Henry/Harry Parker Swimming Professor Ilfracombe Devon

[Smokey807]

From 1901 census the two living children were Henry Lloyd Parker,born 1892 and Ellen M Parker born 1896. Henry Lloyd Parker,according to medal index card, served in WW 1. Didn't find any military record on Ancestry or War Graves Commission record that indicates he died in the war.Don't know what became of daughter Ellen M.Both of these children were born in Ilfracombe,Devon. It appears that Henry Parkers wife Ellen, born 1857 Wales died sometime after the 1901 census and before the 1911 census as Henry senior was recorded in 1911 census as a widower. Havnt found her year of death yet. In 1901 Henry was age 52 and his wife age 44. Although not impossible they both seem a bit old to be having children after 1901 so the other children must have been born before 1901. Henry and Ellen had no children listed in 1891 census. They were married sometime after 1881 census and before 1891.

[ciderdrinker]

Hi
I didn't realise you hadn't got their marriage.
They married Barnstaple Dec 1888 5b 901
Henry Parker and Helen Henrys.
Helen was a widow and her maiden name was Rowe.
I can't find her first marriage but it must have been before 1881 when she is living with her parents Robert and Jane as Mrs Hellen Henrys in Ilfracombe..
Ciderdrinker

[Schooner]

I think that this is what you are looking for.

Helen Parker died at the Tunnel Baths, Ilfracombe on 1 September 1902.

Prof Harry Parker died on 4th December 1932 at Highfield Road, Ilfracombe.

Regards
Schooner
 

[Smokey807]

Thank you for the death information. Its no wonder I couldn't find the death of Henry's wife for she is always given in the census records as "Ellen" and she was born as Ellen Rowe. But death for "Helen" fits so date of death and place of death make sense.

Still trying to find out what happened to Henry's sister , the famous swimmer Emily Parker.Last record I have for her is the 1881 census at Clerkenwell where she is living with parents William and Louisa Paker and her brother Henry and sister Alice. In that census Emiley, age 20 is given as a "teacher of swimming". Emily born 1861 Clerkenwell,Middlesex.Her swimming accounts are mostly in the mid to late 1870's where she put on swimming performances with her brother Henry.In 1874 she performed at the Warrington Aquatic Fete ;at the Rochdale Swimming Fete and at the Wellington Street Baths in Leeds when she was only age 13. I know she went on to be an instructor of swimming but I havnt found a single mention of her performing as a swimmer during her adult lift.

[ciderdrinker]

Hi ciderdrinker
If you look on Find My Past -Emily Parker under the newspaper section she comes third in a race in 1883 according to the Exeter Herald.So up till 1883 she was alive and singe.
Ciderdrinker

[Schooner]

Hi Smokey
I did a little more research for you.

Please note that Alice is recorded as Niece in the census household and is a cousin to Emily Parker.

The First Marriage of Helen Rowe:

Helen ROWE married Simon Wilhelm HENNYS (June Qtr 1877 Barnstaple district).
She was born in Newport, Monmouthshire and he was born in 1852 in Cornwall, before he and his parents moved to Bridgend.

At the time of his marriage to Helen he was a Baptist Minister at Maesteg, South Wales.

In 1881 he was living and working at his Father’s Green Grocery business at Bridgend. He is no longer a Baptist Minister and he died 2 years later during the Sep Qtr 1883 at Bridgend.

In 1878 after a short period of time and not at fault, Helen left the marriage.

In 1879 she was living back at the Ilfracombe family home with her parents.

I have a report as to the reason of separation and I will PM this to you,
Hope this helps with your research.

Regards
Schooner

[Smokey807]

Thanks "Schooner". Very useful information.

[Schooner]

Information and Pictures on Henry Parker Jnr can be found at:

www.thekinlochplayers.co.uk

Good info in the Biographical notes on his Father/Army/Marriage and his acting career etc.

[Smokey807]

Thank you very much fir the information on Henry Parker Junior etc. This filled in a lot of details about his life.Excellent work!!