Hello everyone!
Excuse me if I ramble a tad! I am researching my family tree, and am completely stuck! The 'Dickeson' side of my family is very well documented, but the Bradley and Duffield/Banks/Sharman sides... well, not so easy!
Firstly, the Bradley side. In 1893 Amy Lucy Bradley (1876 - 1957) of Speke Road, Battersea, London married Robert Dickeson - my Great Great Grandfather. Her mother was Elizabeth (about 1837 - 1916, also listed as Eliz), and her father was William (no details known, he was listed as 'deceased' on the marriage certificate). She had at least one sibling, a brother named Frederick (Alfred or Amos - have looked in to both names. Based on occupations, addresses etc I do not think it was Amos) Bradley (b 1870 about). I believe there may have been other siblings, as her mother would have been around 35 when she had Frederick, which was much older than average for a first child. I have found Eliz(abeth), Amy and Frederick on the 1881 and 1891 censuses (no William).
I am unable to find a birth or baptism record for Amy Lucy (or Amy) Bradley. I do have a possible record for Frederick: 1870 at Clapham St. Paul. I would appreciate any help in tracing Amy Lucy Bradley.
Secondly, Banks/Sharman. My Great Grandmother, Ellen Violet Smith/Duffield's (1904 - 1995. Some confusion, am awaiting a birth certificate) mother was Eunice Martha Duffield (nee Banks - about 1878 - ?). Eunice Martha's first husband died in 1902, and she married my G. Grandmother's father Thomas William Smith (about 1869 - 1942) in 1912. She had a daughter, Eunice Elizabeth (1901 - 1992), from her first marriage. My G. Grandmother and her brother, Thomas Smith (1907 - 1984), appear to have been born out of wedlock. I have no baptism records. Eunice Martha Banks's mother was Emma Mary Ann Sharman (about 1856), and her father was John William Banks (about 1855).
I am unable to find any birth/baptism records for Emma Mary Ann Sharman (or variations). I have records for her Marriage to John William Banks, and her listed in the 1881 and 1891 censuses. I am also struggling with birth/baptism records for John William - once again, I only have documentation from their marriage onwards. Aside from Eunice Martha, they also had Grace Emma (about 1871), Harriet Jane (about 1880), and William (1882). I have baptism records for all 4 children; the 3 girls were baptised on the same day, which is unusual. I believe Grace Emma went to live with her Grandfather, also William (1891 Census). I am not sure what happened to Harriet Jane or William (no death, marriage, or continuing census records)
Any information on Emma Mary Ann Sharman and the Banks Family would be appreciated.
Lastly - although I appreciate this is a long shot! - I am searching for information on Thomas William Smith before the birth of Ellen Violet (listed as Duffield in BMD, awaiting birth certificate). We believe he may have had a first wife, perhaps called Elizabeth (Eliz, Eliza, Lizzie - no proof of this, just family chat). The first residence I have for him is with Eunice M, Eunice E, Ellen and Thomas in 1911 in Little Europa, Battersea. He later went on to run a shop as a 'General Dealer', 'T. Smith/T. Smith and Son' at 55 Bridge Road West, Battersea. The business is listed in the 1926 Kelly's Directory, although we know it was there for some time before.
Any help, advise, or information would be fantastic - I am itching to find out more about my family!
If needs be, I have a full list of all known addresses for all families.
Thankyou for reading,
Alice.
