MARY WALKER (nee Durber)

[NEW ENGLAND]

Hello,
I am not sure how this site works and if I am asking for the impossible.

I have found the following death on Free BMD and would like further details before sending for the certificate as I have several which are not family;  since the cost of certificates has been increased I cannot order several at a time as I have done in the past.

Sept.Quarter 1948   Mary Walker  Age 65  Mansfield 3c 135

This lady was marred to my gr.uncle James Walker after she was widowed.  The marriage took place in June 1920 at Highley, Shropshire. Her name then was Reynolds.
I was told by her granddaughter that they lived in Highley for a while and then moved to Mansfield. 

In 3 years I have not been able to find the death of James Walker anywhere.  I know Mary moved back to Mansfield  but I am not sure if James was with her; although I cannot trace his death in Shropshire or Worcestershire.

Would the 'look up' people be able to find where she died and if she was a widow at that time?

I know this is a 'long shot' but I am getting desperate.

Thank you.

Regards
NEW ENGLAND

[CaroleW]

Hi

Members of the public do not have free access to the information on a death cert - you have to buy a copy

[NEW ENGLAND]

Hello CaroleW,

Thank you for your prompt reply - I thought it was asking the impossible. 

I think I should take up another hobby.   I have always been amazed at the information other people appear to get with the flimsiest of clues but although I have lots of information on my ancestors there is always that elusive bit of information.    In fact I am beginning to think that this great-uncle is still alive!

Many thanks anyway for your time.

Regards
NEW ENGLAND

[nottsgirl1]

Maybe someone could check the local cemetery to see if she's buried there.

[larkspur]

Have you the year of birth for James? James Walker is a very common name, I notice no middle initial on the marriage entry.
I had a quick look for Wills and there are a few,but only going up to the 1940s.
Believe me- after 35 years at this "hobby" nothing comes easy. I still have huge blanks and brick walls, you can count on the fact he will not be still alive....no one lives that long!!
You say his grandaughter remembers them moving to Mansfield,does she remember how old she was when this happened. Was she perhaps already married?Or at school. My mother STILL comes out with snippets of family info. When I say you never told me that before, she says I didn't think it was important...AAAGGH

[NEW ENGLAND]

Thursday 1st September 2011

Hello Nottsgirl1 and Larkspur,
Thank you both very much for your replies to my query - both much appreciated.     Firstly, I am not sure if the Mary Walker ref. 3c 135 is who I am looking for; it just looked the most likely one from the age of her.  I will have to send for the certificate to make sure.

I do have James Walker's birth certificate.  He was born on 8th February 1873 at Hampton Loade, Quatt in the parish of Worfield,  in the County of Salop (Shropshire)    Hampton Loade is a hamlet close to the village of Quatt (near Bridgnorth)

His step- granddaughter says she was about 8 when she remembers visiting them in Woodhill Road, Highley.  She was born in 1920 (the year they were married) so if she is correct he was still alive in 1928.

Regarding Wills - where does one look for information on these?

Again thank you both.
Kind regards
NEW ENGLAND

[larkspur]

There are no James Walker deaths in Shropshire, with 1873 as the birth year. There are 3 in Nottinghamshire
July Q 1926 aged 53 Nottingham 7b/282 -date too early?
Oct Q 1933 aged 59 Nottingham 7b/279
and the better bet
Oct Q 1952 aged 79 Mansfield 3c/149

If you put "finding wills and probates" into Google it brings up a list. That is of course if he made one....
The 1926 & 1933 deaths I checked for Wills, none. Sadly Ancestry only go up to 1940ish.
The local Mansfield Newspaper is The Chad. His death notice could have been in there.

Have you got his entry from the 1891 census. He is 18 years old and a Horse Driver living with parents Thomas and Emma.
1901 He is still with parents but now a coal miner- hewer.

[NEW ENGLAND]

Friday 2nd September 2011  7.15p.m.

Hello larkspur,

Thank you for the information - much appreciated.  Yes, I do have him on the 1901 census; although his age is given as 20 and he was born in 1873.

I agree with you that the  October 1933 death looks the most probable so I will send for this certificate.  I will let you know the result.

Thank you for the information about searching for Wills; this should be most useful when it is known for certain that a Will was made.    I am also pleased to learn the name of the local Mansfield Newspaper - I have found these sources helpful in the past.

Again many thanks for all your help.

Kind regards
NEW ENGLAND