Edith Lee Sheffield 1882

[MrsYC]

Hi I'm searching for answers for my friend. Her Great grandmother Edith Lee was born in Sheffield in 1882. She was living with Thomas Gerard Hargreaves (Marine engineer) on the 1921 census (as a domestic servant). But it was found she had 3 children to him who also lived at the same address in 1921 (Geraint St, Liverpool) Robert, Eric & George Hargreaves.

The youngest child was my friends Grandfather (Eric Gerard Hargreaves who died in WW2 in 1942). My friend can't find any marriage certificate between Edith & Thomas, but she had Thomas' surname on the electoral roll.  We can't find Edith on the 1911 census under Lee or Hargreaves. Also no birth certificate for Edith or her whereabouts after Thomas' death in 1927. We know she lived in the same house on Geraint St for about 5 years after his death. 

Thomas Gerard Hargreaves had a wife names Annie Devlin whom he had 4 children with prior to Edith Lee. They split up as the census shows they lived at separate addresses. On the burial certificate of Thomas Gerard Hargreaves the owner of the grave is an Edith Lee but we just want more information on her.

My friend found Thomas Gerard Hargreaves's grave in Toxteth cemetery but there was nothing there. There are also no baptism records for their children, but if they weren't married this might explain that??

I can't find any information on any of the children apart from a memorium of Eric Hargreaves who died in WW2 and it says his parents were Edith & Thomas Hargreaves.

Any help would be much appreciated.

Thanks

[CaroleW]

Was Thomas Gerard Hargreaves b Liverpool 1871 - died Liverpool 1927?

Also - birthyears for each of the  children on the 1921 - presumably born Liverpool?

If Thomas’s wife was still alive when he died - that’s why there will be no marriage.  Divorce was unlikely as it was expensive

[MrsYC]

Hi Carole,

Thanks for your quick reply 

Yes Thomas Gerard Hargreaves was born in Liverpool in 1871 (died 1927). Just to avoid confusion his father was also Thomas Hargreaves from Liverpool (Watch maker).

The birth years for the children are:
Eric- Sept 1918
Robert- 1913
George- 1915

All born in Liverpool.

Thanks again

[CaroleW]

He married Annie Devlin 1889 but they were still together in 1911 so Edith only appeared on the scene between 1911 - 1918. 

Is she shown as Lee in 1921 & if so - what is her marital status

[Milliepede]

Good question, I wonder if she was/had been married too. 

No birth registrations for the 3 children either? **

** Eric G Lee born Birkenhead Sep 1917 MMN Lee
Mary V G Lee born Birkenhead Sep 1917 MMN Lee

Might that be Eric? 

[Milliepede]

Have you ruled out Edith Lee with parents Frederick & Martha in 1891/1901?

[Milliepede]

Robert H Lee born Toxteth P Sep 1913 MMN Lee

George F H Lee born Toxteth P Mar 1916 MMN Lee

[CaroleW]

If Edith (like Thomas) was previously married - any children whether they are born in or out of that marriage would show her maiden name.

There are 2 Edith Lee births in Sheffield

1881 mothers maiden name Cowie
1882 no mmn so illegitimate

[CaroleW]

Eric’s birth in 1918 was registered as Hargreaves mmn Lee

Robert H 1913 was Robert Hargreaves Lee

George was George Frederick Hargreaves Lee