Jacob White and Rose Bunkall

St. Nicholas Church, Dereham

Jacob White and Rose Bunkall, married on 12 Nov 1805 at St. Nicholas Church, Dereham. Jacob, the son of Jacob White and Elizabeth Thompson, was baptised at All Saints Church, Shipdham, on 23 Jul 1770 (where his parents had married just two months earlier on 19 May 1770). Rose, the daughter of William and Margaret Bunkall, was born in December 1766 and baptised at St. Nicholas Church, Dereham on 1 Feb 1767. Jacob and Rose married late and were already 35 and 38, respectively, at the time of their marriage, but are described as a single man and a single woman. 

The lateness probably accounts for why they had only one child: 

1. William White, bap. 20 Jul 1806 at St Margaret, Garvestone

Rose White died, her age estimated at 62, and was buried on 6 Jul 1827, at All Saints, Mattishall. (Mattishall is where son William then lived.)

In 1841, Jacob White (70) was living South Green, Mattishall. 

Jacob White died, his age also over-estimated by two years to 76, in 1844 M Quarter in MITFORD AND LAUNDITCH Volume 13 Page 181.

Jonas Hinds and Hannah Kett

St Gregory's church (disused) on Pottergate, Norwich
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Evelyn Simak - geograph.org.uk/p/6448081
Now disused, the church houses St Gregory's Antiques & Collectables

Jonas Hinds, widower of this parish, married Hannah Kett, Spinster of the parish of Heigham at St Gregory's Church, Norwich on 8 Nov 1790. They were married by Banns, read on 10th, 17th & 24th Oct. Jonas appears to have signed his name, while Hannah made her mark. There appear to have been three witnesses, among them Robert Martin and Elizabeth Knights. 

Jonas Hinds had previously married Ann Gooddee (sic) at All Saints' Church, Norwich, on 11 Aug 1765. The couple appear to have had six children:

1. Thomas Hinds bap. 1 Aug 1766 at St Stephen's Church, Norwich
2. Jonas Hinds b. 1768 (no baptism found). Buried 25 Oct 1771 at Norwich, St John Timberhill with All Saints & St Michael At Thorn
3. William Hinds bap. 23 Jun 1771 at All Saints' Church, Norwich
4. Sarah Hinds bap. 26 Jun 1773 at St Mary Coslany, Norwich
5. Jonas Hinds bap. 17 Dec 1775 at St Michael Coslany, Norwich. Buried 15 Apr 1776 at St John Timberhill with All Saints & St Michael At Thorn
6. Jonas Hinds bap. 28 May 1780 in Norwich, Norfolk

Ann Hinds was buried at St John Timberhill with All Saints & St Michael At Thorn, Norfolk (no idea which) on 2 Jun 1789. Her year of birth is suggested as 1744, probably from an estimated age at death given as 45.

Hannah Kett came to the marriage with a 'Baseborn' (illegitimate) daughter, Mary Kett, bap. 1 Oct 1780 at St Bartholomew's, Heigham. Hannah does not have any further children during her marriage to Jonas Hinds. Likewise, it hasn't been possible [as yet] to find any record of Hannah's death. 

However, there was a marriage of Jonas Hindes (sic) Widower of this Parish to an Elizabeth Watts, Widow of the Same, at St Michael At Thorn, Norfolk on 6 Dec 1804, which looks very likely to have been his third marriage.

Jonas Hinds was buried at St John Timberhill with All Saints & St Michael At Thorn, Norfolk on 20 Feb 1825. His age at death given as 86, suggests a year of birth around 1739. There was a baptism of a Jonas Hinds, son of Thomas Hinds and his wife Sarah, on 27 Dec 1741 in Wreningham, Norfolk. Requires confirmation, but I am persuaded to consider this a very likely candidate given that Jonas Hinds names his first child Thomas and his daughter Sarah.

John Brown Durrant and Martha Francis

Photo © Michael Garlick (cc-by-sa/2.0)

Mattishall, All Saints Church, Friday, 25 May, 2018

Photo available for reuse under this Creative Commons licence.

John Brown Durrant (b. 26 Nov 1818, bap. 29 Nov 1818 in East Tuddenham, Norfolk), son of Isaiah Durrant and Elizabeth Brown, married Martha Francis (bap. 9 May 1817 in Mattishall, Norfolk), daughter of William Francis and Sarah Holmes, at All Saints, Mattishall on 6 Nov 1842. They were married by the Reverend Thomas Paddon, who was vicar of the parish from 1821-61. Witnesses to their marriage were John Thane and Sarah Thane.

John and Martha Durrant had five children:

1. Sarah Durrant b. 1843 S Quarter in MITFORD & LAUNDITCH UNION Volume 13 Page 211, bap. 17 Sep 1843 at All Saints, Mattishall
2. Frances Durrant b. 1847 D Quarter in MITFORD AND LAUNDITCH UNION Volume 13 Page 199, bap. 13 Aug 1854 in East Tuddenham
3. John William Durrant b. 1850 S Quarter in MITFORD AND LAUNDITCH Volume 13 Page 227, bap. 27 Jun 1850 in East Tuddenham, Norfolk. Died 1850 S Quarter in MITFORD AND LAUNDITCH Volume 13 Page 163 and was buried on 5 Jul 1850, also at East Tuddenham
4. Martha Durrant b. 1851 S Quarter in MITFORD AND LAUNDITCH Volume 13 Page 237, bap. 13 Aug 1854 in East Tuddenham, Norfolk. Died, aged 22, in 1874 J Quarter in MITFORD Volume 04B Page 187 and was buried on 17 Apr 1874 in East Tuddenham
5. Betsy Durrant bap. 25 Dec 1855 in East Tuddenham, Norfolk

There does not appear to be a GRO registration for Betsy's birth, but the mother's maiden name on all of the other four is correct as FRANCIS.

In 1851, John Durrant (32) Ag Lab; Martha Durrant (33), Sarah Durrant (7), Frances Durrant (3) and Sarah Francis (75) Lodger, Widow, Pauper [Martha's mother], were living in High Road, East Tuddenham, Mitford, Norfolk.

In 1861, probably in the same place, but with their address listed as The Street, East Tuddenham, Mitford, Norfolk, were John Durrant (42) Agricultural Labourer; Martha Durrant (43), Frances Durant (13), Martha Durrant (9) and Betsy Durrant (5). [Sarah had married in 1865].

Martha Durrant died, aged 51, in 1868 J Quarter in MITFORD Volume 04B Page 166 and was buried on 28 May 1868 at All Saints, East Tuddenham.

In 1871, John Durrant (52) Ag Lab was living on the Norwich Road, East Tuddenham, Mitford, Norfolk, with daughter, Martha Durrant (19) Ag Lab. Frances Durrant (23) was a servant in the household of James Reeve, Farmer at The Hall Farm, Church Road, Snetterton, Wayland, Norfolk; while Betsey Durrant (sic) (15) was a servant in the household of Thomas Smith, Collector of Gas Rents at Faith Terrace, St Peter Per Mountergate, Norwich, Norfolk.

On 15 Sep 1871, John Durrant, 52, Widower, married Mary Ann Harvey, 41, Widow at All Saints, East Tuddenham. Witnesses were John Laws and Rebecca Laws. Born Marianne Adcock (b. 1830, bap. 14 Apr 1833 in Mattishall, Norfolk), daughter of Richard Adcock and Marianne Bowles, she had first married John Harvey in 1856, with whom she had three sons: i. John Harvey b. 1856 J Quarter in MITFORD & LAUNDITCH Volume 04B Page 275; ii. William Harvey b. 1859 D Quarter in MITFORD & LAUNDITCH Volume 04B Page 276; and iii. James Harvey b. 1863 J Quarter in ST FAITHS Volume 04B Page 94. Her first husband, John Harvey, had died, aged 33, in 1868 S Quarter in SAINT FAITHS Volume 04B Page 71. 

John and Mary Ann Durrant added a daughter:

6. Clara Durrant b. 30 May 1877 (1877 J Quarter in MITFORD Volume 04B Page 260), bap. 5 Oct 1884 at All Saints, East Tuddenham

In 1881, John Durrant (62) Ag Lab, was living in The Street, East Tuddenham, Mitford, Norfolk with Mary A Durrant (50), Clara Durrant (3) with step-sons William Harvey (21) Bricklayer and James Harvey (18) Gardener unemployed. [Frances had married in Nov 1871; Martha had died in 1874] Betsey Durrant (25) was then employed as a Lady's Maid in the household of Admiral Sir Francis William Sullivan, 6th Baronet at Northcotts, Bishops Hatfield, Hatfield, Hertfordshire. (Also employed there at that time was [George] Frederick Walker (21) Footman, who Betsy married in 1883.)

In 1891, John Durrant (72) Ag Lab; Mary A Durrant (60) and Clara Durrant (13) were living at 28, The Street, East Tuddenham, Mitford, Norfolk.

John Brown Durrant died in 1898 D Quarter in MITFORD Vol 04B Page 175.

In 1901, Mary Ann Durrant (70) Widow was living in the household of her youngest son, James Durrant (38) Widower and his four children, in Low Street, North Tuddenham, Mitford, Norfolk.

In 1911, Mary Ann Durrant (80) Widow, was living in the household of her son-in-law, Henry Owen Neve (28) who had married her daughter, Clara Durrant, in 1909 at Clint Green Post Office, Yaxham, Norfolk. 

In 1921, Mary Ann Durrant (90) was still living with her son-in-law and daughter, Henry Owen and Clara Neve at Clint Green Post Office, Yaxham.

Marianne Durant died, aged 91, in 1921 S Quarter in MITFORD Volume 04B Page 231 and was buried on 20 Sep 1921 in Honingham, Norfolk.

Robert Marsh Minns and Mary Kett

Ruins of St Bartholomew, Heigham, Norwich, Norfolk

Robert Marsh Minns (bap. 19 Nov 1776 in Hethersett, Norfolk), son of David Minns and Hannah Marsh, married Mary Kett on 19 Oct 1801 at St Bartholomew's, Heigham, Norfolk. Mary Kett, baptised at St Bartholomew's on 1 Oct 1780, was the daughter of Hannah Kett and, just in case there was any doubt, the baptism states that she was 'Baseborn' (illegitimate). 

(Wonder if they were related to Robert Kett, leader of Kett's Rebellion.)

Robert and Mary also wasted no time in starting a family:

1. Robert Marsh Minns b. 1 Apr 1802, bap. 4 Apr 1802
2. Mary Ann Minns b. 17 Jan 1805, bap. 20 Jan 1805
3. John Minns b. 19 Jul 1807 and bap. 19 Jul 1807
4. Ann Minns b. 14 Sep 1810, bap. 16 Sep 1810
5. Hannah Minns bap. 24 Jan 1813
6. David Minns b. 22 Jun 1815, bap. 25 Jun 1815
7. Elizabeth Minns b. 29 Mar 1818 and bap. 29 Mar 1818
8. Harriet Minns b. 15 Feb 1824 and bap. 15 Feb 1824

Several of the baptism records, which all took place at St Bartholomew's, Heigham, list Robert's occupation as Husbandman. On Harriet's baptism, her father is listed as David Minns, but I'm certain this is an error. The record also clearly lists her mother, and specifies her as the former Mary Kett.

In 1829, Mary Minns (née Kett) died, aged 49. She was buried on 17 Jun 1829 in the churchyard at St Bartholomew's, Heigham. (The church was destroyed by German bombs on April 27, 1942 and the graveyard was grassed over in the 1950s. No trace of any grave remains.)

St Mary's churchyard Hellesdon
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Evelyn Simak
 geograph.org.uk/p/850775

Robert Marsh Minns, Widower, remarried Ann Clark, Widow (have been unable to discover her maiden name), on 13 Nov 1831, also at St Bartholomew's, Heigham. 

In 1841, Robert Minns (55), Ann Minns (55) and youngest daughters, Elizabeth (20) and Harriet (15) were living at Upper Heigham. 

In 1851, living at Heigham Fields, Upper Heigham, were Robert M Minns (74) and Ann Minns (64) birthplace Norwich St Martins.

In 1861, Robert Minns (84) Farm Labourer and Ann Minns (74) Charwoman, were living at 22 Church Path, Heigham.

Robert Marsh Minns, of Upper Heigham, died on 25 Jan 1865, in his 89th year (1865 M Quarter in NORWICH Vol 04B Page 125), was buried on 31 Jan 1865 at St Mary, Hellesdon (where his grandparents married & mother was baptised) and was reported in the Suffolk Chronicle on 4 Feb 1865.

In 1871, Ann Minns (85) Widow, was living alone in Norton's Yard, Upper Heigham (Yards and Courts of Old Norwich). 

Ann Minns died in 1873 J Qtr in NORWICH Vol 04B Page 104, at 86.

James Baker and Mary Ann Wright

St Michael at Plea Church (Norwich Christian Resource Centre)
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © N Chadwick - geograph.org.uk/p/1398216

Spire of Holy Trinity, Norwich
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Graham Hardy - 
geograph.org.uk/p/167498

James Baker (bap. on Leap Day, 29 Feb 1824 in Trowse, Norfolk) Widower, Servant, son of James Baker and Sarah Leach, married Mary Ann Wright (b. 11 Oct 1838 in Heigham, Norfolk), Spinster, daughter of James Wright and Mary Ann Minns, both then resident in Heigham, at Holy Trinity, Norwich on 7 Oct 1866. Witnesses were three of Mary Ann's 1st cousins: Samuel Blazey, Hannah Blazey (my 2x great-grandmother) and Elizabeth Blazey.

This was James Baker's third marriage.

In the first quarter of 1849, James Baker had married Virtue Dunham, also in Norwich. James and Virtue Baker had two children:

1. James William Baker b. 1850 J Quarter in NORWICH Volume 13 Page 308, bap. 19 May 1850 in Heigham, Norwich
2. Mary Baker b. 1852 J Quarter in HENSTEAD Volume 04B Page 186, bap. 23 May 1852 in Trowse, Norwich

In 1851, James Baker (28) 'Keeper of lunatic gent', from Trowse Newton, Norfolk; Virtue Baker (28) birthplace listed as Bellingham (Burlingham); J W Baker [James William] (0) and Elizabeth Dunham (8) from Lingwood, Norfolk, Niece, were living in Philadelphia, Saint Clement, Norwich.

Then Virtue Baker died, aged 30, in 1854 S Quarter in NORWICH Volume 04B Page 128 and was buried, on 27 Aug 1854 in Heigham, Norfolk.

And so, James Baker (35) Widower, Dealer, son of James Baker, Labourer, married Julia Mickleburgh (23) Spinster, daughter of Robert Mickleburgh, Labourer, on 7 Nov 1859, at the church of St Michael-at-Plea, Norwich. Born Julia Anne Mickleburgh on 3 Aug 1837 (1837 S Quarter in BLOFIELD UNION Volume 13 Page 18), bap. 17 Aug 1837 in Postwick, Norwich, James' second wife was the daughter of Robert Mickleburgh and Alitha Kate Barrett.

In 1861, James Baker (36) Servant, from Trowse; Julia Baker (24) from Postwick; James Baker (11) and Mary Ann Baker (9), Scholars, were living at Newmans Buildings, 1, Armes Street, Heigham, Norwich.

Julia had an illegitimate child before marriage, as Henry, son of Julia Anne Mickleborough (sic), Spinster was baptised at Postwick, on 17 Jan 1858. However, the infant died in 1858 M Quarter in BLOFIELD UNION Volume 04B Page 177 and was buried in Postwick on 24 Jan 1858. There is no evidence of any further children with James Baker and, then Julia Baker died, age listed as 26, in 1861 J Quarter in NORWICH Volume 04B Page 130.

James Baker and Mary Ann Wright then added three children:

3. Ellen Mary Baker b. 14 Apr 1867 (1867 J Quarter in NORWICH Volume 04B Page 166)
4. Eliza Harriet Baker b. 8 Aug 1869 in Nelson Street, Heigham (1869 S Quarter in NORWICH Volume 04B Page 155)
5. Herbert Alfred Baker b. 27 Jul 1874 (1874 S Quarter in NORWICH Volume 04B Page 155)

In 1871, living in Seppings Buildings, Nelson Street, Heigham, Norwich were Mary Ann Baker (32) Wife, Dressmaker with Ellen M Baker (3) and Eliza H Baker (1). James Baker (47) from Trowse, was not in the family home and was listed as a Servant, with his occupation being "Male attendant" at Heigham Asylum, Old Palace Road, Heigham, Norwich. (Heigham Private Lunatic Asylum, which had opened in 1836, was almost opposite the Dolphin Inn. It's grounds "filled the large swathe of land between Armes Street, Nelson Street, Old Palace Road and Heigham Street." It closed in 1960. [Source]. It was an asylum for ‘patients belonging to the upper and middle classes’.)

In 1881, once again at Seppings Buildings, 1, Nelson Street, Heigham, Norwich were Mary Ann Baker (42) Wife, Dressmaker; Ellen Mary Baker (13), Eliza H Baker (11) and Herbert A Baker (6). Once again, James Baker (age rounded down to 55) Hosp[ital] attendant on the insane, birthplace Trowse, was listed at Heigham Hall Asylum, Old Palace Road, Heigham, Norwich.

James Baker died at 63 on 1 Sep 1887 (1887 S Quarter in NORWICH Volume 04B Page 112). He is buried at Earlham Old Cemetery, Section 7 Plot 182. Probate was granted at the Principle Registry in Norwich on 22 Sep 1887.

In 1891, Mary A Baker (52) Widow, Dressmaker, was living at 186, Nelson Street, Norwich, Norfolk with her daughter, Eliza H Baker (21) Dressmaker; and son, Herbert A Baker (16) Shoe Hand.

In 1901, and still at 186, Nelson Street, Heigham, Norwich, were Mary A Baker (62) Widow, with Herbert A Baker (26) Boot & shoe trimmer; Eliza H Bream (31), Jack W Bream (2) and Fred H Bream (0).

Mary Ann Baker, Widow of James Baker, a Valet, died, aged 65, at 186, Nelson Street, Heigham, Norwich, on 6 May 1904 (1904 J Quarter in NORWICH Volume 04B Page 100) from Locomotor Ataxia 1 year, Apoplexy 23 years, Cardiac Syncope and is buried at Earlham Old Cemetery along with her late husband. Probate was granted on 11 Nov 1904 to Herbert Alfred Baker, Licenced Victualler. She left £285 8s 9d (~£44,000 in 2025).

Their headstone reads: In loving memory of JAMES the beloved husband of MARY ANN BAKER who died 1st September 1887 aged 63 years also of MARY ANN the beloved wife of the above who died 6th May 1904 aged 65 years Call not back the dear departed Anchored safe where storms are o'er On the border land we left them Soon to meet and part no more. (These words are from the hymn, Our Missing Treasures, written by Fanny Crosby.)

Anthony Frederick J Brady and Maggie Dorothy Howes

St Peter and St Paul's Church, Swaffham
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © David Dixon - geograph.org.uk/p/4609546

Anthony Frederick John Brady (b. 8 May 1908, in Andover, Hampshire), son of Anthony Brady and Ethel Berry, married Maggie Dorothy Howes (b. 4 Apr 1910), daughter of William Harman Howes and Elizabeth Eliza Blazey, on 4 Oct 1936, at Holy Trinity, Norwich (where her sister Alice married in 1922). Witnesses were both William Harman Howes: the bride's father and brother. 

(At the time of the marriage, the bridegroom's father, Anthony Brady (b. 1882 in Belfast, County Antrim, d. 1957 in Norwich), was described as an Omnibus Driver. He had married Ethel Berry (b. 1883 in Norwich), in 1905, in Norwich. In 1911, both Anthony and Ethel Brady were both on the census in Yorkshire at the Infantry Barracks 3rd Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. Anthony Frederick John Brady was baptised at Holy Trinity, Heigham, in 1913.)

In 1939, Anthony F J Brady, Local Government Officer, Audit Secretary, his wife Maggie D and son Lawrence Cormac Brady (b. 2 Oct 1938 d. 1997), were living at "Spinney Edge", Cantley Road, Cringleford, Norfolk.

Maggie Dorothy Brady, of Coronation Grove, Swaffham, died, aged just 45 (1955 D Quarter in KING'S LYNN Volume 04B Page 465), and was buried at St Peter and St Paul's, Swaffham, on 19 Oct 1955.

Anthony Frederick J Brady died in May 1995 (DOR Q2/1995 in NORWICH (6391B) Reg B12B Entry Number 175), in the month of his 87th birthday.

Moses Doe and Harriet White

St Leonard's Church, Shoreditch High Street
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Rodney Burton - geograph.org.uk/p/141922

Moses Doe (bap. 4 Feb 1821 in Little Canfield), son of Henry Doe and Elizabeth Doe, married Harriet White (bap. 6 Oct 1822 in Great Dunmow), daughter of Mark White and Rose/Rhoda Pickett, at St Leonard's Church, Shoreditch on 30 Sep 1844. Rhoda White was one of four witnesses to the marriage. (In 1841, Rhoda White (42) was in the household - presumably as a servant - of James Samms (67) at Manor Farm, Little Easton (Little Easton Manor). Mark White had been buried in 1834, in Little Easton.)

Moses and Harriet had three sons:

1. Charles Doe b. 1845 S Quarter in WEST HAM UNION Volume 12 Page 278, bap. at Walthamstow, St John the Evangelist
2. Benjamin Doe b. 1848, reg. 1849 J Quarter in WEST HAM UNION Volume 12 Page 320, bap. Walthamstow, St James the Great. Died, aged 13, in 1862 J Quarter in WEST HAM UNION Volume 04A Page 34, and is buried at Walthamstow, St Mary the Virgin.
3. William Doe b. 1851 J Quarter in WEST HAM UNION Vol 12 Page 317

In 1851, Moses Doe (30) Labourer from Essex was living in Black Horse Lane, Walthamstow, West Ham, with wife Harriet (29) from Dunmow, Essex; Charles Doe (5), Benjamin Doe (1), William Doe (0) and Roda (sic) White (50) Widow, House Servant, Mother-in-Law from Fakenham, Norfolk.

In 1861, Moses Doe (40) Grocer, was at Sinkers Bridge, Walthamstow, West Ham, with Harriet Doe (36), Benjamin Doe (11), William Doe (10), Kate Stacks (2) Granddaughter from Middlesex and Elizabeth Martain (51) Widow, Lodger from Hackney. I've been unable to find Charles Doe, who would have been around 15 and probably out working. (There is a death of a Charles Doe in West Ham in 1861, but this record can be discounted as the deceased was aged 3.) With only three sons, who were too young, Kate Stacks cannot be the Doe's granddaughter so assume was the lodger's granddaughter.

In 1871, at Shern Hall Place, Walthamstow, West Ham were Moses Doe (50) Undergardener Domestic Servant from Little Canfield, Essex; Harriet Doe (49) from Little Easton and William Doe (20) Groom. (Shern Hall: stood in impressive grounds of more than 18 acres that contained landscaped gardens, a large T-shaped pond, orchards, meadowland, farm buildings and stabling.)

Harriet Doe died, at 52, in 1874 M Quarter in TUNBRIDGE Volume 02A Page 333 was buried on 7 Jan 1874 at St Paul's Church, Rusthall.

Moses Doe (53) Widower, Gardener, remarried to Mary Ann Norman (39) Spinster, on 7 Mar 1875 at Tunbridge Wells, Congregational Church.

Moses and Mary Ann Doe added one further son:

4. John Doe b. 27 Aug 1876 (1876 S Quarter in TUNBRIDGE Volume 02A Page 603), bap. 26 Nov 1876 at Tunbridge Wells, Congregational Church, son of Moses Doe, Gardener of Grove Cottages, Bishops Down

In 1881, transcribed as Morris Deo (and the bad handwriting does look like that) living at Denny Bottom, Speldhurst, Tonbridge, Kent, were Moses Doe (60) Gardener; Mary Ann Doe (45) Wife of Gardner; John Doe (4) Scholar, plus 2 Lodgers: John P Norbury (32) Carpenter from Liverpool and Alfred Brown (20) Carpenter from Bradwell on Sea, Essex.

Mary Ann Doe died, aged 53 in 1888 M Quarter in TUNBRIDGE Volume 02A Page 439, and was buried on 13 Mar 1888, at St Paul's Church, Rusthall. 

Moses Doe died, at 67, on 24 Jun 1888 (1888 J Qtr in TUNBRIDGE Vol 02A Page 364) and was buried on 27 Jun 1888, also at St Paul's Church, Rusthall. Sadly, the gravestone mentions "a long and painful affliction".

St. Paul's Church, Rusthall Common
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Malc McDonald - geograph.org.uk/p/6408539

Francis Anthony Martyn and Anne White

St Margaret, Norwich
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Ben Keating - geograph.org.uk/p/3638192

Francis Anthony Martyn, widower, son of Frederick Martyn, Clerk, married Anne White (bap. 23 Oct 1831), spinster, daughter of William White and Ann Francis, on 27 Sep 1852 at the Parish Church of St. Margaret, Norwich.

Francis had previously married Mary Anne Jeffries on 17 Mar 1835 at St Benedict's Church, Norwich and in 1841, Francis Martyn (26) Upholsterer and Marianna Martyn (28) had lived at Ten Bell Lane, St Swithin, Norwich. 

In 1851, Francis Martin (sic) (35) Upholsterer and Marianne Martin (40) were in Three King Lane, Saint Margaret's, Norwich. Then Mary Ann Martyn died, at 38, and was buried, on 21 Oct 1851, at St Martin at Oak, Norwich.

In 1871, Francis Martyn (55) Upholsterer, Ann Martyn (39) and Sarah Watson (19) Niece (Sarah was the daughter of Ann's elder sister, Mary Ann) were living in Lothian Street, St Benedict, Norwich.

Francis Martyn died at 65-66, on 20 Dec 1880 and was buried on Boxing Day 1880 at the Rosary Cemetery, Norwich.

In 1881, Ann Martin (sic) (49) Widow, was still living in Lothian Street, Norwich St Benedict, Norwich with her widowed mother, Ann White (78).

Ann Martyn died at 52 in 1884 S Qtr in NORWICH Vol 04B Page 129 and, it appears from the inscription on the stone, was buried with her husband.

Neither of Francis Martyn's marriages had resulted in any children.

William Blazey and Mary Anne Clarke

St Saviour's Church, Knightsbridge. Photograph by John Salmon.

William Blazey (b. 7 Nov 1853 in Heigham, Norfolk), youngest son of Francis Stephen Blazey and Hannah Minns, married Mary Anne Clarke (b. 1852 in Furneux Pelham, Hertfordshire), daughter of Joseph Clarke and Elizabeth Randle, at the Church of St Saviour, Upper Chelsea, on 16 Sep 1877. William was then a Servant, of 151 Pavillion Road, Knightsbridge. Mary Anne listed her father as Joseph Clark, Farm Steward. Witnesses were William Clarke, probably Mary Ann's older brother, and Elizabeth Lasthman.

William and Mary Ann Blazey had 10 children:

1. Francis William Blazey b. 29 Dec 1878 (1879 M Quarter in CHELSEA Volume 01A Page 350), bap. 2 Mar 1879 at St Barnabas, Pimlico
2. Maud Elizabeth Blazey b. 1881 J Quarter in ST. GEORGE HANOVER SQUARE Volume 01A Page 432
3. Frederick John Blazey b. 18 Aug 1882 (1882 S Quarter in ST. GEORGE HANOVER SQUARE Volume 01A Page 457), bap. 8 Oct 1882 at Holy Trinity, Vauxhall Bridge Road
4. Annie Ellen Blazey b. 25 Feb 1884 (1884 M Quarter in ST GEORGE HANOVER SQUARE Volume 01A Page 494), bap. 23 Mar 1884 at Holy Trinity, Vauxhall Bridge Road
5. Florence Emily Blazey b. 26 Feb 1886 M Qtr in FULHAM Vol 01A 333
6. Sydney George Blazey b. 1 Jul 1888 S Qtr in FULHAM Vol 01A 272
7. Alice Mary Blazey b. 26 Jan 1892 M Qtr in FULHAM Vol 01A 299
8. William George Blazey b. 26 Jan 1892 (1892 M Quarter in FULHAM Volume 01A Page 299). (Died 15 May 1892 (1892 J Quarter in FULHAM Volume 01A Page 220) and was buried on 20 May 1892
9. Lily Ada Blazey b. 1893 S Quarter in FULHAM Volume 01A Page 268 (Died aged 20 in 1913 S Quarter in FULHAM Volume 01A Page 300)
10. Charles William Blazey b. 30 May 1895 (1895 J Quarter in FULHAM Volume 01A Page 344), bap. 29 Jul 1895 at St Peter's Fulham

All of the birth registrations have the mother's maiden name CLARKE. 

Obviously, Alice Mary and William George, born in the same quarter of 1892, were dizygotic (fraternal) twins, of whom only Alice survived (to 100).

In 1881, William Blazey (27) Cab proprietor from Norwich, Norfolk and Mary A Blazey (29) from Hertforshire, were living at 16, Trinity Mews, St George Hanover Square, Westminster. While I cannot account for the absense of Francis William (2), neither can I find him listed elsewhere.

In 1891, William Blazey (37) Omnibus driver; Mary A Blazey (38), Francis Blazey (12), Maud Blazey (10), Frederick Blazey (8), Annie Blazey (7), Florence Blazey (5) and Sydney Blazey (2) were living in Fulham.

In 1901, at 37, Bishops Road, Fulham, London were William Blazey (46) Omnibus driver; Mary Anne Blazey (48), Francis W Blazey (22) Builder's clerk; Maud E Blazey (20) Barmaid (retired); Frederick J Blazey (18) Stock broker's clerk; Annie E Blazey (17) Dressmaker; Florence E Blazey (15), Sydney G Blazey (12), Alice M Blazey (9), Lily A Blazey (7), Charles W Blazey (5) and Charles E Hall (35) Lodger, Married, Omnibus driver.

Then the first Mrs Mary Anne Blazey (née Clarke - with a final E) died, aged 54, in 1905 J Quarter in FULHAM Volume 01A Page 215.

On 15 Oct 1905, at Saint Peter's Church, Islington, William Blazey (52) Widower, Driver, son of Francis Blazey (deceased) married again, incredibly, to another Mary Ann Clark (41) (no final E's) Spinster of 71 Prebend Street, Islington, daughter of William Clark, Carman. William Clark was also from Norfolk. She brought with her an illegitimate son, John William McCallam Clark b. 1903 S Quarter in ST MARYLEBONE Volume 01A Page 540.

In 1911, William Blazey (57) Bus Driver from Norfolk; Mary Ann Blazey (47) from Islington; Lily Blazey (17), Charles Blazey (15), William McCallam Clark (7), David Howe (46) Lodger, Motor bus Driver and Lily Holmes (22) General Domestic Servant, Visitor were at 37 Racton Road, Fulham. Alice Blazey (20) was Under Housemaid in the household of Cecil Fane (54) at 27 Beaufort Gardens, Kensington (a stone's throw from Harrods Department Store.)

In 1921, William Blazey (67) Taxi driver, Out of Work, was living alone at 5, Adeney Road, Hammersmith and described himself as Widowed. However, just over a mile away at 25, Gratton Road, West Kensington, were Mary Ann Blazey (56) Daily woman, listed as married, with her son, John William Clark (17) Clothes Shop Assistant. Had William not used 'Widowed', this could have had a simple explanation, but as it is, it looks as if they'd separated.

Mary Anne Blazey (59) died in 1924 M Quarter in KENSINGTON Vol 01A Page 291. There was the extraneous E on her middle name this time.

William Blazey (80) died in 1934 J Qtr in CAMBERWELL Vol 01D Page 640.

Samuel Blazey and Elizabeth Wiggins

Ducklington Duckpond
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Dave Price - geograph.org.uk/p/3483077
On Fritillary Sunday with St Bartholomew's Church.

Samuel Blazey (bap. 7 Nov 1841 in Heigham, Norfolk), son of Francis Stephen Blazey and Hannah Minns, married Elizabeth Wiggins (bap. 14 Apr 1844 in Ducklington, Oxfordshire), daughter of Alfred Wiggins and Anne Adams, on 11 Sep 1864, at St Bartholomew’s church, Ducklington-with-Hardwick, Oxfordshire. Samuel was described as a Railway Servant, residing in Witney; Elizabeth, who was (20) under age at the time, was resident in Ducklington. Witnesses to the marriage were John Wright (possibly a cousin) and Maria Blazey (wife of Samuel's brother, Francis Robert Blazey).

Samuel and Elizabeth had five children:

1. Alice Hannah Blazey b. 6 Feb 1865 (1865 M Quarter in WITNEY Volume 03A Page 651), bap. 5 Jun 1878 at Holy Trinity, Heigham, Norwich
2. Francis Blazey bap. 18 Oct 1867 in Drayton, Norfolk
3. Alfred Blazey b. 8 Oct 1869 (1869 D Quarter in SAINT FAITHS Volume 04B Page 98), bap. 26 May 1870 in Drayton, Norfolk
4. William Blazey b. 1872 in Worcester, bap. Whit Sunday 24 May 1874, at 2 years old, at St Bartholomew’s, Ducklington
5. Elizabeth Eliza Blazey, b. 8 Jan 1874 (1874 M Quarter in WORCESTER Volume 06C Page 346), bap. 8 Mar 1874, in Worcester

The mother's maiden name on Alice Hannah's birth registration was correctly listed as WIGGINS, on Alfred's, WIGGENS and on Elizabeth Eliza's WIGGIN. There don't seem to be GRO registrations for Francis or William.

In 1871, listed as James Blazer (sic) (29) Engine Driver from Norfolk; Elizabeth (28) from Ducklington; Alice (6) born in Witney; Francis (4) and Alfred (1), were at Norwich Upper Road, Drayton, Norfolk. 

Elizabeth Blazey, aged 30, died, in Q1 of 1874 - can probably surmise why - and was buried on 18 Jan 1874, at St. Paul's Parish, Worcester.

In 1881, Samuel Blazey (35), widowed, Fireman on Railway, was living at 3, Duke Street, Heigham, Norwich (Duke's Cross Street (subsequently renamed as Manchester Street) with his widowed mother. Alfred (11) was living with them. Alice Blazey (17) was a General Servant to Joseph Clayden, Lodging house keeper at 16, Westbourne Place, St George Hanover Square; Francis (13), was living with his Aunt and Uncle, Joseph and Eliza Tiff (Samuel's sister Eliza) at 9, Union Terrace, Kensington, London, where he was Shop boy to greengrocer. William Blazey (7) Grandson was living with his maternal grandparents, Alfred and Ann Wiggins in Ducklington, Witney; While Elizabeth Eliza (7), was living with John and Hannah Versey, who were originally from Devon, in Worcester, described as 'Adopted Daughter'.

In 1891, Samuel Blazey (49) Fireman, Railway and daughter, Elizabeth (17) Tailoress, were living with Samuel's mother, Hannah (78) at 19 Manchester Street, Norwich. Alice Hannah had married in 1888; Francis Blazey (25) and Alfred Blazey (21) Dock Labourers, were living with their aunt and uncle, Joseph and Eliza Tiff, in Kensington, London; William Blazey (19) was again living with his grandparents, Alfred and Ann Wiggins, in Ducklington.

In the press of 14 May 1892, Samuel Blazey of Union Place, Norwich, a Great Eastern Railway employee, was reported as giving evidence at the inquest into the death of Robert George Buckingham (18) who died when hit by a ballast train running from Norwich to Cromer. Samuel Blazey was the Engine Driver's, mate and fireman on the train. Blazey said that Hubbard [driver] had just shut off steam before pulling up at Worstead, three-quarters of a mile from the station, and witness was putting on the injector in order to get more water into the boiler, when only four or five yards in front of the buffers he thought he saw a lad. Witness flew to the brake, and his mate promptly stopped the train. The inquest found that there was no one to blame.

In 1901, Samuel Blazey (57) Railway Labourer, was living at 19 Manchester Street, Norwich, with his mother, Hannah (90).

In 1908, Samuel Blazey appeared in the local City and County directory at 19 Manchester Street, listed as a Chimney Sweeper.

Samuel does not appear on either the 1911 or 1921 Census, however, he died in 1925 M Quarter in NORWICH Volume 04B Page 161, at 83. 

William Watson and Mary Ann White

St Margaret, Norwich
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Ben Keating - geograph.org.uk/p/3638192

William Watson (bap. 9 Jul 1833 in Great Ryburgh, Norfolk), son of Mark Watson and Lydia Maria Fox, married Mary Ann White (bap. as Marianne, 8 Oct 1826 in Mattishall), daughter of William White and Ann Francis, on 7 Sep 1856, at St Margaret's Church, Norwich. On the marriage certificate, both parties are listed as 21, whereas Mary Ann was actually 30.

William and Mary Anne had four children:

1. Sarah White b. 20 Feb 1852, bap. 20 Sep 1857 at Thorpe Episcopi
2. Mary Ann Watson b. 25 Aug 1857 D Qtr in BLOFIELD Vol 04B Page 183, bap. 20 Sep 1857 at Thorpe Episcopi
3. William Watson b. 1859 S Qtr in BLOFIELD UNION Vol 04B Page 189
4. James Francis Watson b. 1862 S Qtr in NORWICH Vol 04B Page 125

Sarah was baptised as White, but was listed as Watson on Census.

In 1861, in King Street, St Julian, Norwich, were William Watson (27) General Labourer; Mary Ann Watson (34) from Mattishall; Sarah Watson (9), William Watson (1), William White (27) Market Gardener, Brother-in-Law (Mary Ann's brother); Susan White (32) (William White's wife) and Alice White (4). Second daughter, Mary Ann Watson (4) was staying with her grandfather, Mark Watson (60) at May Green, Little Ryburgh.

In 1871, William Watson (38) Farm Labourer from Little Ryburgh; Mary Ann Watson (44) from Mattishall; William Watson (11) and James F Watson (8) were living at Thorpe Road (Dale's Place), Thorpe St Andrew (as were Mary Ann's sister, Hannah and her husband). Sarah Watson (19) was staying with her Aunt Ann Martyn in in Lothian Street, Norwich, while Mary Ann Watson (13) was staying with her grandparents, William White and Ann Francis. 

In 1881, we find Mary Ann Watson (54) Laundress, listed as Married (Not located William) living at Rowena Buildings, Thorpe Next Norwich with Mary Ann Watson (23) Laundress and James Francis Watson (18) Labourer.

In 1891, listed as Mary Wilson (sic) (64) from Mattishall, Mary Ann was living with her brother-in-law and sister, George and Maria Woods, in Ipswich Road, Norwich. Mary was again listed as married, but no sign of William.

In 1901, Mary Ann Watson (74) Widow from Norwich, Norfolk was living in the household of her youngest child, James Francis Watson (38) Telegraph Foreman (railway) at 62, Glenny Road, Barking, Romford, Essex.

Mary Ann Watson died, at 75, in 1902 M Qtr in ROMFORD Vol 04A 304.

William Harman Howes and Elizabeth Eliza Blazey

St. John the Theologian, Norwich
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Graham Hardy - geograph.org.uk/p/160332
St. John's at the junction of Ber Street and Finkelgate in 
Norwich is historically known as St. John Sepulchre.

William Harman Howes (b. 15 Jul 1874), son of John Robert Howes and Martha Burrows Woodhouse married Elizabeth Eliza Blazey (b. 8 Jan 1874), daughter of Samuel Blazey and Elizabeth Wiggins, both of 3 Butchers Arms Yard, Ber St, on 2 Sep 1895 at St John Sepulchre, Norwich. Witnesses were William Walter Tillett and Martha Elizabeth Hunt, the groom's sister.

William and Elizabeth had three children:

1. William Harman Howes b. 14 Dec 1895 (1896 M Quarter in NORWICH Volume 04B Page 119). (Unusually, no evidence of baptism.)
2. Alice May Howes b. 31 Oct 1899 (1899 D Quarter in NORWICH Volume 04B Page 174), bap. 16 Mar 1910 at Holy Trinity, Heigham, Norfolk
3. Maggie Dorothy Howes b. 4 Apr 1910 (1910 J Quarter in NORWICH Volume 04B Page 146), bap. 1 Jun 1910 at Holy Trinity, Heigham

The mother's maiden name on all three registrations is BLAZEY.

In 1901, Elizabeth Howes (27) was living at 15, Manchester Street, Heigham, Norwich, with William (5) and Alice (1). Meanwhile, William Harman Howes (miss transcribed as William H Howne) (26) from Norwich, Norfolk, Married, Plasterer's Labourer, was a Boarder in a household in Epsom, Surrey. 

By 1911, William Howes (37), Elizabeth (37), William (15), Alice (11) and Maggie (0), had moved to 19 Manchester St, Norwich, where her father and grandmother had lived. (Alice May Howes had been born at this address.)

In 1921, still at 19, Manchester Street, Norwich, were William H Howes (46) Bricklayer's Labourer for Norwich Corporation; Elizabeth E Howes (47), Alice M Howes (21) Chocolate Moulder at Caleys Ltd; and Maggie D Howes (11).

And in 1939, still living at 19 Manchester Street, Norwich, Norfolk, were William Howes, Builder's Labourer Retired and wife Elizabeth.

William Harman Howes died on 27 Nov 1944, aged 70 (1944 D Quarter in NORWICH Volume 04B Page 199), at Norfolk and Norwich Hospital. 

Eliza Elizabeth Howes (née Blazey) died, aged 78, from Cerebral thrombosis, arteriosclerosis, on 19 Jan 1951 (1951 M Quarter in NORWICH Volume 04B Page 919) at 60 Suffolk Street, Norwich, Norfolk.

(William Harman Howes in the Howes Family One Name Study).

James Wright and Mary Ann Minns

Ruins of St Bartholomew, Heigham, Norwich, Norfolk

James Wright (b. 20 May 1808 in Heigham, Norfolk), son of Richard Wright and Mary Blake, married Mary Ann Minns (b. 17 Jan 1805 in Heigham, Norfolk), eldest daughter of Robert Marsh Minns and Mary Kett, at the now lost church of St Bartholomew, Heigham on 28 Aug 1831. Witnesses were Lydia Wright, James Wright's aunt (wife of his father's brother, John) and Robert Marsh Minns who was either Mary Ann's father, or elder brother.

(The handwriting and name of the curate on this marriage record are the same as those on Mary Ann's sister Hannah's marriage the following year.)

James and Mary Ann Wright had three children:

1. James Wright b. 15 Jun 1833, bap. 30 Jun 1833 and buried, aged 3 months, on 6 Oct 1883, both at St Bartholomew, Heigham
2. James Wright bap. 7 Aug 1836 at St Bartholomew, Heigham
3. Mary Ann Wright b. 11 Oct 1838. Her DOB is as declared on her baptism (at the same time as her cousin, Eliza Blazey) on 21 Oct 1863, although the parish's Bishops Transcripts show that she'd already been baptised, at St Bartholomew, Heigham, on 24 Oct 1838. (Ref. 620).

All three of the original baptisms list James Wright's occupation as Weaver.

In 1841, Mary Ann Wright (35) was living in Union Square, Heigham, Norfolk with her two children, James Wright (5) and Mary Wright (3). James Wright was not in the household and we find him, age rounded down to 30, as an Inmate at The Infirmary Bethel, in the parish of St Clement, Norfolk.

James Wright, Inmate in The Infirmary Bethel (Bethel Hospital, Bethel Street, Norwich) died on 2 Dec 1841 (1841 D Quarter in NORWICH Volume 13 Page 169), age rounded up to 35, with his cause of death listed as Epilepsy. James Wright, of the Parish of St Clements, was buried at St Bartholomew, Heigham, on 8 Dec 1841. (The church was destroyed by German bombs on April 27, 1942 and the graveyard was grassed over in the 1950s. No trace of any grave remains.) Burial of those who died in workhouses and workhouse infirmaries, so presumably also in asylums, could be in the deceased's own parish at the family's request, often at the expense of the parish. 

"In 19th-century Europe, epilepsy was considered a highly hereditable disorder, associated with a familial tendency toward insanity, alcoholism, violence, criminal behaviour, migraine, and gout." - A diary of epilepsy in the early 1800s. "Living with epilepsy in past centuries was challenging; before the introduction of bromides in 1859 and phenobarbital in 1912, there were no effective therapies for seizures." And even in 1860, the condition was still thought to be contagious, or linked to insanity, so, as we see with James, people with epilepsy were often confined to asylums or workhouses. 

In 1851, Mary Wright (46) Widow, Dressmaker, was living at 1, Manchester Buildings, Hamlet of Heigham, Norwich, Norfolk (Manchester Buildings (yard?) - Union Place) (The Old Courts and Yards of Norwich PDF) with her son James Wright (14) Brushmaker's Apprentice; and daughter Mary A Wright (13) Scholar. Also living in her household, as Lodgers, were her brother-in-law and sister, Francis and Hannah Blazey, and five of their children: Francis (18); Harriet (12), Samuel (9), Hannah (5) and Elizabeth (3).

Mary Ann Wright, widow of James Wright, Weaver, died, aged 54, on 10 Jun 1859 (1859 J Quarter in NORWICH Volume 04B Page 103), at 1 Manchester Buildings, Heigham, Norwich, from 'Disease of the Brain' - as a medical term, this could mean many things including encephalitis (inflammation) - which was registered by her sister, Hannah Blazey, present at her death.

[NB: Difficult to tell without a medical degree, but with both James and Mary Ann having died from diseases that could have been caused by infections that can damage brain tissue and cause seizures (like meningitis or encephalitis), I wonder if they may both have been affected by the same initial contagion.]

The Bethel Hospital
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Evelyn Simak - geograph.org.uk/p/5833231
The Bethel Hospital, named after its location in Bethel Street, dates from the late 17th and early 18th centuries and has some later additions. In 1899, the Norwich architect E Boardman was charged with rebuilding and repairs. Originally built "for the benefit of distrest Lunaticks" in 1713, the Grade 2 listed building currently is a children's psychiatric clinic.

Andrew Ephire King and Annie Jones

The former St. Luke's church
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Jonathan Thacker - geograph.org.uk/p/5436811

Andrew Ephire King (b. 10 Nov 1894), Chief Yeoman, United States Navy, son of Joseph Damos King and Josephine Martel, married Annie Jones (b. 30 Sep 1890), only daughter of Nicholas Jones and Ellen White, at St Luke's Church, Cork, Ireland on 18 Aug 1919. Witnesses were Frederick Joseph Lee and Nelly Jones. The couple met in 1917, wrote their daughter, Margery, later "... when Dad was on one of the destroyers sent by the US Navy to patrol the south coast of Ireland and convoy supply and troop ships to English and French ports." Later, "When Cork became "out of bounds" to the crews of the US Fleet when the Sinn Féiners attacked them, Dad asked Mum to come down to Rushbrooke / Queenstown to visit him. In this way, Dad became acquainted with Nellie and the rest of her family, often going to Rushbrooke for tea when he had a few hours liberty when his ship was in port." 

From Andrew's diary: April 24, 1918: "Liberty was granted today. I went ashore at 4:30 p.m. and went to see Nellie Jones. Today was her 24th birthday. She had made a chocolate cake and some cookies so we had a quite nice little tea party. I gave her a gold pendant for a gift. Novak came up about 7:30 with a fruit cake that his sister in Portland, Oregon had sent him. We had cocoa and some of the cake. Returned to the ship at 10:30 p.m."

After they married, Annie King applied for permission to depart for the United States, expecting to sail on USS President Grant on 6 Sep 1919, giving her future address in the US as 31 Chapel Street, Dover, New Hampshire.

Andrew and Annie King had three children:

1. Douglas Andrew King b. 23 Mar 1921 in Norfolk, Virginia
2. Edith Mary King b. 22 Feb 1923 in Brooklyn, New York
3. Margery Ellen King b. 6 Apr 1927 in Cork, Ireland

In 1920, Andrew King (25) and Annie King (29), were living in Duval, Florida.

In 1921, Annie King applied for a US Passport for herself, accompanied by her minor child, Douglas Andrew King.

In 1930, in Norfolk, Virginia, were Andrew E King (36), Annie King (40), Douglas A King (9), Edith M King (7) and Margery E King (3). In 1935, they lived in Portsmouth, Virginia. A record shows that on 7 Jul 1935, Douglas Andrew King (14) travelled from Cobh (Queenstown), on the RMS Laconia, arriving in Boston in 14 Jul 1935. Margery remembered them visiting the family in Rushbrooke in the 1930's.

And by 1940, they had moved out to San Diego, California, with Andrew E King (45), Annie King (49), Edith M King (17) and Marjory E King (12).

Andrew Ephire King sailed from Pearl Harbor on 7 Aug 1942, on USS Henderson, while she did service as a transport between California and Hawaii during World War II, arriving in San Francisco, California on 15 Aug 1942. He was still serving in WWII. Was he in Pearl Harbour the year before?

On 5 Apr 1945, Douglas Andrew King (24) married Daisy Mae Hadlock (19), daughter of Ivan Hadlock and Esther Smith, in Hampton, Virginia. In 1950, Douglas A King (29) Aeronautical Engineer; Daisy M King (24) and two children, aged 3 & 2, were living in Elizabeth City, Virginia, USA.

Margery and her mother travelled to Ireland and England, visiting Dave and Kitty in Rushbrooke, Queenie and Alice in Cork City, my grandparents in Birmingham and stayed with Marcella in Portsmouth, in 1946. Margery wrote that, "My mother had kept in touch with her cousins all through WWII while we were in the USA and was anxious to see them all again."

A licence had been applied for, for the marriage of Margery Ellen King to a Donald William Gemmel in January 1950, but this marriage never took place. Margery never mentioned this. No surprise. I always knew her as Mrs Margery Hamilton, but haven't been able to find any record of a marriage for her.

Edith Mary King married John Kenneth Crawford, in Cork, on 7 Aug 1950. Her parents went to Ireland for the wedding, and returned on RMS Franconia, leaving Liverpool on 21 Sep 1950, arriving in Quebec on 29 Sep 1950. The Crawfords had at least one son (name and birth date unknown, but thought to be still living in Ireland), as Margery often mentioned her nephew - to whom she said she had given all of Andrew Ephire King's detailed diaries.

Annie King of 28 Oceana Avenue, Ocean Park, Maine (wife of Andrew Ephire King, Retired Lieutenant Commander U.S.N.), died on 21 Dec 1950, at the Trull Hospital, Biddeford, Maine, aged 60, leaving her effects to her husband. Annie King is buried at, New Town Cemetery, Rollinsford, New Hampshire.

On 26 Sep 1953, Margery King left Cobh on the MV Britannic, presumably for her father's marriage, on 24 Oct 1953, at the Methodist Church, Plymouth, New Hampshire, to divorcee, Elma Marguerite Wyman (née Dunphy).

Andrew Ephire King, who died on 1 July 1983, Lieutenant commander United States Navy Mexican Border, WWI & WWII, is also buried in the family plot at New Town Cemetery, Rollinsford, New Hampshire.

Douglas Andrew King died on 13 Mar 2002.

We visited Margery in Ireland in 2014. Her sister, Edith, had died not long before. Margery must have died in 2016, which, sadly, we only discovered when the Post Office returned my correspondence. Her contribution to this research has been invaluable: even when the family stories she was told weren't quite true, they provided valuable clues that I continue to pursue and hope that I can also answer some of the questions she left unanswered.

See also:

• The Queenstown Patrol – the US navy in Cork Harbour in WWI
• Passport photos of women who left Cork for the US
• Ireland’s US Navy ‘war brides’
• The US Navy at Queenstown