***COMPLETED*** Dorset H.C.: CHAMPION in Christchurch Union 1909

[TimothBStard]

Hi there,
Is anyone visiting Dorset History Centre in the next couple of months, and willing to do a look-up for me?

My Great Grandmother (Amelia Jane CHAMPION) gave birth to my great aunt (Elsie Emily) in Fairmile House, (Christchurch Union), 26th April 1909.  Other children: William James, b.1902, Lewisham; John 1904; Leslie Joseph 1906 and Lilian Joyce 1907; these three all born in Croydon.

They were discharged at some point before the 1911 Census, as they were in Horsham Union by then.  Horsham is where Gt Grandad, William, 1882, was born.  No family connections to Dorset at all.

Amelia and the children eventually went back to Croydon, the children in orphanages until coming of age.

I don't know what happened to my Gt. Grandad, William CHAMPION, 1882, (a bricklayer) - I am just hoping there might be a clue in the workhouse records.

(William & "Milly" indexed as "CHAGNON" in 1901 Census, Eltham).

I live in the Northwest of Scotland, and I'm not likely to be able to visit Dorset anytime soon, so if anyone has the time, I'd be very grateful.

Thanks,
Timoth

[B.E.]

I'm not going anywhere near DHC in the near future, but was Amelia's maiden name Tye by any chance?

[TimothBStard]

Aye......

[B.E.]

Twas just that I was browsing around this dynasty of Horsham bricklayers called Champion, when I spotted William and Amelia (b. Eltham) in lodgings at 27 Merchland Rd Eltham after their 1900 marriage until he "ran off, perhaps to Australia", which might well have been enough to put mother and children in the workhouse.

[TimothBStard]

Yes:   Australia, South Africa, South Wales, various places have been suggested by the aural histories of my family, but there's never been any evidence that has stood up to scrutiny.

Some of the tales suggested that he packed and left the family home while his wife was out of the house and that his "business partner" (a bricklayer's business partner??  ) left at the same time.

My Gt Gran was too upset to ever tell any of my mother's generation, but my great grandad's youngest sister is supposed to have known the truth.   There is also little evidence that any of this great dynasty helped out with raising the children - (All of whom were so alike that there can be no doubt as to their parentage).

There are, as I have said no obvious reasons for Amelia to have been in Christchurch - None of the CHAMPIONs or TYEs were ever there before or since.

Any suggestions?

T

[B.E.]

Sorry, no suggestions. I can't even imagine why she went to Horsham either if the Champions weren't going to take her in. Maybe she kept moving her family around on the basis of promises that simply never materialised?

But I hear where you're coming from - I know more about my own family in 125BC than post-1911!

I followed the Oruba across the oceans and saw a Wm Champion possibly come ashore in Sydney. It was probably a good way to 'disappear' in 1908 and certainly seems to have worked for him.

[TimothBStard]

William CHAMPION is not as exclusive a name as I would like. 

Have you had much success with following the rest of the Horsham tribe? 

[B.E.]

I haven't tried. Once I'd worked out they were all bricklayers called either William or James I decided to specialise!!

[TimothBStard]

Hi B.E.,
Where and when did the Oruba set off?   

Do you know what William 1885 did for a living, etc.?, ( he was a cousin of my William 1882, I think.

Timoth