Miranda McGregor

[avm228]

Well that is just bizarre.

Could Miranda perhaps have assumed Mary Diana’s identity because she herself didn’t have a birth certificate or any “official” existence?

[chempat]

At the moment that looks like the most logical explanation.

Obvious problem is that we believe Miranda was born around 1912, so is 10 years older than claimed, though I think there is only 1 child to Startup/McGregor in 1955, so not impossible.

[avm228]

I have had a very nice response from the owner of the Ancestry tree with photos of Mary Diana in South Africa. I have invited him to join this thread if he’s interested. His family link is to Alice Pim, sister of Maidie. He has reliable knowledge of Mary Diana’s married life in South Africa including family letters etc.

[Dundee]

Re Miranda who married Ernest White in 1932 in Sussex.

There are two births - 1933 and 1936, Cuckfield with the right surnames.

Sorry, about to cross post - if born 1918 could not have married in 1932.  No other reason.  If it was her, she must have left those children behind, and claim to be single in 1939.

Are they with Heber and Ellen BURGESS in Hailsham in 1939?

Debra 

[avm228]

Re Miranda who married Ernest White in 1932 in Sussex.

There are two births - 1933 and 1936, Cuckfield with the right surnames.

Sorry, about to cross post - if born 1918 could not have married in 1932.  No other reason.  If it was her, she must have left those children behind, and claim to be single in 1939.

Are they with Heber and Ellen BURGESS in Hailsham in 1939?

Debra 

I think so too - one named, the other (likely) redacted 

[chempat]

Marriage certificate arrived for Eric William Brown and Miranda McGregor on 27/01/1943

He is a bachelor age 34, a radio dealer, living in West Sidcup, Kent, father William Brown a Mechanical Engineer.

She is Miranda McGregor, a spinster, age 27, no profession, living at 12, Coram Street, Holborn.

Her father is John McGregor, deceased, a playwright.

Witnesses Harold Johnston and J.R.Glass Jr.

[Ladyhawk]

Re Miranda who married Ernest White in 1932 in Sussex.

There are two births - 1933 and 1936, Cuckfield with the right surnames.

Sorry, about to cross post - if born 1918 could not have married in 1932.  No other reason.  If it was her, she must have left those children behind, and claim to be single in 1939.

Are they with Heber and Ellen BURGESS in Hailsham in 1939?

Debra 

I think so too - one named, the other (likely) redacted 

Ellen May nee COLLINS she died 1968 married 1909 Hailsham Herber BURGESS he died 1975

White/McGregor dau born 1933 her middle name Miranda

Not yet received the marriage certificate, but have got the letters of administration (not will) for Bertram Deacon Startup who died in 1978.

Was he previously married?

Bertram born 24 April 1907 with his wife in 1939, married Dec 1932 Horsham, one child
she died 10 Jul 1944 age 40 UK World War 11 Civilian Deaths wife of L.A.C. Bertram J Startup, R.A.F.

[chempat]

Yes, he was previously married.  Wife and mother-in-law killed together.

[avm228]

Marriage certificate arrived for Eric William Brown and Miranda McGregor on 27/01/1943

He is a bachelor age 34, a radio dealer, living in West Sidcup, Kent, father William Brown a Mechanical Engineer.

She is Miranda McGregor, a spinster, age 27, no profession, living at 12, Coram Street, Holborn.

Her father is John McGregor, deceased, a playwright.

Witnesses Harold Johnston and J.R.Glass Jr.

Thanks for the update.

John Francis MacGregor was alive and well in 1943 - he died at the Middlesex Hospital, St Marylebone on 26 Oct 1959, aged 71.

He was a stockbroker, of 15 Princes Row, London, on his father’s probate grant in 1936.

In 1939 he was still at 15 Princes Row, as a divorced company director.

Of course, if Miranda was fathered by him, we don’t know to what extent she knew him, who brought her up, or whether she was given accurate information.