Maria Sophia Tracey

[Tom from OZ]

Hi
Maria was my Gt Grandmother and a gypsey, I am one of five people researching the family and four of us share the same Gt grandmother.  She was married to William Miller Dowsett on 25 Dec 1886 and died 8 Oct 1931 in Rotherhithe Surrey.  But before her marriage she does not appear on any census that we can find although from her age at marriage she was born around 1865.  her Father was William Tracey a Stonemason can anybody shed any light on Maria before her marriage.  Or offer any suggestions as to where we can look

Thanks in anticipation.

Tom

[PaulineJ]

OK,

Can we ask you to fill in a few more details...

Where in 1886 was this marriage?
Who witnessed it?
What are the census details for her (included all in household) on 1891 and 1901?

Pauline

[redred28]

Hi
I can see a Maria Tracey on the 1871 census with a William as her father.
WILLIAM TRACEY aged 50 b Thorpe Essex
SARAH TRACEY Aged 49 b Tattingstone, Suffolk
Maria TRACEY Aged 11(born 1860) at TATTINGSTONE, Suffolk
Isabella TRACEY Aged 8 b TATTINGSTONE, Suffolk
George Bebis --LODGER Aged 44 b MIDDLESEX

Address I think is Number 1 Chalkland Cottage, TATTINGSTONE, Suffolk
The occupation of William is Ag Lab
George Bebis is a bricklayer.

No sign of travellers though ??

Hope its some help anyway
regards

[PaulineJ]

Reply sent by PM

The marriage was held at All Saints Church Newington Surrey, the witnesses were George Dowsett, Williams brother and Ann Tryphenia Dowsett his Mother, not a lot of help unfortunately.  I have found no census records prior to the wedding

1891 shows William Miller Head 23, Maria Wife 26 George Son 3, William Son 3 and Rose Daugh 1.

1901 William Miller Head 33, Maria Wife 35, William Miller  Son 13, George Son 13, Rose Daugh 11, Lizzie Daugh 5, Albert Son 8 and Alice Daugh 4.

I have had another response with this detail

I can see a Maria Tracey on the 1871 census with a William as her father.
WILLIAM TRACEY aged 50 b Thorpe Essex
SARAH TRACEY Aged 49 b Tattingstone, Suffolk
Maria TRACEY Aged 11(born 1860) at TATTINGSTONE, Suffolk
Isabella TRACEY Aged 8 b TATTINGSTONE, Suffolk
George Bebis --LODGER Aged 44 b MIDDLESEX.

I have found another Maria (Sarah I think) Tracey in

1901 census Maria S Tracey as a Boarder at 72 Bull St Birmingham Head dressmaker aged 34 born Newcastle on Tyne, fairly sure she is not the right one.
Tom

[osprey]

From the census entries you've given, Maria gives her place of birth as London (useful!) in one entry and Bermondsey in the other. I can't spot anything very close, but there is this one in 1881
1 Orchard Place, Deptford St Nicholas RG11/718 folio 28 pg 50
George H Nicholls head mar 29 coppersmith b. Kent, Deptford
Susan wife 24 b. Kent, Lee
Albert son 4 scholar b. Surrey, New Cross
William son 5 months b. Kent, Deptford
Maria Tracey daur visitor unm  14 scholar b. Middx, Limehouse

probable marriage
George Henry Nicholls mar qtr 1879 St Saviour vol 1d pg 23 with Susan Matilda Ayers on the same page.

Can't spot this Maria in 1871 (as yet)

Another vague possibility from 1861, but nothing to link them
34 Anns Rd, Mile End Old Town RG9/295 folio 35 pg 32
William Tracy boarder mar 34 stone mason b. Essex, Chelmsford
William unm 11 scholar b. Chelmsford
 

[Tom from OZ]

Hi everybody

Several weeks ago I posted a message regarding my Gt Grandmother Maria Sophia Tracey who was remembered as a Gypsey, although I received a number of responses there appeared to be no mention anywhere of her being a Traveller.

I have just received news from a relative in the UK who indicates his Father knew Maria as a Gypsey  and that she was born in a caravan on Blackheath Common.  Does this provide all you learned people with any clues on how to proceed or where I can look.


Thanks in anticipation


Tom

[Jan Ann]

Hi Tom

When was Maria born?

Cheers
Jan

[charlieT]

Reply sent by PM

The marriage was held at All Saints Church Newington Surrey, the witnesses were George Dowsett, Williams brother and Ann Tryphenia Dowsett his Mother, not a lot of help unfortunately.  I have found no census records prior to the wedding

1891 shows William Miller Head 23, Maria Wife 26 George Son 3, William Son 3 and Rose Daugh 1.

1901 William Miller Head 33, Maria Wife 35, William Miller  Son 13, George Son 13, Rose Daugh 11, Lizzie Daugh 5, Albert Son 8 and Alice Daugh 4.

I have had another response with this detail

I can see a Maria Tracey on the 1871 census with a William as her father.
WILLIAM TRACEY aged 50 b Thorpe Essex
SARAH TRACEY Aged 49 b Tattingstone, Suffolk
Maria TRACEY Aged 11(born 1860) at TATTINGSTONE, Suffolk
Isabella TRACEY Aged 8 b TATTINGSTONE, Suffolk
George Bebis --LODGER Aged 44 b MIDDLESEX.

I have found another Maria (Sarah I think) Tracey in

1901 census Maria S Tracey as a Boarder at 72 Bull St Birmingham Head dressmaker aged 34 born Newcastle on Tyne, fairly sure she is not the right one.
Tom

hi paulineJ
i will agree that your second search on 1901 census is wrong i recognise the household in the first one ie Alice 4 she was my grandmother.
i have begun to wonder if she came over from Ireland being a (gypsy/tinker) any thoughts?