Ward LOCK AUTHORS

[m23to53]

I am recovering from a stroke, hence my non-appearance over the past months.

Can anyone help these two ladies who apparently had a few novels published by the now defucnt publisher?

Jane Henderson wrote for Ward Lock in the late 1930s and is on the 1939 Register, living Northfleet, Kent. She is apparently unmarried and was born 11/5/1907, and there is a mess of an initial which Ancestry has trenscibed as an H, but I believe she had the middle name of Ann. I assume she is now deceased but cannot find Jane (Ann) Henderson with that birth date in the deaths, though there is a 11/5/1908 died 1997 Jane Ann Henderson.. I have no idea where she was born, or if she ever married.

Mrs. Adele Foster lived Shoreham, Sussex when she was writing for Ward Lock 1947-1951. And that is all I know about the lady.

Can anyone put any flesh on these bones ?

Thanks
John

[djm297]

I hope you are making a good recovery from your stroke.

Perhaps this is Mrs Adele Foster?:

Adele Silberbauer marries William H A Foster Q2 1936 -Surrey Mid-Eastern District. In 1939 they were living in Ewell-with son ...There is a death record for Adele Anna Foster -Q2 1996-Surrey Mid Eastern District-date of birth 27.3.1910(as on 1939 record).

djm297

[Girl Guide]

My good wishes to you for your recovery.  Hope you continue to gain strength and mobility.

You certainly have the right Jane in the 1939 because of her occupation.

Her birth might have been registered a bit late and gone into the September quarter.  There is this birth here:-

HENDERSON, JANE  ANN     IRVING 
GRO Reference: 1907  S Quarter in WIGTON  Volume 10B  Page 641

[Girl Guide]

You state:-

I assume she is now deceased but cannot find Jane (Ann) Henderson with that birth date in the deaths, though there is a 11/5/1908 died 1997 Jane Ann Henderson. I have no idea where she was born, or if she ever married.

Where did you find this death?  I cannot find one at all corresponding with your information.

The only Jane Ann death that is nearest to 1997 is this one:-

HENDERSON, JANE  ANN     1902 
GRO Reference:  DOR  Q1/1996 in DOVER  (5631B)  Reg DDB7  Entry Number 77

As you can see birth year is 1902, given as 11th January 1902 on Find My Past.  She could of course be a married woman and not a single one.

This is Kent where your Jane was living in 1939.  If your Jane had married in England, then her married name would have been added to the 1939 Register.  Did you notice the additional occupation information for Jane?  She was in the A.T.S.

[Girl Guide]

Looks like Adele Anna Foster left a will which relates to the death that djm found.  It looks like her husband died before her:-

Deaths Mar 1980
FOSTER    WILLIAM HERBERT A    5SE1905    SURREY MID E    17   157

Looks as though William left a will as well.  Probate record says:-

FOSTER William Herbert Allayne of 18A Worple Road, Epsom died 21st March 1980. Probate Brighton 19th August £143611 800511034H

That's a lot of money for 1980.

This looks like his birth record

FOSTER, WILLIAM  HERBERT ALLEYNE    BROWN 
GRO Reference: 1905  D Quarter in EPSOM  Volume 02A  Page 24

[m23to53]

Thanks for your replies and best wishes. I must admit I have no idea where I found the 1908 -1998 Jane Ann Henderson though I assume she is the 11/5/1907 on the 1939 Register as Jane H Henderson for whom Ancestry have assumed the muddle for a middle initial is an H. At least, I cannot trace a novelist of the time who is a Jane H Henderson.

REGARDS
John

[Girl Guide]

She is Jane A on Find My Past 1939 Register.  Birth date as you have given.  Still single.

Possible birth?

HENDERSON, JANE  ANN     IRVING 
GRO Reference: 1907  S Quarter in WIGTON  Volume 10B  Page 641

Perhaps registered late?

[Girl Guide]

I was going to suggest following Jane through the electoral rolls, however I don't think it will get you anywhere much.

A little detail about Wombwell Hall:-

During the Second World War the Hall served as a hospital for wounded anti aircraft gunners from the Tollgate and Green Street batteries. After the war the family finally sold the hall and grounds to the Kent Education Committee, who turned it into a Girls Technical School and later Northfleet Grammar School for Girls. When the school closed in 1988, it was sold to become part of an Old People's Home.

From this website:-

http://www.discovergravesham.co.uk/northfleet/wombwell-hall.html

The 1939 gives no indication that she married.  The NHS updated these records with details of any marriage or change of name up to about 1992.

[Girl Guide]

This may be a long shot.  Ward Lock & Co. were eventually absorbed by Octopus Books. You could try writing to Octopus to see if they can assist with authors that were with Ward Lock & Co.

I would suggest that you try this contact email first and see what happens.

enquiries@hachette.co.uk

This is their website:-  https://www.octopusbooks.co.uk/