Genealogy Chat

Good morning all. My head is full of numbers, dates, names and addresses so I find that I am not thinking clearly. So, can you help me on this one please :- Is it possible, (probable), that the Rebbecca Davie that died Sept 1/4 1957 at Derby, (age 82), is the Sarah Rebbecca Bennett born Sholing, Southampton, June 1/4 1875. I know that the 'Sarah' part of her name was dropped when her family had her g/mother, another Sarah, staying with them. She took the 'Davie' name when she and my g/father, George Albert Davie, 1874-1917, were together. No sign of a marriage there!!, although on my dad,s birth cert, 1911, she is down as Rebbecca Davie, formerly Bennett. She seems to have left the (Southampton) family home some time after the birth of my father. My father, or his siblings, would NEVER talk about her. So, it,s over to you super sleuth,s, and your valued opinions. Cheers and regards, Mick Davie.

We have a 46 year gap to fill here! Do you know anything more about her after she left the home? Have you checked for any marriages in that period? She stayed with the same name if that is the same person and given the circumstances, I find that unexpected. Have you got the death certificate to see who registered the death? Perhaps she had more children, who may have been told something of her early life and where she came from. Have you checked the Will index to see if that gives clues to the Derby lady? I don't have a problem with accepting that a Sarah Rebbecca could later be Rebbecca... but we need to fill the intervening years. ( were they spelt like that, by the way? Someone insisting on 2x 'b's in their name may be a clue)

You mention siblings for your dad. Were the born before or after him?? Merry

I note from freebmd that a DAVIE child was born later in 1911 in Loughborough area. His mother's maiden name was Bennett. This could be a red herring and shows that we mustn't jump to conclusions. however When did Sarah Rebbeca leave Southampton, approx.?

Hi all, Thanks for your response on this one. My father William Davie was the youngest of five. There was George b1898 ; Albert b1900 ; Rose b1906 ; Ann b1908 and my father, b1911. All born Southampton. (South Stoneham). The only record that I have, or have been able to find, is my fathers birth certificate. In 1917 my g/father died. the five children were taken in by various nieghbours so that the family would not be parted. I assume that my g/mother had already left the family home by then. Whether by death or desertion I know not. As I said, my parents, uncles or aunts would never mention thier parents. It just seemed a tabboo subject. I have tried the PRO at Winchester......nothing. Spent a total of weeks scrolling through the various sites on the net, still nothing. I do not really know what else that I can add, as I know........nothing. Except, I have narrowed her down to one Sarah Rebbecca Bennett, bJune 1/4 1875 at Sholing, Southampton. I can follow her through the census,s, which is how I deduced about the name 'Sarah' being dropped. I did, ask my mother about her once, and was only told that her name was Sarah but she used her middle name Rebbecca. Nothing more was forthcoming. Unfortunately. I have to go out this morning, but please be assured that, as soon as I get back, I will answer any replies to this, (family tree blocking), mystery. Regards, and many, many thanks for your help. Mick Davie.

The birth reg you mention has Rebecca spelled the usual way - not Rebbecca! Merry

So this is her in 1901? Already ''married''????? Albert Davie abt 1900 Southampton, Hampshire, England Son Shirley Hampshire George Davie abt 1875 Southampton, Hampshire, England Head Shirley Hampshire George Davie abt 1898 Southampton, Hampshire, England Son Shirley Hampshire >>>>Rebecca Davie abt 1876 Sholing, Hampshire, England Wife Shirley Hampshire Merry

Hi MMM, Yes your right, on the birth cert, now in front of me, the name is spelt Rebecca, one 'b'. (another 'senior moment !!). and yes thats her with her husband and two son,s. I have to go now, late already, but i will return. Cheers, Mick D.

Gwyneth mentioned a birth in Loughborough with the same parental surnames. However, it's too close to your dad's birth to be any connection (the following quarter!) The thing that bothers me is that if she never married George....why not??? (there usually ends up being a reason) and if she left the family home isn't she likely to have taken up with another man at some point and so died with a different surname?? (but maybe again without a formal marriage) Merry

Is this the first-born's birth reg? Births Jun 1898 Davie George Bucknell Southampton 2c 40 Do you know where that name Bucknell comes from? Do you have his birth cert? Merry

Hi again, Missed the bus so will have to wait for the next one. Meanwhile....... I don,t know if that is my uncle georges birth cert that you are refering to. The 'Bucknell' part. I have been down that road, A George BUCKNOLE Davie, b Bridport 1840, wed Ann Wincie (surname unknown), again b Bridport 1840. He died a time before the Goerge BUCKNELL that you mentioned was born. Perhaps the parents of the later decided to name him after the g/father but got the spelling wrong, (it has been known, see above !!!) However without Rebecca,s input I cannot place them correctly Hope I have explained that ok. All in a rush. See you later. Regards, Mick D.

Still thinking on this as I had a Rebecca Bennett, who gave me problems! I don't know if this is anything to do with your person but I noted on freebmd that a Rebecca Sarah BENNETT married in Droxford area in Sept. Q. 1894. That isn't that far from your family in 1901.

With regard to the possible reg for George. You should try phoning Southampton registry office and ask them if they will check the mother's maiden surname for you. They are usually extremely helpful! Another thought....Southampton Archives have record cards of marriages and my hubby thinks they come forward as far as 1900. It's possible your couple DID marry, but the entry didn't make it to the GRO. The record cards are only for religious marriages, so wouldn't cover one at the reg office, but might be worth a try. I realise non eof this is going to help trace what happened to Rebecca later. It's easier to eliminate someone than say it is ''the one''. The death reg you saw....if you were to get the certificate and therefore the persons address, you could try the electoral roll for the address and see who else was there. From this information you might be able to work something out......but I still think it likely she would have changed her surname. Merry

That's a good one Gwyneth...... Merry

Do you have the 1917 death certificate? I just wondered who was the informant hoping to establish whether or not Rebecca was still around. Do you know where he is buried? If you contact Southampton City Council Bereavement Services Unit, 6, Bugle Street, Southampton, SO14 2AJ Telephone 023 80 228609 they may be able to help. They have computer logged records detailing cemetery, plot and grave numbers. The records I received also gave burial date, age and address of deceased. They can also tell you if someone else is in the same grave. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Last time I contacted Soton Bereavement Services, they wanted money and a letter to do a look up, if you dared mention those swear words, ''Family History''. So watch out!! Mind you that was probably two years ago. Before that they were ever-helpful! Merry

It was some time ago(years) that I contacted them and they couldn't have been more helpful. I actually offered money as I was so pleased with what they found for me, but they refused. .... Perhaps over the years there have just been too many requests.

I think you are absolutely right! ....and I think Michael MUST get the 1917 death cert, if he doesn't already have it..... Merry

Hi again folks, Sorry to have kept you all waiting, and thankyou so much for your replies. As all was a bit of a rush this morning may I go through, and answer where possible, your replies again. Gwyneth in Kent, Hi, I know nothing at all about this lady, before or after she 'left'. The only clues that I have about her having ever existed are, (1), Her birth cert. Thus :- Registration District :- Southampton ; No. 177 ; When and where born :- Third May 1875. Sholing Hound ; Sex :- girl ; Name, and surname of father :- Thomas Bennett ; Name, surname and maiden surname of mother :- Fanny Hooper ; Occupation of father :- Private Royal Marines ; Signature, description and residence of informant :- X The mark of Fanny Bennett, Mother, Sholing Hound ; When registered :-Twelfth June 1875 ; Signature of registrar :- William Henry Goodridge, Registrar. And (2), My fathers birth cert. Thus :-When and where born....23rd June 1911. 19 Guildford Street UD; Name if any :- William ; Sex :- Boy ; Name and surname of father :-George Albert Davie ; Name, surname and maiden surname of mother :- Rebecca DAVIE, formerly BENNETT ; Occupation of father :- Stevedore ; Signature, description and residence of informant :- R Davie, Mother, 19 Guildford Street, Southampton ; When registered :- Ninth August 1911 ; Signature of registrar :- Alfred Thomas Burt, Registrar. And (3), Census returns. And (4) What I have gleaned off of Ancestry, Freebmd and LDSfamilysearch, also tried loads of other, rather obscure sites. Sarah Rebecca,s parents were George Henry Davie age 24, (when he married), a bachelor, Carpenter Living at Bevois St. His father, John Davie, Carpenter. Her mother was Fanny Hewett age 26, Spinster, living at Twyford. Her father was William Hewett, a Bricklayer. This Marriage Cert is dated June 1st 1868., and signed in the presence of William Hewett and Mary Ann Hewett. I have no death certificate, I do not know where or when she died. I have tried the PRO at Winchester for both, the marriage and death cert; no joy. I have no idea when Sarah Rebecca left Southampton, (or even if she did). I am just going by my fathers dob and the split up of the family in 1917 when George Albert Davie died. They were still at 19 Guildford St. then. (I have his death cert). I do not know where he is buried. The informant is interesting, E E E Davie, Sister-in-law. I have not been able to find out anything about her either. I have just gotten to your info re the Sarah 'B' that was married in Droxford. I will chase that one up. Thankyou. Bearing in mind what Merry has said about them, I shall go 'cap in hand' and wallet to the forefront, to the Bereavement Services. Right Gwyneth, (hope your not asleep by now !!), I will post this then get back to Merry. Relatives.....Who needs 'em ?. Regards Mick D.

Hi Merry, (Did I hear someone groan then ?). Having probably bored Gwyneth to tears, it is now your turn !!. I do, really, appreciate your replies and suggestions. I will go through the questions etc in the order that you asked them. My father was the youngest, George b1898 ; Albert b1900 ; Rose b1906 ; Ann b1908. You picked her up ok on the 1901 census, with husband George and the two boys. As you said already ''married''. I have no idea why they never married. As I mentioned, it seemed to be a 'tabbo' subject, (talking about my paternal g/parents I mean.). I think my father must have found out whilst he was in the army. I say this because in his army pay book, where it has 'next of kin', the page has REALLY been scrawled over, as if someone in a real fit of pique, has gone berserk. Now, if he did that in his army book, when he was aged about 19 (ish), I reckon that, if the other siblings knew of the marital state twix their parents, they had kept it from dad. I can think of no event around 1930, (ish again), that would explain him finding out then. I agree that another man may have been involved, No evidence re that though. The GeorgeBucknell that you mentioned. I have traced, on the 1851 census, George Bucknole, (spellings right this time !!), b1840 Bridport. A mariner, I have his death as Sept 1/4, 1890, Southampton. He wed, in 1868, Ann Wincie .......(surname unknown) b1840. One wonders if they met at the local 'silly middle names club', A Monty Python-esque scene comes to mind!!. I can find no trace of them having been born where they said, viz, Bridport. They are 'missing' on most of the Census returns. Also, I cannot tie them in with the father of George Henry Davie, who, according to (G H D,s), marriage cert. was John Davie, a carpenter. Not long after George BuckNOLE died, a child was born and given the name George BuckNELL. But, as yet, I have no proof that they are anything to do with 'our' tree. I will go, yet again, to the Southampton Archives to have another look. I may have missed something. I did not realize that some marriages do not make it as far as the GRO. Something new learnt every day !!. Thanks for that. I have not tried the electoral roll, but, I am willing to. How do I go about that ?. I would love to get the death cert, but if I do not know when or where, (or even who she was at the time), she died, is this possible ??. I do have her husbands D.C. but not a great deal of info on there. (see the answer to Gwyneth.). Thats about all, Merry. I would thank you for your time, and the same to anybody, and evertbody, that responds. Regards to all Mick Davie. Phew ! Enid Blyton wrote less!!