A few updates on this thread, the summary of what is known is below:
I have now gained some new information finally from someone who recalls "Reginald Hamilton".
He called himself "Rex" apparently, which makes sense of why my Grandmother Daphne called her children Hamilton and Rex (the latter being my father). He also had a large car, and a boat on the thames "indicating he was quite wealthy". This was recalled by someone who met him when she was young (she was born in the 1930's).
On the marriage certificate of my grandmother Daphne - in 1933 - Reginald / Rex was described as a "Stockbroker".
The previous summary below:
Summarising here the outcomes of this huge long thread
And continuing the search to find "Reginald Hamilton"
Marie M Saunders (on 1911 aged 16 and living in Maida Vale daughter of Ernestine) gives birth it seems (tbc) to 3 children:
Daphne Marguerite Hamilton b1911 Paddington
Stewart E/R Hamilton b1914 Eastbourne Sussex
Anthony P Hamilton b1916 Willseden Middlesex
Daphne (my grandmother): birth certificate lists Reginald Hamilton, flannel manufacturers traveller as father.
Birth certificates are on order Anthony (will order Stewarts too later) to confirm if Reginald / Marie are listed as parents as for Daphne.
1939 census sees Anthony P Hamilton "Occupation traveller" living in Uckfield with Ernestine, mother of Marie. In the 1960's we find Anthony living back in Maida Vale with Stewart.
Back in 1939 - Marie is living a short way away from Anthony. She is now Marie Lambert, married to Walter Lambert, living with Daphne Jiggens (my gran), Hamilton Jiggens (Daphnes son) and two more locked records who could be other family members: Percy Charles (husband of Daphne), rex Jiggens (second son of Daphne) and / or Walter Lambert.
Marie and Reginald never appear to marry. It could be that Reginald dies in the war?
The question is - who is Reginald Hamilton? I have a few possibles on the 1901 / 1911 but have not been able to pin down for sure who he is.
If you like intrigue and mysteries read on -
It seems certain that Maries mother - Ernestine - also had her children out of wedlock too.
Ernestine Saunders b1864 - 1961 - mother of Eugene and Marie on the 1911 is listed as widowed.
However it seems from family pictures and stories that she is in fact Ernestine Le Fort who christens an illegitimate child in Marleybone 1890. And also has Marie Saunders in 1894.
Family stories say that my Grandmother Daphne was traveller - possibly Romany.
I have read on this forum that travellers "often didn't marry but would sometimes baptise their children".
It seems that we have two generations of women - Ernestine and Marie - in stable relationship where they give birth to several children, but do not marry the fathers.
Additionally in several places those children are listed as "traveller" -
Anthony P Hamilton on 1939
Reginald Hamilton on the birth certificate of Daphne.
So thats a summary of the story so far. I have some birth & marriage certificates due end of January, and also am doing dna matching on familydna.com
If anyone spots anything in the meantime - any help most welcome!
With thanks,
Cathryn
