COATS family representing COATS cotton Co in Russia in late 1800s

[NSWelshwoman]

Thanks for doing that check Aghadowey, I was wondering about overseas bmd records and how I could check for them (my foray into Russian records to date indicates a trip to local archives is only possible avenue - and Russian language skills required as well).  But yes you do have the right man. The information about his wife is written on the back of a surviving photo of him.

[aghadowey]

Did he die in Australia in 1935? If so the death certificate might help (depending on what information the informant- possibly nephew) knew? Will do a bit more thinking and searching.

[NSWelshwoman]

No he died in Kent, but his death certificate unfortunately doesn't tell us anything about his by then long-diseased wife.

[aghadowey]

Thought from something I'd found earlier that he'd died in Australia (Australian death certificates usually much more detail than English ones).

? John Bilby Merikin Epps died 29 July 1935 of 56 Godwin Rd. Cliftonville Margate. Probate granted to Mabel Sarah Winifred Maeers spinster.

Found this post which suggests he married in Dorset before going to Russia but I can't find any marriage there-
http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/DORSET/2005-03/1110564648

[loobylooayr]

Hello NSWelshwoman,

The forename Lorna was (according to various online sites ) made popular by the 1869 novel Lorna Doone - you may have already read that? There were not many Lorna'a around during your Lorna Coats's lifetime. In fact there were only 7 female Lornas and 1 male Lorna on the Scottish 1881 Census.
I've been trying to think what other name could have been abbreviated/altered to Lorna but haven't came up with anything yet.
Looby

[NSWelshwoman]

Yes Loobyloo, Lorna is certainly a difficult one to come up with other possible versions/variations.

Aghadowey - the information on the back of the photo indicates he married in St Petersburg. The Dorset post reflects an early version of what we thought.

[aghadowey]

Just exploring every possible lead 

[NSWelshwoman]

And your help in doing this exploration is very much appreciated Aghadowey. To try and glean more details I have returned to the original information and note that Lorna could in fact be LANA Coats/Coates. I have also discovered that she had a sister (unfortunately not named) but who married a Mr Thornicroft of the engineering firm "now called Metropolitan Vickers"". I don't know if any of this will help......

[aghadowey]

Haven't found a Lana Coats yet but the details of the sister might be very useful. Am off again to search.....