Watford - WILLIAMS - after 1901 census

[Dale]

Kia Ora from New Zealand
My greatgrandmother Elizabeth (nee Fairy) left Birmingham England in 1878 with her husband & 11month old daughter and became an early pioneer of Taranaki New Zealand.

She left many siblings, aunts & uncles, cousins etc in England and there are many I would love to trace!

I have a particular reason for wanting to find  descendants of Elizabeth Mary Burgess born 1863 in Toronto Canada who married Henry John Williams in 1894 in London.

They definitely had the following children:
John Francis R.J. WILLIAMS 1895 in Oakham Rutland
Arthur Richard  WILLIAMS  1900 in Watford
Violet Lizzie Swinton WILLIAMS 1901
Henry Burgess WILLIAMS 1903
Violet Lizzie & Henry Burgess WILLIAMS were both baptised at St Marys Watford.

1. Does anyone recognise these names?
2. Is anyone visiting an RO who might find if there were any other children?
3. Is there a marriage index or similar that might give me an idea if the children married in the area presumably circa 1920s?
4. Might the main library have a card index which would help me?
5. Any other bright ideas?

Very grateful for any assistance.
Marlene

[CaroleW]

Hi Marlene

In answer to your questions:

2. Is anyone visiting an RO who might find if there were any other children?

Williams is a very common surname here in the UK.  Until 1911, the registration entry on the BMD index did not show the mothers maiden name, so prior to 1911, it would not be possible to match a Williams birth entry to a mother whose maiden name was Burgess.   


3. Is there a marriage index or similar that might give me an idea if the children married in the area presumably circa 1920s?


A copy of the UK BMD index is available at LDS Family Resource Centres but the whole index is also available on www.1837online.com which is a paysite and costs £5 UK for about 50 - 55 searches.
Each year is split into 4 quarters starting from March and each quarter is in alphabetical order

4. Might the main library have a card index which would help me?
No - the main libraries here in the UK have the full BMD index on either microfilm or fiche.   

[Maddie]

Hi Marlene

Just a thought but it might be worth contacting the Watford Observer.

It is on line & they have a Nostalgia page with a section for tracing people.

Good luck.

Regards
Maddie

[Dale]

Hi Carol & Maddie
Thanks for your reponses - my computer has been away for a WOF so my apologies!!
carol in case it is of help to you a very kind soul found the 4 baptisms of the Williams children in a parish register so it is possible!
Carole
A number of libraries do have their old card index systems (pre computers) still operating and have sent me invaluable info . They have listed a surname, then perhaps , the date of death and the newpaper obituary reference or the date of the write up of a wedding describing what the bride wore , the hymns sung and even the the gifts! The information means you know exactly what name, date and newspaper you are looking  for.  Herts is a relatively new area for me so I was seeking to know what might be available from the local library in Watford.
Maddie
Thanks so much for that reference - off to write up what I know!Wish me luck!
Marlene