George SINCLAIR - Bath

[Minky15]

Mabel Senior?  She died in 1969 I think.

Born last quarter of 1885.

Middle name of Katisha.

No death certificate.

[Minky15]

Sorry - didn't read the first question properly - oops. 

We got her date of birth from the birth index and she does appear on the 1891 and 1901 census too.

[ivanidea]

There is Mabel Kelisha Curtis shown on the 1911 census (the adopted daughter of Lavinia Lang) Is this "your" Mabel?

[Minky15]

Yes - that's her.

[ivanidea]

I have so far found 2 George Sinclairs whose occupation is given as “Professor of Music” in the 1901 Census:

1901 census
RG13 Piece 4984, Folio 46, Page 8     
15, Hamilton Street, St John, West Cardiff
SINCLAIR, George, Head, Married, 29, Professor Of Music, born Cordon, Isle of Man 
SINCLAIR, May F, Wife, Married, 23 born Glasgow, Scotland 

1901 census
RG13 Piece:2480 Folio:123 Page:10     
20, Church Street, Hereford St John The Baptist
SINCLAIR, George R, Head, Single, 37, Professor Of Music, Croydon, Surrey 
DEVONALD, Martha E, Servant, Single, Housemaid (Domestic) Swansea, Glamorganshire 
DAVEY, Eliza, Servant, Single, 50, Housekeeper (Domestic),  born Kea, Cornwall

I believe the second of these records can perhaps be eliminated because it seems to refer to George Robertson Sinclair who was the organist at Hereford cathedral and a friend of the composer Elgar. This George Sinclair did not marry and died in 1913 1917.

However the first record could relate to “your” George.

In 1911 there is a George Sinclair, Professor of Music, living in West Cardiff. He is shown as age 38, born Tooting, Surrey and married with a son George, aged 7. Although George Snr is shown as married there is no wife listed and I have not been able to find May F. Sinclair in the 1911 census.

Have you investigated these records?

[Minky15]

I think the well known one can definitely be discounted but I will investigate the other one.

Thank you for your help!

[ivanidea]

From what you have said, this seems the likely death record for Mabel Sinclair (nee Curtis):

England & Wales, Death Index
Bath, Somerset
3Q 1969
Mabel K Sinclair
Age: 83
Vol. 7c Page 316

It might be worth obtaining the death certificate to ascertain the date of death and then try to find an obituary, death notice, etc for Mabel in one of the local newspapers of the time since these might give more details about “husband” George. Archive newspapers are usually available from Local Study Centres based at Libraries in the area in question and this link might be appropriate for Bath:

http://www.bathnes.gov.uk/BathNES/leisureandculture/localhistoryheritage/localhistory/librarylocalcollections.htm

[ivanidea]

Sorry! George Robertson Sinclair died 1917 not 1913. Previous entry suitably edited!

[ivanidea]

1901 census
RG13 Piece 4984, Folio 46, Page 8     
15, Hamilton Street, St John, West Cardiff
SINCLAIR, George, Head, Married, 29, Professor Of Music, born Cordon, Isle of Man 
SINCLAIR, May F, Wife, Married, 23 born Glasgow, Scotland 

I have not been able to find a place called Cordon on the Isle of Man – although there is parish called Lonan. Looking again at the 1901 Census Schedule it does seem to be Cordon but (at a “pinch”) could be "London"? - which might (or might not) tie in with the "Tooting" given on the 1911 census.