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England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => Kent Lookup Requests => Kent => England => Kent Completed Lookup Requests => Topic started by: JayneA on Sunday 10 December 06 23:51 GMT (UK)
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:D
Hi everyone,
I am trying to locate some information about a Family Death in Maidstone March 1904, four members of the same family died after being involved in a train crash, they were apparently on their way to visit one of their other daughters who was at school in France. I believe the crash may have happened in France.
CHARLES TOOTELL CHRISTINE TOOTELL, AUDREY AND EVELYN TOOTELL (DAUGHTERS).Charles was an Estate Agent/Surveyor in Maidstone.
I have tried lots of things to find the info, but I live in Australia and obviously do not have the ability to go into a library etc., I was hoping that maybe somebody out there could help me, I have almost given up hope of finding anything out there.
Kind regards
Jayne
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FreeBMD
Death registrations
Mar qtr 1904
Maidstone Kent district
Audrey Tootell Age 13
Charles Tootell Age 49
Christine Tootell age 44
Evelyn Tootell age 20
Volume 2a Page 544
So their deaths were registered in England
What a tragedy
Suz
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Hi Suzard,
I found their deaths on BMD, but I would really like to know the circumstances of the accident but can't find anything out. The nearest thing was a 'Reuters' report about a train fire in France, but it wasn't for that year.
If anybody can help me with a newspaper article or knows how I can get one, I would greatly appreciate it.
Thanks for looking up the details suzard, that was really kind of you.
Regards
Jayne
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Hello jayne,
I would assume they died this side of the water if their deaths were registered in Maidstone.
I have found there are in existence 78 reels of the Maidstone Journal (Maidstone and kentish Journal) in existence -but can't find where -maybe in a local library???
www.newspaperarchive.com shows 712 matches for maidstone Journal
This is a "pay site" but they are offering a 7day free trial -don't know anything about the site, but you may feel it is worth a try.
It may be worth searching Railway sites for diasters -it must have been reported.
If I come up with anything else I will get back to you
Suz
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Hi Jayne
Welcome to Rootschat
The following page shows the newspapers available at Maidstone Library http://www.familia.org.uk/services/england/kent_maidstone.html
The main Kent libraries (including Maidstone) do accept family history enquiries
http://kent.gov.uk/LibrariespublicUI/OpeningTimes/LibraryDetails.aspx?id=52
but a newspaper search may take quite some hours without an exact date so it may well be cheaper to purchase a death certificate for £7 first to narrow down a newspaper search.
Casalguidi
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Thank you to everyone who has helped me, they are the relatives of my best friend (an aussie) she is sending off for the death certificates, but their only living relative is 80yrs old in February (the daughter of the surviving child Irene) and she has been the one wondering what exactly happened to them. It would be nice to be able to give her the news article about her Grandparents and Aunts.
I will give Sharon (my Friend) all the website details that you have supplied me with.
My own family originate from the Kent area, although I am a Northerner myself (don't hold it against me!! ;)LOL) they were from Brenchley/Marsden/Yalding areas.
This Website is really great, somebody from the Liverpool website directed me here.
Thanks once again
Jayne
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Hi Everyone,
By accident I found a website which helped me to get their exact date of death, it was 24th February 1904, I also found out that they lived in Nottingham just prior to their deaths, obviously the family returned them to Maidstone.
The website is www.gazettes-online.co.uk there some interesting things to find out so I thought it would help somebody else.
I have emailed them to see if they have any details on the inquest, so fingers crossed they might be able to help.
I will say goodnight now
regards
Jayne :) 8)
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Hi Jayne,
Looking for the train accident. Nothing around that time is listed here (but it might not be complete)...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_pre-1950_rail_accidents
The only France related one is in August 1903, a fire on the metro.
Do you have any more details about the crash?
Matt
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I also found out that they lived in Nottingham just prior to their deaths, obviously the family returned them to Maidstone
Jayne,
As the deaths were registered in Maidstone district, that will be the area where their deaths took place. Maybe they were buried there too-or they could have been buried in Nottingham if that is where they were livng at the time of the accident.
The registration district is where the death took place, not where they were living or buried.
Inquests usually took place within a day or two after the death and were very often held in Public Houses or hospitals if they died in a hospital.
What part of Nottinghamshire were they living ? There may be some kind of report in a Nottinghamshire newspaper??? Very close to where I live!!!
Suz
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Maidstone is on the main rail line from Nottingham down to France, I suspect they would have gone via Dover or Folkestone. Could it be that the accident happened in Kent and Maidstone was the nearest administration centre?
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Hi Suz,
I just checked, in the 1901 census, they lived in Maidstone, 11 London Rd West. But it looks like he either had his business/home in Nottingham, 8 Spaniel Row. He was an Estate Agent/Surveyor. He was a Trustee for a James Crane 160 Robin Hoods-chase described as a 'Debtor' and a 'Gentleman' London Gazette, 24th Feb 1899. There were a couple like this in the Gazette over a couple of years from what I can see. The other notice was 19th July 1904 about their Estate and ifanyone had a claim to it. That's where I got the exact death date from.
How far is Nottingham from Maidstone? Could he commute??? (lol) ;D
I am on a mission now that I have found this tidbit.
regards
Jayne
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Nottingham and Maidstone are a fair distance apart - 170 miles.
I doubt it was ever possible to catch a train direct, change at St Pancras. There are few railway crossings of The Thames.
This would not have been an easy journey.
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From what I can see, "your" Charles TOOTELL was (according to the 1901 census) born Maidstone, still living Maidstone 1904 so I am inclined to think that the one in Nottingham is probably a different person altogether :-\
Casalguidi
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Hi Casalguidi,
I thought that at first too, although when I have done searches on the census, there wasn't really any other Charles Tootell, and according to both entries, they are both Estate Agents/Surveyors. We have sent off for the death certificates now, so hopefully they may give a little more info and I also emailed the Gazette for any inquest details.
Regards
Jayne
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Hi Jayne,
You came to me this morning through my newspaper column in the Kent Messenger! :)
Will go to Springfield library for you to access the archives.............can't promise that I will find anything but will try and have forwarded your email onto someone in the editorial department who may be able to help also.
Was going to suggest you joined Rootschat but you have done that already!! :D
Will mail you on the email address you contacted me on
kind regards
Sue
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;)
Thank you so much Sue, I have my fingers crossed now. Hope we get good news, then I can concentrate on my own family Tree!! ;D
Look forward to hearing from you
Thanks again
Jayne
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Jayne,
it's quite possible Charles in Nottingham is "your" manand had a town house in Nottingham
Robin Hood Chase is in St Anns district Nottingham , it is still there, but nowadays is what we call a "no go" area- a lot of St Anns was demolished in the slum clearance programme, but in the days of Charles being there there were many businesses in that area -many houses were 3 story semi detached -now converted into bedsits/flats -but in 1900's would have been town houses- similar to Spaniel Row-which also still exists.
It looks like Charles was a man of some standing, his father was also a surveyor and an Alderman
Suz
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The head of the household in Maidstone was a Joseph age 70.
Charles is unmarried in 1881 and has siblings.I know the house............it is very substantial and they had servants
Joseph died in 1887 age 77 in Maidstone
There is a chance that Joseph is related to the family in Nottingham and 2 brothers had sons called Charles! and both brother followed the same profession
Sue
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Hi,
just thought I'd add a titbit ::)............Joseph Tootell (born Edgware)
was Mayor of Maidstone in 1851 before his son was born..........he was a
Surveyor and Land Valuer too!
Sue
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:o :-* :) ;) ;D
I would just like to say how great you all have been, I never for a moment thought I would get so much help in my quest to find out about this family.
Suz you have been so kind.
Sue.... what can I say, you are so kind and motivated, keeping in touch with me and generally such a lovely helpful person.
So once again, Thanks to you all and I hope that you and your Families have a wonderful Christmas and New Year.
Kind regards
Jayne
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Hi Jayne
I have found a newspaper clipping from the Kent Messenger..the article is in relation to a Charles Tootel and an incident in February 1904...I think it is one and the same person. I work for a firm of solicitors and our office is purportedly where his family lived on the corner of Bower Mount Road and London Road, Maidstone, kent.
Peter
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Hi Jayne,
I have also found a report (in another newspaper) regarding the Tootell family deaths in 1904 and have sent you a PM.
Regards,
Arf
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Arfur Mo and Flintmccullagh
If you pm me I will give you a direct email address to the person you want
Sue
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Sorry posted in error,was trying to send a pm to sue ::)
Arf :-[
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Hi Everyone,
This enquiry has been completed now, although through some tragic information.
I would like to say thank you to all who helped solve the mystery.
Kind Regards
Jayne
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Hi,
I don't know if you are still looking for Charles Tootell from Maidstone, but I have just come up with the fukk story from 1904 when the 3 ladies were murdered and Charles committed suicide. If you want more details then please get back to me.
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I wonder if your Evelyn Tootell ever played lawn tennis? An E. Tootell is mentioned as the runner-up at the Kent County Championships in Blackheath in July 1901. This tournament was open to players born in Kent or who had been residing there for at least two years.
I had look at the BMD site and it has an Evelyn Tootell whose birth was registered in Maidstone in the summer of 1883. However, I havent' been able to find out anything else about her.
Mark