Agnes MARKESKY born Bilston Wolverhampton 1889 family with Arthur MOTTRAM

[Chatwood2016]

Thanks so much Claire!

Julie

[..claire..]

You're very welcome 

Were the family Jewish ? I'm just trying to think why they would change their surnames. Maybe they just chose surnames that were more 'English' sounding.

Claire

[Chatwood2016]

No I don't think they were Jewish, but I don't really know, have only just spotted them.  The three younger brothers were in an Orphanage in 1901.  I spotted Leonard MARKESKY has some WW1 documentation - I'll go and have a look to see if there is enough available to record his religion.  I just wondered if it was as easier surname for people to pronounce, or maybe there was anti-German feelings in 1911 and any foreign second name would be suspicious.  What ever the reason it's been an uphill struggle to research.  Very sad family, losing both parents, options for a young orphaned teenager rather limited, 'marriage' and children seemed a good way out I suppose.   Well that's my take on it!

Julie

[Chatwood2016]

Grrrr I don't think I'm barking up the right tree.  The three boys were in an Orphanage in 1911, however their mother was alive and living with her three daughters.  They seem to be living a fairly affluent life.  Maybe the boys were in school at the Orohanage.  My candidate for being Agnes CLEE, Agnes Mary MARKESKY is living with her mother in 1911 and her unmarried sisters, and is a student teacher,  they are altogether on the 1939 Register and Cecil one of the brothers is also unmarried and living with them.  They died unmarried and also left a fair amount of money.  This doesn't sound at all like the family I'm researching,  however AGNES Senior nee McDonough does come from Irish parentage. What a muddle.

Julie

[..claire..]

Hi

Just got the shock of my life, Agnes and Arthur Mottram are living in the house next door to the boarding house my Grandmother owned (no. 52) and where my dad was born. 

What a small world!

claire

[Chatwood2016]

Crikey, that's extraordinary!

Julie

[Chatwood2016]

Wonder what the chances of that are - think I'll buy a lottery ticket!

[..claire..]

I know, I spent a lot of my childhood there, really surprising 

It really is quite strange, isn't it, all the members on this site to answer and I did.

claire

[..claire..]

Hi again

Have you checked military records for Arthur Mottram ?

There is one in Blackpool ( address: 8 Frederick Street ) which is a 5 minute walk from where Arthur and Agnes were living in 1911.

He was declared mentally unfit for service. His next of kin was a wife M. Mottram.

Wonder if there is a chance Agnes could have had another forename like Mary Agnes or some such name.

There are quite a few Clee families in Wolverhampton too.

claire