PERFITT/GURNEY Help

[25selena]

Hi,

Am trying to trace my fathers family.  I have the marriage record for his mother and step father.
Mother - Audrey May Perfitt (first marrige was Martin-Lewis) married Frank Charles Gurney Nov 1953.  Her father was Arthur Perfitt.  Audrey was born c1916 and died aged 43 in 1960.

I can find no records for Audrey's birth.  I am new to this so struggling.  I have no other information as my father died and he wouldn't talk about his childhood.

Any leads, advice would be greatly appreciated.

thanks
selena

[Maddie]

Hi

Not sure if this will be any help but I found the birth on FreeBMD of;

 May A Perfitt June qtr 1915 Ipswich 4a 1887, mothers maiden name Ludbrook.

I wonder if by chance it could be May Audrey & her given names have been changed round, possibly by choice. I have had this happen in my own tree.

Also found a marriage for Arthur Perfitt to Edith H Ludbrook Sept qtr 1914 Ipswich 4a 2262.

Another daughter to the same couple,
Joyce M Perfitt June qtr 1921 Ipswich 4a 1282.

Any idea were her first marriage took place, might be a clue there.

Maddie

[25selena]

Hi maddie,

You are a star!  It must be.  i have spent ours trying different sites for the births and marriages.  I have her death as I know the church where she is buried.  She died in Jan 1960 age 43.  And I have the marriage certificate.  I cannot find a single Audrey Perfitt.  The only Arthur Perfitts which would be right age wise is a Suffolk and Islington one.  He was a postman according to the marriage cert. 

My dad always said that he should have been a Lewis not a Gurney.  he was adopted by Audrey's second husband in 1959.  His father was a Canadian pilot who died during the war.  I have no name for him except may be Lewis.

I just have no other info on Audrey apart from the death cert and the marriage cert.

But does the age match?  Not sure.  But I have a sixth sense about Suffolk/Ipswich.

Maddie - it is a possibility and gives me something to work on.  Thank you so much.

[Maddie]

Hi

You are welcome & fingers crossed it is the correct birth. I found the Ipswich Arthur on the 1901 index & it does say he is a Private Soldier which got me wondering if he served in WW1 & that could be why there is a gap between the births of May A & Joyce M.

I wonder if there is a Medal Index Card or any Army records on Ancestry for him. Sorry I don't have access at the mo so can't check for you.

Just had a quick look on CWGC for a death for your Lewis but no one sprang out immediately, although I would have thought if he died during the war he should be there somewhere.

I wouldn't worry to much about the age at Audrey's death, the informant could easily have been a year out.

Best of luck with the rest of your search.
Maddie

[25selena]

Thank you again.  I will look up that war record.

I did do a look on the canadian virtual war memorial a while ago - the only info I was using was the surname 'Lewis' - there were loads!!  So a total brick wall.  I think my only chance of that branch of my tree is to find a living relative of Audrey May/May Audrey.  Or any relative of her second husband Frank.

Thank you for you help.  very much appreciated to this rookie!

Selena

[petercornish]

Hi,
Found a medal card for Arthur PERFITT, Private RAMC No.82366 with an address on the reverse of 18 Wilberforce Street, Ipswich recording that he was entitled to the Indian General Service Medal and Clasp for service in Afghanistan and the North West Frontier. 
Could be your man.

Regards   ...  Peter

[25selena]

Thank you for your information Peter.  This could solve the mystry of not being able to find Audrey may Perfitts birth record - she could have been born overseas.  i am not sure that this is my Arthur yet but age wise he is the closest if could have ended up being a postman?

Thank you again
Selena

[suzard]

Hi Selena

the arthur perfitt who was a private - and his medal card is to be found - VERY possibly is the arthur perfitt who married Edith Hilda Ludbrook (who we have researched on your other topic)

he is the only Arthur perfitt to be found b in suffolk at the correct time - also I think it very unlikely he would have a wife with him abroad - think tht may have been for higher ranks

I'll do some research on Arthur for you and post on your other topic

Suz

[25selena]

On freebmd the only Ludbrook marriage is for the Ipswich Arthur Perfitt.  It must be the correct Audrey May but reg as May Audrey.  there are no records of an Audrey May Perfitt.  I have ordered my fathers birth cert.  Once I have that then if I may be able to order the cert for May Audrey.

I must learn to be patient!!

Thanks you again for your help.

Selena