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England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => England => London and Middlesex => Topic started by: Hilliard on Sunday 15 August 10 20:52 BST (UK)
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I'm looking for details, particularly the birth/baptism, of my great grandfather, Charles Henry Godfrey, who was married (aged 21) on 29 September 1901 at St Benet's Stepney to Annie Amanda Sprake. His father was James Henry Godfrey, a barber. His address at the time of his marriage was 53 St Thomas's Road, although he was not living there at the time of the 1901 census. I cannot find him on the 1891 or 1881 census returns, nor can I find his birth or baptism. Despite looking at the records of a large number of people with the name of Charles Godfrey, I have not been able to trace my great grandfather. I understand that he served in the army, but have not found any record of him serving in either the Boer War or the First World War. In 1911 he was living in Hastings and he subsequently moved to Nottingham. I believe that he had two sisters who lived in Derbyshire, but I do not have any facts about his life before 1901. Any information or suggestions would be much appreciated.
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Hi
On the 1901 and 1911 censuses what was his age occupation and place of birth?
Both the 1881 census and the 1901 censuses can be searched on occupation. There is no James Godfrey on either who was a barber or hairdresser.
Regards
Valda
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Many thanks.
The 1911 census shows that Charles Henry Godfrey was born in Islington. At that date he was an 'agent in photography' and aged 30.
On his marriage certificate in September 1901 he was shown as an insurance agent and aged 21.
I have not found him in the 1901 census. He was not at the address on his marriage certificate.
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Have you got the names of the witnesses to the marriage?
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The witnesses to the marriage on 29 September 1901 at St Benet's Stepney were William Robert Tooth and Susie Webb. Annie Amanda Sprake was aged 24 and living at 50 St Thomas's Road.
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The following is a possibility from the 1891 Census.
RG12; Piece: 1068; Folio 12; Page 18
1 Nursery Road, Tottenham
James Godfrey 48 Sign writer ? Middx, Tottenham
Anne Godfrey 40 Essex ?
James P Godfrey 18 Warehouseman Middx, Tottenham
George W Godfrey 17 " "
Alfred H Godfrey 15 Grocer's assistant "
Albert J Godfrey 13 Scholar "
Charles H Godfrey 10 " "
Claude W Godfrey 8 " "
Archibald E Godfrey 7 " "
In 1901 still at Tottenham (RG13; Piece: 1246; Folio: 12; Page: 16).
Nigel
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Many thanks. I've followed up that record, but unfortunately the birth certificate shows that this individual was Charles Harold Godfrey rather than Charles Henry Godfrey, so is not my great grandfather.
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The witnesses to the marriage on 29 September 1901 at St Benet's Stepney were William Robert Tooth and Susie Webb. Annie Amanda Sprake was aged 24 and living at 50 St Thomas's Road.
I wonder whether "Susie" WEBB was the same person as 12 yr old Susan WEBB, conveniently resident at 53 St Thomas's Road (same as Charles' address at marriage) in the 1901 census: RG13/337/62/40.
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Many thanks. As you say, it seems very likely that there was a link between Charles Henry Godfrey and the Webb family living at the time of the 1901 census at 53 St Thomas's Road, Mile End Old Town, the address given by Charles at the time of his marriage later that year.
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Hi
The Charles H Godfrey whose death was registered in Nottinghamshire in 1968 was given the age of 93. The other Charles Godfrey death registered Nottinghamshire was aged 81.
If he served in the Boer War you would expect to find him on the 1901 census but then you wouldn't expect to find him as a civilian either marrying later in the year.
There was a Charles Godfrey who attested in 1898 and deserted serving a prsion sentence, but his birthplace was given as Ilford (can't see him on censuses).
Regards
Valda
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Many thanks. Despite the discrepancy in age (93 rather than 88), I think the first death registration for Charles H Godfrey in Nottingham is the correct one. I can just remember him.
As you say, it seems unlikely that he served in the Boer War given that he married as a civilian in September 1901. However, he showed a photograph to my parents of himself in uniform so served in some capacity.
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There is a George Tooth Godfrey aka George Tooth who m. in 1899 in Camberwell.
I think he is on the 1881 census as a visitor, with James R. Godfrey and his wife Louisa (perhaps later adopted by them).
Or it may be related to the Alice Sophia Godfrey who may have married Charles Reuben Tooth in 1889 in Marylebone (this family I think moved to Canada).
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Thank you, I will look into it.
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William R Tooth (age 21) appears to have been living at 72 Rhodeswell Road (close to St Thomas's Road) at the time of the 1901 census.
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Hi Hillard,
My Grandmother is Charles Henry Godfrey's Grand daughter, all the details you've provided tie-in with her knowledge and she has quite a bit of information that may be of interest to you. Please drop me a message and Ill arrange a phone call for the two of you.
Louise
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I have now located Charles Godfrey, who was registered as Henry Charles Godfrey. He was born on 28 August 1880 at 31 Henry Street, Pentonville, Islington to James Godfrey and Elizabeth Godfrey (daughter of Charles Thomas, who lived in Woolwich). However, the family moved to Bow in 1881 and was removed by Bethnal Green Poor Law Union to Buntingford Workhouse in Hertfordshire in 1888 (James Godfrey came from that district). Charles and his five siblings appear under Buntingford Workhouse in the 1891 census.