Annie Elizabeth Viney (nee Jones) | 52 Ancestors [#3: Tough Woman]

Week 3, Tough woman — 

Who is a tough, strong woman in your family tree? Or what woman has been tough to research?

It's been a busy week and weekend, so this week I am keeping my post brief. 

Annie is my great-grandmother on the maternal side. She was born Annie Elizabeth Jones in 1888 in Newport, Shropshire, UK to James & Elizabeth Jones [James & Elizabeth were also known by the names Neriah & Eliza (nee Allen)]

From all the stories I've heard, in varying perceptions, Annie was a tough woman.  

 

 

She married David Piggott in 1906 at the young age of 18 and her first child Beatrice Alexandra* (known in the family as Dolly) was born the same year. This was followed by 4 more children: Alice Elizabeth, Elizabeth, Florence Winifred (Win) and Wilfred.

Sadly Annie's husband lost his life in 1910, the same year that their last child was born. Leaving Annie alone with a family of 5 to care for. She was listed as widow on the 1911 census:

(Census note: Beatrice was living with family elsewhere in 1911) *It is believed that Beatrice's Father was not David Piggott, as she was listed as a Jones' on her second husbands war record.

Annie met her second husband Ernest (whom I've talked about before) sometime after this time.

Looking back, it is remarkable how different their lives were just before they met. In 1911, Ernest was a Golfclub Maker living at home with family in Yorkshire; this was the same year he became a golf professional. With 5 years between them, things appeared very different....

By 1913 he had moved to Shropshire and was the professional (listed with the PGA) at Wem Golf Club. It is unknown where Ernest lived, but it was during this time that they met. They married in 1914 and had their first child Violet in 1915 which followed with George Arthur in 1916. Ernest was absent serving in the Royal Garrison Artillery (RGA) but when he returned in 1921 they got right back to business (excuse the saying!) and had 4 more children Annie Irene (my grandmother - aka Nan), Muriel (aka Mu), James Ernest (aka Jim) and Marjorie.

So all in all, a family of 11!

Sadly Ernest lost his life in 1945 at the age of 53. Annie was widowed for a second time but this time all her children were grown up with the youngest (Jim) being 16.

A number of the children continued live with Annie for some years. Eileen (aka Billie) who was born in 1923 (the same year as my Nan, Annie Irene) was raised by Annie as a daughter and as far as anyone knew, was simply "one of the siblings". It was not until her teenage years that Billie found out she was actually the daughter of Dolly; Annie's daughter (Beatrice Alexander) who was born in 1906. In her later years, Annie also helped to raised Marjorie's son, Sheran and Nan's son, Michael.

However it was Muriel who cared for Annie during her later years. They remained in the family home at Victoria Park, Newport until her death in 1976. I've heard stories of people who remember Annie sitting in her bedroom window waving as they passed by ... [your very own Neighbourhood Watch!]

Whilst some saw her as a bit of a tyrant; a strong fierce woman... knowing what she went through; losing two husbands, caring for 11 children and experiencing two wars, life must of been hard and I would imagine you had to be tough to make it through.

Annie was a strong woman, whichever way you look at it.

Annie Elizabeth Jones b1888, d1976 [aged 88]

Robert 'Bob' Alfred Gennoe | 52 Ancestors [#2: King]

So this week's topic is 'King'. 

I have to say that I wasn't really sure where to go with this one. It was titled King because both Elvis' and Martin Luther King Jr were born in the month of January.

The questions asked were do I have a connection to Royalty? Maybe. It is thought that the Stephan’s (my paternal side) were Royal Gypsies of Swiss Lineage... I would guess that most families do have a royal connection in some form or another. The other questions asked were if an ancestor reminded me of Elvis or Martin Luther King - "the Kings". Again, this can be perceived in various ways.

King. It's origin is thought to be:

Old English cyning, cyng, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch koning and German König, also to kin.

So essentially, the definition of king takes us back to kin and kin, is family.

I have gotten to this point and I'm still not sure who I am going to write about! - Given that we are thinking about family and January birthdays being the focus of the blog title this week, I want this post to be in memory of a close relative. One that I always think about in January and one that is very much a King in my eyes.

My Grandad

Robert Alfred Gennoe (b 1920; d 1995)

Me & Grandad at Ellesmere Lakes - circa 1990

Robert; AKA Bob was born on the 20th January 1920 in Shrewsbury, Shropshire.

He was the only child of Clara Meredith (nee Downes) and Robert Edward Gennoe. Clara had been married once before to Frederick Meredith and had three children from that marriage; Fred Jr, Harry and Elsie.

[Fred Snr was in the 5th Battalion of the King Shropshire Light Infantry (KSLI) and sadly lost his life on the 20th April 1917 whilst enlisted at Flanders. On the 1911 census he is listed as a 'Bugler']

Bob's father, also a Robert, was in the KSLI and may well have known Clara's previous husband Fred...

Bob grew up in Shrewsbury and attended the St Michaels Street School - I have to say he is looking very dapper in this photo!

(Middle Left)

1933 - St Michaels St School

During the war Bob was mainly involved with salvage and when planes crashed, he had to be there to recoup what parts they could for repairs. We also have a photo of him in the KSLI which we understand to be a shindig in Blackpool...

Bob was also a keen footballer and we know that he played around the country including as a reserve for Shrewsbury Town FC. 

Extracts from the Shrewsbury Chronicle say that: 

"Gennoe with his first-time clearances was outstanding in the Shrewsbury defence" [Nov 8, 1946]

"Gennoe showed promise. He must learn that guile will beat a man as often as forceful tactics..." [Nov 29, 1946]   

Bob working at Shrewsbury Chronicle - circa 1968

Shrewsbury Chronicle extract - Nov 8 1946

One of his primary careers was at Shrewsbury Chronicle itself, the same paper that reported on his earlier career as a footballer. He was a platemaker and as far as I understand it, he was required to proof-read the metal sheets before they were dyed and used for printing - check out those side burns! My Mum advises me that he was first employed as an apprentice printer, qualifying at Liveseys Printers on St John's Hill. When the Shropshire Star bought out the Chronicle, he moved to Welshpool Web Offset and stayed there for 20 years before retiring.

Following retirement he volunteered for Shrewsbury Town Council as a grounds-keeper at the Shrewsbury Quarry and as a driver for Age Concern.

In addition to his working career, Bob managed the Monkmoor United Boys Football Team and was also a highly accomplished fishermen and caught one of the largest salmon at the Weir on the River Severn. His wife Anne joined him in this passion and they spent many an hour on the river side together...

 

Bob was married to Anne Arnett (nee Viney). It wasn't the first marriage for either of them...

After searching the marriage entries, I found a marriage for Bob and Marianne Coope in 1943. It is not known what became of this marriage; there are electoral roll entries which show Marianne living at the family home (Coton Mount) with Bob and his mother from 1948 through to 1952. In 1953, neither were recorded at the family home and October that same year my Mother, Roberta was born. The 1954 electoral roll shows both Bob & Anne living at the family home which continued until they moved to Monkmoor in 1959/1960.

Despite being known as Mr & Mrs Gennoe for many years and supposedly being married since August 1st 1952, Bob & Anne only got married by special license in December 1973! It would transpire that they may well have got married just to enable them to get their passports to fly to Australia in 1974...

 

Bob & Anne went on to have two children together; Roberta & Bob. In addition to Michael, whom Anne had from a previous marriage, they had 3 children.

Bob, Michael & Roberta

From those 3 children, they had 8 grand-children and from those 8 grand-children they had ... well, let's just say they may well of lost count of great-grandchildren by now and that number is only to get bigger in time!

Grandad sadly lost his life in 1995, at the ripe old age of 75.

It doesn't feel like 20 years has passed since he was here and whilst I only really knew him for a third of my life, I can safely say he was an amazing Grandad.

So here's to Bob, an accomplished fishermen and footballer and genuinely wonderful man, Dad and Grandad!

In loving memory

William Viney the 'AgricLab' | 52 Ancestors [#1: Fresh Start]

A fresh start; starting afresh.

Last year was a busy one for me and I very much feel like I need to review all my previous research, catalogue my findings and re-assess where to go next.

One thing I do know however, is that I need to research the Viney's more (my Mothers Paternal side).

I have a little information on this side of the family and last year made a post about my G.Grandad Ernest Viney, but before starting this process I had no idea of any Yorkshire connections.

Ernest's parents were William and Anne (he went on to marry an Annie - and they gave my Grandmother the same family name).

On the 1901 census William was shown as a Horseman on a Farm and by 1911 he was Farm Manager. 

I need to learn more about William's association with the agricultural workings of this area; which farm he worked at; how far back this line can be taken knowing that Viney is supposedly an anglo-saxon name and where the rest of Ernest siblings spread to given that he moved to Shropshire; we assume independently. 

So this year is all about organising my previous research and trying new branches!

2015: My New Years Blogolution

So despite my best intentions, my 2014 blog lasted a feeble 3 posts.

I have no excuse; yes I got married in May, honeymooned in June and returned to work and a (a very) busy schedule but if I'm honest with myself:

Procrastination can be your worst enemy...

I'm happy to see that Amy (of the No Story Too Small Genealogy Blog) intends to kickstarts #52ancestors in 2015.

Having started so late in the process last year, I felt somewhat like my momentum had been lost before I began and I wasn't able to keep it going! This year, Amy gives weekly inspiration for blog posts.

http://www.nostorytoosmall.com/posts/announcing-52-ancestors-in-52-weeks-2015-edition/

So lets start over...
I intend to posts on Sundays, so expect my first #52ancestor blog on the 4th January 2015.

See you on the other side!

 [Note to self: Weekly recaps posted on Thursdays, commencing 8th January 2015]

52 Ancestors #3 : The Importance of Being Ernest...

Ernest Viney; my great Grandad from my maternal side. Born 1891 in Tadcaster, North Yorkshire.

A Yorkshire lad, I had no idea...


Before I started my research I knew very little about Ernest. Two things had stuck in my mind;

1. He had always been referred to as a "golf pro" and;
2. He slipped in the snow/ice walking home from the pub and died some time after.




Of course, I needed to find out whether these facts were completely true. But as with any genealogy research, I had to start from the beginning!

The 1901 census gave me my first inkling that the golfing career may have been true... his brother John was listed as a 'Assistant Green Keeper - Golf'. Ernest was only 9 at the time but had 7 siblings!

By 1911 Ernest was shown as being a "Golf Club Maker". Very interesting as a recall my Mum talking about a set of (brass?) golf clubs that he had made himself...

By 1920 Ernest was at war and to my great satisfaction, his were one of the service records that (albeit a little crispy looking on the edges) had survived the fires. It was clear from the paperwork, which included letter to/from home, that he had married Annie Elizabeth Pigott (nee Jones) before he left for war.

They married in 1914 but, what brought Ernest to Shropshire?

Ernest formed parted of the Royal Garrison Artillery.

Annie had previously been married to David Pigott whom sadly died in 1910. They'd had 5 children in their 4 years of marriage. In marrying Annie in 1914, Ernest took on this large family and continued their life with a further 6 children of their own (including my Nan - Annie Irene, AKA 'Nan')



The 'golf pro' acclaim was still a little unclear but his service records did confirm it!

"Occupation: Golf Professional"






Unfortunately us genealogists have to wait another 7 years for the 1921 census to be released, so these parts of our history are harder to trace. Firstly, I started looking at local Golf Courses in the area to try and work out where he could of been located. I made contact with courses both throughout Shropshire and in the Yorkshire area, trying to locate former personnel records.

Having been listed as "golf professional" on his service records, I did wonder whether to list himself as such he would have to be part of the PGA (Professional Golfers Association)... however, knowing some of the fibs young men told when they listed, I somehow figured it unlikely.

I cant' explain the excitement I felt when I received a letter from the PGA. Not only to confirm that he was in fact a golf professional, but a copy of the record book with his name, year of entry and course base!

Ernest became a pro in 1911 and in 1913 was based at Wem Golf Club. I didn't even know Wem had a golf club!

After a little digging, I discovered a website with very limited information. With the help of the PGA confirmation and the enthusiasm of the website owners, we were able to find out a little more information about the Club - which allowed them to further supplement their website entry for Wem. Please check out their amazing website here:  The course was situated on Green Hill Farm, Bankhouse Lane. According to Kelly’s Directory of the time it was on land opposite the Grammar School.

Having returned from war and extending the family, it would appear that Ernest decided to move away from the professional golf world. He continued his life with Annie in Newport, Shropshire (his death record confirming his occupation as Machine Operator, Local Engineering Works).

What was amazing about Ernest was not his golfing ability and not the fact that he went to war and fought for our country, but how much he must of cared about Annie.

In marrying Annie he not only established a family away from his own in Yorkshire, but he took on another family; Annie's 5 children from the previous marriage.

The importance of being Ernest ... was love.

WDYTYA UK 2014 - Series Celebs Revealed!

It's that time again .... and the line up is awesome this year!

Now we all have our favourites and those which we're looking forward to most (it's Julie Walters for me!) but this year, I'm excited to see them all.

I'll admit, I had no idea who Martin Shaw was and until reading the overview, the same goes for Brendan O'Carroll - of course that's probably because he wasn't shown in the picture with his dress and wig!

To celebrate the 100th episode, they will also be doing a one-hour special looking back at the best discoveries of the series! - Digital Spy

http://www.whodoyouthinkyouaremagazine.com/news/who-do-you-think-you-are-2014-%E2%80%93-new-celebs-revealed

WDYTYA US has also revealed their line up which will include our favourite of the Crane Brothers (Kelsey Grammer), the much loved Notebook star (Rachel McAdams) and of course, one of the girls - the Sex and the City Girls that is (Cynthia Nixon AKA Miranda)

The US season will premier on July 23rd!

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/ustv/news/a575521/rachel-mcadams-kelsey-grammer-for-who-do-you-think-you-are-us.html#~oJ4xjNb8VqlNIU

52 Ancestors #2: Georgie Porgie Pudding & Pie...

Let's get this started with one of my favourites; not because he did anything particular spectacular but for the simple fact that he was the first 'real find'. The first ancestor that I was able to look over records and to some degree, understand his life, understand him, and feel emotionally connected. Dearest George.

George was my great grandfather. George Edward Stephan.

George was born 1866 in Broseley, Shropshire to George Stephan Nickless & Druscilla Vaughan Beard (now that's a name you don't heard very often!). He was one of 6 children (well 6 that I have been able to track down - one of those being a half sister from his Father's later marriage). There was George & Eustace (twins), Druscilla Jr, Beatrice Mary and Arthur. Clara was the half-sister.

George lost his twin brother Eustace in a house fire in 1870, at age 4.
His Mother Druscilla unfortunately died the same year from TB, 7months after giving birth to Arthur;
Then, and I assuming because his Father couldn't cope after the dreadful events they'd been put through, the family split up...

By the 1871 census, Druscilla (Jr) was living with her paternal Stephan grandparents, George with his maternal Beard Grandparents and Beatrice and Arthur with their Uncle & Auntie - the Yates'.

Worth noting that Eliza Yates was also the grandmother of George's wife to be (Hannah Haynes).

After some digging, I discovered Arthur was born in January 1870 - just before the death of George's mother in August 1870. (Druscilla Snr unfortunately died from TB which she contracted after giving birth).

Weirdly, there is an Arthur Stephan living with Beatrice and the Yates' family in 1871, but it states his age as 4; three years older than he would actually have been...

I have been unable to locate a death or subsequent location for Arthur. He is MIA ... what is it with Arthurs?!

In 1871 George was living with his Grandparents, Thomas (59yo) and Mary (57yo) Beard. His Father George was still living with them but then came the exciting 1881 census ... his Father had left but Georgie boy was aboard a barge and not any barge - A Severn Trow with his grandfather Thomas Beard!

"The sailing barges of the River Severn were known as "Trows" and hundreds of them once carried goods up and down the River Severn between Shrewsbury and Bristol, and along the coasts of Devon, Cornwall and South Wales"  - I A Recordings

'William' Severn Trow

The Trow that George worked aboard was called the 'William' and is infamous in the Shropshire area, as it is known to be one of the last working Severn Trows. A picture of it can be found at Blists Hill Museum (Ironbridge) alongside the exhibition of the restored 'Spry' Trow. From the known dates, it is likely that this is a photo of Thomas ('Bearded' at front!) and George to the left -although I can't be 100% sure!

George remained on the ship through the 1891 census and at some point between then and 1901, left the ship for the family pub. This is the family pub that previously, little old Beatrice had been living in alone (1891 census) until she got married.

To give a little background, George's sister Beatrice married William House and emigrated to America in 1900 and Druscilla married Alfred Potter and emigrated to Canada in 1911.

Now who is to say, given their separated childhood, that the siblings were close or even whether they saw each other? One can only speculate. Regardless, a split family was now truly split - by the Atlantic Ocean.

It appears that his Father George (Stephan Nickless) moved to Worcester and remarried to Fanny Mears having a daughter named Clara in 1877 when his 3 children were not even in their teens. 

George's family was now his grandparents.

But in 1900, George got married - to Hannah Marie Haynes and by 1901 they were living in the family Public House known as the General Gordon (also known as the Werps Inn due to it location).

The General Gordon is well known locally as a pub located in the Werps. The Werps was located opposite the former Coalport China Factory (now a Museum) on the River Severn but was sadly demolished during a slum clearance programme. You can see the pub at the back left of the photo - the white dormer building!

The Werps (opposite China Museum) 

The Werps - Tithe Map 1838

I recently discovered this rare photo of the pub - unfortunately it is stated as being taken in 1903 (Powell - Images of England South Telford) with the 'Potts' name over the door. George was shown at the pub in 1901 census, so one can only assume he moved shortly after marrying Hannah or the date is incorrect. At least it gives an idea of the type of property it was and its immediate setting.

General Gordon Pub - Henry Potts & Family

George went on to have, as far as I am aware, 5 children, all with Hannah Marie (nee Haynes).

1901 - Beatrice Georgina
1903 - Eustace Beard
1905 - George Victor  (my Grandad - aka Vic)
1907 - Leslie Vaughan
1911 - Arthur Gordon (my long lost Arthur)

Beatrice died in a house fire at age 4 - much the same was that George had lost his brother all that time ago and at the same age(!). This must of been very painful for George and one can only assume that this contributed to them leaving the Pub ... 

In 1911, I found Eustace living with his maternal family (the Haynes') - albeit that he is noted a "nephew" when I think he is actually the grandson (another story, another time...)


Unfortunately George lost his life in 1922, at the young age of 56 leaving behind 4 teenage sons and a wife. I will speak about them further another time.

George reminds me how important family is. He reminds me of how important it is to make time for them and never to take them for granted because there can come a time that you will be separated; whether this be permanently or simply by an Ocean.

I wish that he had been able to see his young boys grow up and help guide them; avoiding their separation later in life. I wish he had been able to see his grandchildren in very much the same way I wish that I had been able to meet my Grandad Vic (his son).

Time is always against us...

52 Ancestors #1: Long Lost Arthur

Dearest Arthur; he missed you.

Arthur Gordon Stephan b.1911

When I say he, I mean my Grandfather.

I was celebrating my graduation with family when my Auntie brought along some family photos for my research. I mentioned my search for an Arthur STEPHAN and surprisingly she seemed to of heard of him. The only thing was, we were talking about different people!

I had been searching for an Arthur Stephan from the previous generation (my Grandads Uncle) who disappeared after the 1870 census.

My Auntie was talking about her Uncle (my Grandad's brother). This Uncle I knew nothing about.

My Aunt said that her Father told her that Arthur disappeared when they were quite young and he spent many years of searching for him - how handy the internet may have been for him!! My Grandfather sadly passed away in 1981 (before I was born) and had never been able to find Arthur.

My next mission had begun...

It was fairly evident that Arthur was born after the 1911 census as he wasn't listed with family (although this wouldn't be the first time I have had to 'collect' family members from other census records!). Given the birth dates of the other siblings, I first started sifting through the early 1900 birth records. I struck lucky fairly quickly but ordered the certificate to be sure.

Arthur Gordon Stephan was born to George Edward Stephan and Hannah (nee Haynes) in Madeley, Shropshire in 1911.

The next (and more difficult step) would be trying to locate his whereabouts thereafter. He would be 103 years old by now and the possibility of still being alive was slim. I stumbled across a couple of possibilities and just committed to ordering the death certificates. I was determined to get to the end of this mystery. I struck lucky again (well as lucky as a death certificate could be...) and found my Arthur. Arthur was mysteriously located in Milton Keynes!

Of course, a death certificate gives you very little insight into a persons life. After unsuccessful contact with the addresses given by the informant on the notice, I put an article in the local press. I was over the moon to hear back from Arthur's step-daughter!

Arthur had become part of her life quite late on (marrying her Mother in 1981 at the age of 70!) and she had some lovely things to say about him. A gentle giant that looked after and adored her Mum. She also provided me with the photo above; the only photo I have of Arthur.

I still wanted to know more; I still wanted to know why he ran away, where he went, what he did for work, why he never went home. What happened. Just so I could say I had tried for my Grandfather.

I then had contact from a local genealogist who had done a little digging (big thanks to Lewis McCann!) - he had managed to locate Arthur's youngest son.

Unfortunately this led to another cul-de-sac (I don't like the term dead end, at least you can walk back round and out of a cul-de-sac!). The son was born late in Arthur's life - there was 10 years between him and his older sisters and could remember little about his Father. He also had no photos... The tone of his email seemed to suggest that he wasn't overly keen on discussing the matter any further and I didn't want to push.

The next step is to try and locate the older sisters (Arthur's daughters). Its possible that the Isle of Wight may just be my next port of call...

I really must find out more for my Grandad. IOW County Press, here I come!