Genealogy Chat

Why is it that when I do a look up for someone else, nine times out of ten I find the person for them. But I just CANNOT find my great grandmother Sarah Maria Standing in the 1881. I have her in the 1871, and she died before the 1891. In 1881 her husband is there (shown as Married rather than Widowed), with the children, but of her nary a trace. I cannot find her date of birth (c 1829, Sydenham) or the date of their marriage (c.1851 to William Godfrey Foster, born 1828 Bexley Heath, Kent). or even her death. I've asked before on this board, but am asking again in case anyone has any new ideas. Please help me if you can. Jan.

Hi there I found this household Charles FOSTER Head M Male 60 East Farleigh, Kent, England Grocer Shop Joseph BARNES Lodger U Male 44 Fevesham, Kent, England Cordwainer Sarah FOSTER Wife M Female 60 Cowden, Kent, England I don't know Kent at all so don't know if the areas tie in at all, but I though the order was interesting. Ususally the wife is listed after the husband, could she be a visitor? Perhaps a sister in law? It may be that the census taker assumed she was his wife as she was married and the same name? there is another sarah listed as a lodging house keeper, and widowed - is it possible she left him and lived alone, pretending to be widowed. Also Marie FOSTER Head W Female 53 Dover, Kent, England John FOSTER Son U Male 21 Rotherhithe, Surrey, England General Labourer Harriet FOSTER Daur U Female 18 Bermondsey, Surrey, England Machinist (Sewing) Charlotte H. FOSTER Grandaughter Female 7 m Bermondsey, Surrey, England Also it may be possible that she was either already dead, and the census taker had mad a mistake on her husbands status, or that she was travelling. (I know these are all shots in the dark - but I think you have probably tried the onbvious routes!) Regards Maxine

Have you looked at the surname variation 'Standen'? There were Standens from Wittersham, Kent. I saw them on the 'Curious Fox' website

I've tried everything I can think off, Standing, Standen, Standage and others. If I hadn't seen her name on the 1871 I would have thought she was a figment of someone's imagination. I have her name on my grandfather's birth certificate. Apart from that she is nowhere to be found. One lady found a Maria Standing and family on her disc, born in 1829 which is correct, but in 1871 her place of birth was given as Sydenham, and this record was for births in Bromley, which I think is rather too far away to be right. Whilst I could accept that my gt grandparents weren't married, she must have been born and died somewhere! Jan.

Jan have mailed you Shelli

Thanks, Rosemary, yes I do have John and family. He is William on the 1871. Jan