Genealogy Chat

hi all. my grandad was married twice and his family from the first marriage had really short lives, apart from two member.First of all, his wife, Jane. her dads first wife Alice died age 26, the Janes mum Margaret died age 28, then her dad died age 39, then she died age 36, then her eldest son died WW1 age 32, then she lost 2 daughters all within 8 years of being born, 1 and 8 years of age, that left only 1 dau and 1 son. The daughter lived to be 70 and I dont know about the son as I havnt found his death yet. But am I glad that I was the product of that marriage? I know that sounds awful, but its true. TED.

Well Ted, if you weren't you wouldn't know anything about it, would you? But some lives are sad. My great-grandmother was pregnant 9 times but only raised 3 children to adulthood. She had to register two babies' deaths when she was pregnant. nell

Hi Ted, I know what you mean about it being sad. I felt really sad, when I found out that my GGran, born in Gibraltar in 1873, married my GGrandad in 1891, died in the workhouse in Prestwich with TB. She was 24 and had three little children. I have not been able to trace any of the Spanish side of the family and would love to know if any of them exist. Ann

Ann, hi, yea there are some really sad things in life arent there? In your case Ive no idea how to get info about a spanish family except looking on the 1901 census for the children, then trying to find them marrying on the FREE BMD which would bring you up to the early 1900s and possiblly there could be some grandchildren who might know something. Have you looked for a rootweb mailing list for Spain, and Gibralter? being such a small place it might be easier to find someone in Gibralter seeing that they probably used the English form of Births deaths and marriages.Take care LOVE TED XX

helen, hi, it must have been a terrible life for women in those early years, just having kids every year, on year until they just couldnt then they pegged out. Dont know about you but I would sooner live in the world we have, despite all the problems, then live in those days, and remember it was only just over 100 years ago. TED XX

Hi Ted, I have all the details of the children from the 1901 census. My GGrandad remarried a year after her death. My Grandad was born in Egypt as GG was a soldier stationed there. The two girls were born here. Where do I need to look for the Spanish connections. I did have a contact through GR who is married to a Spaniard with the same surname, but we couldn't find any connection. I think she has now stopped as I haven't heard from her for ages. Ann

About a year ago I was told a story by a lady who's mother had been a nurse passed the story on... A young woman of about 20 was ill in hosptial (with TB I think), she had 3 small children. As she got worse and closer to death she stopped fighting andwas asked if she had why and if any regrets. The girl said 'no, my life is over, i've done my job'. Is poor girl saw here only role in life as a baby factory for her husband, and in having children here job was done - so what did she have to live for. I'm sure the same girl today would regret not living her life to the full and not seeing here children grow up. This is just a sign of the times. We have to remember that today life expectency is over 75 but a hundred years ago the life expectency was 40 (which would make me middle aged).

Lunar. thats how they thought. The thinking was the more children you have, they more there are to look after you in your old age, but they never seemed to understand that they didnt live to old age, well not all of them. Poor girl, 3 childlren at 20, that even beats the youngsters today. How sad. TED XX

Ann, ive no idea to he honest with you. I suppose you could write to the Spanish Embassy in London to ask them how to begin, or post a message on GC asking for help, they are a a good lot here and theres bound to be someone who'se had your problem and will be able to help. Sorry I cant help you. ted xx

Ann, something similar on the list. someone is looking for rellies in MALTA and have asked if anyone knows about BMDs for the Island, and someone has come up with an answer, so its worth you asking. TED XX

I have a family with similar happenings. My gt.gt grandad. He married a girl who was already a widow. She then had three children with him, then died at 26, must have got ill shortly after last baby. He remarried a couple of years later, three months after he died. He was 25, he was younger than his wife. All the children were put into institutions. It then came to light the wifes daughter by her 1st marriage, (father died before baby born) died in her early 20's. It's very sad.

My great great grandfather outlived all his nine children and wife. It does seems rather unfair. I felt rather sad.. silly old fool me! but that is life.

Hi Ted, Thanks for your replies to me. I will read the thread for Malta and see what the answer is. Thanks again, Ann