Flora Marie Dorette Sophie McDonald

[groat]

Hello again

I now have copies of my grandmother's birth and marriage certificates.

The BC names her as Dorette Sophia Maria, her father as John MacDonald, occupation butler, and her mother as Lucy Leonora MacDonald formerly Feldmann. Informant was L L MacDonald, Mother, residing at Paddington Workhouse, which was also the place of birth. DOB 8/9/76.

The MC names her as Mary Dorette Sophia Flora McDonald (sic), 27, spinster, living at Park House, St Johns Wood, with no Occupation. Her father is listed as John McDonald, Butler.

The witnesses were John Macdonald (sic) and George McDonald (who I'm certain is the groom's elder brother).

With this additional information I still haven't been able to trace the family in any of the censuses.

Does anyone have an idea how I can make progress?

Thanks for reading.

Regards,

Ian
+++

[carol8353]

I don't know if this will be any help,but the 1911 census www.1911census.co.uk

lists a 33 year old FLORA SOPHIA DOUTHY MCDONALD in a military establishment in Guildford. Unfortunately without paying 10 credits(about a £1) to view it I can't see who she's there with.

Would she have any children by then? If so what are their names and DOB's?

Have you any more thoughts on the Scarborough link? 

Regards

Carol

[groat]

Hello Carol

Shows you how switched on I am - I didn't know the 1911 census was available yet!

Her husband John McDonald was in the East Lancs Regiment so she certainly could have been in a military establishment. Might "Douthy" be an error for "Dorette"? She had 5 children, 3 of them born by the end of 1911 (the fourth was born in July 1912 in Preston, Lancashire and the fifth was my father born Blackburn, Lancashire, November 1913). The first 3 were, in order of age, Eustace, Edmund and Enid. I think Enid was born in 1911 but the other two I don't know. I can't find them in BMD - perhaps because they were born in military places? Also all 3 would have had a second forename, but again I don't know them.

Just for clarity all 5 siblings are now dead so we're not treading on anyone's toes.

Thanks for your help.

Regards,

Ian
+++

[carol8353]

Just for clarity all 5 siblings are now dead so we're not treading on anyone's toes.

Ian
+++

Only if we step on their graves 

Pm on it's way to you 

Carol

[carol8353]

Just to tidy things up.

The 1911 lady that I found at a military base in Guildford is indeed correct.
Ian says the 1911 clearly says Dorette(if you know that's what it's supposed to say  )

She has with her, children Edmund George McDonald b Guildford March 1909
Enid Flora Marie (b Flora E M in Guildford March 1911) mistranscribed as 3,in fact she's 3 months.
Eustace James b 1908 Curragh Co Kildare Ireland.

No sign of dad John though.

If anyone can offer suggestions as to where he is that would be great 

So we now know that this family are very keen on swopping the order of their names round.I wonder if we can find them on previous censuses now?

Carol

[carol8353]

In the GRO regimental birth indexes I have found the birth of Eustace J McDonald in Curragh in 1907- dad John was serving in the 30th and the ref is volume 1140 page 138.

Carol

[groat]

Hello again

With Carol's help I now have a pretty full picture of the family of John McDonald and Mary Dorette Sophie Flora McDonald (or Macdonald) in 1911. Their children were my father and aunt and uncles and I've already learnt a lot that I didn't know.

However, I've drawn a blank when trying to trace the background of Mary Dorette's family.

What I know is:

She was born on 8/9/1876 in Paddington Workhouse
Her name on the BC was Dorette Sophia Maria
Her father on the BC was John MacDonald, occupation Butler
Her mother was Lucy Leonora MacDonald formerly Feldmann
The informant was L L MacDonald, mother, residing at Paddington Workhouse

I can't find mother, father or daughter between then and 6/9/1905 when, as Mary Dorette Sophia Flora McDonald, spinster, 27 years, residing at Park House, St Johns Wood Park she married John McDonald at the Church of Our Lady of Victories in Kensington High St. On the MC her father is given as John McDonald but he signs as witness John Macdonald.
The wedding report in my possession seems to indicate the bride's (and groom's) parents as being present. Bizarrely (it now seems to me) the report says that the bride's parents are from Scarborough.

I also can't find John or Lucy (or Louise or Louisa) Leonara or John MacDonald (or variants) or a relevant Miss Feldmann (or Feldman) prior to 1876.

Can anyone help me shed any light on these mysteries?

Regards,

Ian
+++

PS I was going to attach a photo of my grandmother but when I click on "Attach a photograph ..." no Attach or Browse box appears. Does anyone know why?

[groat]

Whoops! -  "Leonara" should be "Leonora"

Ian
+++

[jorose]

Two Lucy Feldman(n)s on 1871 - married woman,aged 39, b. Burnley, Kent - husband away, children Willm J, 20, and Amelia L (or C?), 19.
Lucy Feldman(n), 20, from Germany, a housemaid living in Leeds.

Church of Our Lady of Victories in Kensington is a Catholic church, which could be a good hint.
I would check Scottish records for the marriage as well.