Julia Venturney née Cooke..... and Jack the Ripper!

[tilly56]

I have just come back to my genealogy after quite a long break, and am trying to find information about Julia Venturney née Cooke.  She is the daughter of my Gtx3 Grandfather Richard Cooke and married Antonio Venturney.   They had two daughters Rosina Antonet Julia born in 1864 in Fulham (I have baptism record) and Charlotte (or Charlotta) Ann born in 1868.  Rosiana's surname in the records is given as Venteney.

I have Julia and her two daughters in the 1871 census, when they are living with her father, Richard in Fulham, at No 2 Little John's Place.  I think Richard died in 1893, I cannot find him in 1881 or 1891.

Now to Jack the Ripper!!  Julia was, apparently, a witness at the inquest into the murder of Mary Ann Kelly!!  In 1871, Julia's profession is "Professional" which, I think, meant "prostitute". 

There are a couple of interesting forums (now closed) on internet, giving information about Julia at the inquest.  One piece of information even says that Mary Ann Kelly might have been killed by mistake, as Jack the ripper was really aiming for Julia   Apparently Mary Ann was younger than his other victims, and he might have seen Julia leaving her house......  At the time of the inquest Julia was living at 1 Miller's Court, this was in November 1888.

In her testimony, Julia Venturney described herself as a widow and said that at the time of Kelly's murder she was living at 1 Miller's Court with a man named Harry Owen.

I would be VERY grateful for any help in finding more information about Julia or her daughters.  I think Charlotte might have died in 1885.  One problem is that the surname is spelt in several different ways Venturney, Venteney....

With many thanks

Tilly

[Milliepede]

Goodness that's quite a story isn't it 

I don't know what "professional" does mean but in 1861 she was a dressmaker same as her mother.

[Milliepede]

Yes the Charlotte Ventreney who died 1885 age 16 Whitechapel district could be her 

You could send for the death certificate to be sure but the surname is unusual enough.

[sallyyorks]

Goodness that's quite a story isn't it 

I don't know what "professional" does mean but in 1861 she was a dressmaker same as her mother.

I think "dressmaker" was sometimes written on the census as a euphemism for prostitute  . I'm sure i remember some topics/or conversations on this site about it  .

[..claire..]

There are a few of reports in the newspapers mentioning Julia

The Morning Post, Tuesday, November 13, 1888
Julia Venturney of 1 Millers Court said she had known Mrs Kelly for some time. She had told the witness that she was very fond of another man besides the one she was living with. He would come and see her and give her money. The witness heard no noises on Thursday night.

Very similar piece,

The York Herald, Tuesday, November 13, 1888
Julia Venturney said. " I am a charwoman and I live at Millers Court. The deceased told me that she liked another man, other than Joe Barnett, and he came to see her. I was at home on Thursday night and had there been any noise I would have heard them.

And again

The Bristol Mercury and Daily Post, Tuesday, November 13, 1888
Julia Venturney deposed- I occupy a room at Millers Court. I knew the deceased. It was some time before I was aquainted with her, but when I knew her she said she was married and her name was Kelly. There was no noise that night and I heard no singing. If there had been singing I would have heard it.

claire

[ShaunJ]

Have you seen the entry for Lottie Ventorney in the 1911 census? The name would would tie in with the "Lottie" Owen in Dorset Street in the 1891 census

https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XWG1-7R8

[ShaunJ]

Julia Venturney described herself as a widow

Possibly the widow of Antonio Venturine who died in Marylebone in 1871, aged 46?

[Milliepede]

That's a good find.  Julia as Lottie - her mother was Charlotte if I recall from earlier census.

Can't see her as Lottie Owen in 1891 - who was she living with there?

[Milliepede]

I wonder if this could be her death?

Lottie Montreney age 73
Birth abt 1841
Death Jan 1914 Whitechapel London

Looking at the register of deaths it could easily be a V instead of an M.
Date of death 1 Feb 1914
Cause of death Bronchitis, emphysema, heart failure
Where buried Streatham Park