St. Pancras Workhouse Records

[Amber1867]

I was wondering if anyone could help me solve a family mystery? My great-grandfather was born in Camden, London, England in abt. 1889. His parents were Charles Arthur Brown and Sarah Ann Brown (Smith). He also had a younger brother named William. I found on Ancestry that they were baptised at St. Pancras on February 10th, 1892. According to my great-grandfather he came to Canada with a sister Nellie. The only record I have of her is her marriage record to Sidney Croucher; she also lists her brother as her father. I would like to find out what happened to Sarah and Charles as I cannot find records on them after the baptismal certificate in 1892 at St. Pancras. They did not come to Canada and also if Nellie is indeed related. (I have a feeling she may not be as the last name Brown is common). As for William, he never made it to Canada with Henry (Harry) or Nellie. I believe that my great-grandfather never knew that he had a brother. I guess I would just like any tips on where to go from here.

[HeatherLynne]

Hi Amber and welcome to Rootschat!  I'm sorry but I'm finding your post rather confusing!

Is Henry (Harry) your great grandfather?  At the beginning you say Nellie is his sister but then you seem to doubt whether she's related.  Also I'm not sure why the subject title is St Pancras Workhouse Records - do you think Charles and Sarah might have ended up there?

I wish you luck in your research, Smith and Brown are difficult names!

Heather

[Amber1867]

Hi Heather,
Henry James Brown is my great-grandfather, he also went by Harry. When he came to Canada he came with people who weren't his relatives on a Salvation Army ship. (Don't know the name of the ship). He came with Nellie and neither his parents or William. I'm thinking that since William and Henry were baptised on the same day at St. Pancras Workhouse they may have been dropped off there. He (Henry) was 3 years old, so I think either William died or was adopted somewhere else, and maybe Henry had no memory of him. I have no proof other than the fact nobody in my family knew of a William. As for Nellie, I found a record of her birth to a Sarah and Charles Brown. However, there was two couples from Camden/Holy Trinity area with the name of Charles and Sarah Brown. The ones I am looking for always signed their name along with their middle name. So a Charles and Sarah Brown had a Nellie Eliza Brown, but I cannot tell if it was the same Charles Arthur and Sarah Ann Brown who are my great-great grandparents. Since Nellie didn't know her parents or where she was born (according to her marriage certificate) then I am not sure she was actually related. I think if I can figure out what happened to Charles Arthur and Sarah Ann Brown I could piece it together. I think St. Pancras might have the answer but the image is not available to me (the one with their baptismal record) so I don't know if it says anything about why they were there. I hope this helps, sorry for the confusion.

[JeannieR]

Hello Amber,

And welcome to Rootschat

I am not sure if you have this information, but here go's

1891 census
9, Sponden Road, Tottenham

Charles A Brown / Head / age 34 / Butcher / born Clapham
Sarah A Brown / wife / age 27 / born Old Kent Road
Henry James Brown / age 3 / born Camden
William Brown / son / age 1 / born Kentish Town

1901 census
Henry James is a 11 year old Inmate at
The Herefordshire and District Working Boys Home and Industrial School
No sign of William

According to the 1911 census of Canada, he arrived there in 1904

JeannieR

[Amber1867]

Hi JeannieR,
Thanks for the info, I have nothing on Henry James and William Brown between 1892-1904. Where did you find the info about The Herefordshire and District Working Boys Home and Industrial School?

Thanks so much...this is really helping.

[JeannieR]

Hello Amber

I got the information from Ancestry

Piece  2482 / Folio 105 / page 3
Definitely state Henry James Brown , born London

I am afraid I haven't as yet found William.....

I do not think Nellie Eliza is a member of your family. Her father was a labourer, according to the Baptism record... will keep trying to find some more info. It would be good to know when they entered the Workhouse and why....

JeannieR

[Amber1867]

This is soo exciting...I feel we are getting close. My great-grandfather (Henry) always said Nellie was his sister. But I think he might not have known the truth being so young at a workhouse. I also really want to know why the boys were baptised at St. Pancras (I couldn't find admission records on Ancestry for them). Maybe William's name was changed and he was adopted out. If only that baptismal image was available it might say more.

[polarbear]

Hello and welcome from me too  .

Was Henry's wife named Eva Ellen Fuller?

Polarbear

[Amber1867]

Yes Eva was his wife...my Great-Grandmother.