A mystery............ any ideas on how to solve it?

[kiterunner]

Originally Posted by Margaret in Burton

No, Kate. Don't know when he died

Margaret, I know you don't know when he died, but sometimes you can find an elusive death by searching the National Probate Calendar. You only have to look at one fiche for each year of your search.

[Margaret in Burton]

Originally Posted by kiterunner

Margaret, I know you don't know when he died, but sometimes you can find an elusive death by searching the National Probate Calendar. You only have to look at one fiche for each year of your search.

I don't have access to it. Would you be able to check it for me?

[kiterunner]

Yes, I could have a go, Margaret. I should be going some time in the next week.

[Margaret in Burton]

Thank you Kate

[Margaret in Burton]

I've sent for Agnes, the youngest daughters birth cert. She was registered Dec qtr 1878. That may throw some light on whether Thomas was alive or not.

Estimated dispatch date 18th Sept

[Merry]

*makes note in diary*

[Margaret in Burton]

Thanks Merry.

But, could it say father Thomas John Stanbridge even if he is long dead or missing? A married woman has the assumption that the father is her husband surely, so unless the registrar knew her circumstances........................

[Merry]

I agree, it's just that if you don't have the cert you might miss that the birth was registered by the husband!! (you never know).

It was because the birth cert is probably only going to give you a small chance of finding out something more that I suggested looking at the baptism, where fooling the vicar might be more tricky! It was only after I'd suggested that, that I realised they were RC and you said finding the baps was not easy.

[kiterunner]

Sorry, Margaret, I searched the National Probate Calendar from 1871 to 1885 but there was no entry for him.

[Margaret in Burton]

Originally Posted by kiterunner

Sorry, Margaret, I searched the National Probate Calendar from 1871 to 1885 but there was no entry for him.

Thanks Kate

I'm not suprised though. Quite a few family members have repeated the same story, that he just disappeared. One was a connection that I made over the internet and has never met any of OH's family. He is connected in a different place.

He either did a runner on purpose or was perhaps mentally ill and wandered off. He could have been found dead where no-one knew him.

I am still waiting for the youngest childs birth cert, see if that gives any clues as to if he was still around.