Genealogy Chat

Just to say that the death certificate for Ebenezer Hart confirms it is the same address that Violet wrote from about the death of her 'father'. Thanks to all who helped me to locate her. Lesley

As a rider to the above, in the 1891 Census Ebenezer was living in Villiers Street. This is the very same street where Violet Hilda was born, so I think you've cracked it for me. Thanks again. Lesley

Thanks for all your comments. Judith, I think you have found her for me. I'll send for the death certificate and that will give me the address. I really didn't expect a result so soon. It does seem that the Harts probably fostered children. Thank you all so very much for your help. I'll post an update when I've got the certificate. Yvonne - thank you for offering to do a look up in Hillingdon. I may take you up on that if I draw a blank with the certificate. Lesley

Have found Ebenezer on the 1891 census - the surname was HART. Yes, I wondered if they were fostering - especially as they also had 2 very young boarders in 1891. Ebenezer HART died in the December quarter of 1911 aged 82 (ref Uxbridge 3a 60) which pretty well clinches it I think. He surely must be the 'dear father' that Violet wrote about.

Interesting that the 'Hast' family have two very young boarders. Could this be an indication that they fostered? Uxbridge and Hillingdon are close enough for the birth place to be confused.

Initially i read the excert from the lettter and thought , MMM, titles are a bit mixed here, then it struck me, I think Violet was writing to her mother , yes, but the 'mother' she refers to at the end kind of reads that she may infact be V's gran. Follow me?

If she was born August 1892 she would have been 8 on the night of the 1901 census. How about this girl: Census place West Hillingdon Address 13 Becketts Terrace Ebenezer Hast (or could be Hart) Head mar 70 coach maker Suffolk Framlingham Jane do wife mar 60 Berkshire Reading Violet H do daughter 8 Middlesex Uxbridge Alexandra Earl boarder 5 London Paddington John T Noble boarder 3 London Paddington Sarah Wise Wid 40 visitor Cornwall RG13/1177 folio 58 page 20 Jane certainly seems too old to be Violet's natural mother and I can't find a birth reg for a Violet H Hart or Hast in the right time frame.

Thank you for your suggestions. I had not thought of looking in a post office directory or electoral register. Tracy - the child was named Violet Hilda Rolfe and registered in the subdistrict of Hillingdon, Uxbridge. DOB 7th August 1892. Mother Mary Rolfe, no father given. I can't find a Violet Rolfe or even a Violet born in Hillingdon in 1892 in the 1901 census. There are 30 female births in Hillingdon in the census but having looked at each one I don't think Violet is there under a different name. The letter that has been found was written to Violet's natural mother. Although it was found amongst Violet's half brother's possessions, he did not know of her existence. When he knew he was dying, he revealed to his family that there was an illegitimate brother, Dennis who was killed in WW1. In turn, his daughter did not know of Violet's existence until I told her, so she has been sifting through her father's possessions and came across this letter. Violet writes on the 13th November, 1911, 'My dear mother, with much sorrow I write to inform you of the death of dear father.......................' and ends 'With much love from mother and myself, from your daughter Violet.' And according to my mother in law, Violet's natural mother used to keep in touch and send her presents. But would she have only used the name Violet to her natural mother? Perhaps I'll just have to wait until the 1911 census comes along. Lesley

The fact that this child was able to write to her half-brother shows that she wasn't whisked away and never had any contact again. Perhaps she was brought up by a relative of some kind - does the birth cert name a father? I think she may well have kept her original name, but if it was changed, there won't be any record of it. Good luck. nell

You need to check a Post office Directory or Electoral Rolls for the address for the date of the letter, to find out the names of the people living there. These should be held in books at the local main library to the address. They may do a lookup if you phone or email....libraries are usually pretty helpful! Once you have some names you MAY be able to trace the people on the 1901 census and hopefully they will have a daughter the right age...... How is the letter signed off?? Merry

Christian names don't often change, but it depends on how well they wanted to hide the child. If you give me a name and dob, I'll see if I can find them.

We have discovered that my mother-in-law's aunt had an illegitimate child in 1892. My mother in law remembers her own mother and aunt talking about her and the child was either fostered or adopted. I have the birth certificate for the child but can find no trace of her in the 1901 census under her birth name or just her christian name, year of birth and birthplace. I see from these boards that adoption was not made official until 1928. Is it likely that the child's christian names would have been changed? Another relative who didn't know this child existed has found a letter from this person amongst her late father's possessions (her father would have been brother to the illegitimate child) which was written in 1911 and gives her address. It is a well written letter and she writes about the death of her 'dear father' and that her mother 'is bearing up, owing to strength from one above.' I have looked at this address in the 1901 census but there is no one living there of a suitable age. I have also searched by age alone and birthplace. Having looked at the census images there are one or two possibilities out of a list of 30. As it's a few more years until the 1911 census is released, has anyone got any more suggestions as to how I might find this person? Lesley

See below.