john william bennett

[simon poole]

Hello.  I'm trying to find out as much as I can about John William Bennett - Born in Tooting, London died in Witney, Oxfordshire 1979, aged 67.  I understand that there is a Rob Mills using this site who is looking into his family tree, part of which is Helen May Bennett, John's sister. If anyone knows of Rob or knows how to find him on here, or has any information on John William Bennett, it would be great to hear from you.  Thanks.  Simon.

[Girl Guide]

There is a probate record for John, have you considered obtaining it?

BENNETT John William of 28 West End Witney, Oxon died 27 October 1979 probate Oxford 3rd December £11179  792811206K

I assume that the last number is a reference number for ordering the probate papers.

I'm not sure if probate will mean that there is definitely a will.  It may just be that someone was given the necessary authority to dispose of his assets.

[Girl Guide]

If I have the correct one, it looks as though his sister married:-

Marriages Sep 1930   
Bennett    Helen M    Mills    Fulham    1a   1062    
Mills    Leslie H B    Bennett    Fulham    1a   1062

Did John have any other siblings besides Helen?

[simon poole]

Hi, 'Girl Guide'.  Thankyou for that, it's fantastic. I'll look into obtaining the probate papers. And I'll try to see if I can get a picture up of the address you gave me for his home in Witney.

Yes, as far as I'm aware he had a brother Peter and two other sisters Ruth and Mary.  There was also a John Harry, but he died in infancy.  There may be more, I don't know.  Would you happen to have any further information? 

John William Bennett was my mum's father but she and her siblings were fostered out when very young.  Now, aged 77, my mum is keen to find out as much about her dad as possible.  Thanks again.  I appreciate it.  Simon.

[Annette7]

He was born 29/10/1913 (birth reg'd Dec.1913 Wandsworth) mmn Peters.

Parents John Henry Bennett 23  Machine Draughtsman   son of John Henry Peters, Grocer and Helen May Peters 21, dau. of Harry Richard Peters (dec'd), compositor, married 28/10/1908 St. Dionis, Parsons Green, Fulham. 

Looking through various records both father and son switch between John Henry and John Harry.

Annette

[Girl Guide]

Ah well I did find other siblings.

The parents married in 1908:-

Marriages Dec 1908   (>99%)
BENNETT    John Henry        Fulham    1a   494   
PETERS    Helen May        Fulham    1a   494

Other children appear to be:-

Births Dec 1913   (>99%)
Bennett    John W    Peters    Wandsworth    1d   1266    
Bennett    John W    Peters    Wandsworth    1d   1239

John appears to have been registered twice, but I don't know why.

Births Sep 1915   
BENNETT    Peter    Peters    Fulham    1a   418

Births Dec 1918   
Bennett    Ruth    Peters    Fulham    1a   422

Births Mar 1922 
Bennett    Mary    Peters    Fulham    1a   568

Births Dec 1924   
Bennett    Hannah    Peters    Fulham    1a   445

Births Mar 1928 
Bennett    Esther    Peters    Fulham    1a   461

Births Jun 1930
Bennett    Rhoda    Peters    Fulham    1a   473

This one is from the GRO website who now provide mother's maiden names for births from 1837 to  about 1915

Name:    
BENNETT, HELEN  MAY               Mother's Maiden Surname:   PETERS 
GRO Reference: 1909  J Quarter in FULHAM  Volume 01A  Page 348

We are not allowed to give details from the 1911 census but Helen and her parents are there living in Fulham.  It does indicate that one child died.

BENNETT, JOHN  HARRY     PETERS     
GRO Reference: 1910  D Quarter in WANDSWORTH  Volume 01D  Page 679

Death
BENNETT, JOHN  HARRY     0     
GRO Reference: 1910  D Quarter in WANDSWORTH  Volume 01D  Page 411

Will the above do to be going on with?  If you want any other look ups do say.

[simon poole]

Annette, thank you so much.  I really appreciate your taking the time.  Girl Guide: Wow, I wonder if this means that Esther and Rhoda might still be alive.  Imagine if my mum had two elderly aunts.  I feel a bit like I'm taking advantage but any futher information concerning any of it would be amazing.  Thanks  Simon

[Girl Guide]

I'll have a poke around in a moment.  I just want to mention that Helen (1910) appears on a tree on Ancestry and she is part of the Meredith family tree.

Beware - trees on Ancestry are not always accurate.  I cannot look as I don't have the right kind of sub to see what is there.  Perhaps someone else can check for you.

Does the name Meredith mean anything to you?

I'll have a look now and see if I can find any marriages for John's siblings. I've already found Helen's.

[simon poole]

Girl Guide, you're a star.  Meredith means nothing.  We had the basic info of the siblings I first mentioned, Mum's father's birth and death dates, and we knew that Peter's son was a postman in Bedford (where my mum was born). I think down Helen May's line is the guy I mentioned in my initial post, Rob Mills.  My mum has a sister still in Bedford, a sister in America, and a brother, whereabouts unknown.  But as they were all fostered out, the connections to the past were initially of little interest but are now of greater significance. I will be seeing my mum this weekend and she has one or two bits of connective info (her father's army regiment and number, a couple of other names, and such).  I may post those on here next week.  Please don't spend too much time on this as I'm sure you have other things to do.  But thankyou so much.