Genealogy Chat

Chrissie The death certs that early wouldn't give a date of birth but it would give an age at death so you'd have a starting point. Do you know Father Spencer's christian name - maybe Martha was having a strop and went back to Mummy and Daddy's for the night. Zoe

Chrissie, neither death certificate from those two periods will give a DOB but if the informant was a family member it should give you a rough age, (unless like my gmother they'd lied all their life!)

Thanks very much for all your suggestions. Unfortunately ZOE I don't know her Fathers name except as mentioned before i.e. "Donkey". I did once find a Spencer removal man in Nottingham but gave up when I couldn't find any Daughter Martha. Must dig it out and have a look at that one again. I have got so much paperwork collected over the months that I need to relook at it all closely. They were so thoughtless, giving there children such common names LOL. The oldest one that I gave up looking for (too many of them) was JACK SMITH and we all know how many variations of that there can be. Cheers - Chris

Found this guy on the 1901: could be father (if she was a bit younger than her husband) of brother?? John Spencer 55 Radford Notts Nottinghamshire Nottingham Removal Contractor

I've traced John back in 1871, 1881 and 1891 and he doesnt seem to have a daughter called Martha. It may be worth trying to find him in 1861 census to get a fathers name which we can look through for a sister called Martha. In 91 and 01 he is a Removal Contractor so its always possible he inherited the family business from the father - we just need to figure out who the father is

Hi Zoe Thanks - I think this is the one I was talking about that I found ages ago. I got the 1901 census image for him at the time (I have just been looking, but couldn't find it quickly). I seem to remember that there was no Martha, but a gap in the childrens ages made me think it a possibility (I must have spent a fortune on these blessed Smiths). It's just where to go from there. Everyone has been such stars today - trying to help all they can. All very much appreciated. Thank you - Chrissie Just read your next reply - must have come on while I was typing this (I had to answer the phone half way through)I can't believe the trouble that you have gone to for me. I didn't think about it possibly being a Brother. If only I had Ancestry - roll on December, getting it for my birthday)

In 1891 there is a Martha SPencer aged 9 living with her grandparents: Spencer, Charlotte 66 Anston, Yorkshire Wife Worksop Nottinghamshire Spencer, John 72 Thorne, Yorkshire Head Worksop Nottinghamshire Spencer, Martha 9 Worksop, Nottinghamshire Grandaughter Worksop Nottinghamshire Spencer, Tom 21 Worksop, Nottinghamshire Son Worksop Nottinghamshire and this is the removal man with his family in 1891: Spencer, Eliza A 18 Radford, Nottinghamshire Daughter Radford Nottinghamshire Spencer, Elizabeth 46 Mansfield, Nottinghamshire Wife Radford Nottinghamshire Spencer, Elizabeth 20 Radford, Nottinghamshire Daughter Radford Nottinghamshire Spencer, Emily 9 Sheffield, Yorkshire Daughter Radford Nottinghamshire Spencer, John 44 Radford, Nottinghamshire Head Radford Nottinghamshire Spencer, William 16 Radford, Nottinghamshire Son Radford Nottinghamshire

Hi Zoe I have just been looking on family search to try and find John Spencer birth or similar in Nottingham. No luck I'm afraid, mostly Earl Spencer (Diana's tree_ and Winston Spencer Churchill) don't think it will be either of them LOL. I have printed off everything that you have found for me and will have to delve into it later as I have to go off in a minute for a couple of hours. I do think that this John could hold the key to Martha as there can't have been too many removal men in Nottingham called Spencer. You may be right - her Father could be John's Brother - it may have been a family business. I can't thank you all enough for today. When you have a Smith problem or similar it can feel very daunting from time to time and although I would never give up (it means too much to my lovely Husband) there are times when you wonder where to go next. I found a Martha Smith death today (on1837) in 1910 aged 50 in Nottingham which would have made her 49 when she had the last child in 1909 (Graham's Father Thomas Harry) so I think we shall have to send for that (could do with winning the lottery). I shall also carry on looking for later deaths and also Marriages (although I am worried now in case she was married before). I shall also try and find out more about her possible Father (brother of John?) Don't forget ANYONE to let me know if you want a 1901 census image before it runs out at aprox 11.00am tomorrow. A BIG BIG THANK YOU TO EVERYONE. Chrissie

Hiya Chrissie - just been reading your epic search. sorry to disappoint you ducky, but there were thousands of "removal men" in Nottingham during the period in question. The firm I work for started off as "removals" (simply because they had a hand cart) became undertakers, and we still there now as funeral directors. Did you have any addresses? I live in Notitngham and might be able to look locally for you. Chap I work with has a Wrights Directory for 1906 so they might be in there. Jacqui

Hiya Jackie. Great to hear from you. I meant that I didn't think that there would be too many named Spencer (there again, could be wrong!!!) From what Grahams cousin has told me I suspect he only had a VERY small place (I think he said somewhere near Trent Bridge or London Road). But you have made me feel very guilty now as I live in Nottingham too, so in theory whatever you know how to do I ought to be able to do the same. That directory sounds promising though. Any suggestions you can make would be very gratefully received. Did you notice that I have a 1901 image available if your interested. Have used up two looking for others, but have one left. Cheers (Ducky - Nottingham special) Chrissie

That's a beggar Chrissie - I thought you sounded so posh - lol Give me names and dates of death etc. and I'll look through the Day Books at work (we go back to 1907) and see what we can find. Our accountant has the Wrights Book which is useful if the people you are looking for had any sort of standing in the community (not that mine did of course) What Taverns are we talking about here? I'm sure my grandad would have known each one personally!!! E-mail me direct if you prefer. Jacqui in overcast Tollerton

Thanks Jacqui - will e-mail you. Cheers - Chrissie p.s. And what makes you think I'm not posh LOL :)))))