Genealogy Chat

Anne, Irene, Gwynneth thank you for your very helpful suggestions. I'm fairly certain Alfred is elsewhere in 1881, but I will have to doublecheck. I will have a go at some of the others when I get some enthusiasm back!!! Thanks again, you folk are brilliant. nell

Have you 'walked' the area where the family lived at the time of Ruth's death in the offchance that your family have been transcribed with the surname of the family above them, on an enumerator's list? I found one of my families like that. ( Feel like I'm teaching Grannie to suck eggs here)

Perhaps as his wife just died William took her body home to have her buried and is not in London time of census. Have you checked the area Ruth came from or her family or William's family. He might have taken his son back to be cared for by a family member. Irene

Hi Nell I'm sure you have tried every which way but... Was Alfred the son born abt 1855/56? and what was his occupation? And do you have him in 1891? What was the address of Ruth death 1880? Searching Ancestry index 81 for all Camberwell and there is a whole bunch of unamed people, with approx ages at a Coffee House in Camberwell - owned by David Field. Source information: RG11/0692 Registration district: Camberwell Sub-registration district: Peckham ED, institution, or vessel: 48 Folio: 61 Page: 37 The CD of 1881 which I have, also appears the same. Also on C81 is the following: Institution: 'Camberwell House' Lunatic Asylum Peckham Road Census Place: Camberwell, Surrey, England Source: FHL Film 1341158 PRO Ref RG11 Piece 0679 Folio 110 Page 15 Alfred M. 30 M Rel: Patient That's all it says - though if Aldred Matthews was born abt 1855 the age is off, I wondered - since Alfred was deaf from birth, if somehow he was also considered a lunatic and ended up in the asylum after his mother died? I also searched 81 on Ancestry for any male in Camberwell with occupation Cow* or Dairy* - no results to match william... He is certainley elusive! Cheers Anne

Abbess Thank you for your time and trouble. I think you're right. I've also lost the blighter's brother George in 1861 and his brother Henry in 1901. What a crew! nell

My suggestion is that you research Smiths instead! I have searched: Londoners born Warwickshire 5 yrs either side his birth Londoners born Whic* Londoners born Wic* All this flushed a John Mathews out of the woodwork but not your man. How about doing a frame-by-frame of Camberwell and Peckham? :-)) I suspect that you'll only spot him by his occupation, that he's a lodger somewhere and the head of household has guessed at some of the details. Good luck!

Thanks anyway, Chrissie. I've been having a frustrating time looking for various people who don't want to be found. nell

Sorry Nell Tried everything that I can think of but no joy. Will try again if I have any bright ideas. Chrissie x

Sorry Jess Ruth was born Wiltshire (it says Chapmanslade on 1861), Alfred was born Comton (what it says 1871!!!) but 1861 has Surrey, Walworth - and thanks Jess, I just re-checked the image and it says Alfred was dumb from birth! This is not on 1871 census. 1861 RG9/385 Folio: 103 Page: 66 Registration district: Camberwell Sub-registration district: Peckham 1871 RG10/723 Folio: 7 Page: 8 Registration district: Camberwell Sub-registration district: Camberwell Here's another odd thing - when I look at Alfred's household in 1871 it lists him, Ruth and their visitors, but NOT William, although he is clearly on the census sheet as head of household?!! nell

can you post 1871 please trying to work out where Ruth and sunny Jim born

I've re-checked 1871 and its 38. Thanks. nell

Nell Are you sure about the 1871 one? Shouldn't he be more like 37 years old (not 30)? Chrissie

WILLIAM MATTHEWS born 1834 in Whichford, Warwickshire. 1851 in Whichford in 1851 with parents and siblings 1861 age 27 at 1 Christianna Cottages, George Street, Peckham with wife Ruth and son Alfred. Occupation: dairyman's labourer 1871 age 30, with wife Ruth and son Alfred , plus 2 visitors at 30 South Street, Camberwell, occupation: cowkeeper. 1891 age 57, single [Ruth died 1880] 126 Landells Road, Camberwell occupation: milk cowman 1901 age 67, Inmate, sick at Peckham District Workhouse. Occupation: retired milk carrier, b. Wickford. I have looked for all Williams born 1830-40 in Warwickshire, and all Matthews/Mathews. I'm stuck. Any ideas how Matthews could be mistranscribed? nell

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