Dorothy Lawrence: 1888 - 1964

[Dundee]

For birthplace/parentage info

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dorothy_Lawrence

The article has conflicting information.  "Lawrence was born in Hendon, Middlesex, of parents unknown. Probably illegitimate"  and "Born 4 October 1896 Hendon, Middlesex, Parent(s)    Thomas Hartshorn Lawrence, Mary Jane Beddall"

The 1896 birth was registered in Warwickshire, not Hendon, and I am pretty sure she married in 1923 to Joseph SUTTON.  In 1939 they are living in Market Bosworth.  She probably died in 1956.  One of the people who claim that journalist Dorothy was this woman might like to obtain the marriage cert to SUTTON to confirm her identity.

Debra 

[Annette7]

Hi the death of Dorothy indicates she was born c 1888, in 1911 I can see a Dorothy Lawrence 23 occ Journalist b Shepherds Bush?

Keyboard86

Well spotted, Keyboard86.

Yes, CaroleW - in 1939 she is an 'inmate'.

So, the 'facts' show she was indeed bc.1888 per 1911 census, 1939 register (both state journalist) and her death in 1964.

Annette

[keyboard86]

Hi re Josephine, on both the 1901 and 1911 census her sister Helen spells her surname NEVILL, there is a marriage of a Samuel Richard Fitzgerald to a Josephine Nevill Dec qtr 1888 Ticehurst 2b 223
Keyboard86

[will2102]

you guys are blowing my mind.

this is my first time researching someone like this.

I feel quite stupid.

Where you finding all this info?

censuses, death certificates, marriage certificates..?

she never officially enlisted but had papers under the name of Denis Smith.

is there a way of searching newspapers from 100 years ago? I'd like to see if she is mentioned in any articles, and to see some of her own as well.

looks like most of my info is a load of crap.

I want to find out more about the rape allegation she made against her guardian. any ideas?

I think Samuel Fitzgerald died in 1890.

[Dundee]

This article says:

Military historian Simon Jones  stumbled across a copy of her long-forgotten book while working at  the Royal Engineers Museum in Chatham, Kent, ten years ago and is now writing her biography.

With his help, The Mail on Sunday has pieced together fragments of Dorothy’s personal and professional life – and can reveal for the first time that her rape allegations were sufficiently compelling to be included in her medical records, held in the London Metropolitan Archives.

http://www.rootschat.com/links/01kpx/

Perhaps you should ty to find the military historian mentioned in the article.

Debra 

[Dundee]

https://simonjoneshistorian.com/

Debra 

[will2102]

thanks debra, he's currently writing her biography - has been for a while. he's reluctant to help me out until his book is released.

[keyboard86]

Fascinating!

To complete the census returns for Josephine, in 1891 she is aged 41 Widow with her Mother and Sister at St Georges See?, Kensington
Census Ref RG12/18/94/42, in 1901 she is 51 b Croydon at The Close, New Sarum, Salisbury with a visitor Violet H Cutbril 24 occ Artist b North Cray, Kent plus 2 Servants
Census Ref RG13/1955/30/7
Keyboard86

[mirl]

Perhaps you should also try getting her medical records from Colney Hatch Asylum held my LMA.  I got a grand uncles from them a few years ago, he died 1926 but I'm not sure if they will release those with a 1964 death.