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England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => England => Sussex => Topic started by: anniewiz on Wednesday 27 January 10 15:18 GMT (UK)
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Has anyone any info on Commander C S Cooke who was Governor of Lewes Prison, Sussex in 1948? I have a photo of my Great Aunt Edith which states on the back that she was married to the Governor of Lewes prison but does not state his name. Can't find any info to confirm.
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Hi and welcome to rootschat
I see you did not get a response to a similar post on the Beginners' board. Perhaps it would be best to approach it a different way and look for details of your great aunt to see when and who she married? When was she born? Do you have her on any census record? Her full name etc.
Regards
Andrea
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Hi Silgen,
I visited Lewes Prison a few years ago (not an inmate you understand!) and found them to be very nice people.
I would be inclined to E-mail Lewes Prison and see what you get. Maybe they can/will be be helpful. Undoubtedly they will have details of a Governor/Governors wife.
Sue
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That is a good idea as they may have a list of governors. Whether they will have details of wives though is another matter. Something for anniewiz to try though. Lewes Record Office will have their archive material I expect.
Andrea
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Thanks everyone. I have traced my Great Aunt Edith to 1901 but the family said that she went to India as a nanny after that. Her husband was a district commissioner in India for several years. I've looked on the websites for India but cannot find any marriages in India or Britain. The main problem is that no-one knows her husband's name and the only clue is the photo which says he became Governor of Lewes prison. I have contacted the prison but they only know his name. I might have to have a visit to the records office.
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Findmypast has overseas marriages from 1765. I am not a member so cannot access it for you but someone on here may well be able to.
I sounds as though, if you Aunt went out to work in India she possibly married out there.
Her husband being District Commissioner may have been military so military weddings are a possibility - again FindMyPast.
If she is listed (and you say you don't know her ?surname, it should still be possible to find her by looking for her husband's name in marriage records and noting whether he married an Edith. His initials being C S he is almost certainly a Charles/Cecil/Christopher I imagine.
Sue
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Hi there
Have you any idea when they married, I have checked the Marriages Abroad as mentioned in the previous post - but as yet am unable to pin point anything.
Chris in 1066
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On your other post you give her maiden name as Willis. When was she born?
Andrea
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Edith Willis was born in 1886 in Odiham, Hampshire. Attached is the photo of her and her family taken in the late 1920's (most likely in India).
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Hi,
Following Commander C.S. Cooke, R.N. through announcements in the Times of London:
He retired as governor of Lincoln Prison in 1965. (Naval prison commanders were transferred around quite a lot)
No further mention of him (up to 1985) and no mention at all of Edith Willis or Edith Cooke.
Jann
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Thanks for that it gives me another place to look! (and it's nearer home).
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Looking through G::)le it seems he was also Governor of HM Prison Lincoln at some point - that might provide another area of research. -
afterwards struck comment through as realised this had already been noted!
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Thanks anyway. I have found him at Chelmsford prison also but still haven't found out his wife's name!
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You do not know he is the one though do you? What made you choose him as opposed to other governors? It is really better to start with a known fact and so far that only seems to be Edith's name and age. Any idea what happened to her children?
Andrea
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Hi,
Regarding his wife's name:
Maybe you could find a death date (knowing it was sometime after 1965) With that info you might be able to find a death notice in a local paper that might give widow/wife's name. Notice the use of "might" ;D
Good Luck!
Jann
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There were two Prisons in Lewes, one Naval and the other a General Prison. With the Title Commander could he have been in charge of the Military one
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I had information that Edith's husband was Governor of Lewes Prison in 1948 that is why I "chose" him because Commander C S Cooke was governor at that time. I have found out that his Christian names are Campbell Stewart but still can't find him.
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Thanks but I know Commander Cooke was at Lewes Prison I just need to know who he was married to ( or if he was married).
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OK folks I've found him and he wasn't Edith's husband! The search continues for her hubby!
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Just came across this old thread. I've solved the mystery of Edith and her husband and have managed to sort her history out. I never did find out why my father said her husband was Governor of Lewes prison because he wasn't. It will remain a mystery.