Emma Whifen

[Dee 32]

I am looking for information on Emma Whiffen. She is my gt.gt. grandmother, born in Gravesend in 1841, her father is George Whiffen. She had two daughters seemingly out of wedlock Jane 181867 and Louisa 1872 both born in Bromley - Louisa in the workhouse. In 1876 she married William Larkin and had a son and daughter. That is all I know.  I haven't been able to find a birth or death record for her. If anyone knows anything about her I would be grateful. Thank you.

[keyboard86]

Hi and welcome to Rootschat would I be correct in saying she was the Emma Whiffen aged 21 b Maidstone working as a Servant in Hanover Street, Lewisham in 1861?
Census ref RG09/416/59/7

Keyboard86

[keyboard86]

Hi again can see Emma Larkin as a Widow in Bromley 1891 RG12/628/23/39 but like yourself at present cannot locate a likely death, did Jane E Whiffen/Whiffin marry a William Edward Johnson in June qtr 1885 Bromley 2a 579 and with family at Walters Yard, Bromley in 1891 RG12/629/17/28?
1871 No sign or previous for Emma?

Not helping with Emma, but it looks like Jane E remarried to a Frederick Holland and shown as Emma in 1901 with Johnson stepchildren at Bromley Crescent, Bromley
Census ref RG13/682/114/19

Keyboard86

[trish1120]

Possible 1851;

1851 Census
8 Skins Market Place,
Southwark St Saviour, Surrey
HO107/1558/315/30
George WHIFFIN, 50, Head, Mar, Comb Maker
Sarah Whiffin, 45, Wife, Mar
Thos Whiffin, 14, Son
EMMA Whiffin, 12, Daug, Scholar
Rebecca Whiffin, 10, Daug, Scholar
Robt Whiffin, 8, Son, Scholar
All down as born London

What was Georges Occp on Emmas M/C?

Trish

EDIT, same Family in Surrey in 1841;
George Whiffen    40
Sarah Whiffen    35
George Whiffen    10
Eliza Whiffen    9
Esther Whiffen    7
Thos Whiffen    5
Emma Whiffen    3
Rebecca Whiffen 5 Mo   

1861 in Shoreditch, Middlesex we have;
George Whiffin, 59, Head or Husband, Mar, Comb Maker, born Southwark
Thomas Whiffin, 24, Son, Unm, Comb Maker, born Southwark
Robert Whiffin, 18, Son, Unm, Labourer, born Southwark
RG9/243/134/25
   

[keyboard86]

Hi again still looking for you, another problem I am encountering is whereabouts of Louisa Elizabeth Whiffen/Whiffin b 1872 Bromley after 1881?

Keyboard86

[Dee 32]

Thank you Trish & Keyboard. Georges occupation was 'Groomsman'.  Louisa married Charles Edwards in 1908 after having a family of 6 children, their 7th was born in 1909. Louisa died in 1942.

[keyboard86]

Hi again have you located Louisa 1891?

Keyboard86

PS found her as Edwards 1901

[Dee 32]

Yes, I know  about Louisa.  She was on the census as Edwards but that wasn't strictly true.  She lived with Charles and they had 6 children but legally she was still Whiffen.  She didn't become 'Mrs Edwards' until 1908! My Dad was so shocked when he found out, he'd always thought of his Grandparents as being very 'proper'.  They married out of borough, I imagine that was because they had a shop on the high street and everyone thought they were already married! The things research turns up!  It's her mother Emma I am having difficulty with.  Seems as if she is still walking around Bromley.  I have found a death for an Emma Larkin in Maidstone, but I really don't know if it's her, will just have to wait and see what the 1921 census turns up I guess - a long wait.   
Denise

[Chris Doran]

Some interesting entries from Bromley directories:-

1871   George Whiffin at 7 Walter's Yard, Bromley High St
1876   ditto
1887   Wm Larkin at 2 Mooreland Rd, Farwig
   Several William Johnsons, but not at Walter's Yard
1889   Mrs Larkin at 3 Morum's Cottages, Farwig
   William Johnson at 10 Sharpe's Cottages, Walter's Yard
1891   Mrs Larkin at 31 Mooreland Rd
   William Johnson at 10 Sharpe's Cottages, Walter's Yard
1892   ditto
1896   Mrs Larkin not found (left Bromley, or this world?)
   F Johnson at 10 Sharpe's Cottages, Walter's Yard
1900   ditto
1903   Frederick Johnson at 12 Sharpe's Cottages, Walter's Yard
1905   Frederick James Johnson at 12 Sharpe's Cottages, Walter's Yard
   Charles Edwards, bootmaker, 19 Bromley High St. Other Charles Edwardses elsewhere.
1909   No longer at Walter's Yard

Thereafter, the commonness of Johnson and Edwards surnames make it hard to be sure of the right person, and Whiffen was also a common name in NW Kent at one time. Bromley Local Studies has more directories for intermediate years *, which I will look at next time I'm there. But Dee should really visit if possible. If not, they will answer quick questions free by email. I will try to help if possible, but they're about to cut opening hours, which may reduce my future helpfulness.

Chris

* The above, and other, directories were online at one time, but the link I have no longer works and I can't find them elsewhere on the Council website. I'm glad I grabbed them when I did