Miss Emily Parker,Victorian Swimmer

[Smokey807]

Miss Emily Parker can be found in many newspaper accounts in the 1870's as a renouned swimmer. She was born 1861 at Clerkenwell, one of several children born to William Parker (b1826 Essex) and Louise Parker(b 1826 Hadlow,Essex). Emily also had a  brother Henry Parker, born 1849 at St Lukes,Middlsex who is referred to in newspaper accounts as Harry Parker, a famous swimmer.

The last record I have for Emily Parker is the 1881 census at 15 Buxton St St James Clerkenwell where she is living with her parents and her brother Henry and sister Alice.Emily in 1881 is recorded as a teacher of swimming.

I loose all track of Emily after the 1881 census. What can you tell me about her after 1881. I don't know if she ever got married and any other details about her life/death etc. Any help would be appreciated.

[CaroleW]

I don't know if she ever got married

Have you checked freebmd?

What is your interest in her?  Where does she fit into your family history

[Smokey807]

Im not related to Miss Emily Parker. She was a friend of the Luker family of Tunbridge Wells who I am researching and a photo of her was sent to me by a decendent of the Luker's who have her photo in an album passed down to the Lukers from the English Channel swimmer Capt Matthew Webb in 1876 who was also aquainted with the Parker family.

[Jonquill]

Still alive in 1884. In the 1891 census dad and brother Henry are living in Hackney but Emily is not with them.

Morning Post - Tuesday 05 August 1884

At the bank holiday fete at Alexandra Park there was "a swimming entertainment in the open-air bath, at which Miss Emily Parker the so called "Heroine of the Thames".... blah blah

[Smokey807]

Very good. So we have Miss Emily Parker in 1884,age 23, still doing swimming feats and still not married.Emily's father Henry is still putting on swimming performances at Tunnel Beaches,Ilfracombe,Devon.He died there Dec 4,1932. Henry's wife Ellen died at Tunnel Baths,Ilfracombe,Devon Sept. 1,1902. Henry Parkers son Henry Parker junior is referred to in newspapers of 1898 and 1900 performing swimming feats with his father at Ilfracombe but no mention of Emily performing there .Emily is most likely living in the London area. Any newspaper accounts of her after 1884?

[sem73]

Hi Smokey807

North Devon Journal, 8th December 1932, Harry Parker's death notice mentions "he leaves one son & one daughter".... so either Emily or a sister has died by 1932.....

Sarah

[Jonquill]

Isn't Emily's dad's name William? Henry/Harry is her brother.

In the 1901 census Henry has two children Henry L and Ellen M.

[sem73]

     ..... Must be this heat getting to me!! 

Sarah

[Smokey807]

Yes my mistake. Henry is Emily's brother and William is her father.