Genealogy Chat

Just reread the thread and the death Rachel found was in Q1 so no good. Janice

I'm thinking that if Kevins mothers maiden name was Armstrong, she'd either married her paternal cousin, or was an unmarried mother. Is someone with ancestry able to search the BMD index for a Francis birth mmn Wilson? And she could have been calling herself Mrs Francis before they actually got married. c xx

Only a thought but could William have lived until 1962? This would account for why Henrietta didn't remarry until then.

Hi, Just catching up with some of the earlier replies. William Armstrong was the informant on his daughter, Patricia's birth certificate when registered in April 1934. Cheers Paul

FreeBMD coverage for those years is virtually non-existent. It needs to be an Ancestry trawl! Rachel found a possible death in 1943.

and the Free BMD has no William Armstrong deaths from 1945 up to 1962 - I did an All County open search. I dont think he would be registered as Bill surely? I wonder if the poor man had been taken to a POW camp at the time Patricia died? he could have survived the war, wasnt it 1962 when Henrietta remarried? and it has to be said, the Free BMD is not complete. c xx

Hi all, From Rachel's research we know that Henrietta lived in Engineer Rd, Woolwich until 1971 I have taken a look through the records from Jan 1933 to Dec 1950 for any child born in Woolwich with a mothers maiden name of Armstrong or Wilson in the event that she had other children with William or children with George Francis. Looked for children with surname Francis, mother's maiden name Wilson or Armstrong ( Woolwich) Looked for children with surname Armstrong with maiden name Wilson or Armstrong (Woolwich) The only child I could find was: 1950 Q4 Kevin J Armstrong, Armstrong, Woolwich 5d 1049 I must admit that I am going screen blind so may well have missed an entry. Anyone up to the challenge of checking for children of Henrietta & William 1933 - 1949 Henrietta & George 1949 - ? Many thanks Paul

yes Janice, compassionate leave, espec as it was his daughter. c xx

If the father was a serving soldier, he would get special leave for a family death, wouldn't he?

The Royal Artillery was created in 1924 from the Royal Field Artillery and the Royal Garrison Artillery so that may put paid to my earlier suggestion of service in the first world war.

who registered Patricia's death, then, was it her mother? or the family she was 'billeted' with? again - it would only cost time if someone was in the area where the death was registered and was able to access the parish record which might show if her father was deceased by the time she was killed on the railway line. c xx

Chrissie, He was probably not there in 1939 as it was the war. Janice

Hi Paul (special agent) didnt someone say that William was the Informant on his daughter's birth cert? that's why I searched from1934. or am I getting muddled in my old age.... :)) c xx here it is Paul - William was defo still alive when his dau was born. Rank or Profession of Father: Ex Gunner R.A. of 22 Engineer Road Woolwich Signature, Description and Residence of Informant: W. Armstrong Father 22 Engineer Road Woolwich When Registered: Seventh April 1934

Have I misunderstood? I can't find the reply that said he registered the death now.

What a fascinating story. I have just spent the last hour reading it. I wonder why William wasn't listed on the 1939 electoral role with his wife? If he registered the death he must have been alive in 1943. I can't get to any of the places in person but if anyone finds out the parents, parents names I would be happy to look on census etc. I have Ancestry, find my past and family relatives. So if I can help in any way please just tell me. Chrissie

Christine, did you also search under 'Bill'? Also he could have died nine months before she was born so maybe we should look in 1933.

the Free BMD has no deaths for a William Armstrong between 1934 to 1945. I searched for 'just' William, as he has no 2nd name listed in the marriage entry. c xx

He also may not have been able to work due to injuries sustained in WW1. Fascinating story and wonderful how the information has been retrieved by various members. A tribute to little Patricia.

Maybe William had been in the Artillery in the First World War and had never worked since. Rather than declare himself unemployed (shameful in the 1930's) he referred to his last employment 16 years previously.

Is there anyone in Newcastle on Tyne who would be willing to look up the Parish Records at the Newc/Tyne town hall to find the 1933 marriage entry, as this would give the names of both Henrietta's and William's respective fathers. This wouldnt cost anything except a bit of time and not much of that as its been established it was the 2nd quarter of that year. Then a 1901 search could be done to find their families. If there were older siblings, their descendants could be possibly traced. I looked at the Free BMD but there were l..o..a..d..s of Wilson births around that time, in Newc/Tyne. c xx Paul have just seen your posting, I am so sorry, I wasnt trying to point out errors !!!! I think you bringing this to people's attention is a lovely caring thing to do. c xx