Comments

This site is specifically for people researching ancestors who lived in this area of Somerset but your query does raise some general points.  

• It is not wise to publish any details about people who may be still be alive.
• There is a possibility that the Salvation Army may be able to help you from their records
• This site about Childrens' Homes does have a section about the Salvation Army Mother & Baby Home in Southport and it gives you a link about where to ask for help. Look under Index of Homes and Salvation Army.
• You might try the 1939 Register to see if you can find Kathleen or Catherine DORRINGTON living in West Yorkshire at that time.  Of course at the start of War she could have been living in any part of the country.
• Contact the Library in Cleckheaton to see if it has any street directories or  electoral rolls for 74 Avonlea which might show who else was at that address in 1941.

I'm sorry we can't be more help.

I sympathise with you over the confusion caused by HURST, HURSE, HARSE, HEARSE and even HASE!  This is a name which often difficult to read in documents and on checking the original Banwell Parish Registers we have discovered that the marriage you were looking at for William HARSE should have read William PEARCE, widower, which makes sense of the father's name.  Thank you for alerting us of this problem and it will be corrected.

Looking back, I see this reply to a previous enquiry in 2011 - have you discounted the William Foord HARSE mentioned then?

My father, George Pitman, joined Mogg's Band in 1922 aged 11. He was a self-taught piccolo player and was the Band's mascot who they called "wee Georgie Pitman". Dad later learned to play the flute at which he was extremely accomplished. I am not sure when he finished with the Band but would think it would be around the late 1930's.

Hi Joe

The 1841 Census shows a Henry Withers, aged 13, living with Uriah Lynham, a Mason, in Pawlett, North Petherton. Registration District Bridgwater.

Henry's marriage certificate in 1852 gives his rank or profession as Sailor therefore it is possible he was at sea at the time the 1851 census was taken.

I hope this helps.

Roy Smith

Hi Pat,

Many thanks for the info, will look into Bridgwater records.

You might be right about him thinking he was born in Portishead.  In 1841 census there is a Henry Withers age 16 at a William and Hannah Jenkins house in Portishead.

Thanks again.

Joe