Why was Regina Mary in South Africa?

[groom]

Thank you everyone who has shown an interest in this, I had no idea it would prove so complicated or intriguing.

[Mabel Bagshawe]

Sorry not on my laptop but what happened to Phyllis ....did she due a spinster ?

Phillis died in 1923, unmarried

[groom]

Thanks Mabel. Yes she died in 1923 in Croydon, so obviously still living with, or near, her grandmother.

[groom]

What proof do we have that Elsie Maud is Regina's child other than the name; she is down as visitor in the census.......

Just double checked the image and Regina's status (servant) and the two children as visitors has been added by another hand and in another pen. The George Bell is her son, so it follows that Elsie could her daughter. But as you say it doesn't fit with 2 alive, 2 dead. Unless she didn't have custody of Phillis and counted her as lost.

[Spidermonkey]

I notice that Elsie' marriage is indexed as Joseph H Worton and Burgess or Hopewell. I wonder who she named as her father ?

Yes, I wonder if Elsie's marriage cert might hold the answer - who does she name as her father and what is his profession?

[Spidermonkey]

Hopewell had also been in court in 1909 for drunkenness .

In the newspaper report of this incident it says
"......he [Hopewell] had been up to recently living with a woman who desired to have no more to do with him.  On Saturday night he went to the house and broke open the door."

If this woman was Regina, then it seems like it was rather turbulent in their household! 

Hopewell's address is given in the article as Caukwell's Yard, Newark.

[3sillydogs]

I think it is highly possible that Elsie was Regina's daughter given the fact that she and Phyllis shared the same second name.

[WarBrideDaughter]

Elsie Maud (nee Burgess) Worton is my grandmother. Regina Mary Spurway Bell Neilson Burgess Hopewell is my great grandmother. May I ask what is your relationship to Elsie and Regina?

[groom]

Hello, WarBrideDaughter.

Unfortunately this family isn't related to me at all, I was helping a friend, who in turn was working on the tree for a friend of hers. What a fascinating family this is though.  Can you add anything to what we have found, if not, I hope this thread helps you in your FH research?