Kelsall

[atkirk146]

I'm looking for any information on Harold Sydney Reginald Kelsall, born 28th June 1903 Goodwood South Australia, can't find anymore information about him.

[Jamjar]

I see that his father was Thomas.

What was his mother’s name?

Siblings?

Jamjar

[wivenhoe]

Then why are you interested in him?

Context always helps with family history.

What do you know about him and/or his family?

[Jamjar]

Is this his family?

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/197279234/tom-kelsall

A sister Alice Rebecca who married Arthur MUDDLETON?

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/186248184/alice-rebecca-muggleton

His brother Edmund with wife?

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/197280889/dulcie-may-kelsall

He was alive in 1909. School Admission: 1909 KELSALL Harold S R (modified year)

Jamjar

[atkirk146]

Harold Sydney Reginald and Edmund Thomas Kelsall’s mother was Elizabeth/Bessie French.

I’ve been told, Thomas Kellsal wasn’t father of either of them, but he allowed Elizabeth the use of his surname.
It is believed Thomas took Elizabeth/Bessie into his home and gave her children his surname.

Thomas’ wife (Ellen née May) was in hospital at the time, and struggling with the loss of three of their own children.

@ Jamjar…..from where did you get the information

‘He was alive in 2009. School Admission: 1909 KELSALL Harold S R’?


Atkirk146

[Jamjar]

School details found on Geneology SA and Family Search.

Did the mother marry?

Jamjar

[Jamjar]

I have corrected the year of school enrolment.

It is best if you answer questions on the forum, rather than by personal message.

You say you don’t know is his mother married. I asked as if she did he may have taken another surname.

Jamjar

[atkirk146]

Thanks. I’m looking on Family Search now unable to find where the school admissions are.

[jorose]

Hmm - Tom Kelsall can be found on trove newspapers, his wife Ellen did not pass away until 1916.
What do the original copies of the birth certificates say? What is the exact wording given? Did Tom sign the certificate?

Extremely unusual, almost unbelievable that he would put his name on the certificate if he was not the father, and to leave Bessie as the mother. About the only case where I can think there'd be a reason to do this was that his son (William Thomas) was the birth father and this was therefore a cover to protect his son's reputation.

A Bessie French was apparently in 1905 acting as an unauthorised foster mother.
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/208889545?searchTerm=%22Bessie%20French%22

It can be seen that in 1904 Tom was at Hindley Street:
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS5F-GS5B-B?cc=2862204
 and that in 1907 a Bessie French enrolled a son Henry (born 1900) and his residence was also Hindley street:
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS5F-GSTD-C?cc=2862204

Bit of a timeline:
Thomas (Tom) marries Ellen 1882
children:
William Thomas b. 1883 (marries 1908).
Elder May b. 1885 d. 1885
Florence Hilda b. 1886 (married 1911)
Ella May b. 1888 (died young)
James Ray b. 1890 d. 1895
Ellen Mary b. 1892 (m. 1923)
Alice Rebecca b. 1894 (m. 1923)
Harold Sydney Reginald b. 1903
Edmund Thomas b. 1905

Wife Ellen dies 1916.

When eldest son William Thomas, dies siblings are given as Edmund, Ellen and Alice...
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/47394251?searchTerm=%22William%20THomas%20Kelsall%22

But in 1908 when he marries he is "only son"
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/208935237?searchTerm=%22Kelsall%22