Handwriting Experts -- HELP Please

[avm228]

In 1861, 4 Henry Passage accommodated 4 households (17 individuals) - the GILLS, MOSSES, CHAMPION and DAWSON families.  So it doesn't look like an institution, but perhaps a rather crowded, sub-divided house.

Anna

[Brambletye]

In 1861, 4 Henry Passage accommodated 4 households (17 individuals) - the GILLS, MOSSES, CHAMPION and DAWSON families.  So it doesn't look like an institution, but perhaps a rather crowded, sub-divided house.

Anna

Possibly not even sub-divided - it might have been what used to be called a "rookery".
Several families, one or two rooms apiece, shared facilities if any...

[rthom]

Hi Anna and Brambletye:

Thanks for this. 

If we are right about that number "4" in the address, this doesn't provide any real clues as to why Fanny should have given birth there in 1860. Maybe one of the women was a friend of the family and a discreet midwife?

A year later, in the 1861 Census, Priscilla, 1, is recorded living with her Steventon grandparents at 57 East Street, Marylebone [RG09/73/26/50]; and Fanny, 17, is a servant at 28 Albion Grove West in Islington [RG09/128/3/12].

Regards, rthom

[Brambletye]

Hi Anna and Brambletye:

Thanks for this. 

If we are right about that number "4" in the address, this doesn't provide any real clues as to why Fanny should have given birth there in 1860. Maybe one of the women was a friend of the family and a discreet midwife?

A year later, in the 1861 Census, Priscilla, 1, is recorded living with her Steventon grandparents at 57 East Street, Marylebone [RG09/73/26/50]; and Fanny, 17, is a servant at 28 Albion Grove West in Islington [RG09/128/3/12].

Regards, rthom

Home births were the norm in them thar days, but Fanny might have been living elsewhere and just gone there for her confinement - and as she is a servant by 1861, she is having to earn enough to keep herself and the child, while her parents look after it.

Not too different from 1961, then...

[rthom]

Yep! 

There are family anecdotes that Fanny was taken advantage of by a gentleman of higher social standing -- possibly the master of the house where she was a servant before 1860. Hence the real interest in seeing Frederick (---) named on Priscilla's birth certificate. Evidently, this whole episode was a closely guarded family secret, which may account for Fanny's remote confinement.

rthom

[avm228]

I think this (below) may be her original registration (before the corrections and re-issue).  Obviously she would originally have been indexed under her father's surname, before it was deleted from the certificate.

Priscilla ENSALL Mar 1860 Pancras 1b 29 (note page number is the same as the STEVENTON registration)

Anna

[avm228]

Looking for candidates: in 1851 a 35 yr old Frederick ENSOLL is a widowed linen draper at 22 High St, Marylebone: HO107/1487 folio 146 p37

Anna

[Brambletye]

ah...ENSOLL/ENSALL... it didn't look like an "E", but the writing is so bad...

I think avm might be onto something here, I've had another look at the scan...

[rthom]

Hi Anna:

Thank you so much.  You are an absolute star!! 

Now we have a name to chase up.  The plot thickens.

Regards, rthom