Esther Bodfish

[dabs0]

This woman is sooo elusive.

She is recorded as being born in Leamington Spa in 1843, I can find her on the Census as living in Eagle Street, Leamington with her children, all illegitimate. I can find no trace of her in 1871 and prior to that there is an Esther Bofish born Tadmorton, Oxfordshire, but I cannot prove they are one and the same.

In 1871 2 of her children as out with near neighbours as Nurse Children, but where is she 

Debbie

[Tati]

Hi Debbie,

The Oxfordshire Esther seems quite likely to me. Check out a Hester Bodfish in 1871, born Tadmarton Oxfordshire. She's a servant ... at Leamington Warwickshire

Tanja 

[dabs0]

Humm, I have considered the tadmorton one, but in 1861 about the time of her first born, she was a servant in Tadmorton, so I have ruled her out.

The Hester one is 1871 in Leamington is worth a look as she was supporting her illegitimate children all supposedly born in Leamington. I can only find a birth notification for one of them as well, what on earth did she do with the other 3 and how she managed to have 4 children all out of wedlock and keep them out of the workhouse is amazing, she deserves a medal.

Fully enough I did a search for just bodfish for that year and it did not throw up any likely matches, must have missed something.

Thanks For the info

Debbie

[Valda]

1891 census RG12 2473 folio 19
5 Rushmore Street Leamington
Hester Bodfish Head Single 48 Laundress Tadmorton Oxfordshire
Arthur Bodfish Son 19 Grocer's Assistant Leamington Warwickshire
Ernest Bodfish Son 13 printer Leamington Warwickshire.

Regards

Valda

[dabs0]

It is her!  

She was a month off giving birth to her second child and working as a servant in a public house. Her two other children were out as Nurse Children, which solves another mystery  .

A BIG thank you Tati.

Debbie

[dabs0]

Thanks Valda, looks like she was known as Hester as well. I have found a will for her under the name of Esther, so I will pop down to warwick and check that out.

Debbie

[Valda]

Births Sep 1867
Bodfish  Minnie Caroline     Warwick  6d 499  
Births Sep 1871
Bodfish  Arthur James     Warwick  6d 495

plus
Births Jun 1877
Bodfield  Ernest Henry    Warwick  6d 632
Marriages Jun 1902
Bodfish  Ernest Henry    Warwick  6d 1022

Regards

Valda

[dabs0]

Thanks Valda, this woman certainly liked to get around!

Debbie