RootsChat.Com

Dear Rootschatters,
I do hope you can help me please.

 My 2 x great grandfather was James Cochrane Smith born 11 Dec 1813 Marylebone, Middlesex,died 24th Nov 1882 Beckenham, Kent. His father was William Smith (bef 1795- aft 1849), a baker, and mother was Mary Clements.

James married Elizabeth Stiller in Wimbledon 13 Sep 1849 and together they had 8 children.

I cannot find whether James Cochrane Smith had any brothers and sisters or any more detail on his parents William and Mary. The census I have found start in 1851.

It would be so good of you to bring your expertise to this and I thank you very much.

Kind regards
Roger

Dear All,
I do hope you can help me as on my own I just cannot find out what happened to two of my relatives.

My great grandad was William Smith (1855-1905) and Annie Read Luckhurst (1857-1934).

On the 1911 census it shows they had had 13 children of which 7 had survived. The 13, all Smiths, born in Forest Gate, Essex were;

Florence Annie Louise b 1882 d 1894.
Lilian Alice Ormesby b 1883.
Annie Elizabeth (not entirely sure this is correct name or date) b 1884.
Sydney b 1886 who married Florence Hollis Bailey and died sometime between 1911 & 1939.
Mabel Victoria b 1887 d 1905
Ruth Emmeline Salmon b 1889 d 1971
Horace b 1890 d 1908
Leonard b 1891ish
Winnie b 1892 d 1913
Oswald b 1893 I think Oswald and Victor died very young
Victor b 1895
Herbert (my grandad) b 1896 d 1947
Reginald b 1898 d 1912.

I found an old newspaper cutting on the funeral of my grandad Herbert Smith on 15th March 1947 and was intrigued to read flowers from;
 Miss L Smith
 Mr L Smith and P Hodgson.

I wonder if Miss L Smith is Lilian Alice Ormesby
I wonder if Mr L Smith is Leonard Smith and P Hodgson is Phyllis Hodgson who I found in my Nan's old date book with 18 December written beside it. I do not know who Phyllis is.

I can find no trace of Lilian nor Leonard after 1911census nor whether Leonard is partnered with Phyllis. I was heartened to read about the flowers at the funeral. However I am completely flummoxed though.

Would anyone be able to willing to lend their expertise in tracing what happened to Leonard and Lilian after 1911 and together with any titbits on the other children that you might find on the way too. I would be so very grateful.

Very many thanks
Roger

Dear All,
I wonder if you can help me. My deceased relative, Frederick Prime (1886 in St Luke, London - 1963 Essex) was in WW1 and we believe at Gallipoli. I have a medal card that I believe it is for him but I cannot find an attestation that firmly links the soldier to the Family either by a relative name or address etc. In the photo the cap badge looked to be from the 10 London Regiment Hackney. The medal card shows a Pte number 1925 420866.
Frederick was living in Alverstone Road Manor Park in 1911. He grew up and returned to Islington after WW1.

Frederick was married to Louisa Charlotte Violetta Smith from January 1904. His mother was Emma Prime nee Harrip. His father Obadiah had passed away before the beginning of WW1.

I would be so grateful if your knowledge and expertise could help me so that I can be sure Frederick is the soldier depicted in the medal card. With many thanks. Roger

Dear All,
I am trying to find the record of a PC (died in 1965) who worked for the Metropolitan Police. I have checked the MEPO records and know his years of service which are from 21 April 1902 until 25 April 1927. I have seen the Pensions register and this gives his last posting to H division. I know his warrant number too.
I am interested in his career timeline, where he was posted and dates etc. I presume it would not be possible to know what his activities in the police were.
Also would there be a police photo somewhere - presume no ID cards in those days.
Just wondering what a realistic expectation of what I can find out and where to look.
I have his name, warrant number and dates of service if anyone is interested in helping. I presume this is OK to share as he died fifty years ago?
thanks
RGB

Dear All, My deceased father was born on 2nd Jan 1925 in 39 Balfour Road Ilford, Essex. I have his birth certificate which was issued by the General Register Office on 29th February 1968. His mother is shown as Winifred Sophia Mary Gurney - a Milliner. No father is listed. I wonder if Milliner is her maiden name but I did not think Mothers professions were shown on birth certificates.
He was adopted but I do not know when but believe before 1929 (the adoption was a shock to him and I believe this became known when he applied for a passport). His adopted parents changed his name to Kenneth Nathaniel Butler.
I would like to know more about Winifred Sophia Mary Gurney - my blood grandmother. I have found one via Ancestry but cannot be sure its the same Lady. There is never any record of the profession Milliner.
There must be some record somewhere otherwise how can the birth certificate have shown Winfred and her profession (or is it maiden name).
Any help, tips and pointers gladly received
Thank you so much