RootsChat.Com

Phyllis B Johnston apparently had 4 marriages, in Surrey (to H Brown), Grimsby (to H Cliffe), Grimsby (to W Morton?) and Hampstead (to P Griffiths) respectively. A daughter was born into the second marriage, between Phyllis and Henry T Cliffe. She was born in 1947 in Surrey.

It is possible, but by no means 100% certain, that when the daughter was 5 years old, her then step-father adopted her and changed her surname to his.  I'd be interested and very grateful to hear from anyone who may be able to tell me more about Phyllis and/or, more especially her daughter.

Many thanks

I have also posted this on another board as I am 'clutching at straws' here, and as the family were in both areas, I'm not sure which one would be best ... so opted for both.

Please may I ask for your help, as I cannot access Australian records.

I have a passenger list which shows an ancestor of mine going to Sydney in 1925, leaving London on 1st January on a ship called Themistocles.

Her name was Elsie Irene Costan. She was born in Teddington, Surrey, UK, in 1903, the daughter of Henry and Ada Costan. I have recently come across two old photos of her, one of which shows her on board the ship (hopefully I've attached it correctly!). On the back of the photo she has written "Dear Aunt Cis, Just a snap taken on board with a Welsh boy. Elsie". My family connection is via Elsie's mother, Ada Elizabeth (nee Mills).

Elsie married William Bennett Hearnden in NSW in 1925. William died in 1977, and Elsie in 1988. Their ashes are at the Woronora Cemetery in Sutherland, NSW.

That is all the information I have. I imagine they would have had children but I haven't been able to access any records to find out.

If anyone can help with additional details (maybe even living descendants?), I'd be really grateful.

Many thanks.

Wendy 

I apologise in advance that this post is a trifle long-winded, but I need to put the facts in as clear a way as possible.

1) I'm doing research for a friend, who says that her grandmother's name was Lilian Ada, married to Theophilus Darke, with two daughters and a third one on the way. The third daughter will eventually be Lilian Darke, my friend's mother.

2) In the 1911 census, I have found Theophilus Darke, with two daughters, Evelyn and Violet (who are 'away from home'). These names are correct, according to my friend, so this is definitely the right family.

3)  Problem no.1: Theophilus is shown to be married to Lilly, but in the marriage records, he is shown to have married either Agnes Martha Bowell or Kate Ellen Cray in 1905. The date is right, but not the names.

4) Theophilus later deserted his family, and Lilian Ada remarried in 1918. I have found her second marriage easily enough, but her surname is shown as Townsend.

5)  Problem no.2: Who was the 'Lilly' in the 1911 census, and where does the surname of Townsend fit in? There is no record of a Townsend/Darke marriage.

6) As I am now going round in circles trying to solve this enigma, I'd appreciate any input you can offer ... other than sending for a marriage certificate, which might help, but which my friend has not yet authorised me to do.

Very many thanks.

Wendy

Seeking relatives/friends/acquaintances of Edward William Muir (1926-1970) or anyone who knew him. He was born in Portsmouth and died in Neston, Chester.  He served with the RASC and TA until 1963.  I'm interested in finding out about his life and service time in Portsmouth and would be grateful for any info at all, no matter how small or seemingly trivial.  Very many thanks.