Help locating BMD details for Woods family in Midhurst

[jmec73]

Hi, I'm hoping someone can help me out. One of my ancestors is a guy called Victor Basil Woods, b.1907 in Westbourne in Sussex. I can see from free searching the 1939 Register (which I don't have a subscription for further details) that in 1939 Victor is living at Avondale, Marley Lane. Searching on that address I can then see that his wife appears to be Sheila Rachel Woods (nee Church) and they have a daughter, Marian R Woods b.1939.

However, I've not been able to locate any birth, marriage or death index for Sheila Rachel Woods (or Marian) on FreeBMD or Family Search, so any assistance would be gratefully appreciated, as I'm sure I just can't see for looking!

Many thanks,
Jon.

[trish1120]

Adrian R 1939 has Mothers mn as Meades
Marriage for Victor B Woods 1934 Pontypridd Rachel R Meades on same page

[trish1120]

So its Adrian R Woods not Marion

[trish1120]

Possible children;
1934 Surrey
1936 Sussex
1939 Sussex
Mothers mn Meades

Rachel R Woods remarried 1947 to Robert E Church

[jmec73]

Hi Trish,

Thanks so much, really appreciate your help. I had seen the marriage in 1934 in Wales but had dismissed it as the name didn't match with the 1939 Register, but it does then link to the remarried name. How do you account for the "Sheila" and "Marion" on the 1939 register, just a mis-transcription?

Best wishes,
Jon.

[cuffie81]

Following up on Trish's posts...

Newspapers:

Western Mail & South Wales News
Wednesday, 04 April 1934
South Wales Brides of Easter Tuesday
Woods-Meades
Mr Victor Basil Woods, of Faygate, Sussex, was married to Miss Rachel Rosina Meades, of Central-street, Ystrad Mynach, at Holy Trinity Church, Ystrad, Mynach, On Tuesday. The Rev. D. R. Lewis (vicar of Llanycrwys), cousin of the bride, assisted by the Rev. E. W. S. Williams (curate), officiated. The bride, who was given away by her father, was attired in a powdered blue georgette dress, with lace trimmings to match. The bridesmaids were Miss Naomi Meades (sister of the bride) and Miss Lily Hannifird, of Totnes, Devon. Mr Brisbane Woods, of Sussex (brother of the bridegroom), was the best man, and Messrs. John and Stanley Meades were groomsmen.


GRO BMD references:
1908 Q3 - Marriage: John Meades & Anne Isaac; Pontypridd; 11a; 953
1909 Q3 - Birth: Rachel Rosina Meades (mmn: Isaac); Merthyr Tydfil; 11a; 798    
1911 Q4 - Birth: John Meades (mmn: Isaac); Merthyr Tydfil; 11a; 1471    
1914 Q1 - Birth: David Stanley Livingstone Meades (mmn: Isaac); Merthyr Tydfil; 11a; 1639
1920 Q1 - Birth: Naomi Meades (mmn: Isaac); Merthy T.; 11a; 1849
1959 Q3 - Death: John Meades; age 77 (born c1882); East Glamorgan; 8b; 196
1984 Q1 - Death: Ann Meades; born 10 Nov 1885; Merthyr Tydfil; 27; 137

1934 Q2 - Marriage: Victor B Woods & Rachel R Meades; Pontypridd; 11a; 1162
1947 Q2 - Marriage: Robert E Church & Rachel R Woods; Portsmouth; 6b; 1134
1981 Q3 - Death: Rachel Rosina Church; 17 Jul 1909; Portsmouth; 20; 0538


1911 Census:
Rachel with parents John and Ann(e).
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XWXQ-DNZ


Probate:
Rachel Rosina Church
of Asbury Rest Home, 6 Nelson Rd, Southsea, Portsmouth
died 7 Jul 1981
Probate Winchester 13 Aug
£26518
813312164N
https://probatesearch.service.gov.uk/Calendar?surname=church&yearOfDeath=1981&page=3#calendar


EDITS:
1) Corrected name: Miss Lily Hannifird -> Miss Lily Hanniford

[cuffie81]

There are a couple more newspaper stories about the family. One concerning Rachel and her daughter in 1954 and another, which appears to be about her daughter, in 1958. I won't post the details as some of the named people may still be alive and the stories are quite sensitive in nature.

The events in both stories both occurred in Southsea, Hampshire and you should be able to find them in the newspaper archives fairly easily but I can send you some info via PM if you want.

[jmec73]

Hi Cuffie81, thanks so much for your help. If you could send me the details via PM that would be great.

Many thanks,
Jon

[jmec73]

Sorry, meant to say, thank you for previous details of the wedding, that's fascinating to read 😊

Best wishes,
Jon