Disappearance of Maud(e)

[Heatha]

Maude Cross was born on 8th May 1875 in Marsh Gibbon, the daughter of William Cross and Jane Heritage.

In the fourth quarter of 1899 she married Robert Travell Simms, who was born in Quainton on 3rd August 1878. Their marriage took place in the Buckingham registration district.

Robert's death was registered in the fourth quarter of 1975 in the Aylesbury registration district, aged 97.

It seems highly unlikely that Maude would still be alive in 2007/2008 ! However I cannot find any registration of her death. She was alive for the 1939 census.

Can anyone help me ?

[Kloumann]

There is a death of a Maud Simms in 1963 1st Q, Chesterfield, born 1876.

[Heatha]

Thank you. I think I may have to order death certificates for her and, if this is not her, I might try the lady who died in Leicester in 1955.

I was thinking that I might have missed something. I always doubt my ability to come up with the solution ! I cannot find probate for either of these ladies.

[Milliepede]

Robert's death was registered in the fourth quarter of 1975 in the Aylesbury registration district, aged 97

.

He could be buried with her so if you could find where he was buried and there is a headstone it might just have the information you want. 

[rosie99]

I think the Maud Simms who dies Leicester in 1955 was in Leicester area in 1939.

[Heatha]

Thank you Rosie99.

[cuffie81]

There are some news items which may help narrow down the date slightly. (I've also included any that may be of passing interest).

Buckingham Advertiser and Free Press
01 Jun 1940
Marsh Gibbon Funeral
- Funeral of Fred White
- youngest son of Mr and Mrs J White
- aged 26
- Funeral arrangements by Mr R T Simms


Buckingham Advertiser and Free Press 09 Sep 1944
Buckingham Advertiser and Free Press 07 Oct 1944
House Breaking at Marsh Gibbon
- Leslie Fells
- solider; RAOC
- accused of breaking into house of Robert Travill Simms
- at Marsh Gibbon on Aug 28
- Mr Simms, witness
-- wheelwright, of "The Sycamore"
- Mrs Maud Simms, witness
-- wife of Robert Simms
- Mrs Simms closed doors and windows at about 11pm and went to bed
- The Simms heard noise about midnight
- Mr Simms went to investigate, saw no-one
- Mr Simms went to investigate again a few minutes later and found window open
- Mr Simms found accused crouching behind settee
- Mr Simms told accused to get out
- Accused was holding iron, property of Mr Simms
- Mr Simms and accused struggled over iron

Numerous news items covering this story, some quite lengthy.


Buckingham Advertiser and Free Press
14 Apr 1945
Marsh Gibbon
- Monthly WI meeting
- Mrs R Simms read postcard she had received from the branch's adopted PoW, in Germany


Buckingham Advertiser and Free Press
04 Aug 1945
Marsh Gibbon
- Red Cross Rural Pennies collection for Apr, May and Jun
- Collectors included Mrs R Simms


Buckingham Advertiser and Free Press
13 Oct 1945
Marsh Gibbon
- Monthly meeting of WI
- Social half-hour competition won by Mrs R Simms
- Refreshments by various ladies, including Mrs R Simms


Buckingham Advertiser and Free Press
03 Nov 1945
Marsh Gibbon
- Marsh Gibbon thanksgiving week
- started with whist drive on Saturday
- Thursday whist drive included winners Mrs Simms


Banbury Advertiser
03 Apr 1946
Death of Mr W H Jones
- Funeral report of Henry William Jones
- of Cropredy, for over 20 years
- previously lived in Marsh Gibbon, his birthplace
- Funeral arrangements by Messrs Cherry and Sons, of Cropredy, and Mr R Simms, of Marsh Gibbon


Buckingham Advertiser and Free Press
16 Nov 1946
Marsh Gibbon
- Monthly meeting of WI
- Hostesses were Mesdames Simms, Taplin and Wall, served a very nice tea


Buckingham Advertiser and Free Press
07 Dec 1946
Edgcott
- Funeral report of Mr Fred Young
- of Hill Farm, Edgcott
- aged 77
- Numerous mourners, including Mrs Simms
- Funeral arrangements carried out by old friend Mr R T Simms, of Marsh Gibbon


Bucks Herald
01 Aug 1947
Situations Vacant
Working companion-housekeeper required immediately; comfortable home, modern conveniences; village near Bicester, Oxon. 2 in family. - Apply, Simms, The Sycamore, Marsh Gibbon, Bicester, Oxon.


Buckingham Advertiser and Free Press
14 Aug 1954
Village Displays Its Treasures
Exhibition At Marsh Gibbon
Marsh Gibbon village, in its rural isolation, would scarcely dream, we imagine, of setting out to rival the British Museum; but last Saturday, in connection with a fete arranged by the Marsh Gibbon Tennis and Cricket Clubs for their funds, there was displayed, in the Village School, an exhibition that would have done credit to a much larger community.
...
Buckinghamshire Lace
Included were exquisite examples of Buckinghamshire pillow lace, some of it the work of now departed lace-makers of the village and neighbourhood and one of the choicest the work of 79 years old Mrs Simms, a Marsh Gibbon lace-maker who continues her practical interest in the craft. Side by side with the lace was a display of samplers that was a joy to behold and it revealed the fact that this beautiful and painstaking craft is still most artistically kept alive in Marsh Gibbon by Mrs Britnall, wife of the Rector. There were, too, some perfect specimens of hand embroidery from Nurse Kiellor, who also lent a number of exhibits in this section.
...


Buckingham Advertiser and Free Press
27 Aug 1955
Marsh Gibbon
Fete and Soft Ball Match
- Various stall holders, prize winners and competition winners listed
- Competition winners included M Simms

[Annette7]

Maud Simms died in Scotland in 1967, shown in index as aged 90 (she was in fact 91).

Her eldest son was named John Cecil W. Simms and he married in 1939.  The couple lived in Perth and Maud died there on 18th March 1967 - name of husband, home address, name of her parents prove it is definitely her.   However, the informant was her daughter in law Jean M. Simms and an incorrect birthdate of 5/5/1876 is shown.  She died in Strathmore Hospital, Blairgowrie, Perth.

I had some available credits so was able to view the death certificate on Scotlands People.

Annette

 

[Heatha]

Milliepede, cuffie81 and Annette7 and others,

Thank you so very much for all this information.

Annette7, thank you especially for using credits to help me. I am most grateful.

Milliepede - I have photographs of all the Simms gravestones in Marsh Gibbon and Quainton (where the Simms family came from) and nothing, sadly, matches.

cuffie81 - I am so used to looking in the Bucks Herald (covering Quainton) that I had overlooked the Buckingham Advertiser and Free Press. Thanks for the wakeup !!

Now to find the next brick wall !

Thanks again,

Heatha