When one finds an ancestor who has voluntarily joined the Military there is always the hope that their is an accompanying story of heroism and endeavour to uncover. The reality is often very different and rather more mundane ...
William Arthur Norris (born c 1883) was a son of Jacob Norris, a brother of my Great Grandfather Herbert George Norris.
In January 1902 William Arthur Norris joined the Lancers of the Line and the Cavalry of the British Army. He took his oath of loyalty in London on January 20th and, having been pronounced physically fit, was given the service number 5606,
William Arthur's Service Record provides us with the following information ...
It tells us that he was born in Vauxhall, London, Surrey; that his age upon entry was 18 years, 11 months and that his occupation was as a printer. The Service Record also indicates that he had previously been living with his father and that he had neither been an apprentice or in prison.
His height is given as 5 feet 7 and 3/4 inches, weight 136 lbs and chest 34-36 inches
His complexion is described as sallow, his hair brown and his eyes blue.One distinguishing mark is identified - a blue mark on the left forearm.
William Arthur's religion is given as Church of England
On the 22nd of January William Arthur was posted to the 12th Lancers and joined his unit in Ballincollig, in Ireland, on the 24th. His service lasted just 57 days. On 17th of March 1902 he was discharged "as not likely to become an efficient soldier"
At the back of his Service Record we find a note of his next of kin. His father Jacob Norris is mentioned first, and his address is given as C/o Mr Reed's Yard, Mill Street Bermondsey. Then three older brothers are mentioned. The first is Sam Norris - address unknown ...! An exciting find as this is the first time we have come across him and so appears to be one of the two children of Jacob & Elizabeth that we had hitherto not been able to find! The other two brothers mentioned are Frederick Norris of 18, Neckenger St, Bermondsey, and Albert George Norris of 24(?) Long Lane, Bermondsey.
Thursday, 31 January 2013
Monday, 28 January 2013
John Funnell & Elizabeth Bristow
In the 1911 Census we find that there was a boarder residing in the home of my great grandparents, Frederick and Elizabeth Bristow, and their family. His name was John Funnell. In the 1911 Census his age is given as 10 years and his place of birth as Wivelsfield, Sussex.
In 1911 John is living with the Bristows at Old Farm Chailey Green. Lucy Bristow, my grandmother, is also there, aged 12 years. My mum remembers that Frederick and Elizabeth had a very close relationship with John Funnell and that they were like a mum and dad to him.This is rather confirmed by the two photographs here.
Looking at the returns for the 1901 Census we find John living with his parents in Wivelsfield Road, Wivelsfield. His father is John Funnell, a 33 year old Cowman, and his mother Anna, aged 32 years.
If we want to know why John was residing with the Bristows in 1911 we perhaps find the answer in the death records, where we have the death of an Anna Funnel registered at Lewes in the third quarter of 1907.
John Funnell died at Southland Hospital, Shoreham-by-Sea, Sussex on 28th December 1947.
It is interesting to find that John Funnell's estate of just over £568 was administered by a Ann Esther Ellen Langridge, the wife of Henry Cecil Langridge. The marriage records indicate that Henry Cecil Langridge married Anna E E Funnell in 1937. In the 1911 Census an Ester (sic) Funnell, aged 5, was living with a John and Eva Wright in Wivelsfield. John's occupation is given as Cowman Gardner. John's relationship (as Head) to Ester is given as "nurse child". This leads me to wonder whether John had a sister who, after the death of their mother, went and lived with another family whilst he went and stayed with the Bristows. This sister then administered his estate upon his death.
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| John Funnell with Elizabeth Bristow |
Looking at the returns for the 1901 Census we find John living with his parents in Wivelsfield Road, Wivelsfield. His father is John Funnell, a 33 year old Cowman, and his mother Anna, aged 32 years.
If we want to know why John was residing with the Bristows in 1911 we perhaps find the answer in the death records, where we have the death of an Anna Funnel registered at Lewes in the third quarter of 1907.
John Funnell died at Southland Hospital, Shoreham-by-Sea, Sussex on 28th December 1947.
It is interesting to find that John Funnell's estate of just over £568 was administered by a Ann Esther Ellen Langridge, the wife of Henry Cecil Langridge. The marriage records indicate that Henry Cecil Langridge married Anna E E Funnell in 1937. In the 1911 Census an Ester (sic) Funnell, aged 5, was living with a John and Eva Wright in Wivelsfield. John's occupation is given as Cowman Gardner. John's relationship (as Head) to Ester is given as "nurse child". This leads me to wonder whether John had a sister who, after the death of their mother, went and lived with another family whilst he went and stayed with the Bristows. This sister then administered his estate upon his death.
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| John Funnell and Elizabeth Bristow |
With thanks to Ian Braban for supplying both the photographs on this page!
Monday, 21 January 2013
The Children of Jacob Norris
Jacob was my Great, Great Grandfather. On 1st June 1868, at the age of 21 he married Eliza Hughes, then aged 20, at St Peter and Paul, Kilmersdon, Somerset. In the 1911 Census his wife Eliza is said to have had 10 children, 6 of whom are still living and 4 whom have died. Who are these children? To date these are identified as:
1) William Arthur - born c1883
In the 1911 Census he is living with his parents. He is aged 28, his estimated birth date is 1883 and his place of birth given as Vauxhall. He is employed as a Policeman in the Docks.
In the 1901 Census he appears as William, aged 18; he is living with his parents and his birth place is given as Clapham, London. He is employed as a printer's labourer.
In the 1891 Census he appears as William, aged 8; he is living with his parents and his place of birth is given as Notting Hill.
2) Henry "Harry" Charles - born c 1885
In the 1911 Census he is living with his parents. He is aged 26, his estimated birth date is 1885 and his place of birth is given as Vauxhall. He is employed as a Hatter's Labourer.
In the 1901 Census he appears as Henry, aged 16; he is living with his parents and his place of birth is given as Clapham, London. He is employed as a Van Guard.
In the 1891 Census he appears as Harry, aged 6; he is living with his parents and his place of birth is given as Notting Hill.
3) Margaret Norris - born c 1881
To date I have only found Margaret in the 1881 Census. Here she is living with her parents and she is less than a year old. Her place of birth is given as Notting Hill, Latimer Road. Perhaps she is one of the four children who had died by 1911?
4) Edith G - born c 1880
In the 1891 Census she is living with her parents. She is aged 11, her estimated birth date is 1880 and her place of birth given as Notting Hill.
In the 1881 Census she appears as Edith G., aged 1. She is living with her parents and her place of birth is given as Notting Hill, Clarendon Road.
It is highly likely that Edith G was the Edith Gertrude who married George Albert Hinton in the first quarter of 1900 in the district of St Olave, Southwark. In 1901 they are living at 4 Russell Scott Buildings, St Crispins, Bermondsey. Edith's place of birth is given as Notting Hill London and she is aged 21 years, facts which would both seem to confirm the identification.Husband George is aged 25 in this Census, his place of birth is given as Bermondsey and he is employed as a Labourer in a Flour Mill.
5) Albert J - born c 1876
In the 1891 Census he is living with his parents. He is aged 16, his estimated birth date is 1875 and his place of birth is given as Charlton. He is employed as a Carman's Assistant.
In the 1881 Census he appears as Albert J, aged 5 with an estimated date of birth of 1876. He is living with his parents and his place of birth is given as Marston Beech Lane.
It is extremely likely that Albert J Norris is the same person who appears in the 1911 Census as Albert James Norris. Albert is living with his wife Lydia (38 years, born in Dudley, 1873) at 6 Vauban Street, Bermondsey. Albert works as a Labourer in a Saw Mill, and they have a daughter Edith who is aged 14 and a Factory Hand in a Pickle Factory. The same family appears in the 1901 Census living at 164 Long Lane, Bermondsey. Albert is aged 25 years; he is described as a Carman Out of Employment and his place of birth given as Somersetshire. In the same Census Edith appears as Edith M and Lydia is spelt Lidia. This, I believe, is the Lydia Bellingham who married an Albert James Norris in the first quarter of 1898 in the registration district of St. Saviour Southwark.
6) Frederick J - born c 1874
In the 1891 Census he living with his parents. He is aged 17, his estimated birth date is 1874 and his place of birth is given as Charlton.
In the 1881 Census he appears as Frederick J, aged 7. He is living with his parents and his place of birth is given as Ferry Hill, Somerset.
It is likely that Frederick J was Frederick John Norris and that he married Rebecca Martha Miller who was from Kent in the final quarter of 1894. This was in the registration district of St Saviour Southwark. In the 1911 Census - which someone made quite a mess completing! - we find Frederick (aged 37) and Rebecca living at 17 Dunlop Place, Bermondsey. Frederick is employed as a Waterside Labourer. The couple have been married 17 years and they have 9 children born alive of whom 8 are still alive. Children living with Frederick and Rebecca in 1911 were:
(1) Frederick John Norris - aged 14, born c 1897 in London Bermondsey, employed as a Mill Boy
(2) William Arthur Norris - aged 12, born c 1899 in London Bermondsey
(3) Henry Searle Norris - aged 10, born c 1901 in London Bermondsey
(4) Ernest George Norris - aged 8, born c 1903 in London Bermondsey
(5) Robert James Norris - aged 2, born c 1909 in London Bermondsey
(6) Rebecca Mary Elizabeth Norris - aged 3 weeks, born c 1911 in London Bermondsey
7) Herbert George - born c 1872
Herbert George was my Great Grandfather. In the 1891 Census he is living with his parents. He is aged 19, his estimated birth date is 1872 and his place of birth is given as Charlton. He is employed as a Machine Painter
In the 1881 Census he appears as Herbert G. and is living with his parents, aged 9. His birth place is again given as Charlton
8) Annie - born c 1870
In the 1881 Census she is living with her parents. She is aged 11, her estimated birth date is 1870 and her place of birth is given as Charlton.
In the 1871 Census neither Annie nor her mother are resident with Jacob at the Toll Gate Buckland Dinham, Kilmersdon, Frome. Instead they appear to be found in the home of Eliza's parents, Matthew and Ann Hughes, at Charlton Village Turnpike Toll House, Kilmersdon, Frome. (Note; Eliza appears as Ellen Norris, aged 22, estimated year of birth 1849; Annie appears as Ann Norris, aged 1, estimated year of birth 1870).
To date 8 of Eliza's ten children have been identified, 2 remain. As always, any thoughts or help will be greatly appreciated!
1) William Arthur - born c1883
In the 1911 Census he is living with his parents. He is aged 28, his estimated birth date is 1883 and his place of birth given as Vauxhall. He is employed as a Policeman in the Docks.
In the 1901 Census he appears as William, aged 18; he is living with his parents and his birth place is given as Clapham, London. He is employed as a printer's labourer.
In the 1891 Census he appears as William, aged 8; he is living with his parents and his place of birth is given as Notting Hill.
2) Henry "Harry" Charles - born c 1885
In the 1911 Census he is living with his parents. He is aged 26, his estimated birth date is 1885 and his place of birth is given as Vauxhall. He is employed as a Hatter's Labourer.
In the 1901 Census he appears as Henry, aged 16; he is living with his parents and his place of birth is given as Clapham, London. He is employed as a Van Guard.
In the 1891 Census he appears as Harry, aged 6; he is living with his parents and his place of birth is given as Notting Hill.
3) Margaret Norris - born c 1881
To date I have only found Margaret in the 1881 Census. Here she is living with her parents and she is less than a year old. Her place of birth is given as Notting Hill, Latimer Road. Perhaps she is one of the four children who had died by 1911?
4) Edith G - born c 1880
In the 1891 Census she is living with her parents. She is aged 11, her estimated birth date is 1880 and her place of birth given as Notting Hill.
In the 1881 Census she appears as Edith G., aged 1. She is living with her parents and her place of birth is given as Notting Hill, Clarendon Road.
It is highly likely that Edith G was the Edith Gertrude who married George Albert Hinton in the first quarter of 1900 in the district of St Olave, Southwark. In 1901 they are living at 4 Russell Scott Buildings, St Crispins, Bermondsey. Edith's place of birth is given as Notting Hill London and she is aged 21 years, facts which would both seem to confirm the identification.Husband George is aged 25 in this Census, his place of birth is given as Bermondsey and he is employed as a Labourer in a Flour Mill.
5) Albert J - born c 1876
In the 1891 Census he is living with his parents. He is aged 16, his estimated birth date is 1875 and his place of birth is given as Charlton. He is employed as a Carman's Assistant.
In the 1881 Census he appears as Albert J, aged 5 with an estimated date of birth of 1876. He is living with his parents and his place of birth is given as Marston Beech Lane.
It is extremely likely that Albert J Norris is the same person who appears in the 1911 Census as Albert James Norris. Albert is living with his wife Lydia (38 years, born in Dudley, 1873) at 6 Vauban Street, Bermondsey. Albert works as a Labourer in a Saw Mill, and they have a daughter Edith who is aged 14 and a Factory Hand in a Pickle Factory. The same family appears in the 1901 Census living at 164 Long Lane, Bermondsey. Albert is aged 25 years; he is described as a Carman Out of Employment and his place of birth given as Somersetshire. In the same Census Edith appears as Edith M and Lydia is spelt Lidia. This, I believe, is the Lydia Bellingham who married an Albert James Norris in the first quarter of 1898 in the registration district of St. Saviour Southwark.
6) Frederick J - born c 1874
In the 1891 Census he living with his parents. He is aged 17, his estimated birth date is 1874 and his place of birth is given as Charlton.
In the 1881 Census he appears as Frederick J, aged 7. He is living with his parents and his place of birth is given as Ferry Hill, Somerset.
It is likely that Frederick J was Frederick John Norris and that he married Rebecca Martha Miller who was from Kent in the final quarter of 1894. This was in the registration district of St Saviour Southwark. In the 1911 Census - which someone made quite a mess completing! - we find Frederick (aged 37) and Rebecca living at 17 Dunlop Place, Bermondsey. Frederick is employed as a Waterside Labourer. The couple have been married 17 years and they have 9 children born alive of whom 8 are still alive. Children living with Frederick and Rebecca in 1911 were:
(1) Frederick John Norris - aged 14, born c 1897 in London Bermondsey, employed as a Mill Boy
(2) William Arthur Norris - aged 12, born c 1899 in London Bermondsey
(3) Henry Searle Norris - aged 10, born c 1901 in London Bermondsey
(4) Ernest George Norris - aged 8, born c 1903 in London Bermondsey
(5) Robert James Norris - aged 2, born c 1909 in London Bermondsey
(6) Rebecca Mary Elizabeth Norris - aged 3 weeks, born c 1911 in London Bermondsey
7) Herbert George - born c 1872
Herbert George was my Great Grandfather. In the 1891 Census he is living with his parents. He is aged 19, his estimated birth date is 1872 and his place of birth is given as Charlton. He is employed as a Machine Painter
In the 1881 Census he appears as Herbert G. and is living with his parents, aged 9. His birth place is again given as Charlton
8) Annie - born c 1870
In the 1881 Census she is living with her parents. She is aged 11, her estimated birth date is 1870 and her place of birth is given as Charlton.
In the 1871 Census neither Annie nor her mother are resident with Jacob at the Toll Gate Buckland Dinham, Kilmersdon, Frome. Instead they appear to be found in the home of Eliza's parents, Matthew and Ann Hughes, at Charlton Village Turnpike Toll House, Kilmersdon, Frome. (Note; Eliza appears as Ellen Norris, aged 22, estimated year of birth 1849; Annie appears as Ann Norris, aged 1, estimated year of birth 1870).
To date 8 of Eliza's ten children have been identified, 2 remain. As always, any thoughts or help will be greatly appreciated!
Wednesday, 16 January 2013
The Trial of Jacob Norris
Jacob Norris was my great, great grandfather. In July 1879 he was in court accused of a violent assault on a woman at Frome ...
What follows is from the Western Daily Press, 26th July 1879; the comments in brackets are my own ...
"At the Frome petty session, on Thursday, Jacob Norris carter, aged 28, was brought up on remand charged with violently assaulting Mrs Targett, on Monday evening, at Marston Back Lane. The case was adjourned on Tuesday, the prosecutrix (victim / complainant - Ed.) being unable to attend in consequence of the severe injuries she had received. Mr W Dunn prosecuted, and Mr MCarthy defended the prisoner. The prosecutrix (i.e. the victim, Mrs Targett - Ed.) said she was 62 years of age and lodged with Mrs Hughes, occupying the first floor. (The) Prisoner (was) married (to) Mrs Hughes daughter (Elisabeth Hughes - Ed.). On Monday evening she was sitting in her room and heard the front door being broken open. Mrs Hughes and her granddaughter came running towards her. Just before she saw the prisoner cross the barton (yard - Ed.). As he came up the stairs he made use of bad language, and said that he would murder her, although she had never given him a misword. They tried to keep him out by putting some boxes against the door, but he got his knee between the door and the post, and hammered her fingers with his fist, and ground her right arm up and down the edge of the door, inflicting some severe scars. She then cried "Murder", and he knocked her in the mouth with his fist. When he got into the room he flung the boxes and furniture about, kicked her in the leg so violently that she had not been able since to put her boot on, and used violent language towards her. She then jumped out of the bedroom window which was eleven feet from the ground. Dr Sproule had attended her, and she had been unable to sit up until that day. In cross examination she denied that her arm was injured through striking at (the) prisoner round the door, and her leg scratched as she descended from the bedroom window. She did not know whether the prisoner's wife was in the house or not. (A strange thing not to know! - Ed). Mrs Hughes and Dennis Drew, neighbours, gave corroborative evidence. Dr Sproule who attended complainent, said her injuries were not very great. For the defence Mr E.J. Russell, builder, for whom the prisoner worked, and William Hillman were called. The former stated that he and (the) prisoner were going to Nunney with a load of timber. When they got to Marston Lane (the) prisoner's wife (Elisabeth Norris nee Hughes - Ed) brought out her two children and their clothes, and put them up into the waggon. He told (the) prisoner he had better go and see his wife, and induce her to take the children. As he was trying to get into the room he saw a woman put her hand round the edge of the door and try to strike him. He was sure (the) prisoner did not strike anyone. One of the women in the room said (the) prisoner's wife was there. The bench said that they had come to the conclusion that (the) prisoner had used undue violence, and there was no doubt but that his treatment had induced (the) prosecutrix (the victim / complainant, Mrs Targett - Ed) to jump out of the window. The should commit him to prison for two months with hard labour, and at the expiration of that term require him to find sureties for his good behaviour for three months; in default to be further imprisoned for that period".
Perhaps this is the reason (or part of the reason) why the Norris family moved from Somerset to London. In the 1881 census (less than 2 years after these events) Jacob Norris is found living with his family in Lambeth - and these include two children, one in 1880 and one in 1881, who have been both born in Notting Hill! Perhaps Jacob went to prison in London and remained there after his release? Or perhaps the family wanted a fresh start somewhere new? As always, any help or thoughts are greatly appreciated!
What follows is from the Western Daily Press, 26th July 1879; the comments in brackets are my own ...
"At the Frome petty session, on Thursday, Jacob Norris carter, aged 28, was brought up on remand charged with violently assaulting Mrs Targett, on Monday evening, at Marston Back Lane. The case was adjourned on Tuesday, the prosecutrix (victim / complainant - Ed.) being unable to attend in consequence of the severe injuries she had received. Mr W Dunn prosecuted, and Mr MCarthy defended the prisoner. The prosecutrix (i.e. the victim, Mrs Targett - Ed.) said she was 62 years of age and lodged with Mrs Hughes, occupying the first floor. (The) Prisoner (was) married (to) Mrs Hughes daughter (Elisabeth Hughes - Ed.). On Monday evening she was sitting in her room and heard the front door being broken open. Mrs Hughes and her granddaughter came running towards her. Just before she saw the prisoner cross the barton (yard - Ed.). As he came up the stairs he made use of bad language, and said that he would murder her, although she had never given him a misword. They tried to keep him out by putting some boxes against the door, but he got his knee between the door and the post, and hammered her fingers with his fist, and ground her right arm up and down the edge of the door, inflicting some severe scars. She then cried "Murder", and he knocked her in the mouth with his fist. When he got into the room he flung the boxes and furniture about, kicked her in the leg so violently that she had not been able since to put her boot on, and used violent language towards her. She then jumped out of the bedroom window which was eleven feet from the ground. Dr Sproule had attended her, and she had been unable to sit up until that day. In cross examination she denied that her arm was injured through striking at (the) prisoner round the door, and her leg scratched as she descended from the bedroom window. She did not know whether the prisoner's wife was in the house or not. (A strange thing not to know! - Ed). Mrs Hughes and Dennis Drew, neighbours, gave corroborative evidence. Dr Sproule who attended complainent, said her injuries were not very great. For the defence Mr E.J. Russell, builder, for whom the prisoner worked, and William Hillman were called. The former stated that he and (the) prisoner were going to Nunney with a load of timber. When they got to Marston Lane (the) prisoner's wife (Elisabeth Norris nee Hughes - Ed) brought out her two children and their clothes, and put them up into the waggon. He told (the) prisoner he had better go and see his wife, and induce her to take the children. As he was trying to get into the room he saw a woman put her hand round the edge of the door and try to strike him. He was sure (the) prisoner did not strike anyone. One of the women in the room said (the) prisoner's wife was there. The bench said that they had come to the conclusion that (the) prisoner had used undue violence, and there was no doubt but that his treatment had induced (the) prosecutrix (the victim / complainant, Mrs Targett - Ed) to jump out of the window. The should commit him to prison for two months with hard labour, and at the expiration of that term require him to find sureties for his good behaviour for three months; in default to be further imprisoned for that period".
Perhaps this is the reason (or part of the reason) why the Norris family moved from Somerset to London. In the 1881 census (less than 2 years after these events) Jacob Norris is found living with his family in Lambeth - and these include two children, one in 1880 and one in 1881, who have been both born in Notting Hill! Perhaps Jacob went to prison in London and remained there after his release? Or perhaps the family wanted a fresh start somewhere new? As always, any help or thoughts are greatly appreciated!
Tuesday, 8 January 2013
The Children of Herbert George Norris and Elizabeth Fanny Darby
Herbert George Norris was my Great Grandfather. On October 21st 1894 he married Elizabeth Fanny Darby at the Church in the parish of St James the Great in the County of Middlesex.
To date, (and this is very much work in progress) it is found that they had the following children:
Elizabeth Lilian Norris - born c 1895 in Lambeth, London
My mum remembers there was an "Aunt Lil".
She appears as Lily Norriss (sic) aged 16 and a General Servant in the 1911 Census and as Eliza Lilian Norris, aged 6, in the 1901 Census.
Eliza Lilian Norris was baptised on February 3rd 1897 at St Peter's Church Vauxhall in the county of London.
George Albert John Norris - born c 1897 in Lambeth, London
He was baptised on 26th January 1898 at St Peter's Church Vauxhall in the County of London.
He appears as George Norriss (sic), aged 14 and an Office Boy, in the 1911 Census and as George Albert John Norris, aged 4, in the 1901 Census
Herbert William Norris - born 20th June 1899 in Bermondsey
This was my grandfather; he was known as William or Bill Norris. He was registered as Herbert William Norris in the Registration District of St Olave, Bermondsey in the the third quarter of 1899. He married my grandmother Lucy H Bristow in the Summer of 1918 in Southwark London. The marriage registration record has his name as William H Norris.
He appears as William Norriss (sic), aged 11 in the 1911 Census, and as William Norris aged 1 in the Census of 1901.
Florence Elizabeth Norris - born 1901
Florence was baptised at All Saints, South Lambeth, in the County of Surrey on September 8th 1901.
My mother remembers Florence as being disabled and living in later life in Peabody Buildings. This may have been housing provided by the charity The Peabody Trust. In the 1911 census there is a Florence Norris (from London and with an estimated birth date of 1902) living at the Victoria Home for Crippled Children in Bournemouth.
Herbert Albert Norris - born 1903 in Lambeth
His birth was registered in the Registration District of Lambeth, London in the 2nd quarter of 1903, and he was baptised on May 10th of that year.
He appears as Albert Norriss, aged 8, in the 1911 Census.
He was known to my mum's family as Albert Norris, but to his own immediate family as Herbert.
Cecil Norris - born c 1906
My mum does not think she ever met him, but does remember her own mother describing him as "wearing a camel coat and white scarf and with a silver headed walking stick"
According to the 1911 Census Cecil Norriss (sic) was born in Handsworth and was aged 5 years.( I wonder if Handsworth is an error and Wandsworth meant).
Interestingly, Cecil also appears to be known as Cyril in other parts of the family, though the reason for this is not yet clear.
Gladys Norris - born c 1907
Gladdis Norriss (sic) appears in the 1911 Census as aged 4 years and her birth place is given as Tooteing (sic) Surrey
Nothing else is presently known about her.
Leonard Norris - born c 1910 in Tooting
My mum knew him as "Little Lennie".
In the 1911 Census Leonard Norriss (sic) is said to be 9 months old and his birth place is given as Tooteing (sic) Surrey.
Doris Ivy Norris - born 1912 in Southwark.
I do not have any definite information about Doris Ivy Norris but it is possible that Doris was born on 30th June 1912, that she married a Gordon Williams in 1932 and died in 1983 in Wandsworth, London.
A big thank you to Arnold Fetcher, Shirley Norris, Pearl Norris and Ian Braban
To date, (and this is very much work in progress) it is found that they had the following children:
Elizabeth Lilian Norris - born c 1895 in Lambeth, London
My mum remembers there was an "Aunt Lil".
She appears as Lily Norriss (sic) aged 16 and a General Servant in the 1911 Census and as Eliza Lilian Norris, aged 6, in the 1901 Census.
Eliza Lilian Norris was baptised on February 3rd 1897 at St Peter's Church Vauxhall in the county of London.
George Albert John Norris - born c 1897 in Lambeth, London
He was baptised on 26th January 1898 at St Peter's Church Vauxhall in the County of London.
He appears as George Norriss (sic), aged 14 and an Office Boy, in the 1911 Census and as George Albert John Norris, aged 4, in the 1901 Census
Herbert William Norris - born 20th June 1899 in Bermondsey
This was my grandfather; he was known as William or Bill Norris. He was registered as Herbert William Norris in the Registration District of St Olave, Bermondsey in the the third quarter of 1899. He married my grandmother Lucy H Bristow in the Summer of 1918 in Southwark London. The marriage registration record has his name as William H Norris.
He appears as William Norriss (sic), aged 11 in the 1911 Census, and as William Norris aged 1 in the Census of 1901.
Florence Elizabeth Norris - born 1901
Florence was baptised at All Saints, South Lambeth, in the County of Surrey on September 8th 1901.
My mother remembers Florence as being disabled and living in later life in Peabody Buildings. This may have been housing provided by the charity The Peabody Trust. In the 1911 census there is a Florence Norris (from London and with an estimated birth date of 1902) living at the Victoria Home for Crippled Children in Bournemouth.
Herbert Albert Norris - born 1903 in Lambeth
His birth was registered in the Registration District of Lambeth, London in the 2nd quarter of 1903, and he was baptised on May 10th of that year.
He appears as Albert Norriss, aged 8, in the 1911 Census.
He was known to my mum's family as Albert Norris, but to his own immediate family as Herbert.
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| Herbert Albert Norris |
Cecil Norris - born c 1906
My mum does not think she ever met him, but does remember her own mother describing him as "wearing a camel coat and white scarf and with a silver headed walking stick"
According to the 1911 Census Cecil Norriss (sic) was born in Handsworth and was aged 5 years.( I wonder if Handsworth is an error and Wandsworth meant).
Interestingly, Cecil also appears to be known as Cyril in other parts of the family, though the reason for this is not yet clear.
Gladys Norris - born c 1907
Gladdis Norriss (sic) appears in the 1911 Census as aged 4 years and her birth place is given as Tooteing (sic) Surrey
Nothing else is presently known about her.
Leonard Norris - born c 1910 in Tooting
My mum knew him as "Little Lennie".
In the 1911 Census Leonard Norriss (sic) is said to be 9 months old and his birth place is given as Tooteing (sic) Surrey.
Doris Ivy Norris - born 1912 in Southwark.
I do not have any definite information about Doris Ivy Norris but it is possible that Doris was born on 30th June 1912, that she married a Gordon Williams in 1932 and died in 1983 in Wandsworth, London.
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| William Norris (left) with Leonard Norris |
And now a mystery, courtesy of Arnold Fletcher (from the Australian branch of the Norris family) ... Arnold sent me a copy of a record which shows that, on 2nd August 1899, Herbert George and Elizabeth Fanny baptised a son, Herbert George, at St Luke in the Diocese of London ... what are we to make of this? The date fits to my grandfather Herbert William Norris, but not the name. However, to date I have no baptismal record for my grandfather, so was his name perhaps recorded wrongly? Certainly it can not be the George Albert John Norris who was born c 1897 as a baptismal record (as detailed above) exists for him already. As always any help that anyone can give will be greatly appreciated!
A big thank you to Arnold Fetcher, Shirley Norris, Pearl Norris and Ian Braban
for there help in preparing this material!
Monday, 7 January 2013
Norris Cousins Meet For The First Time!
My maternal grandfather, William Norris, had many brothers and sisters. Most of them, however, do not seem to have kept in touch with each other. My mother, Dorothy, often wondered about the many aunts and uncles that she had occasionally met in her childhood or whom she had only heard of by name. It was, therefore, a great thrill to be able to tell her that I had recently discovered that she had a cousin whom she had never met and whom we would be seeing for the first time the following day!
Shirley Norris is the daughter of Herbert Albert Norris, who was the brother of my mother's father, William. Strangely, Shirley's family only knew their father as Herbert, whilst my mother's family only knew him as Albert; but that they were indeed one and the same person was soon evident from the memories that Shirley and mum were able to share and the respective records that I was able to examine.
Shirley gave us a very warm welcome to her home and it was a joy to see her and mum exchanging memories and also providing each other with information about different members of the family, some of whom had only been known to one or the other of them. Their meeting reminds us, perhaps, that genealogical research is not just about distant ancestors who have died, it is about living relatives as well ...
Shirley Norris is the daughter of Herbert Albert Norris, who was the brother of my mother's father, William. Strangely, Shirley's family only knew their father as Herbert, whilst my mother's family only knew him as Albert; but that they were indeed one and the same person was soon evident from the memories that Shirley and mum were able to share and the respective records that I was able to examine.
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| Shirley (left) with my mum |
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