Genealogy Chat

Hi Christine Clissold Many thanks for pointing out the error. Henrietta Maud is the mother and William is the father as stated on the birth certificate. Have just taken another look at the marriage index for 1933 Q2, Henrietta M Wilson married William Armstrong, so you are correct. So Henrietta's mother was born Jun 1908 Wilson, Henrietta Maud Newcastle T. 10b 62 and not in 1912 as I thought. Well spotted. Bye Paul

Paul , following this story with much interest. Hazel

Hi Paul and everyone...this is like a tutorial on what to do and is fascinating. Bookmarking - Liz

Such a fascinating story - this is what gets us hooked on FH - such a simple thing of finding a headstone and wondering about the life of that person. Thank you Paul for getting us all involved and for Rachel's efforts with certs. Looking forward to the next instalment. Keep up the good work Gwenda in Oz

Further to the reference for a Henrietta Maud to William Armstrong marriage, I found this birth entry for a Henrietta Maud Wilson. Free BMD : -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Births Jun 1908 (>99%) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Wilson Henrietta Maud Newcastle T. 10b 62 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (oh .. if only we had the 1911 census already....) and this is the other entry, for the Henrietta Wilson born Poplar. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Births Jun 1912 (>99%) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Wilson Henrietta mmn Potts Poplar 1c 880 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- so .... which Henrietta would be Patricia's mother? The birth certificate for Patricia said Henrietta Maud - and I think in 1912 if Henrietta (mmn Potts) had a middle name then that 2nd name would have been included in the birth entry (taking into account that later on, the Registrar only entered 2nd names as Initials) ......... ....... which infers that it's Henrietta Maud from Newcastle on Tyne who is Patricia's mother. If so, I wonder how and why she ended up in Woolwich in 1933. c xx

What a wonderful story and so much work done by you lovely people... Paul for bringing this story to the front, Rachel for her work on getting certs and all the other 'hunters' who have delved and found out so much. I have been following this sad little tale from the beginning and I look forward to the next episode.. I live in Cardiff Paul so if I can help in any way I will. Maisie

never been in this section b4 but will do from now on.what a facinating story and so sad but wonderfull that so many people involved keep it nudge am on holiday next week so will have to catch up when i get back keep up the good work

this is a lovely thread - and it's rather heartwarming that out of so much sadness comes so much goodness. I hope someone somewhere will be able to claim poor little Patricia. No one should ever be forgotten. Can anyone get into the BMD on Ancestry (am not a member) to find out if Patricia had any siblings or half siblings? the thought occurs to me that her mother might have been the youngest child of the family? If so - Henrietta's family/older siblings might be found on the 1901 census? c xx

Hi Folks Not been on this part of the site before but I am hooked by this sad tale. Well done to all of you for finding out so much on this little girl who lost her life in such a tragic way.Will be popping back to see how its going, once again well done to all Chris

How sad but how fascinating this little story is. Well done to everyone who has found out so much already. I will keep an eye on it as some of my family are from that area, just in case I spot a link.

,

Hi All Wow just took me an hour to read this.How a sad story from the war has brought together so many of us today. Maybe Little Patricia Armstrong didn't die in vain. Food for thought. Well done to you all especially Paul for bringing us this story. Love Tricia x

An interesting but sad story. Keep up the good work everyone.

Haven't posted before, but have been following this with interest. What a brilliant lot of info Rachel has turned up. Can anyone look at Probate Index for William, Henrietta and George. If any left a will, family members might be mentioned.

Have just visited the grave. It's by the path to the left if you go in by the church hall (not the lych gate). Sadly there's a rowan tree growing out of it. But the inscription is clearly visible. I took some photos which I'll give to Win Evans - I know him. It would be good if there are some living cousins out there. If so, they must have heard about her. Keep up the good work. Mumsy.

Hello Rachel, It's like unraveling a mystery. Henrietta has not proved to be too much of a problem in finding. Born 1912 (mothers maiden name Potts), registered in Poplar (which includes Woolwich), but I have found it almost impossible to find anything on William. A marriage certificate would once again help to identify William. It should give his age and fathers name which hopefully will help us move forward. Now it's me whose waiting to find out what happens next. Well done Rachel. Bye Paul

All News from the Woolwich part of this gripping and intriguing story. Yesterday I obtained, Patricia’s birth cert – see earlier posting for details. Today – I searched the Electoral Roll for Engineer Road 1934 both William and Henrietta living at No. 22 1935 – 1939 both William & Henrietta living at No. 9 1939/1940 only Henrietta living at No. 9 No Rolls for the war years May 1945 – 1948 only Henrietta living at No. 9 1949 Henrietta Armstrong & George Francis living at No.9 1949 – 1962 Henrietta Armstrong & George Francis living at No. 9 1963 Henrietta Francis & George Francis living at No. 9 1964 – 1971 Henrietta & George living at No. 9 Ran out of time to look any further at the ERs I also looked through May & June 1943 copies of the Kentish Independent Newspaper to see if they picked-up the story – with no luck. Marriage Q3 1962 Woolwich 5d 2224 Henrietta M Armstrong & George Francis Death Dec 1985 Greenwich Vol: 12 Pg: 1807 Reg: 1285 Henrietta Maud Francis – Born: 2nd April 1908 Death Dec 1988 Greenwich Vol: 12 Pg: 941 Reg: 1288 George Francis – Born 12th Feb 1909 As we know from Patricia’s birth cert her fathers profession was Ex. Gunner RA. I have a feeling that he’s much older than Henrietta – nothing to substantiate but a feeling based on the info we already know – Ex gunner; no other siblings, missing from ERs after 1940. I may be completely wrong but I’ll request William & Henrietta marriage certificate to confirm ages when married. Given that William Armstrong didn’t appear in the ERs after 1939/40 I searched deaths from 1938 – 1945; two stand out: Q1 1941 William Armstrong 35 Strood 2a 2392 Q1 1943 William Armstrong 68 Greenwich 1d 796 I’m leaning towards the 1943 one. I think my next steps are death cert followed by the marriage – let me know your opinions. Bye for now – BBQ and glass of wine is calling Another small piece of this puzzle Rachel

Hi Deetortraining Newfys, I'm not certain. There's a chapel in Morganstown, just off a side road with a cemetery in front of it but it has been closed for years. I think it may be the chapel but will need to check. If you do a google map search 'chapel road, morganstown' it shows you the road I think it's in. It should also show where she lived at Gelynis Terrace North and the railway line where she tragically died. Paul

So where is Bethel Chapel Paul? Would they have any details of the inquest do you think?

Nudge to keep on top.