New member to RootsChat so please bear with me. I am trying to find information that will lead me to the birth place of my great grandmother, Margaret Jane Smith, c. 1845 .
Father: James Smith; Captain in the Army (noted on marriage certificate)
Margaret married William Johnson Smith at the Sardinian Chapel, Duke Street, St. Giles on 25 November, 1870. It is noted that Margaret was 25 years old, spinster, no profession, living at 13 Compton Street, St. Giles.
Death Index: London City, 1887; sub-district: St. Sepulchre; 471/1887
By way of background information I really know nothing about my mother's paternal side of the family. When my grandparents married I am to understand that my grandfather, David Phillip Edward Smith (son of Margaret Jane) being a Catholic, married Ada Thorley (born Bath) who was from a strict Methodist family. After they were married they came to Australia and never went back.
My cousin (86 years of age) can recall our grandfather having her on his lap and singing to her Irish melodies that he knew that were sung to him by his mother, and my later mother, Ada Florence Fleming (in a note that I have in her own handwriting) told me that her grandmother had been born in Waterford, Ireland
I have the following Census information:
1851: I have not been able to find Margaret Jane Smith (she would have been around 6 years old)
1861: She is living at 13 New Compton Street, St. Giles, London with her aunt, Anne Fry - married, born in Ireland (my cousin tells me that she can remember our grandparents talking about Ann Foy (not Fry) Margaret born in St. Giles, Middlesex, England. NOTE: Maybe Ann Foy was Margaret's mother's sister ??
1871: Living New Compton Street, St. Giles with her aunt, Ann Nicholls, who was born in Ireland. Margaret born Middlesex, England.
1881: Margaret living 1 St. Thomas Gardens, St. Pancras, London. She is married and living with her husband and 3 children. Ann Foy is noted again as aunt, single and living with them and again noted as being born in Ireland. Margaret born, St. Giles, Middlesex, England.
The only other clue that I have to Ireland is that James Smith (Margaret's father) may have been connected to the Royal Irish Rifles (83rd Foot and 86th Foot) as my grandfather, DPE Smith, always had a postcard on his dresser depicting this regiment.
Would appreciate anyone with any thoughts on my elusive Margaret Jane Smith, her parents and siblings.
Thank you.
