Marguerite from the Channel Isles

Hi Folks, I have a doozy of a brickwall, here.

I have a fellow called Robert Claude HALFORD, who was born in Stoke Newington and baptised 14 Apr 1889 there in the Parish of St Andrew [source London Metropolitan Archives, Stoke Newington St Andrew, Register of Baptism, p94/and, Item 001].

He married a lass called Marguerite around 1914. The problem is - NO-ONE in the family can remember Marguerite's maiden name.

What is known about her is:

1. Marguerite's middle name begins with the letter E
2. It is believed her birth date is 27 Sep 1883
3. It is believed she and her family were from Guernsey
4. She left England in Aug 1922 with Robert and her son Richard arriving in New York
5. She died in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe 21 Nov 1968
6. She was a Miniature & landscape painter in Zimbabwe
7. She and Robert were either married in the Channel Isles or in England proper - no sign of a marriage certificate in either location.

Searching the Channel Isles Census records (1891& 1901) have pulled 3 possible candidates named Marguerite, but from my perspective, the link to Robert Halford needs to be confirmed in order to work backwards as details of Marguerite's family are also lacking (that is, a Census won't help because all I have at the moment is her First Name and Initial and there are no initials shown on the Census!).


Any thoughts and help, gratefully accepted!!!!


from sunny Sydney, Australia!!!!

 

Hello Megastar - welcome to Top Dog. I think most of us over here in the UK are heading to bed or are already there, but we'll be up bright(ish) and early(ish) in our morning! Meanwhile some of our Aussie members may get on the case before we're up and about again ….

P.S. Can I just say that your query is a model of how to present one...

 

Thanks, Flook! I have been researching for a number of years, and I've found that it is most helpful in stating the FULL case in a succinct manner because even I would get confused if I looked at my posting years down the track!!!!!

 

Welcome aboard, MegaStar from Sydney
They are a pretty cluey lot here. I'm sure they will find your answer.

 

Welcome Megastar

A question - do you know where the son Richard was born?
I have had a quick look on FreeBMD and there are only two Richard Halford's born between 1910 and 1920

1912 mother's maiden name Amos registered in Dudley
1914 mother's maiden name Deeley registered in Stourbridge

 

Hi Doug - no, unknown birth date and place for son Richard. Based on the info on the Travel to US from England 1922 doc, I've estimated Richard's birth around 1914.

Robert Claude Halford does not show up a lot in Ancestry.com and absolutly nothing under marriages. I did find his baptismal registration there, and that's about it for him and his family, with the exception of that Travel to US from England in 1922 doc.

There are a LOT of Halfords in his tree, and on Ancestry, however nothing really points to Robert Claude, and of course nothing to Marguerite.

 

Hi MollyMay, yes, I have found those two docs. But without any corroborating evidence (that is, without anything else!), I can not be sure of either of them.

As I just replied to DOUG on this forum - "...unknown birth date and place for son Richard. Based on the info on the Travel to US from England 1922 doc, I've estimated Richard's birth around 1914."

 

If you think that the 1914 is a possibility you could apply for the cert from the GRO and use the option 'reference number not known'. This then sends you to a separate page where you can specify known details i.e fathers name Robert mother Marguerite. You will have to pay the £9.25 but if a match cannot be found your fee is refunded. It does take around 21 days but it can be an option to eliminate this Richard Halford.

 

And there is also an R.C Halford age 33 accompanied by a Mrs Halford age 39 and son Master R.J.Halford age 8 on the SS Goorka to Capetown sailed 3 Aug 1922 from London. All ages fit. He is shown as a Director

 

Thanks for that info, MollyMay.

I have not had that experience yet (dealing with the GRO!!!). I will have to consider the cost and delay with my fellow researcher (it is her family). I am not sure she will want to incur any expenses at this time. It certainly is an option, tho'!

 

I take it you have seen the 1911 census entry for Robert Claude in Horsell Surrey.
He is listed as a Jeweller, as is his brother and father (retired)
RG14 PN3017 SN189

 

Hi patten-walsh - that is the travel/sailing doc I am referring to - and APOLOGIES EVERYONE I got the destination wrong.... serves me right for doing this all from memory and NOT CHECKING...... yes, the Halfords departed England on 3 Aug 1922.

 

Yes, MollyMay - I have that doc. The Halfords were silversmiths in Pall Mall, London. Lots on the father and brothers but not a lot on Robert Claude!

 

There's possible medal card for him on Ancestry.

Robert Claude Halford 2nd Lieutenant in the Royal Field Artillery

If his service records have survived and can be found they may have information re: his wife and child.

 

Have you looked for a newspaper announcement of the wedding?

 

Hi Mealymoo - do you have a link for the reference to the Royal Field Artillery? Would appreciate further clues????!!!!!????

 

No, MollyMay - have not done so as I haven't a clue where to look! Any suggestions?

Is there a newspaper repository like Australia's Trove?

 

I have looked on FMP's newspaper collection and see nothing there (other than an incident with a pearl necklace), The Times newspaper has an archive online too. There are others and I am sure someone will be along soon with more for you.
FMP has a small snippet about Robert Claude's service prior to WW1 but their t's & c's prohibit sharing.