James Alfred Garnett and Mabel Shotter

Pizza Hut on corner of Kingston Crescent and Gamble Road
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Basher Eyre - geograph.org.uk/p/770407

James Alfred Garnett (b. 1881), son of John William Garnett and Margaret Mary Coleborn, married Mabel Shotter (b. 1879), daughter of William Thomas Shotter and Hannah Jane Bussey, at St Mark's church, North End, Portsmouth (demolished in the 1970s) on 27 Apr 1908. The groom was Licence Holder at The Fairy Queen, Grosvenor Street, Southsea at the time of his marriage.

James and Mabel had one daughter:

1. Marjorie Mabel Garnett, b. 28 Feb 1915 (1915 M Qtr in PORTSMOUTH Vol 02B Page 767), bap 1 Apr 1915 at St Mary's Church, Portsea

In 1891, the ten year old James Alfred Garnett had lived at Public House, Stamshaw Road, Portsea (Derby Tavern, 47 Stamshaw Road, Landport), where his father, John William Garnett, was described as a Beer retailer.

In 1901, James Alfred Garnett (19) had been Assistant manager of the Fountain Hotel, London Road, Portsmouth (Fountain, 133 London Road, North End), held by Edward Gardner, Licensed victualler, his uncle.

In 1911, James Alfred Garnett (29) Licensed victualler and Mabel Garnett (31) Assisting in business, were at 90 Kingston Crescent, North End, Portsmouth (The Admirals Head, 90 Kingston Crescent, Landport), now a Pizza Hut. In 1916, James Alfred Garnett of The Admiral's Head, Kingston, Publican, appears on an Exemption Register of Portsmouth Military Tribunals, presumably exempting him from military service in World War I.

James Alfred Garnett of The Queens Hotel, 143 Queen's Road, Gosport, died, aged 55, on 22 Nov 1936 (1936 D Quarter in GOSPORT Volume 02B Page 796), leaving his effects to Mabel Garnett, Widow.

In the 3rd quarter of 1938, Mabel Garnett remarried to Walter John Morgan, widower, of 131 Queen's Road, Gosport, in Portsmouth and, in the same quarter, Marjorie Mabel Garnett married Bernard Connorton, in Gosport.

In 1939, Mabel Morgan and her daughter, Marjorie M Connorton were both living at 26 Lower Farlington Road, Portsmouth, while Walter J Morgan was listed in the household of his son-in-law and daughter, Ina G M Palmer, at 44 Bishop's Way, Andover. (I've been unable to locate Bernard.)

Marjorie M Connorton died, at 25, in 1940 M Quarter in PORTSMOUTH Volume 02B Page 1770. While a death in 1940 might be related to the Second World War, this was too early to be related to The Portsmouth Blitz, during which: "The three major raids took place on August 24th 1940 during the Portsmouth Blitz, January 10th 1941 and March 10th 1941."

Mabel Morgan died, at 68, in 1948 M Qtr in PORTSMOUTH Vol 06B 496.

William Wykes and Elizabeth Thompson

Deptford Green, SE8
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Mike Quinn - geograph.org.uk/p/1499434

Elizabeth Thompson, daughter of Solomon Thompson Jnr and Maria Willis, married William Wykes at St Andrew's, Cransley, Northamptonshire, on 26 Apr 1852. William, son of Edward Wykes and Mary Davies, was born on 29 Aug 1829 in Spratton, Northamptonshire and baptised at Great Creaton on 7 Jun 1830. Witnesses were Elizabeth's niece, Sarah Elizabeth Thompson (daughter of Elizabeth's brother, Daniel) and nephew, Daniel Botterill (son of Elizabeth's sister, Mary), first cousins who married four years later.

William and Elizabeth's family consisted:

1. Anne Thompson b. 1846 in Spratton, Northamptonshire
2. Martha Wykes b. 1853 M Quarter in BRIXWORTH Volume 03B Page 106, bap. 22 May 1853 in Spratton, Northampton
3. Mary Ann Wykes b. 27 Mar 1855 J Quarter in GREENWICH Volume 01D Page 520, bap. 27 May 1855 at St Paul, Deptford, Kent
4. Eliza Wykes b. 22 Mar 1857 J Qtr in GREENWICH Vol 01D Page 533
5. Edward William Wykes b. 30 Jun 1859, reg. S Quarter in GREENWICH Volume 01D Page 550, bap. 19 Oct 1862 in Deptford, Kent
6. Elizabeth Wykes b. 10 Jun 1861 in Cransley, reg. S Qtr in GREENWICH Vol 01D Page 569, bap. 19 Oct 1862 in Deptford, Kent
7. John Thomas Wykes b. 24 Oct 1864 D Quarter in GREENWICH Volume 01D Page 648, bap. 23 Feb 1868 at St Nicholas, Deptford
8. Maria Sarah Elizabeth Wykes b. 1868, bap. 23 Feb 1868 at Deptford. Died, aged 1, in 1869 S Quarter in GREENWICH Vol 01D Page 493
9. William Thompson Wykes b. 1869 D Quarter in GREENWICH Volume 01D Page 782

The GRO birth registrations give the mother's maiden name as THOMPSON.

By 1861 William Wykes (29), Elizabeth Wykes (32), Anne Wykes (15), Martha (8), Mary Ann (6), Eliza (4) and Edward W (1), Edward Dodd (21) Lodger and John Wykes (21), were living in Deptford (as were Daniel and Sarah Botterill). Anne Wykes (15) is certainly the Ann Thompson (5) who was staying with her grandmother, Maria Thompson, in 1851. It's clear she is Elizabeth's child. It's not clear if William Wykes is her biological father, even though she is using his surname (no GRO registration).

In 1871, William Wykes (45) Labourer, Elizabeth (42), Martha (18), Mary Ann (16), Edward (11), [Sarah] Elizabeth (9), John Thomas (6) and William (0), were in Deptford, with Mary Thompson (85), Elizabeth's widowed mother. Eliza Wikes (sic) (14) was a Domestic Servant in the employ of Edward Allwright (40) Upholsterer, in New Cross Road, Deptford.

In 1881, William Wykes (51) with no employment, and son Edward William (21) Labourer, were living at 38, Deptford Green, while Elizabeth (52) was at 249, Evelyn Street, Deptford, with her occupation listed as Midwife. With her were married daughter Martha Buzzacott (28), Elizabeth Wykes (19) Assistant Nurse; John T (16) Apprentice Moulder and William T (11) Scholar.

In 1891, living in Evelyn Street, Deptford are William Wykes (63) Labourer, Elizabeth (62) Midwife and just William (21) Boiler Maker. 

William Wykes died, in Greenwich in 1892 M Quarter in GREENWICH Volume 01D Page 831, aged 62. Elizabeth Wykes died, in Greenwich, in 1894 S Quarter in GREENWICH Volume 01D Page 493, aged 65.

Michael Kritzer and Maria Agatha Hall

Interior of the Catholic parish church of St. Johann, Donaueschingen, Baden, Germany. 
H.Helmlechner, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Michael Kritzer (b. 28 Sep 1805), son of Sebastian Kritzer and Rosina Tritshler, married Maria Agatha Hall (b. 29 Mar 1822), daughter of Johann Hall and Brigitta Engesser, at St. Johann, Donaueschingen, on 26 Apr 1841.

Michael and Agatha (as she appears to have been known) had five children, all also baptised at Donaueschingen's Catholic church of St. Johann.

1. Rosina Kritzer b. 12 Mar 1842, bap. 14 Apr 1842 
2. Wilhelm Kritzer b. 10 Jan 1844, bap 14 Jan 1844
3. Wilhelmina Kritzer b. 8 May 1845, bap. 18 May 1845
4. Anna Kritzer b. 6 Jun 1849, bap. 10 Jun 1849
5. Augusta Brigitta Kritzer b. 19 Aug 1858, bap. 29 Aug 1858

Michael Kritzer died, aged 61, in Donaueschingen on 1 Apr 1867.

Anna Kritzer and three of the children of Wilhelm Kritzer came to England. 

Rosina Kritzer married Josef Johann Baptist Seemann, in Donaueschingen, on 30 Sep 1869 and Wilhelmina Kritzer married Carl Emil Boll, again in Donaueschingen, on 29 May 1873. This last couple had at least seven children, giving the potential for further family still remaining in the area. There are no further records showing up for Augusta Brigitte Kritzer. There's evidence of this family, in this parish, right back to the 16th Century.

The German surname Kritzer, it is said, is derived from the Old German word "Kretscham," meaning "inn." The name was most likely first borne by an innkeeper. An alternative suggestion is as a South German occupational name for a coiner, from krüzer Kreutzer.  

William Ball and Sarah Jane Tubb

St Mary's Portsea
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Basher Eyre - geograph.org.uk/p/692863

William Ball (b. 1806), Bachelor, married Sarah Jane Tubb (b. 1812), daughter of William Tubb and Sarah Chard, at St Mary's Church, Portsea on 24 Apr 1832. Witnesses were Mary Ann Ball and William John Long.

William and Sarah Jane Ball had one daughter:

1. Sarah Louisa Ball bap. 29 Sep 1833 at St Mary's, daughter of William Ball, Seaman and Sarah of Lake Lane, Portsea.

The next time we find them is in 1851, when William Ball (45) Shipwright Greenwich Pensioner from Portsea, Hampshire; Sarah Ball (39) and Sarah Louisa Coombs (18) were living in Church Path, Portsea.

Sarah Louisa Ball (18) of Church Road, Portsea, daughter of William Ball, Carpenter, had married William Coombes (26) Seaman, HMS Illustrious, listed as son of John Coombs, Shipwright, also at St Mary's Church, Portsea on 11 Jan 1850. Witnesses to their marriage were Mary Ann Horner and William Ball. William and Sarah Louisa Coombes appear to have two children: William Coombs b. 1852 M Quarter in PORTSEA ISLAND UNION Volume 02B Page 415 and Louisa Coombs b. 1853 D Quarter in PORTSEA ISLAND UNION Volume 02B Page 359. I can find no further records for any of them.

William Ball, we must assume, died between 1851 and 1853.

In 1853-54 Sarah Jane Ball appears to receive payment related to Greenwich Hospital out-pensioners - a final pension payment perhaps?

On 24 Apr 1853, again at St Mary's Church, Portsea, Sarah Jane Ball, Widow, daughter of William Tubb, Ropemaker, married Joseph Leach, Blacksmith, Widower of Havant Street, listed as son of John Leach, Farmer. Witnesses were Mary Windel and Henry Tubb, Sarah Jane's sister and brother.

[So far] I've yet to find any further records for any of them.

Thomas Phillips and Mary Ann Wright

St Margaret’s Church, Barking
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Richard Rogerson - geograph.org.uk/p/1562917

Thomas Phillips, son of Joseph Phillips and Ann Clarke, brother of Isaac Phillips, married Mary Ann Wright on 23 Apr 1826 at St Margaret's Church, Barking, where his brother married six years later. Census records from 1841 to 1881, show these brothers living next door to one another. 

Thomas and Mary Ann had six children, all of whom were also baptised at the church of St Helen and St Giles, Rainham:

1. Hester Maria Phillips bap. 8 Mar 1829
2. William Thomas Phillips bap. 21 Aug 1831
3. Richard Wilkinson Phillips bap. 16 Mar 1834
4. Angelina Caroline Phillips b. 1837 S Quarter in ROMFORD UNION Volume 12 Page 153, bap. 1 Sep 1837
5. Ellen Jane Eliza Phillips b. 1841 M Quarter in THE ROMFORD UNION Volume 12 Page 224, bap. 31 Jan 1841
6. Joseph Phillips b.  1844 M Quarter in THE ROMFORD UNION Volume 12 Page 231, bap. 3 Mar 1844

The mother's maiden name on the three GRO registrations is WRIGHT. Wilkinson as a second name may indicate Mary Ann's mother's maiden name.

In 1841, in Rainham, were Thomas Phillips (35) Ag Lab, Mary (35), Hester (12), William (10), Richard (8), Angelina (4) and Ellen (0). Living with them were an Esther Wilkinson (40) who I'd guess was a relative of Mary Ann's; Martha Ward (50) and William Marlow (35) Ag Lab.

In 1851, address listed as Upminster Road, Rainham, were Thomas Phillips (46) Ag Lab, Mary Ann (45), William Thomas (19) Ag Lab, Richard (17) Ag Lab, Angelina (13), Ellen (10) and Joseph (7). They had two lodgers: Edmund Earnel (38) and Hezekiah Dowset (26), both Ag Labs.

In 1861, Thomas Phillips (56) Ag Lab, at Fran House, Cottage, Rainham, with Mary Ann (55) and just Joseph (17) Ag Lab still at home. With three lodgers: James Wood (32), George Whitbread (22) and John Simpson (18), Ag Labs.

In 1871 at Back Street Cottage, Rainham, Thomas Phillips (66) Ag Lab, Mary (65), with Mary Ann Searles (12) and William Searles (10), granddaughter and grandson, staying with them. (Angelina had married a George Searls in 1858.)

Then in 1881, at the infamous Village Back Street, Rainham, Thomas Phillips (75) General Labourer and Mary (74), had their grandson Edward Turben (22) Labourer in Manure Factory (Edward Turben was the son of Ellen Jane Eliza Phillips, who had married Henry Turben in 1858), living with them, as well as James Whiting (22) and Alfred Whiting (19), lodgers. 

Mary Ann Phillips died, aged 77 in 1884 M Quarter in ROMFORD Volume 04A Page 143 and was buried on 30 Mar 1884 in Rainham.

Thomas Phillips died, aged 81, and was buried on 21 Jul 1887.

Thomas Parsons Bridle and Elizabeth Wills

East Devon : Countryside Scenery
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Lewis Clarke - geograph.org.uk/p/4625599
Looking out across the East Devon countryside with the church at Rockbeare in view.

Thomas Parsons Bridle (bap. 14 Jun 1812 in Rockbeare, Devon), son of John Bridle and Mary Trick, married Elizabeth Wills, daughter of William Wills and Elizabeth Chown, at St Mary with St Andrew, Rockbeare, on 23 Apr 1840. 

Thomas and Elizabeth had four sons:

1. James Bridle b. 1841 M Qtr in ST THOMAS UNION Vol 10 251
2. Thomas Bridle b. 1842 D Qtr in ST THOMAS UNION Vol 10 209
3. William Henry Bridle b. 1844 D Qtr in ST THOMAS UNION Vol 10 254
4. Mark Bridle b. 1850 S Quarter in ST THOMAS Vol 10 Page 248

In 1841, Thomas Bridle (25) Ag Lab, and Elizabeth Bridle (25), were living at Upcott, Rockbeare, St Thomas, Devon, with son, James, 5 months.

In 1851, living at Hill Cottages, Rockbeare, were Thomas Bridle (38) Farm Labourer, Elizabeth Bridle (36), James (10), Thomas (8), Henry (6) and Mark (0). Living next door to them were William Wills (73) Pauper and his wife Elizabeth Wills (76), who I assume to be Elizbeth's parents.

Then Elizabeth Bridle died, in 1852, aged 36. So, in 1853, Thomas Parsons Bridle remarried to Sarah Symons, with whom he had three more children:

1. Edwin Symons Bridle b. 1856 M Qtr in ST THOMAS Vol 05B 47
2. Eva Bridle b. 1863 S Quarter in ST THOMAS Vol 05B Page 57
3. Emma Bridle b. 1865 D Qtr in ST THOMAS Vol 05B Page 58

In 1861, Thomas Bridle (48) Agricultural Labourer, Sarah Bridle (36), Mark Bridle (10) and Edwin Bridle (5) were living at Ridgway, Rockbeare. James Bridle (20), in 1861, was a Carter at Coombe Farm, Broadway, Woodbury, St Thomas, Devon. Thomas Bridle Jnr (18) was working as a Mason's labourer to John Kenwood at Whimple Road, Whimple, St Thomas, Devon. 

By 1871, the family had moved to Whipton, Heavitree, where we find Thomas Bridle (58) Gardener, Sarah (45), Mark (20), Edwin (15), Eva (8) and Emma (5), as well as William Walters (11) Lodger.

In 1881, at 56, Sandford Street, Exeter, were, Thomas Bridle, Gardner, Sarah Bridle (56), Eva Bridle (17) Pupil teacher and Henry Chown (28) Boarder.

Thomas Bridle died, aged 78 in 1890 S Qtr in ST THOMAS Vol 05B Page 36.

In 1891, at Pinhoe Road, Heavitree, Eva, listed as Evangeline Bridle (27) Teacher of elementary school and has become the head of the household. Living with her were her widowed mother, Sarah Bridle (64), Emma Bridle (25) Sister, Eva Bridle (8) Niece and a William H Prall (26) Boarder. 

Sarah Bridle died, at 74, in 1901 M Qtr in EXETER Vol 05B Page 63. 

Fleet Review, Spithead, 23 Apr 1856

Review of the Fleet at Spithead by the Queen, April 23, 1856

On Wednesday, 23 April 1856 (St. George's Day) a "Great Naval Review", by Queen Victoria, of the fleet being prepared for the 1856 Baltic campaign was held at Spithead to celebrate the end of the war - The Russian (Crimean War) War of 1854 - 1856. To discover that one of my relatives had served in that war and took part in the Fleet Review of 1856 was something: to find that there were two of them there, one each from my father's side of the family and the other from my mother's side was a major surprise.

My 2x great-grandfather on my father's side, Thomas Jones, was at the Spithead Review, serving as a Petty Officer on HMS Duke of Wellington.

James Henry Tubb, meanwhile, who was the nephew of Edward Tubb whose daughter married into a branch of my mother's family, had also served during that war, both in the Black Sea, as well as in the Baltic, and was also present at the Fleet Review aboard HMS Nile (1839).

HMS Duke of Wellington was at the head of the Port line, while, this report on the Review in the The Illustrated London News, 26 April 1856 adds, "Abreast of the Port line the Royal George led the Starboard, gigantic in proportions as the Duke, if not as elegant in form. Then came the Nile.

So both sides of my family were represented, on both sides of the line, almost side-by-side. (It was even more of a surprise when I found a third.)

1. Thomas Jones (HMS Duke of Wellington (1852)
2. James Henry Tubb (HMS Nile (1839)
3. Thomas Bailey (HMS Bulldog)

William White and Susan Lynes

St John the Baptist & All Saints, Lakenham
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Graham Hardy - geograph.org.uk/p/153352

William White (b. 1834, bap. 26 Jun 1836 in Mattishall), son of William White and Ann Francis, married Susan Lynes, on 21 Apr 1856, at St John the Baptist, Lakenham, Norwich. Susan lists her father as Thomas Lynes, Gamekeeper. In 1851, Susan Lynes, then giving her age as 26, from South Creake, Norfolk was Servant to the Curate of Thorpe, Thorpe St Andrew. 

William and Susan had three children:

1. Alice White b. 27 Feb 1857 (1857 M Quarter in NORWICH Volume 04B Page 126), bap. 3 May 1857 in Thorpe Hamlet
2. Henrietta Frances White b. 1860 J Qtr in NORWICH Vol 04B Page 155
3. William Francis White b. 1862 M Qtr in NORWICH Vol 04B Page 143

In 1861, William White (27) Market Gardener; Susan White (32 ish) from South Creake, Norfolk and Alice White (4) were living in the household of William Watson (27) in King Street, St Julian, Norwich. (William Watson was married to Mary Ann White, William White's older sister.)

In 1871, William White (36) Gardener; Susan White (claiming to be only 39), Alice White (14), Henrietta White (11) and Francis White (9) were living in Trory Street, Lakenham, Norwich.

Susan White died, said to be 54, on 7 Mar 1881 M Quarter in NORWICH Volume 04B Page 102 and Susan the wife of William White, was buried at Rosary Cemetery, Norwich (along with Francis Martyn, the husband of William's sister Ann White.)

In 1881, William White (45) Widower, Gardener from Mattishall, Norfolk; Alice White (24) Labourer Gardener; Henrietta White (21) Housekeeper and William F White (19) Gardener were living at Ivory Street, Norwich Lakenham, Norwich.

William White died, at 50, in 1885 J Quarter in NORWICH Volume 04B Page 95.

William George S Broome and Louisa Adcock Soppit

Church of St Martin-in-the-Fields
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © N Chadwick - geograph.org.uk/p/6466193
English Anglican church at the north-east corner of Trafalgar Square. There has been a church on the site since at least the medieval period. It was at that time located in the farmlands and fields.

William George Sommers Broome (b. 1884), Marine Engineer, son of William Sommers Broome and Mary Ann Dunbar, married Louisa Adcock Soppit (b. 26 Oct 1887 in Bromley, Kent), daughter of John Soppit and Louisa Tompson at the church of St Martin-in-the-Fields, on 21 Apr 1913. Witnesses were John Soppit, bride's father and Mary Ann Broome, presumably groom's mother.

William and Louisa had two children:

1. Margaret Broome b. 1914 M Quarter in LEWISHAM Vol 1D Page 2122 (Died aged 1, in 1915 D Quarter in LAMBETH Vol 01D Page 509)
2. John Sommers Broome b. 19 Nov 1915 D Quarter in LEWISHAM Volume 01D Page 1946

In 1921, William Broome (37) Laundry Proprietor from West Norwood, London; Louisa Broom (33), John Broome (5) and Mary Broome (71) William's mother, were living at 57, Ladywell Road, Lewisham.

William George Sommers Broome died, aged just 38, on 19 Mar 1923 (1923 M Quarter in LEWISHAM Volume 01D Page 1098). Probate was granted to his widow, Louisa Adcock Broome, on 25 Jul 1924.

In 1939, Louisa A Broome, Laundry Director, Widow, was still living at 57 Ladywell Road, Ladywell, Lewisham. Living with her was her sister-in-law, Rachel Soppit (widow of Joseph Daniel Soppit) and her three children.

Louisa Adcock Broome died, aged 76, in December 1963 and was buried on 24 Dec 1963 at Ladywell Cemetery.

(Son John Sommers Broom died on 18 Jul 2004, aged 89.)

Robert Stokes and Susanna Judd

St Mary, Great Canfield - East end
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © John Salmon - geograph.org.uk/p/5059305

Robert Stokes (b. ~1765 no clues yet as to where he was from) married Susanna Judd (bap. 24 Jun 1764 in Great Canfield), daughter of John and Susanna Judd, on 20 Apr 1784 at her parish of St Mary, Great Canfield. 

Robert and Susanna Stokes had five children:

1. Jane Stokes bap. 29 Aug 1784 in Great Canfield
2. John Stokes bap. 5 Nov 1786 in Great Canfield
3. William Stokes bap. 8 Nov 1789 in Great Canfield
4. Joseph Stokes bap. 25 Sep 1792 in Great Canfield
5. James Stokes bap. 28 Aug 1796 in Little Canfield

Robert Stokes died, aged around 75, in 1840 S Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 12 Page 52, and was buried on 11 Aug 1840 in Great Dunmow.

In 1841, the widowed Susan Stokes (78) was living with her son-in-law and daughter, John and Jane Byatt, in Hickeys Lane, Little Canfield. 

Susan Stokes died in 1852 M Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 04A Page 218 was buried, on 1 Mar 1852, at All Saints, Little Canfield. The GRO death registration over estimated her age to 94, but she'll have been 88.