Please help me find Martha Locke!

[AbbieRose]

Something is not quite right here. I believe your interest is in Martha Ellen Locke who married William Nash. In 1911 she is shown as born c1875 in Northfield, Worcestershire This lady is almost certainly the Martha Ellen Isabella Locke born in 1874 in Kings Norton and living with parents Charles and Elizabeth in Bromsgrove in 1881, place of birth Northfield.
Martha M Locke listed as a servant in 1891 is age 19 ( Ancestry say 14 and FindMyPast says 17 but looking at the image closely it is 19) and was born Wick, Worcestershire. She is almost certainly Martha Maria Locke born in Pershore ( which includes Wick) in 1872.
These appear to be two different people.
Isobel

This is absolutely heartbreaking; I really thought I had narrowed it down and proved most of her story to be true! I'm at a loss for words really; you are correct about the two different Marthas. I'm not really sure how to proceed with this now!
We are desperate to work out if her story was true or not and, ultimately, try and figure out who Ellen's father really was.

[isobelw]

I have looked and looked for Martha in 1891 and can't see any sign of her. I found her sister Julia working as a servant, so the chances are that is also what Martha was employed as. Her father Charles had died in Bromsgrove in 1882 and in 1886 her mother remarried to John Tolley. They were living in Stoke Prior in 1891 with William Lock 10 ( her son by Charles) and a daughter Florence Tolley born Bromsgrove c 1887. This child appears to have been born Florence May Locke in 1886 mmn Not stated.
Isobel

[Milliepede]

I am sure I found a pdf document that placed him in the manchester area in a house that belonged to his family. His wife and children were located in London at the time on a census, but he was not listed there.

Far as I can see Thomas is with his wife and family in London in 1901.

Sorry to ask again but when exactly was Martha's child born? 

[AbbieRose]

I am sure I found a pdf document that placed him in the manchester area in a house that belonged to his family. His wife and children were located in London at the time on a census, but he was not listed there.

Far as I can see Thomas is with his wife and family in London in 1901.

Sorry to ask again but when exactly was Martha's child born?

Really? I thought the 1901 census didn't have his name on. Perhaps he did live there with them and his name was on a previous page on the census, but still owned the family home in Manchester.

Ellen was believed to have been born 18th March 1901, but given the nature of her birth, this might not be 100% accurate to the day. Certainly around Spring time of 1901! 

[Milliepede]

No it's not on a different page or anything.  He is just plain Thomas though (hope I'm looking at the right one!)  Wife Eva Margaret?

Thanks so the baby was conceived around summer 1900. 

Added yes it is the same family as address is the same as the next census phew.

[AbbieRose]

No it's not on a different page or anything.  He is just plain Thomas though (hope I'm looking at the right one!)  Wife Eva Margaret?

Thanks so the baby was conceived around summer 1900. 

Added yes it is the same family as address is the same as the next census phew.

Maybe I just didn't notice then! This was quite a while ago I looked at it! 

I'm absolutely lost as to how I can locate Martha now. Based on her story, all the info I found on Martha (M) Locke matched my Martha (Martha E Locke). Finding out they weren't the same person is not only disheartening, but it means I don't know where she was between leaving home and Ellen being born!

[Milliepede]

Here's one to check out in 1891 - surname is wrong but I can't find a birth for this name

Martha E Darke 16 born Birlingham Worcestershire

Unfortunately she is a "penitent" House of Mercy Bussage Glos

Darke/Locke might be misconstrued - she says hopefully

[AbbieRose]

Here's one to check out in 1891 - surname is wrong but I can't find a birth for this name

Martha E Darke 16 born Birlingham Worcestershire

Unfortunately she is a "penitent" House of Mercy Bussage Glos

Darke/Locke might be misconstrued - she says hopefully

I often find names and ages are misread and therefore, recorded incorrectly on search database. That's interesting you found that. May I ask where you found that, so that I may look myself?

EDIT: I found it! It does seem to say Darke. However, it does mention that 'of the penitents, little reliable information can be obtained'.

IF that is her, it's likely she wasn't honest about her name.

[Milliepede]

Yes it's on ancestry.  Just looking in newspapers but only have the free search facility.

Did you say she was in trouble in Manchester area for something that was reported?

Any dates are useful to pin down where she was.