Will St Giles Workhouse, Endell Street help me in my search?

[braam63]

I’m battling to trace my maternal great grandmother and great grandfather and would appreciate any help.  The only information that I have is as follows :

Elizabeth Behm née Haberer was born on 11 July 1868 at Palone (Patone?), Germany.  This place does not seem to exist.  I’m also not sure whether Haberer is her maiden name or a previous married name.

She seemed to have moved to England in 1897 as a cook.  This seemed to be the year she married George Behm as well; I’m not sure in which country.

On 6 August 1903 she stayed at 13 Whittaker Street, Sloane Square.  The document also says her residence was St Giles Workhouse, Endell Street.  I’m not sure why both addresses were stated on the same document (birth certificate of her son, Charles George Henry Behm, born 29 July 1903).  It seemed that he was born at St Giles Workhouse?  Don’t know where the father was at that stage.

During 1911 she stayed at 59A South Audley St, London W; assumedly still a cook.

Charles George Henry Behm, her son, joined school in England on 20 April 1914 after returning from Germany.  Elizabeth Behm née Haberer (Nana) assumedly remained in England over this period, however George and Charles George Henry Behm (father and son) were in Germany where the son went to school.  WWI started and the father returned to England with his son.  The son went to an English school, St Pauls Knighsbridge School.  The son left school on 7 September 1917, having attained standard 7.

On 19 October 1939 Elizabeth was staying at 48 Pelham road, Gravesend.  On this day she was at the Rochester City Police and registered as a female enemy alien, non-refugee.  She was cleared from interment and restrictions.  I don’t have any data about how she was interned during the First World War.  The document indicated she was a married woman, retired, however there is no data of George Behm.

Elizabeth Behm née Haberer died on 2 December 1944, aged seventy six.  Her address was 48 Pelham Road, Gravesend.  She was in the Gravesend and North Kent hospital, Gravesend at the time of her death.

[KGarrad]

Most workhouses had an attached Infirmary - usually the only medical facilities available for poorer people.

So, it seems likely that she was there simply for the birth.

[Milliepede]

She seemed to have moved to England in 1897 as a cook.  This seemed to be the year she married George Behm as well; I’m not sure in which country.

There doesn't seem to be a marriage in England/Wales with those names so perhaps they married before arriving in England.

Do you have them as a married couple on the 1901 census?

[Milliepede]

I’m also not sure whether Haberer is her maiden name or a previous married name.

The birth registration for Charles shows it as her maiden name.

[jonw65]

She's in the St Giles + St George Examination Books
No. 84143
Elizabeth Behm, born 11th July 1868, Germany
Charles George Behm, born 29th July 1903, St G. WH

Elizabeth admitted 29th July 1903, in labour
Admitted from the French Hospital (no room)
Says she is single!

[jonw65]

Present place of abode - 13 Whittaker St Pimlico
Occupation - Cook
Friend - Mrs Best, 4a Whittaker Street Pimlico

Various addresses given
Ah, says (see ?) Mary Behm, 83594

Or Mary Behan even!

[jonw65]

It's very odd
For Elizabeth Behm it says
21st March 1904 Kennedy Ct 9 mo
child Charles George with Mrs Burns 114 Westmoreland Road Old Kent Road (paid for by Samuel ?)
30 Craven Terrace Lancaster Gate 9 mo
42 St James St Picadilly 2 years
another address
all crossed through
then it refers to Elizab Mary Behan 83594

Mary Behan, exam 83594, admitted 27th October 1902
born 11th Feby 1872 in County Wexford, Ireland
father John Behan
She was a Cook, living in Kennedy Place
Pregnant, Destitute
Single
Gave birth to daughter Mary Behan, 3rd Decr 1902
another daughter Kathleen
30 + 31 Craven Terrace Lancaster Gate 7 mo
72 St James Street Piccadilly 3 years

21st March 1904 Kennedy Court 9 months
Child Mary with Mrs Burns 114 Westmoreland Road Old Kent Road. Paid for by its father Samuel Gilesby (?) French Waiter

Much, much more. Very complicated
Appears that Mary Behan and Elizabeth Behm were one and the same person. Two children born seven months apart in that case
John

[braam63]

This all seems very odd. Thanks for the information, although it doesn't make sense.

I do unfortunately not know whether they were a married couple on the 1901 census.

I know that she only seemed to speak German. My Mother only spoke German to Elizabeth. What doesn't make sense is that if she were Mary Behan, then why did she have to report to the police for intern evaluation during 1939?  She was supposed Irish?

[jonw65]

Hi
It does seem unlikely that they can be the same person.
Maybe there is another reason for the link up in the records, possibly the the two children having the same father.
Both Charles George and Mary said to be with Mrs Burns in 1904. And I'm not sure that Charles is mentioned in Mary Behan's record. It's quite rambling, I haven't got to grips with it yet. There seems to have been an order of removal, or two even, involved as well.

The other oddity is so many addresses for Elizabeth and Mary being similar
John