Irish immigration to Maidstone c. 1890s?

[heywood]

Nigelo,
that looks so good 

Certificates are definitely needed now for Nellie Victoria and perhaps Joseph's death to see if they corroborate this 'evidence'.

I really had little (even no) hope for a result but I think this may be it. 

heywood

[scintilla]

There is a Joseph GERMAN, born Canterbury about 1873 (as is the one nigelo found on the 1901 census) living in Margate in 1881 with a brother James. They are the sons of a Stephen GERMAN, whose wife (likely to be their mother) is from Ireland. If this is the right family, this may be where the Irish connection of family lore comes in.

[nigelo]

I really had little (even no) hope for a result but I think this may be it. 

heywood

I felt the same. This really was a stroke of luck. In my experience the chance of finding the identity of an un-named father like this is pretty rare. Wish I could sort out a few of my own as easily.   

[Babs86]

Thank you, thank you and thank you again! Scintilla, Heywood and Nigelo - I had pretty much resided to never finding this man, trying to find a person whose name you have no idea of was quite an overwhelming task for my amateur researching!! My great Aunt in South Africa will be over the moon if this Joseph German does indeed turn out to be the right guy.

From what we have seen so far it does seem to be the case, even the names used for the children match in with both Eliza's and Joseph's family names. Will be ordering up the certificates in the coming couple of days, will keep you posted with what they say!

[Babs86]

...May have spoken too soon - the mother listed on the 1901 census with the GERMAN brothers is called Frances and she is listed as being born in Canterbury. However the woman on the 1881 census is called 'Ann' and listed as being born in Ireland, but does have the sons James and Joseph and their DoBs work out to match those gathered from the 1901 census.

I've also searched for the marriage of Stephen German, and have found a record from March 1864, in the Blean area of Kent, with a possible spouse of Honora Callaghan (which sounds remarkably Irish). I have also seen a Stephen and 'Anoria' German - with son James, aged 5, along with other children living in Canterbury on the 1871 census. Obviously, by the earlier calculations - Joseph German was born c.1873 which would explain why he is not listed.

It makes sense if this Honora / Anoria would shorten her name down to 'Ann', but I have a feeling this 'Frances' on the 1901 might be a different person and therefore a different family? 

[heywood]

Free bmd has a death for Honora -1883

Stephen is wth Frances in 1891

I think he was married to Suzanna in 1861 also 

[Babs86]

Hi all - just a little update to let you know I've ordered up the certificates, will report back when I get them next week...

[heywood]

Thanks 

[Babs86]

Typically the certificates I ordered appear to have been lost in the post! 

I've been on the phone to the GRO these last few days chasing them up and they've had to send them out again. So... will report back when I get the next set (they are being sent out 1st class on Monday apparently). I hope I get them very soon!!