Comments

Thank you to everyone who replied to my post.  I have now established that Lilian Godden spent many years in WSM - does anyone have any idea how I can find out what she did or if anyone knew of her?  My actual interest is her sister Elsie Ellen (Helen) Godden (my G. Grandmother) from Bath who completely vanishes after 1916 I wonder if I can find out as much as I can about her sister it may lead me to clues about her.

Many thanks Emma

Your question is an interesting one because although I think you'll find that there was a Married Woman's Property Act in 1882 which did allow married women to own property that date is still after the date of the bankruptcy of your Eliza AINSLEY.  There was an Act in 1870 which allowed married women to keep and own money which they had earned through their own work but it didn't mention property - hence the 1882 Act. 

The exception to these rules were single women and widows who were allowed to own property - so my question is - are you sure she was legally married in 1862? 

I think I have now sorted this family out. William Andres b.1867 was married to Sarah Ball & they had 3 children, Nellie, Edith & Dorothy. I have confirmed this by their marriage record, census records & the probate record for both showing them both living at the same address as on the 1911 census. I have found the marriage record between William Andres b. 1843 & Elizabeth Paggington in 1891 which would imply that the 3 children, William b. 1881, Albert & Emily were born out of wedlock & became Andres after the marriage. William Paggington Andres b.1881 married Olive Amelia Fear in Sept 1/4 1902 in Axbridge.

Can I ask how you know that the John STEPHENS in Weston-super-Mare in 1861 was your great grandfather? 

The Alfred STOCKHAM, born Dec 1860, may be the male child surname STOCKHAM whose birth was registered in Devises, Wiltshire in Jan/Feb/Mar 1861.  I see that Alfred BALL is still with the HUNT family in 1871. 

There was a system of fostering out children from the Workhouse to live with families but I suspect that these were individually and privately arranged.  It might be that the mothers of the children were in service in Weston at the time and needed their children to be looked after.

Was John STEPHENS illegitimate?

Pat, Thank You so much for responding. I am thrilled that someone got back to me! There were 2 obvious places to try, but when we looked, the record was not there:  The family once possessed a copy of the record, but my mother's father had, for some bizarre reason, given it to a friend! Tragically, this friend appears to no longer have it. I know that my mother had contacted Frank, who did indeed live in Axbridge, but she was told he did not possess a copy of the record either. It was a great disappointment. Before it was too late, I asked my mum if she remembered other names in the quartet...I jotted them down on a piece of paper. Frank was the only one I could remember off the top of my head. I have been searching the house top to bottom and today I found the piece of paper!! Cliff Atyeo played the sax, Frank the drums, Donald Bond the piano and Phil Gilling on bass guitar. Mum said depending on who was there they would be the Phil Graham Trio or Quartet. I really do hope this record does not remain elusive and I will certainly try all that you suggest. Many thanks again Pat.

Thanks, Pat. That's very helpful.

Dave Erasmus