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England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => England => Lancashire => Topic started by: Alanex on Thursday 19 November 20 17:41 GMT (UK)
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Hi All,
I’m researching on behalf of a friend, so bear with me if I need to get back to you with answers to anything.
My friends gran was born Vera Doreen Clark in 1935 to Leonard Clark and Veronica Holliday.
Vera passed away recently and unfortunately would never speak about her family. My friend is trying to discover why, as her gran got really upset when her past/family was mentioned.
She’ not looking to dig up old wounds or lay blame, she just wants to understand what upset her gran so much.
So what we’ve pieced together so far is this:
Parents:
Leonard Clark (b 1901, Hull) and Veronica Holliday (b. 1913, Hull)
There were other siblings including an Evelyne Clark (b. 1937, d. 2007), the rest I don’t have info for.
Vera never spoke to or about her family.
There was talk of being adopted but I’ve discovered that in 1957 at age of 22yo she changed her name by Deed Poll to Vera Doreen Uren and lived with William George Uren and Doris Uren (nee Bailey) in Liverpool. She then became a nurse in 1958 for sick children. She married Arthur Wolstenholme in the 1970’s I believe who I is my friends relative.
We’re not sure if the name change is anything to do with her family issue or if it was unrelated, perhaps concealing something to get in to nursing? Would that have been a possibility then? Not sure what a name change would achieve other than distance you from your own family.
This is pretty much all we have and desperately want to find out why she wouldn’t talk to her family (or maybe they didn’t talk to her?).
The only other information, which I’m not sure if relevant, Vera had bad burns on her shoulder/neck which may or may not be of relevance. It was never discussed.
I’ve attempted to check newspapers for any kind of reports, etc., but was unable to find anything. I can’t seem to find anyone from the Clark family to ask so I’m hoping someone related might be on these forums, or a friend of Vera or even suggestions where I could look next?
Any help greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance,
Alan
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Have you checked whether Veronica died when Vera was very young?
Leonard & Veronica married in Yorkshire in 1934.
EDIT
Freebmd shows 5 children born to the marriage between 1935 & 1942 in Hull
www.freebmd.org.uk
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I think Vera was the eldest, her sister Evelyne was born 2 years after her. All evidence suggests Vera was the first born, she was born ~9 months after Leonard and Veronica were married in 1934.
Thanks,
Alan
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Please see my Edit above
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If you check the 1939 register it appears Veronica had a child before she married Leonard
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Robert Arthur Holliday b 25.7.1932 died Hull 28.2.2008
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I’ve found someone with the family tree on Ancestry but not had a reply from them so far. They actually have 6 children listed in their tree for the marriage but most of it is marked Private, so this would potentially tie in with that as they have a male listed as potentially the first child if they are entered in order.
Thanks
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I was just going to post re the tree. The owner has been online recently so hopefully you may get a reply.
There is a death for Veronica Clark in 1990.
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They’ve read my message, hopefully they’re trying to find out information before replying. I’m hoping it’s not some kind of family secret that no one is willing to talk about - I have enough of those in my own family tree!
My friend just wants to understand what made her gran so emotional every time her family was mentioned.
Thank you both for your replies so far.
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The son b 1942 may still be alive. No death showing for him up to 2019
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Possibility that the daughter b 1936 married in Hull in 1958 & that daughter b 1940 married 1960 Hull
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I see that Vera Doreen Uren qualified on 1 April 1958 after training at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital Liverpool. I think nursing training was 3 years then so she must have started her training as Vera Doreen Clark.
There are death notices for Doris Uren in the Liverpool Echo but no mention of Vera. Is Vera mentioned in Doris’ will?
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Hull was heavily bombed so perhaps Vera’s burns where due to fire after a bombing raid. The Hull History Centre has very detailed records on the bombing raids on Hull.
Perhaps there are family members of William and Doris Uren who know more about why Vera changed her name to Uren.
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There is a newspaper snippet which may be the family re Veronica Clarke , Hull - 1943.
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My friend did suggest that neglect was a possibility, not sure where that came from originally but the newspaper article would certainly be a route worth exploring, thank you so much for that and thanks to everyone for their replies and help.
I hadn’t actually thought of the time frame and bombing raids, so worth keeping in mind and looking in to that too, thanks!
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Hello
I have sent you the newspaper article in a message. :)
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Thank you :)
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We’ve now found out that Vera was definitely in care as a child but we can’t find a way to prove the newspaper article is definitely her mother.
Is there a way to find the Gaol records, ie. more about Veronica Clark(e), for example her D.O.B. ?Would there be court records available giving further details of her? Understandably the children would probably be protected in any records I guess? Or perhaps about Leonard Clark to see if he was indeed in the Navy and therefore the father in the article? Some kind of enlistment lists for the Navy between 1939 & 1943?
There doesn’t seem to be much in the way of information beyond 1939 about the family. The 1939 register has 3 potential entries marked as “This record is officially closed” who are presumably still living or haven’t been updated yet.
Any guidance in the right direction would be greatly appreciated. I realise this isn’t that long ago so records might be restricted.
Thanks.
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Hello
I wonder if you could find electoral rolls for Clifton Terrace, Hull to see if Leonard was registered there.
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There only seems to be one Veronica Clark/e in Hull. Maybe the 1942 birth certificate would have the same address - with a bit of hope.
Heather’s suggestion is best but not sure as it was wartime and I don’t think Electoral Registers were done then - not sure though.