you are feeling a bit peckish and the only thing in the house which is instantly edible is half a packet of Jaffa cakes and a dry crust of Wholemeal. Really, I warn you, it's NOT A GOOD IDEA.
Much better to hold off until you have had someone cook you a 3-course Sunday Dinner, and you get to that point where you'd love to offer to wash-up but actually can't move. Instead, have the PC brought to you - log on to TrunkCalls - and THEN read away.
OK
...sure?
I will warn you, though... YOU MUST NOT READ ON if you are feeling a bit peckish and the only thing in the house which is instantly edible is half a packet of Jaffa cakes and a dry crust of Wholemeal. Really, I warn you, it's NOT A GOOD IDEA.
Much better to hold off until you have had someone cook you a 3-course Sunday Dinner, and you get to that point where you'd love to offer to wash-up but actually can't move. Instead, have the PC brought to you - log on to TrunkCalls - and THEN read away.
OK
...sure?
Mary, Mary, Quite the Smasher!
Mary Armitage died in October 2007 and so I have posted this message as a little memorial page for her, with all our love to Grandad Armitage.
Mary Margaret Armitage (nee Sennett), born November 14th 1923 - died October 13th 2007.
Mary Margaret Armitage (nee Sennett), born November 14th 1923 - died October 13th 2007.
Austin & Ivy Sennett
Max - Nuncy - Austin Sennett (1914 - 1991)Austin Sennett was the older son of Elizabeth Fitzpatrick & James Sennett. He was born in Tudhoe Village, Co. Durham, on the 17th of July, 1914... and died aged 76 in 1991.
Ranson Elders - Miners - October 2008
Frances Ranson
Frances Ranson is my maternal grandmother, and all I knew about her was that she was born in the Seaham area.
Frances Ranson is my maternal grandmother, and all I knew about her was that she was born in the Seaham area.
The Ranson Elders get Older
Ooh, that was a cliffhanger wasn't it!!
More now as we move forward in time...
The 1871 National Census.
Ten years has passed, and now we find the family living in number 5 California Row, Seaton Colliery. The other big change is in the Head of the Household
More now as we move forward in time...
The 1871 National Census.
Ten years has passed, and now we find the family living in number 5 California Row, Seaton Colliery. The other big change is in the Head of the Household
Siblings of Frances Ranson in Durham area
WILLIAM RANSON
The eldest child of William & Bridgit was William Ranson Junior, born 1850.
1881 Census
This family of Ransons may be the one we seek from afar...
The eldest child of William & Bridgit was William Ranson Junior, born 1850.
1881 Census
This family of Ransons may be the one we seek from afar...
Murray Mints
After visiting a forum at GENEALOGY.com I found a post from the year 2001 by Hilary, who has thoroughly researched the family tree for many years. I got in touch (the email address was still active even 7-8 years later!) and Hilary has since then generously agreed that I can publish some of it here. You'll see that for the Ranson family branch she has been able to find links back to the time of the Spanish Armada.
Sennett Elders
I've found all this material to be very complicated, and so I have rejigged the post in order to make things simpler. A deal of the interesting story of the treasure hunt has been cut out, but I'm hoping to return elements of it later. Do talk to me if you can't find anything you need.
As always, I'm very grateful to the online community of genealogists for all their help with this material. Some are Sennett cousins, some not - gushing thanks are due to them all. I can particularly mention Cate, Elliot, Heather and Corinne.
First, to recap where we are on our family tree:
Elizabeth Fitzpatrick married my Great Grandfather James Sennett in 1913. Lizzie & James had three children: Jack, Austin, and Mary (my Grandmother - the youngest, born in 1923). James Sennett lived from 1892 to 1958.
James' parents are shown on the right here; the photo has been marked as showing William & Jane Sennett.
As always, I'm very grateful to the online community of genealogists for all their help with this material. Some are Sennett cousins, some not - gushing thanks are due to them all. I can particularly mention Cate, Elliot, Heather and Corinne.
First, to recap where we are on our family tree:
Elizabeth Fitzpatrick married my Great Grandfather James Sennett in 1913. Lizzie & James had three children: Jack, Austin, and Mary (my Grandmother - the youngest, born in 1923). James Sennett lived from 1892 to 1958.
James' parents are shown on the right here; the photo has been marked as showing William & Jane Sennett.William Sennett (1858) - birth certificate
William Sennett was the father of my Great Grandfather James Sennett. Both man were miners in Co. Durham, in the Auckland/Willington area. Read more about his complicated adult life in the next post.
I have a copy of William's birth certificate now, which has told me that he was born on October 26th, in 1858, at Tottenham just SE of Coundon.
His father was a miner, too - named William Sennett
I have a copy of William's birth certificate now, which has told me that he was born on October 26th, in 1858, at Tottenham just SE of Coundon.
His father was a miner, too - named William Sennett
Tottenham and Coundon, County Durham
I found Tottenham listed as the birthplace of an ancestor, William Sennett. It was actually transcribed from the forms as 'Tottingham', but is thought to be Tottenham.
I'd not heard of it before!
Thanks (once more!) to Heather for the tip - Tottenham was near Coundon, Co. Durham. Link here first gave her the tip.
I'd not heard of it before!
Thanks (once more!) to Heather for the tip - Tottenham was near Coundon, Co. Durham. Link here first gave her the tip.
William Sennett (1858) - marriage and children
William Sennett was my great-grandfather, through his middle son James Sennett.
William Sennett was born near Coundon in 1858 (click on to read more about his parents & siblings, or to read more about his birth certificate.)
If you aren't familiar with the towns of Co. Durham, try out my Google Map for this family. I wanted to get some things straight in my head!
William was brought up by James & Margaret Sennett of Willington (1871 census) and became a miner. Certainly at the age of 12 he worked down a mine.
William Sennett was born near Coundon in 1858 (click on to read more about his parents & siblings, or to read more about his birth certificate.)
If you aren't familiar with the towns of Co. Durham, try out my Google Map for this family. I wanted to get some things straight in my head!
William was brought up by James & Margaret Sennett of Willington (1871 census) and became a miner. Certainly at the age of 12 he worked down a mine.
Jane, or Ann, or Emily, or Mary Sennett (nee McGuire)
This post is about a lady who was my great-great-Grandmother. In her later life she seems to have been known as Anne Sennett; earlier records, though, record her name as Emily. Her grandchildren recall(ed) her name as Jane, or Mary. I'm sure she was probably referred to as 'Mam'.
You'll see some more details from this original post on Anne's husband, William Sennett, who was a miner in Coundon & Byers Green, Co. Durham.
You'll see some more details from this original post on Anne's husband, William Sennett, who was a miner in Coundon & Byers Green, Co. Durham.
John William (Jack) Sennett
Our James Sennett had a much older half-brother John (Jack) and sister Jane, whose mother Deborah died when they were very young (see this post for more on that story).
We knew a little about Jack and his family from the records of our Great-Uncle's memories. He recalled Jack as a miner whose wife's name was Nellie. Also that they had many children, including Bob, Russell, Deborah. Three of his sons were bandsmen in the Guards.
We knew a little about Jack and his family from the records of our Great-Uncle's memories. He recalled Jack as a miner whose wife's name was Nellie. Also that they had many children, including Bob, Russell, Deborah. Three of his sons were bandsmen in the Guards.
James' Siblings
My Grt Grandfather was named James Sennett (more on him here).
His brothers and sisters are discussed in this post...First of all his older step-siblings who were mentioned in the post "Sennett Elders". (That post also introduced the parents; William, Deborah and Emily Sennett.) Then I also introduce James' full siblings.
His brothers and sisters are discussed in this post...First of all his older step-siblings who were mentioned in the post "Sennett Elders". (That post also introduced the parents; William, Deborah and Emily Sennett.) Then I also introduce James' full siblings.
James Sennett
Jim Sennett (1891 - 1958)
Jim and Lady the Great Dane.
My Great Grandfather, then was James Sennett. The prayer on his funeral card seems suited to our task here:
Jim and Lady the Great Dane.My Great Grandfather, then was James Sennett. The prayer on his funeral card seems suited to our task here:
"We have loved him in life, let us not forget him in death."
Henry Sennett page 1 (Beginnings and Marriage to Kit)
Henry Sennett (1889 - 1965)
Before we get into this post, I'll warn you that Harry's life got detailed, and that means this is pretty long. One day I'll get round to splitting this up tidily to 3 separate posts, one for each wife... probably. But for now, email me if you have any queries, OK?
Harry was born in 1889, married 3 times and had (we believe) 3 children.
Harry was the older brother of James Sennett, who married Lizzie Fitzpatrick (my Grandma's parents). Harry & James came from the Byers Green area of Co. Durham. More here on their parents and other siblings.Before we get into this post, I'll warn you that Harry's life got detailed, and that means this is pretty long. One day I'll get round to splitting this up tidily to 3 separate posts, one for each wife... probably. But for now, email me if you have any queries, OK?
Harry Sennett, Operatic Tenor in around 1930
My Grandma proudly kept newspaper cuttings about a radio show of her Uncle, Harry Sennett - he was an Operatic Tenor.
Hancock, Hancock & Sennett
I'm writing in this post about the children of Henry (Harry) Sennett. If you need to read more about him or his later wives, his ancestors or his siblings, then please click on the relevant link.
Harry and his first wife Kate Gardner were married young (1912) and had 3 children in the Handsworth, Warwickshire area. They were: John F.W. Sennett (Jack, born 1912), Joan P.G. Sennett (1917) and Kathlyn M. Sennett (1921).
We don't know a lot about their marriage, but we do know that Kate & Harry were legally separated by 1937 (divorce not being an option then).
Kate died in 1943, her death was registered in Birmingham, under her married name of Kate L. Sennett.
Harry married his second wife Keturah a few months later in Wednesbury, and then they moved up to Jesmond, Newcastle - they were certainly living there in 1946 as my Grandma stayed with them for a little while after she was married.
I haven't any real information about whether Harry kept in contact with his 3 adult children after the separation. My instinct is that Harry did have some contact with them, as my Gran's brother (Austin, 1914-1991) knew a little about them.
Austin was the source of much of the family history / gossip! He remembered "Jack, and two girls. The girls later married; one to the Director of the Austin Motor works; another to someone from Jacobs Tailor shops (?) and had a son, Jack" but was a bit sketchy about which was which! It's understandable that he would remember the Austin detail - as it was also his name! But actually, he was an engineer and interested in cars, too.
Anyway - Uncle Austin would only have known of details like this thru what Harry told him, as Austin lived in Durham & they were all in the Midlands (presuming they stayed there?). Harry stayed in Rushall and similar area until around 1945 when he & his second wife moved to live together in Jesmond.
Some possible matches on the marriage registers here (FreeBMD):
1938 - Joan P.G. Sennett marries Rex Hancock in the Bromsgrove district.
1946 - John W. Sennett marries Marjorie I. Worth in the Hinckley district. (No hits for a John F. W. Sennett.)
1949 - Kathleen Sennett marries Noel A.F. Jubb in the Hull district. (Jubb...Jacob...??)
Contact Made
Well, we are gradually getting closer to these children! Thanks once more to Genes Reunited, we are now in contact with a niece of Joan Sennett. So, many thanks are due to Heather for sharing the tale with us (as well as the images below). They were able to confirm for us that we see our relative's daughter in the marriage registers for 1938, as shown above.
{Those of you who have already read the post about our link with Tony Hancock will have said Ooh to yourself when you read the groom's surname?!! No connection, so far as we know... though several of his Hancock family live(d) in the Kings Norton area, where the comedian Tony Hancock was born.}
The young man who was Joan's groom was a farmer, and he was born in 1915. The couple had several children - a few sons, and then a much younger daughter. Heather also confirmed that both Rex & Joan are deceased.
Rex's father, Alfred John Woodgate Hancock, had a rather interesting life - he was a Director of the Austin Motor Company. You can see his picture in this page from the Advocate; the owner's newsletter, in 1926.
See also an advert for Austin cars in a 1921 issue of the BMJ.
The Austin Federation was a useful source for information on the staff for Heather. They pointed out (from a biography of Lord Austin) that Hancock joined Wolseley in 1903 as a draughtsman, and also advises that Hancock was Austin's Chief Designer by 1921. He left the Austin Motor Company in October 1941.
A lovely tale about the early Motor Show - such a contrast with the modern methods.
So now you can read more about Harry Sennett's early life & first marriage; or about his second marriage to Keturah, or his third marriage to Lilian 'Hancock' and in his death in 1965.
Harry and his first wife Kate Gardner were married young (1912) and had 3 children in the Handsworth, Warwickshire area. They were: John F.W. Sennett (Jack, born 1912), Joan P.G. Sennett (1917) and Kathlyn M. Sennett (1921).
We don't know a lot about their marriage, but we do know that Kate & Harry were legally separated by 1937 (divorce not being an option then).
Kate died in 1943, her death was registered in Birmingham, under her married name of Kate L. Sennett.
Harry married his second wife Keturah a few months later in Wednesbury, and then they moved up to Jesmond, Newcastle - they were certainly living there in 1946 as my Grandma stayed with them for a little while after she was married.
I haven't any real information about whether Harry kept in contact with his 3 adult children after the separation. My instinct is that Harry did have some contact with them, as my Gran's brother (Austin, 1914-1991) knew a little about them.
Austin was the source of much of the family history / gossip! He remembered "Jack, and two girls. The girls later married; one to the Director of the Austin Motor works; another to someone from Jacobs Tailor shops (?) and had a son, Jack" but was a bit sketchy about which was which! It's understandable that he would remember the Austin detail - as it was also his name! But actually, he was an engineer and interested in cars, too.
Anyway - Uncle Austin would only have known of details like this thru what Harry told him, as Austin lived in Durham & they were all in the Midlands (presuming they stayed there?). Harry stayed in Rushall and similar area until around 1945 when he & his second wife moved to live together in Jesmond.
Some possible matches on the marriage registers here (FreeBMD):
1938 - Joan P.G. Sennett marries Rex Hancock in the Bromsgrove district.
1946 - John W. Sennett marries Marjorie I. Worth in the Hinckley district. (No hits for a John F. W. Sennett.)
1949 - Kathleen Sennett marries Noel A.F. Jubb in the Hull district. (Jubb...Jacob...??)
Contact Made
Well, we are gradually getting closer to these children! Thanks once more to Genes Reunited, we are now in contact with a niece of Joan Sennett. So, many thanks are due to Heather for sharing the tale with us (as well as the images below). They were able to confirm for us that we see our relative's daughter in the marriage registers for 1938, as shown above.
{Those of you who have already read the post about our link with Tony Hancock will have said Ooh to yourself when you read the groom's surname?!! No connection, so far as we know... though several of his Hancock family live(d) in the Kings Norton area, where the comedian Tony Hancock was born.}
The young man who was Joan's groom was a farmer, and he was born in 1915. The couple had several children - a few sons, and then a much younger daughter. Heather also confirmed that both Rex & Joan are deceased.
Rex's father, Alfred John Woodgate Hancock, had a rather interesting life - he was a Director of the Austin Motor Company. You can see his picture in this page from the Advocate; the owner's newsletter, in 1926.
See also an advert for Austin cars in a 1921 issue of the BMJ.
The Austin Federation was a useful source for information on the staff for Heather. They pointed out (from a biography of Lord Austin) that Hancock joined Wolseley in 1903 as a draughtsman, and also advises that Hancock was Austin's Chief Designer by 1921. He left the Austin Motor Company in October 1941.
A lovely tale about the early Motor Show - such a contrast with the modern methods.
"Mention is also made of Hancock and Davage selling Austin cars from the Du Cross Mercedes Limited stand (No. 42) at the 1905 Motor Show held between 17th and 25th November. Their only selling aids were drawings but they managed to secure a number of orders."
***
So now you can read more about Harry Sennett's early life & first marriage; or about his second marriage to Keturah, or his third marriage to Lilian 'Hancock' and in his death in 1965.
Henry Sennett page 2 (Marriage to Keturah)
Harry's Second Wife: Kunzle Cakes and the Showman.
Harry met Katura Treherne in the Midlands {see below for her true name}. After Harry's separation they lived together in Birmingham & then Jesmond. Katura was her Sunday Best name, but she was known in the family as Aunt 'Jim'. A note on the back of her photo tells us that she was "nee Treherne". I really don't know if Jim was short for Jemima, etc., but I suspect it was a pet name as she had such an unpronounceable/unusual given name. Katura's a pretty rare name; it comes from the Hebrew for incense (link to my source here).We were told her father was a Silversmith, in the Midlands.
From the separation papers for Harry & Kate Sennett, we know that (Keturah) Trehearn was a widow - but I can only presume that her maiden name was Trehearn.
{There is a marriage record from 1928, in the Worcester district between Joyce K Treherne and William T. SUFF. But if he died before 1936, the record for it has not yet been transcribed on FreeBMD. A Joyce Kathleen Treherne was born in 1900 in the Newent district, which borders Worcestershire.
A lady named Joyce could have been known as "Jim"?? - Yes, I know Jemima is much more likely and I'm clutching at straws!}
**LATEST**
511 Coventry Road (where Harry & Katura lived) is now a part of a vehicle hire company?? But I don't see it when I look on Google Street View.
Ah! This was exciting, to turn up this little snippet from the papers!
Thanks to the London Gazette searchable archives, I found an announcement by Keturah of her change of name by deed poll. It's from the paper dated 24th June 1938, so just after his separation was granted.
"I FLORENCE KETURAH SENNETT of 511, Coventry Road, Birmingham in the county of Warwick Widow of no occupation a natural born British subject, heretofore called and known by the name of Florence Keturah Trehearn hereby give notice that I have renounced and abandoned the name of Florence Keturah Trehearn and that I have assumed and intend henceforth on all occasions whatsoever and at all times to sign and use and to be called and known by the name of Florence Keturah Sennett."
So now that I have a good idea of the correct spelling of her name, I can search for other records about her. Keturah, Katurah - it is still a hebrew name meaning incense.
So far - Goggle has brought up this page of MI's from a church in Erdington, Warwickshire. Keturah is on page 90, along with a Percy Edward Trehearn. And a Florence Trehearn of Erdington in the census of year 1901 (but as she was then aged 34 - she can't be our Keturah).
Following on from the discovery that Keturah's first name was Florence, I was able to dig up some dates for her online - not seen all the certificates themselves, so I am assuming they are her at this stage.
Marriage cert for Florence Trehern: there are two possibilities - one in Barnet in 1911, one in South Stoneham in 1900. (There are none recorded in Warwickshire.)
(Her second marriage to Harry) - Marriage cert for Florence K Sennett & Henry Sennett in Wednesbury, Staffs, winter 1943.
Coincidentally in the same year, 1943, Kate L. Sennett died - in Birmingham, aged 57.
Now I have this 1943 certificate & it tells me that the bride's father was a Silversmith, Alfred Eagles. So Florence Keturah Eagles married a Treherne, was widowed, and then met & married our Harry.
Knowing this helped me find a reference on FreeBMD for her 1921 marriage to Percy E. Trehearn, in the Burton-on-Trent area. Ancestry further provided me with their ages (him 36, her 24) and their fathers' names (Harry Trehearn & Alfred Eagles), and that they married on the 19th October, 1921.
Presumably, then - he died between 1921 & 1936??
Indeed, I found him in the year 1929, Birmingham North district, died aged 40.
The info source Ancestry has a wills index in which we can read about poor young Percy:
{Many Thanks to Elliot for digging up this treasure!}
So, from that snippet we learn that he died in a Birmingham Hospital, in March 1929, and that he had left a will naming his wife although he was only 40. We see the address of No 511 confirmed again, and we are fascinated to read the amount of his estate (effects, not property) given as £1930 1s. 1d.
Measuring Worth.com helps us to calculate that amount of money in 1929 to be roughly equivalent to £90,000 in 2008, which helps to explain how Keturah came to be well-off!
In the Trade Directories (olde Yellowe Pages) for the Warwickshire area in 1912 I found a Treherne family business which seems to fit nicely:
Trehearn, P.E. & Co - baker's sundriesmen, at 511 Coventry Rd, Warks.
The 1943 marriage cert also tells me that Harry & Keturah lived in Rushall, at 18 Station Road (Walsall). This address was the home of Harry's sister Mary at that time, I'm assured by her family. {Thanks, Pat!}
Harry's father William was confirmed as still alive, and a retired Colliery Official. Harry himself gives his occupation as Civil Servant in the Ministry of Labour. The witnesses were E. Eagles (a relative of Keturah?) and M. Rogers (Harry's sister Mary).
Since Harry lived in Rushall and worked for the Ministry of Labour, I wonder if he enjoyed the pleasure of this Ministry of Labour office in Bloxwich - it was converted from a Music Hall in 1941. During WW II, the Ministry of Labour dealt with National Service and deployment of reserved occupations, as well as the peace-time Labour Exchange duties.
Eagles family in the Census
A likely match in the 1901 Census for our Florence is a 4yr old living alone with her mother (not widowed) - Keturah Eagles. So her father was away for the night, perhaps a man named Alfred Eagles who working in the potteries?
Alfred Eagles married Keturah Elizabeth Howl in 1896 in the Aston district. Their only child Florence Keturah Eagles was born in Birmingham in the last Q of 1897.
In the 1911 Census, Alfred Eagles (born 1871) was recorded living in a large house at 170 Cheshire Road, Smethwick (Worcestershire) - with Keturah Eagles (born 1872, Wolverhampton), and their child Florence Eagles (aged 13). The extra data in the 1911 form tells us that the couple had been married 14 years (fits with the year 1896) and had had only one child.
Alfred is described as a Stamper, working in the Silversmith industry. He must have been fairly well-paid, as the family of 3 lived in a house of 6 rooms.
Alfred Eagles died aged 51 in the Kings Norton district, in 1922. Keturah Eagles I haven't found in later records - perhaps her name changed, or was badly misspelled.
Percy Trehearn in the Census
In the 1901 census, a 12 year old Percy Trehearn was in his father's house (above the shop) - at 222 High St., Erdington - his father Harry Trehearn (36) managed a Boot shop. His mother's name was Florence {Harry & Florence!!}, and there is a Stafford connection there - both her sons were born in Burton-on-Trent. {RG13/2875/page 9}
Percy appeared in the 1911 Census, aged 22, living in Kings Norton, Worcestershire.
Florence Keturah Eagles, then, was born in Birmingham in 1897 to a silver-worker Alfred Eagles & Keturah Elizabeth Howl...
She married her first husband Percy Treherne in 1921.
Her father died in 1922. Her husband died in March 1929, leaving her almost £2000.
In 1937 she was named in the separation proceedings of Harry Sennett, and then she changed her name by Deed Poll to Sennett in 1938 (so they could live together, presumably?). They finally married in 1943 in Rushall. By 1946 they were living in the Jesmond area of Newcastle.
Keturah died in the late 1950's.
Keturah's work
Ever heard of Kunzle Cakes, or Lyons Showboat Cakes? [Some links here (that's my favourite one!), here, or here, for more info & pictures.]
Well, Great-Great-Aunt Keturah (Aunt Jim) made & supplied the wrappers! She had her own business, with a factory in Coventry - making wrappings for chocolates - and a major customer was Kunzle cakes. She also imported doilies from Czechoslovakia.
She was 'well off'!
My Grandad said,On Ancestry.com, you can actually search through an online database of old phone books. What a fantastic resource, but I wouldn't want to have to sit with a scanner & a vast pile of musty old books! Not so many phone numbers in those days, of course.
'When Uncle Harry came to visit they were always like a race apart from us.' Jim's business was in the Midlands. When Mary and Eric first married (1946) he had to work in Nantwich and lived in digs. When Mary was staying at Jim & Harry's house near Jesmond Dene (Tyneside), Eric enjoyed the rare treat of being able to talk to his new wife, because they had a telephone in the house! When he visited, 'they treated me very well. Had a good meal put on. Mary and Jim were obviously great pals and Mary was well-liked.'
Anyway - living in Wales as I do, with our own sensible government - we can access parts of Ancestry.com from the local Library without paying. Marvellous. So I looked up Harry & Keturah, and found these entries in the Newcastle books for 1948 ish.
A. - found H. Sennett in Gosforth in the 1948 & 1949 Phone Book Archive (BT),
Address: 52, Keyes Gardens, GOSFORTH 53402 {which seems to be near the modern-day Jesmond Dene Tennis Club}
B. - found H. Sennett in Gosforth in the 1950, 1951 & 1952 Phone Book Archive (BT)
Address, 13 Wiseton Court, Benton Park Rd, GOSFORTH 53402 (NB kept same number) {Wiseton Court isn't known by Google maps now - but it seems to be near the Catholic school.}
See map linked from here - marked with A & B. The area could be thought of as 'off Jesmond Dene'.
I did find other H. Sennetts - but they are in Midlands, London books. We are fairly happy that this is an entry for our Harry. We have also a record of an address, 29 Matthew Bank in Jesmond, which is right by the Tennis Club, too.
Two photos of Keturah here - (the first was a photo of Keturah with Harry in costume for a production they took part in) - things that make you say Whoah!!In the second photo; I wonder how old she is, which year? On the back was the tantalising note, Katura, nee Treherne. It seems to be, in fact, that Keturah Treherne was her married name (she was widowed before meeting Harry).
Aunty Jim was a singer, and also a 'wonderful pianist'. Eric remembers, when visiting her at Jesmond, "she brought tears to the eyes as she played the baby grand." She also had a small dog.
When did Keturah die?
Not sure what year Aunt Jim died - sometime in the late 1950's? We are told it wasn't a very long gap before Harry had married again (which was 1960).
Death cert in Northern Durham region, 1957 - Florence Sennett, aged ~65 (so born in approx 1892 and we think our Florence was actually born in 1897). But note that I also found this entry: Death cert in Bournemouth Hampshire, 1960 - Florence K Sennett, aged ~62. This is too close to Harry's third marriage to match up with memories, but it's not impossible, especially as we know for certain he lived in Bournemouth district when he married his third wife.
My Gran also had a rather spooky photo of Aunt Jim which Harry sent out to all the family ... of his wife Jim in her open coffin! This was not considered 'normal', by the way. He loved her a very great deal and was very upset by her passing.
I'll save you all from that photograph, unless you beg!! Perhaps it'd be a good Halloween posting. No respect at all, these young uns...
Let the show go on!
Henry Sennett page 3
Harry's Third Wife
His third marriage was the subject of a bit of interesting detective work - described in this Trunk Calls post; Here's a link to someone famous.Some time after Aunt Jim died, Harry was married to Lucie Lilian (Lily) Hancock - from 1960 until his death in 1965. Lily was the famous Tony Hancock's mother.
Here's the link to someone famous (everyone likes to find one of those!)
Hancock's half hour
I love these questions...
An Aunt of mine once casually asked me to remind her which of her many uncles it was who had married Tony Hancock's mother.
She was assuming {never assume} that I already knew this tale!
You can imagine this piqued my interest... and a quick delve revealed a few details.
I love these questions...
An Aunt of mine once casually asked me to remind her which of her many uncles it was who had married Tony Hancock's mother.
She was assuming {never assume} that I already knew this tale!
You can imagine this piqued my interest... and a quick delve revealed a few details.
Josie
Josephine Sennett was the daughter of Joseph and Annie Sennett. After her father died in a mining accident, she went to live with her Uncle James' family (i.e. with my Grandma Mary & her two brothers). It was a very tiny house that already had a family of three children in it!
Here below we see Josie, Jack and Mary Sennett. As you can imagine, young Mary was very pleased to have a sister to borrow for a while!
Here below we see Josie, Jack and Mary Sennett. As you can imagine, young Mary was very pleased to have a sister to borrow for a while!
Tudhoe Village Views
There are quite a few old images available out there of Tudhoe Village; where many of the Fitzpatricks & Sennetts lived. I would like to see images of Tudhoe Mill, but none yet. A good place to start is the SpennyNews back issues page - it has images such as these below. See also a grand picture of the Tudhoe orphanage (and St Charles' church next to it)
This first image looks towards the river, taken 1958.
This first image looks towards the river, taken 1958.
Eric the Nicky-Nack Grandad
Eric Winston Armitage
We used to call him Nicky-Nack Grandad because of the name of the pub (since renamed to The Daleside Inn) at the junction when we travelled up to visit.
Here's an early photo of Eric, very proudly posing in his First Car
We used to call him Nicky-Nack Grandad because of the name of the pub (since renamed to The Daleside Inn) at the junction when we travelled up to visit.
Here's an early photo of Eric, very proudly posing in his First Car Armitage Elders
In the last post we were introduced to my great Grandfather Leo and his family in Thorne, West Riding, including an entry from the 1901 Census. We can go further back and learn more about them. (This post is way overlong just now, so I'm going to take you on a bit of roller-coaster, actually. Take your Joy-Rides tablets now...)
Canned Fosters
The Foster family
The family of Eric's mother, Marian Foster can be seen in the National Census, at Fishlake. Further info on this town from Genuki, here and from the DDFHS, here.
If you look at the bottom of this website, you'll see a family tree for this branch of the family (and all the others, of course!)
The family of Eric's mother, Marian Foster can be seen in the National Census, at Fishlake. Further info on this town from Genuki, here and from the DDFHS, here.
If you look at the bottom of this website, you'll see a family tree for this branch of the family (and all the others, of course!)
Foster & Allen - Underneath the Arches...
Now where are we...?
My great-grandmother was Marian Armitage (nee Foster), who was born in Fishlake (1887) and married Leo Armitage & lived in Thorne, Yorkshire. I have already talked about what I've found out about her parents and siblings (see earlier post).
I recently found that Genforum helped me make contact with a distant cousin, Julie, who is descended from Marian's older sister Betsy. You'll see that Julie and I had found out a similar level of information about the Fosters, but Julie had discovered more about the Kitchen family
My great-grandmother was Marian Armitage (nee Foster), who was born in Fishlake (1887) and married Leo Armitage & lived in Thorne, Yorkshire. I have already talked about what I've found out about her parents and siblings (see earlier post).
I recently found that Genforum helped me make contact with a distant cousin, Julie, who is descended from Marian's older sister Betsy. You'll see that Julie and I had found out a similar level of information about the Fosters, but Julie had discovered more about the Kitchen family
Kitchen Table Genealogy
Again, in this post we find out about the Kitchen family - courtesy of the research done by a cousin, Julie. I'm very grateful to her for sharing.
This time we are travelling back in time a little.
The name Kitching seems to be interchangeable with Kitchen & Kitchin (NB: spelling of names was very flexible until a while after 1837 when registration began).
James Kitching was born in 1781, in Brampton, Lincolnshire.
This time we are travelling back in time a little.
The name Kitching seems to be interchangeable with Kitchen & Kitchin (NB: spelling of names was very flexible until a while after 1837 when registration began).
James Kitching was born in 1781, in Brampton, Lincolnshire.
Ye Olde Yellow Pages, Thorne, Yorkshire
Here we find an entry for some Armitage Ancestors in Trade Directories for the Thorne area.
In a trade directory for 1822 in Thorne (busy place!!), a George ARMITAGE is listed as a Stonemason & merchant.
I searched the 1828-9 Pigot's directory & found no Armitages in Thorne.
In a trade directory for 1837 in Thorne, Mr Geo. ARMITAGE is listed under Bricklayers, King St. (I think that's our Walter's Father.)
In a trade directory for 1822 in Thorne (busy place!!), a George ARMITAGE is listed as a Stonemason & merchant.
I searched the 1828-9 Pigot's directory & found no Armitages in Thorne.
In a trade directory for 1837 in Thorne, Mr Geo. ARMITAGE is listed under Bricklayers, King St. (I think that's our Walter's Father.)
Germaine Leo Armitage certainly doesn't blot his copybook.
Germaine Leo Armitage (my Granddad's father) was not found in the family home on the night of the 1891 census, so I searched for Leo - he would be around 15 years old - in other areas of the country.
A likely match is a young Leo G. Armitage, 15, born Deepsas {sic Deepcar?}, Yorks), a pupil boarding at a school at Gildersome {Leeds/Bradford area}. In his later work as an engineer, Leo needed a very good education in physics & maths.
There are a few Google-mentions of boarding schools in Gildersome
A likely match is a young Leo G. Armitage, 15, born Deepsas {sic Deepcar?}, Yorks), a pupil boarding at a school at Gildersome {Leeds/Bradford area}. In his later work as an engineer, Leo needed a very good education in physics & maths.
There are a few Google-mentions of boarding schools in Gildersome
Beginnings - June 2008
This web log was set up in order to share family tree research with family members, and for family members to post comments, photos, and share their own stories about our antecedents.
It has been prompted by a very pleasant trip to Comrie, Perthshire, in June 2008 when many members of the Hutton and Keay families gathered to say farewell to Uncle Davey.
The name Keay
Origins of the name are not clear! The following is quoted from a British magazine:
The main source of this name is from the occupation of someone who either made keys, or held the ceremonial office of a key bearer. (Old English caeg - key)
Kaye, variations Kay, Keay, Key.
I'm from the line of Keay. Keay is pronounced like the letter 'K' - so many think it would have the same derivation as Kay, Kaye.The main source of this name is from the occupation of someone who either made keys, or held the ceremonial office of a key bearer. (Old English caeg - key)
At the going down of the Sun...
{You may notice that this image's quality has been much improved. This is great news, as it seems to be the only photograph remaining of David. Would love to hear from anyone with other photos, or indeed a photo of any of his siblings!}A remembrance book of all the War Dead of Comrie (Perthshire) from the Great War has an entry for Private David Keay, my great-grandfather.
Military Records, WW I
Note these are courtesy of Ancestry.com, when they had open access to these records.
Searched records for Keays in Perth - no likely-looking entries yet for David or William Keay.
Also searched for our DLI soldier, Thos Fitzpatrick.
(Note that a huge number of records were destroyed by bomb damage in WW II. The records detailed below have lots of singed bits, if you view an image of the originals - particularly Alex's)
Help from this site here on researching these records, and interpreting the cards.
Searched records for Keays in Perth - no likely-looking entries yet for David or William Keay.
Also searched for our DLI soldier, Thos Fitzpatrick.
(Note that a huge number of records were destroyed by bomb damage in WW II. The records detailed below have lots of singed bits, if you view an image of the originals - particularly Alex's)
Help from this site here on researching these records, and interpreting the cards.
Keay family in Perth
Here is a story of a fairly large family which has seemed to (almost!) disappear. You'll see what I mean.James Keay, 1875 -1895
I recently made contact with a former Perth resident, Susan, who is descended from William Keay (younger brother of our John Keay, 1850-1905).
She has been very kind in passing on some BMD certificates to me - 2 of which I'll go into in later posts, but first here I'll tell you about the earliest one...
We knew only a little of James Keay (son of John & Mary Keay, and brother to our David Keay 1886-1918) from our family history passed down. The main thing we knew about him was simply and tragically that he had died in a rowing accident on the Tay, aged only 20.
She has been very kind in passing on some BMD certificates to me - 2 of which I'll go into in later posts, but first here I'll tell you about the earliest one...
We knew only a little of James Keay (son of John & Mary Keay, and brother to our David Keay 1886-1918) from our family history passed down. The main thing we knew about him was simply and tragically that he had died in a rowing accident on the Tay, aged only 20.
Sisters leaving Perth
If you remember, John & Mary Keay had several children from 1874 to 1888. They settled in Perth. If you need to start from the beginning, go back & read this page first.
Three of their sons were killed in action in WW I, their eldest son was killed in a rowing accident in 1895, and their three daughters all emigrated. So this post is about the daughters; Annie and Isobel Keay. If you want to skip all the "ifs & buts" and hop to what I can be fairly certain about...just scroll down to the end of this post.
But for information about Margaret Keay, the middle daughter, go to this post.
Three of their sons were killed in action in WW I, their eldest son was killed in a rowing accident in 1895, and their three daughters all emigrated. So this post is about the daughters; Annie and Isobel Keay. If you want to skip all the "ifs & buts" and hop to what I can be fairly certain about...just scroll down to the end of this post.
But for information about Margaret Keay, the middle daughter, go to this post.
Margaret Keay leaves Perth
MARGARET KEAY (born ~1878)
Margaret was a daughter of John & Mary Keay, of Perth. (More about her parents here, and more about her sisters here.)
The middle sister, Margaret Keay was born in Kirkcaldy. She was certainly living with her parents in Perth in 1891.
We knew that she went to America and we knew that she married -
Margaret was a daughter of John & Mary Keay, of Perth. (More about her parents here, and more about her sisters here.)
The middle sister, Margaret Keay was born in Kirkcaldy. She was certainly living with her parents in Perth in 1891.
We knew that she went to America and we knew that she married -
Keay & Hodge Solicitors in Blairgowrie, Perthshire
I came across a note about this firm of solicitors, though I don't know if there's a family link.
The WW I casualty James Keay was a solicitor in Edinburgh. More info on David Keay, the solicitor in Edinburgh from various Edinburgh Gazette articles - the earliest being 1855 when David Keay is described as a writer in Perth, but then as a solicitor from 1858 until 1879.
His offices were at 37, George St., Perth.
In the year 1906 the firm developed an idea about a Berry-pickers Tin City - described in this article - which I thought was interesting!
Whilst rootling on that site I also found a reference to Robert Keay the Silversmiths - I have seen other references to these gents (Uncle & Nephew), but again - no idea if there's a family link. They worked in Perth up till around 1865.
Edinburgh gazette article here from 1856 about the death of Robert Keay Jr, jeweller.
You may know of a current Keay silversmith who has a workshop in Scotland. And while we are looking at the arts, what about Cath Keay?...(see pages here, and here), or Claire Keay ...(here).
Also on Dyers in Perth - this one is about Pullar's Works, 1917.
Finally, an article on the history of trams in Perth.
The WW I casualty James Keay was a solicitor in Edinburgh. More info on David Keay, the solicitor in Edinburgh from various Edinburgh Gazette articles - the earliest being 1855 when David Keay is described as a writer in Perth, but then as a solicitor from 1858 until 1879.
His offices were at 37, George St., Perth.
In the year 1906 the firm developed an idea about a Berry-pickers Tin City - described in this article - which I thought was interesting!
Whilst rootling on that site I also found a reference to Robert Keay the Silversmiths - I have seen other references to these gents (Uncle & Nephew), but again - no idea if there's a family link. They worked in Perth up till around 1865.
Edinburgh gazette article here from 1856 about the death of Robert Keay Jr, jeweller.
You may know of a current Keay silversmith who has a workshop in Scotland. And while we are looking at the arts, what about Cath Keay?...(see pages here, and here), or Claire Keay ...(here).
Also on Dyers in Perth - this one is about Pullar's Works, 1917.
Finally, an article on the history of trams in Perth.
James Keay - remembered at Thiepval
When we called in to look up William Keay (our David's brother) at the Thiepval Memorial on the Somme, we also found the name James Keay engraved on another Face (actually 6D / 7D) of the Memorial.
The database has a photograph of young James, who died in November 1916, aged just 31. He was a Private in the Royal Scots. He was also remembered on the War Memorial of Tibbermore Parish Church.
The database has a photograph of young James, who died in November 1916, aged just 31. He was a Private in the Royal Scots. He was also remembered on the War Memorial of Tibbermore Parish Church.
Parents of John Keay, Perth
Under Construction
In a previous post we saw details on John Keay's death certificate (1905) in which his parents are named as James Keay (Manufacturer) and Margaret Keay, nee Caw.
In this post I'm beginning to set out information about James & Margaret Keay who lived in Perth.
James Keay was born in Perth on Boxing Day, 1823 and was baptised in Perth on the 4th January 1824. He was recorded as a KAY.
In a previous post we saw details on John Keay's death certificate (1905) in which his parents are named as James Keay (Manufacturer) and Margaret Keay, nee Caw.
In this post I'm beginning to set out information about James & Margaret Keay who lived in Perth.
James Keay was born in Perth on Boxing Day, 1823 and was baptised in Perth on the 4th January 1824. He was recorded as a KAY.
William Barclay Keay
This image of a gravestone at Wellshill, Perth was taken when I went to see the grave of my direct ancestors. It was the neighbouring plot, which made us wonder if they were a closely related family.
Burke's Commoners
That's right. Not Burke's Peerage, but Burke's Commoners.
The following text is from "Burke's Commoners, Genealogical and Heraldic History of The Commoners of Great Britain And Ireland Enjoying Territorial Possessions or High Official Rank: But Uninvested With Heritable Honours." - published in 1837-8. I first searched the text on Ancestry, but it can also be viewed here through Google Books.
The following text is from "Burke's Commoners, Genealogical and Heraldic History of The Commoners of Great Britain And Ireland Enjoying Territorial Possessions or High Official Rank: But Uninvested With Heritable Honours." - published in 1837-8. I first searched the text on Ancestry, but it can also be viewed here through Google Books.
Just photos!
Many thanks to David for those great old family photos which he has scanned, and sent round the family! I've posted them here so that we can sort out exactly who is who.
More great photos
Thanks again to David who has all of his Dad's old photos and has been great at scanning them to send out!
Don't forget, if you want to see these images more clearly - they are a bit small - you just click on the image and it will open up to fill the screen. Then use the 'back' button on your navigation bar to return to the text.
Janet & Bill Keay (my grandparents) on their wedding day.
Don't forget, if you want to see these images more clearly - they are a bit small - you just click on the image and it will open up to fill the screen. Then use the 'back' button on your navigation bar to return to the text.
Janet & Bill Keay (my grandparents) on their wedding day.
Just Charles for September 22nd 2008
September 22nd 2008
This entry on the blog has been scheduled to coincide with Dad's birthday.
He was born in 1950 in Comrie and died in 2005 in Hartlepool.
He had a wicked sense of humour, a great work ethic, and lived a very varied life. He had two children (myself & my brother) with his first wife, and then was stepdad to Jenny with his later partner. He was also a grandad to two young bairns.
We all miss him, and the shock of losing him when he was only 54 was sharply felt.
Charles' Graduation, Hull University - with Janet & Bill Keay
Stephen, Charles and Lisa, Caerphilly, 1974/5?
Taking a quick coffee break, Newport.
Here is the text of a poem I read out on the day we gathered to plant a cherry tree in memory of Dad. It's always seemed important to me to remember the good bits (rather than the end of Dad's life) and that's what this poem says to me.
When I'm gone
When I come to the end of my journey
And I travel my last weary mile,
Just forget if you can,
that I ever frowned
And remember only the smile.
Forget unkind words I have spoken;
Remember some good I have done.
Forget that I ever had heartache
And remember I've had loads of fun.
Forget that I've stumbled and blundered
And sometimes fell by the way.
Remember I have fought some hard battles
And won, ere the close of the day.
Then forget to grieve for my going,
I would not have you sad for a day,
But in summer just gather some flowers
And remember the place where I lay,
And come in the shade of evening
When the sun paints the sky in the west
Stand for a few moments beside me
And remember only my best.
(c) Mrs. Lyman Hancock
It's getting easier to remember
Much love to all,
Lisa
This entry on the blog has been scheduled to coincide with Dad's birthday.
He was born in 1950 in Comrie and died in 2005 in Hartlepool.
He had a wicked sense of humour, a great work ethic, and lived a very varied life. He had two children (myself & my brother) with his first wife, and then was stepdad to Jenny with his later partner. He was also a grandad to two young bairns.
We all miss him, and the shock of losing him when he was only 54 was sharply felt.
Charles' Graduation, Hull University - with Janet & Bill Keay
Stephen, Charles and Lisa, Caerphilly, 1974/5?
Taking a quick coffee break, Newport.
Here is the text of a poem I read out on the day we gathered to plant a cherry tree in memory of Dad. It's always seemed important to me to remember the good bits (rather than the end of Dad's life) and that's what this poem says to me.
When I'm gone
When I come to the end of my journey
And I travel my last weary mile,
Just forget if you can,
that I ever frowned
And remember only the smile.
Forget unkind words I have spoken;
Remember some good I have done.
Forget that I ever had heartache
And remember I've had loads of fun.
Forget that I've stumbled and blundered
And sometimes fell by the way.
Remember I have fought some hard battles
And won, ere the close of the day.
Then forget to grieve for my going,
I would not have you sad for a day,
But in summer just gather some flowers
And remember the place where I lay,
And come in the shade of evening
When the sun paints the sky in the west
Stand for a few moments beside me
And remember only my best.
(c) Mrs. Lyman Hancock
It's getting easier to remember
Much love to all,
Lisa
Grandad's Date Loaf
Time for a few recipes as we begin to think about Christmas.
Sorry that all these measurements are in Victorian; if you really can't convert 'em (what do they teach kids in schools these days, mutter, mutter), then try this link.
My Grandad Keay first - as he & his fathers were bakers it only seems right.
Sorry that all these measurements are in Victorian; if you really can't convert 'em (what do they teach kids in schools these days, mutter, mutter), then try this link.
My Grandad Keay first - as he & his fathers were bakers it only seems right.
Double Trouble
Jane Clark, Grannie Hutton
Jane Clark is my Great Grandmother, who married (1910 in Crieff) the baker David Keay of Perth. They had three boys in Comrie, Perthshire before David died in France during WWI. Then in 1922 Jane Keay remarried to Charlie Hutton, which is why she is now remembered as Grannie Hutton. Jane & Charlie had two girls (and a baby boy who died as an infant) - more about the Hutton family in this post.
Now for some more information about Jane Clark and her family.
Jane Clark is my Great Grandmother, who married (1910 in Crieff) the baker David Keay of Perth. They had three boys in Comrie, Perthshire before David died in France during WWI. Then in 1922 Jane Keay remarried to Charlie Hutton, which is why she is now remembered as Grannie Hutton. Jane & Charlie had two girls (and a baby boy who died as an infant) - more about the Hutton family in this post.
Now for some more information about Jane Clark and her family.
Clark family photos from Crieff, 2010
These photos relate to the Clark family in Crieff. For more information, see this earlier post.
Can anyone help me decipher this writing?!
Where are we on the tree, here?
My father's father's mother was Jane Clark, of Crieff (1890-1954) - she married the baker David Keay of Perth, and was later known as Grannie Hutton. Her parents were William Clark & Jane Clark (nee McKeith).
Well, William & Jane married in Crieff in 1881, and I have a copy of their marriage certificate. {As always, happy to pass a copy on to anyone who needs it.} But the writing is very unclear - I have reproduced a section here & I wonder if you could puzzle over it with me? In the following text, I have written the particularly unclear part in red. This page (linked here) aims to help us understand handwriting on census returns, but it didn't really help me in this case.
The couple were married in March 1881, by the forms of the United Presbyterian Church of Scotland, in Crieff, Perthshire.
William was aged 20, a Journeyman Baker, living at Milnab St., Crieff {that fits, as it is the address known from the 1871 Census of Wiliam's father's household}. A Journeyman is partway between an Apprentice, and a Master. In other words he was fully trained and employed for a daily wage, but not yet working for himself or employing others.
His father was David Clark, but for his occupation I'm stuck - it can only look like 'Scavenger' to me. The 'S' is formed in many different ways by this Registrar on the page. If it's not an 'S', then it surely must be an 'L', which doesn't work at all for me. {Here's an image of that part - William's parents first, then Jane's parents below them.}
Thanks now to Sheila who has agreed with me that it must be 'Scavenger' - which she tells me was a 'scaffie', or street cleaner.
In earlier records he's been a Weaver, then a Mason Labourer. From what we know already from Census returns, he was aged 40 in 1871 - so he'll be aged 50 at the time of William's marriage.
{I'll look him up in the 1881 census for Crieff - he was in a separate household to his son by then, so I haven't seen him yet.}
William's mother was Janet Clark (M.S. McCulloch) - it's not clear here, but I've seen her name on another source where it was much clearer.
As for Jane, she was aged 21, a Furniture Polisher by trade, living at Croftnappoch ??, Crieff. In modern-day Crieff, there is a Croftnappoch Place, so actually that seems right.
Her father is William McKeith, a Labourer in Chemical Works. Her mother is Janet McKeith (M.S. Shaw).
Witnesses were Alexander Livingstone and Janet McKeith.
(I have since then searched the marriage records for Janet Shaw & William McKeith, but found no records yet.)
Searching the Crieff Census, though, gave me some more info on Jane's parents. Jane McKeith was aged 11 in 1871 - she was living at Croftnappoch, Crieff with her father William McKeith (Plasterer's Labourer; born ~1817 in Crieff) and Janet McKeith (born ~1819 in Crieff). They had 5 children including our Jane in the year 1871. The eldest Daniel was a Journeyman Joiner.
In 1861, there were some differences in the records - Jane was named as Jean: she was the baby of 6 children in the household. Her mother Janet is recorded as born in Moyhall, Inverness-shire, rather than Crieff. Her father William was a Cotton Weaver & they lived on High St., Crieff. Their eldest then was a child of 12, Alison, who was a domestic servant already.
{I've had no luck yet in finding William any earlier than 1861. For Janet Shaw, the best match of hundreds is a lass in her mother's house in Dores, Inverness in 1841. Her mother was also Janet Shaw, born ~1791 in Inverness, a Cotter.}
My father's father's mother was Jane Clark, of Crieff (1890-1954) - she married the baker David Keay of Perth, and was later known as Grannie Hutton. Her parents were William Clark & Jane Clark (nee McKeith).
Well, William & Jane married in Crieff in 1881, and I have a copy of their marriage certificate. {As always, happy to pass a copy on to anyone who needs it.} But the writing is very unclear - I have reproduced a section here & I wonder if you could puzzle over it with me? In the following text, I have written the particularly unclear part in red. This page (linked here) aims to help us understand handwriting on census returns, but it didn't really help me in this case.
The couple were married in March 1881, by the forms of the United Presbyterian Church of Scotland, in Crieff, Perthshire.
William was aged 20, a Journeyman Baker, living at Milnab St., Crieff {that fits, as it is the address known from the 1871 Census of Wiliam's father's household}. A Journeyman is partway between an Apprentice, and a Master. In other words he was fully trained and employed for a daily wage, but not yet working for himself or employing others.
His father was David Clark, but for his occupation I'm stuck - it can only look like 'Scavenger' to me. The 'S' is formed in many different ways by this Registrar on the page. If it's not an 'S', then it surely must be an 'L', which doesn't work at all for me. {Here's an image of that part - William's parents first, then Jane's parents below them.}
Thanks now to Sheila who has agreed with me that it must be 'Scavenger' - which she tells me was a 'scaffie', or street cleaner.
In earlier records he's been a Weaver, then a Mason Labourer. From what we know already from Census returns, he was aged 40 in 1871 - so he'll be aged 50 at the time of William's marriage.{I'll look him up in the 1881 census for Crieff - he was in a separate household to his son by then, so I haven't seen him yet.}
William's mother was Janet Clark (M.S. McCulloch) - it's not clear here, but I've seen her name on another source where it was much clearer.
As for Jane, she was aged 21, a Furniture Polisher by trade, living at Croftnappoch ??, Crieff. In modern-day Crieff, there is a Croftnappoch Place, so actually that seems right.
Her father is William McKeith, a Labourer in Chemical Works. Her mother is Janet McKeith (M.S. Shaw).
Witnesses were Alexander Livingstone and Janet McKeith.
(I have since then searched the marriage records for Janet Shaw & William McKeith, but found no records yet.)
Searching the Crieff Census, though, gave me some more info on Jane's parents. Jane McKeith was aged 11 in 1871 - she was living at Croftnappoch, Crieff with her father William McKeith (Plasterer's Labourer; born ~1817 in Crieff) and Janet McKeith (born ~1819 in Crieff). They had 5 children including our Jane in the year 1871. The eldest Daniel was a Journeyman Joiner.
In 1861, there were some differences in the records - Jane was named as Jean: she was the baby of 6 children in the household. Her mother Janet is recorded as born in Moyhall, Inverness-shire, rather than Crieff. Her father William was a Cotton Weaver & they lived on High St., Crieff. Their eldest then was a child of 12, Alison, who was a domestic servant already.
{I've had no luck yet in finding William any earlier than 1861. For Janet Shaw, the best match of hundreds is a lass in her mother's house in Dores, Inverness in 1841. Her mother was also Janet Shaw, born ~1791 in Inverness, a Cotter.}
Janet & William Keay
My Grandparents were both born in 1914 in Comrie, Perthshire.
William (Bill) Clark Keay was born 16th March 1914.Janet Brack died in Stockport in 1991, after she had suffered with Alzheimer's disease.
Janet Brack & William (Bill) Clark Keay married in 1939 in Comrie.
William (Bill) Clark Keay was born 16th March 1914.
Immediately, Bill was sent out with his regiment in France (WWII) - see photo in an earlier post of Bill in Uniform, and photos also from their wedding day. Wonder if he knew how close he got to the final resting places of his father & uncles?
His young wife, meanwhile was living with her elderly Mum (Janet McKerracher). Her father (William Spence Brack) had died in January 1940, and then her Mum died on 3rd November 1941 (aged 73) while Jen was heavily pregnant with her first child. I have heard the tale of how Jen & her Mum were sharing a bed when her Mum died. Jen laid her out herself, as folk did then.
The gravestone pictured here is at the Comrie burial ground. We can see that as well as Jen's parents, her brother John M. Brack (Jock) is also remembered here. He died 18th February, 1983.
In the weeks after her Mother's death, Jen gave birth prematurely to a tiny girl who was named Janette. She lived only 9 days, and is buried in the grave alongside Mum's parents. (A choice which led to a long-term split between Jen and her brother, very sad.)
We have her birth and death certificates - just 9 days apart. Her father, Bill, never saw his first child as he was away at war.
Bill & Jen went on to have 3 lovely children in Comrie, and in the 1950's they moved to live in Manchester, where Bill worked as a baker. They finally settled in Stockport, and there are now 8 grandchildren!
Here are links with some further reading on Comrie, on Perthshire, and on the Strathearn area generally.
Large guide to Perthshire genealogy resources - pdf file to download - go here.
His young wife, meanwhile was living with her elderly Mum (Janet McKerracher). Her father (William Spence Brack) had died in January 1940, and then her Mum died on 3rd November 1941 (aged 73) while Jen was heavily pregnant with her first child. I have heard the tale of how Jen & her Mum were sharing a bed when her Mum died. Jen laid her out herself, as folk did then.
The gravestone pictured here is at the Comrie burial ground. We can see that as well as Jen's parents, her brother John M. Brack (Jock) is also remembered here. He died 18th February, 1983.In the weeks after her Mother's death, Jen gave birth prematurely to a tiny girl who was named Janette. She lived only 9 days, and is buried in the grave alongside Mum's parents. (A choice which led to a long-term split between Jen and her brother, very sad.)
We have her birth and death certificates - just 9 days apart. Her father, Bill, never saw his first child as he was away at war.
Bill & Jen went on to have 3 lovely children in Comrie, and in the 1950's they moved to live in Manchester, where Bill worked as a baker. They finally settled in Stockport, and there are now 8 grandchildren!
Here are links with some further reading on Comrie, on Perthshire, and on the Strathearn area generally.
Large guide to Perthshire genealogy resources - pdf file to download - go here.
Janet Brack's parents
So: I've found details of my Gran's parents. She was Janet Keay (nee Brack), born in 1914, Comrie, Perthshire.
We have a copy of the marriage certificate of her parents (William & Janet Brack). We also saw their gravestone in Comrie in an earlier post.
Also, I looked them up in the census return for Comrie in 1901 (28, Drummond St., Comrie), and in registry office indices…The following is a summary of the details I've found so far.
We have a copy of the marriage certificate of her parents (William & Janet Brack). We also saw their gravestone in Comrie in an earlier post.
Also, I looked them up in the census return for Comrie in 1901 (28, Drummond St., Comrie), and in registry office indices…The following is a summary of the details I've found so far.
More on the Bracks in Coldingham
Here I'm following on from this other post, where we first met William Brack (father of my grandmother) and his wife Janet McKerracher. From their marriage certificate, we found the names of William's parents; William Brack and Catherine (Spence) Brack.
I have seen that the couple married in 1868 in Coldingham (Berwickshire). We can calculate from other records that their son William was born in 1867, in Coldingham.
I have seen that the couple married in 1868 in Coldingham (Berwickshire). We can calculate from other records that their son William was born in 1867, in Coldingham.
Life Images
Just wanted to share these with you all.
They are images from the Life collection archives - previously unpublished.
They range from the 'Ouch!!' to the 'Ooh!'
They are images from the Life collection archives - previously unpublished.
They range from the 'Ouch!!' to the 'Ooh!'
The Dash - Linda Ellis (1996)
I read of a man who stood to speak at the funeral of a friend.
He referred to the dates on her tombstone from the beginning...to the end.
He noted that first came the date of her birth and spoke of the following date with tears,
but he said what mattered most of all was the dash between those years.
For that dash represents all the time that she spent alive on earth...
and now only those who loved her know what that little line is worth.
For it matters not, how much we own; the cars....the house...the cash.
What matters is how we live and love and how we spend our dash.
So think about this long and hard...are there things you'd like to change?
For you never know how much time is left that can still be rearranged.
If we could just slow down enough to consider what's true and real,
and always try to understand the way other people feel.
And be less quick to anger, and show appreciation more
and love the people in our lives like we've never loved before.
If we treat each other with respect, and more often wear a smile...
remembering that this special dash might only last a little while.
So, when your eulogy is being read with your life's actions to rehash...
would you be proud of the things they say about how you spend your dash?
by Linda Ellis
Link here to the author's site.
He referred to the dates on her tombstone from the beginning...to the end.
He noted that first came the date of her birth and spoke of the following date with tears,
but he said what mattered most of all was the dash between those years.
For that dash represents all the time that she spent alive on earth...
and now only those who loved her know what that little line is worth.
For it matters not, how much we own; the cars....the house...the cash.
What matters is how we live and love and how we spend our dash.
So think about this long and hard...are there things you'd like to change?
For you never know how much time is left that can still be rearranged.
If we could just slow down enough to consider what's true and real,
and always try to understand the way other people feel.
And be less quick to anger, and show appreciation more
and love the people in our lives like we've never loved before.
If we treat each other with respect, and more often wear a smile...
remembering that this special dash might only last a little while.
So, when your eulogy is being read with your life's actions to rehash...
would you be proud of the things they say about how you spend your dash?
by Linda Ellis
Link here to the author's site.
Family History - how to get started on some of your own...
A guide to family history research (in the UK). See someone else's guide, too - on the FFHS site.
And No, I didn't do it the way I set out below - I made lots of mistakes and had many false starts!
Always remember the Genealogists' Code of Conduct.
And No, I didn't do it the way I set out below - I made lots of mistakes and had many false starts!
Always remember the Genealogists' Code of Conduct.
- As the King of Hearts said, it's important to "begin at the beginning and go on till you come to the end: then stop".
- First ask questions of all the relatives you can find and make sure you won't be duplicating research someone else has already done,
- Then find all the original birth, marriage and death certificates (BMD) you can find, also documents such as old letters, photos, family bibles etc can give interesting clues.
- Keep careful records throughout, of course!
- The best place to start with genealogical research on the internet is Genuki as it covers everything.
- Research on the internet can begin with accessing further BMD data. It's best to start with the local indexes - see a rather patchy county-by-county access from here, or for direct access to local indexes try the library in the locality. Free access to the national indexes here, up to around 1911. Scottish BMD data is available here for a fee. Some useful information is accessible for Northern Ireland, here.
- If you find that there are several different people who all fit the age & location you are searching (eg 10 different John Smiths) then you'll need to try and narrow it down - that means more questions around the family, using the National Census, or paying for the certificates will mean you can see the full details on the certificate. (You can buy the BMD certificates you need from here (£7 each, but if you want to be sure, it saves a lot of wasted effort & time later!)
- It's really important to get your facts right!
- Then you can access data on family groups, occupations etc from Census returns (link here to GENUKI's guidance on the UK census). Always try & work backwards from what you know for sure!!!....Begin with the 1901 census, although access to 1911 census data is beginning to open up early - search online (pay-per-view) at Find My Past here. Data in the full England & Wales 1901, 1891 and 1881 censuses {censi??} are transcribed into searchable databases (free access to 1881 data via the Latter Day Saints website here, via FreeCen mainly for the 1891 census, and a limited service here on the 1901 census). These sources are good, but can be patchy - they are not yet fully transcribed, so you may like to buy credits for access to an image of the original 1901 document here, or all census returns at Ancestry.co.uk).
- Older Census returns can be accessed, back to 1841 in England & Wales via FreeCen (patchy) and also at Ancestry.co.uk.
- Then access to parish records can help to track relatives beyond 1837 (when BMD records began, or pre-1855 in Scotland) - these records are generally accessed in person locally, but some records are online (the Latter Day Saints site here, for example. Find out more here).
- If you know a relative was in the military, records can be searched:- in Ancestry.com (if you are a paid-up member); at the National Archives (for a £3.50 fee per search); or free at the Commonwealth Graves Commission. *NEW* Excellent guide to what's available online for researching military history; UK-MFH
- You may find some interesting stories; Workhouses, Immigration, Emigration, (also the Ship's List) Trials & Prisons. Old newspapers (e.g family announcements and their 15 minutes of fame!) are searchable online free, here
- Do make sure you Google your relatives (but, oh please, not this way!). Use the Advanced Search button.
- If you feel you need to find some family who are still 'with us', there are all sorts of resources for 20thC. researches, but for a fee - such as this site, the BT archive of old phone books, or 192.com to search electoral rolls.
- Don't forget to share your researches with family members - something you have found may trip a memory that lay hidden before. Also the internet can help you to unearth relatives with whom your family had lost touch. (eg GenesReunited, Rootsweb, also regional family history societies)
- Best of luck with your searches, but watch you don't take things too far!
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