Trying to solve a mystery

[mckha489]

FRANCIS, ALBERT  SANDERS     - 
GRO Reference: 1867  J Quarter in POPLAR UNION  Volume 01C  Page 620
 

This one is baptised as illegitimate son of Eliza FRANCIS

[Deb Clark Rennie]

Oops Lexdon  yes

[Deb Clark Rennie]

I think it’s possible Albert and Alfred are brothers both born to an Eliza and the name Saunders Francis or Sanders Francis.

I just can’t find them on the census records.  I can’t find an Eliza Francis that fits it’s been giving me quite the brain drain for some time.

[Deb Clark Rennie]

" My thoughts were he (Alfred Saunders Francis)  was the illegitimate son of Eliza Francis born 1868 in Leiden (In the Netherlands)? and this is the birth record Dianne had among the papers (no father listed) she has along with a death certificate for a Felix Francis (any age/date/place on that)? "

FRANCIS, ALFRED  SANDERS     - 
GRO Reference: 1868  J Quarter in LEXDEN & WINSTREE UNION  Volume 04A  Page 314

This is the birth certificate that Dianne has among her papers.  As they migrated to New Zealand it’s possible they needed documents to support their migration?

[PaulineJ]

Right, You've not answered when/where this FELIX Francis death cert was issued.

1871 census (an attorney from Colchester) https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VFFY-Q3N
1861 census   https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M7HW-DN7
1851 a law student. https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:SGVF-1P5

[mckha489]

Have either of you bought Felix’s  will?  (Died 1872)

Or the 1893 one of the brother Carrington FRANCIS

[Deb Clark Rennie]

Right, You've not answered when/where this FELIX Francis death cert was issued.

1871 census (an attorney from Colchester) https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VFFY-Q3N
1861 census   https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M7HW-DN7
1851 a law student. https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:SGVF-1P5

It’s says Felix Francis was 45 years old he was a solicitor and death registered 24th feb 1872 brother F Phillip Francis present Colchester Essex

[Deb Clark Rennie]

Have either of you bought Felix’s  will?  (Died 1872)

Or the 1893 one of the brother Carrington FRANCIS

No I haven’t I saw that Felix left it all to his brother Carrington so maybe Carringtons might hold some clues but I’ve never bought a will before how does one go about doing that.

[mckha489]

The bit you can see in the Probate Index just tells you Carrington was an executor. Not who were the beneficiaries.

Go to https://probatesearch.service.gov.uk/#wills.
They cost £10 and a link is emailed to you, then you download.  Very satisfying! 😀

If Dianne’s family have his death certificate among their papers from some time ago there must be a reason.
It would be interesting to know when it was issued,