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As Edith/ Mary did not marry Thomas Francis, it is likely that John Kershaw was still alive when she and thomas had their son.

There are many reasons people change their names- she may have been hiding from her first husband or perhaps just hated Edith or Mary!

Hopefully the death certificate will answer a few questions.

I'm still a bit foxed as to why Edith Pike would be called Mary Ann. It seems that she was Edith Pike possibly born with this name. She then ?marries John Kershaw in the name of Mary Pike and then becomes Mary Kershaw in 1904. ? what happens to the marriage but I know that in 1911 Thomas Francis senior becomes a widower and he and Edith Kershaw formally Pike have a son called Thomas Francis (Junior). Later there are two recorded deaths for Edith Kershaw and Mary Ann Kershaw same day possibly same person.

What happened to John Kershaw and can anyone tell what is going on?

Any further help would be appreciated.

Thank you, Vicky.

True!

It's doubtful they are related - otherwise I think the mothers maiden name would show as Pike, not Kershaw.

Well done, some great detective work! There is a child called Evelyn Kershaw born in 1917 could Thomas and Evelyn be siblings?/

Me neither- although he and Edith/ Mary had split by 1914 as she was then with Mr Francis. I'm hoping the death certificate will confirm that Mary and Edith are the same and that her husband was John Kershaw.

I think so, but can't spot them on 1911 census.

Flip!!! well spotted. I searched for that too :)

So John Kershaw is possibly Mary/ Edith's husband.

The possible double death registration as Edith and Mary Ann is interesting as there is a marriage in 1904 Portsmouth for Mary Pike to John Kershaw. (William and Theresa Foot are on 1911 census together):

Marriages Jun 1904 (>99%)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Foot William Portsmouth 2b962
Kershaw John Portsmouth 2b962
King Theresa Portsmouth 2b962
Pike Mary Portsmouth 2b962

Hi Jax,

That's interesting and I can see how this happens especially as people do go under other names even if they are not shortened names.

Thank you.

My gt grandmothers death is registered twice,or in the index twice .... once in the name she was known as Ellen and another in her birth name Eleanor

It may be best to phone or e-mail them to see what ID you need or to see if you need an appointment: http://apps.nationalarchives.gov.uk/archon/searches/locresult_details.asp?LR=42

If you include some details they may be able to send you records by e-mail/ post.

I wonder if there are any newspaper articles for her death?

Thanks Helen,
I didn't know that and it does make sense on why there were two entries for Thomas.

I have sent off for the death certificate so can let you know when it arrives. If you want to view my tree please let me know as I am slowly working through but not totally sure what I am doing!

Also do you know?, There is a records office in Portsmouth , can anyone go and look things up?

Vicky
Thomas F Kershaw and Thomas F Francis are the same people. As his parents weren't married his birth is listed twice- once in his mother's name and once in his fathers.

It is the same now- my son has two entries- one under my surname and one under his Dad's surname.

I think the Mary Ann and Edith Kershaw could also be the same people. Do you have Edith's death certificate? If you don't it might be worth ordering.

Thanks Helen,

That is odd! two people same surname Pike dying the same time? double suicide.
And the other odd thing is that her son Thomas F Francis born 1914 was registered under the name of Francis and then I noticed that there is also a Thomas F Kershaw born 1914 mother Pike.

No wonder Francis (Thomas Francis Junior) never wished to discuss his family.

If anyone has any ideas please let me know as I would love to solve the mystery.

Thank you,

Vicky. ;-)

There's something odd in the death indexes- if this is Edith's death in 1952, then there's also a Mary Ann Kershaw death listed same age, page and volume number- coincidence??

Name: Edith Kershaw
Birth Date: abt 1875
Date of Registration: Dec 1952
Age at Death: 77
Registration district: Portsmouth
Inferred County: Hampshire
Volume: 6b
Page: 399

Name: Mary A Kershaw
Birth Date: abt 1875
Date of Registration: Dec 1952
Age at Death: 77
Registration district: Portsmouth
Inferred County: Hampshire
Volume: 6b
Page: 399

Hi Jax,
Thank you for replying unfortunately I don't have much to go on. I am trying to piece the family together but with no one is alive from that time to obtain a clue which has been difficult. I still don't know a huge amount about research so can you tell me. I am in Portsmouth and these family members also lived and died in Portsmouth, can I go along to a records museum to look up anything relating to this?

Also newspaper cuttings have you used them on here and if so is it extensive as I am wondering whether to pay and look through the papers as these are all local people. I would appreciate any feedback please.

Thank you,

Vicky. :-)

Do you know whether she left a will?

Not seeing a probate for her on Ancestry

Hi All,

Can anyone view wills on here please? I am looking fir Edith Kershaw formally Pike born 1875 and died 1952 in Portsmouth.

any help would be appreciated.

Thank you Vicky. :-D