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England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => England => London and Middlesex => Topic started by: Sydenhamer on Monday 02 May 11 16:26 BST (UK)
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Hallo
I have been trying to find the death details of my Great Grandfather, John Hunter and it seems impossible to find. Anyone else fancy a challenge?
Details are: John Hunter (no middle name). Born 1819 or 1823 (it varies) in Shoreditch London. Becomes a policeman & marries in 1853 and is on all of the censuses living in Sydenham (south London) from 1861-1891. In 1891 he & his wife are living "on the Parish" with relatives in Sydenham. His wife dies in 1896 and is described on her death cert as "Widow of John Hunter-ex-policeman". So he died between 1891-1896? But no...
Have checked all the death registers for those years and spent a fortune on all of the listed London John Hunters who died in that period & none are him. Have tried outer London (Croydon & Brighton etc-was he convalescing?) and still not him when the death cert arrives. Have tried registers 1880 to 1920 in case the wife's death cert was wrong but cannot find it. Have even checked the original death registers in person for that period in Lewisham Archives in case his name was mis-transcribed but no joy!
Feel I am banging my head against a brick wall-can anyone shed any light/make any suggestions? Do I just conclude he is missing?
Many thanks
Sydenhamer
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RG12/524/147 p 4
Is this the 1891 census you looked at? If so John Hunter is described as widower of Wimbby, Hertfordshire.
Sarah is described as single. Are the Haydens his in laws? Something very strange here.
Cheryl
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Dear Cheryl
I think the enumerator got a bit confused as all of the previous censuses show her being born in Herts and him in Shoreditch-Middlesex. By this time they have left their own house and are in lodgings with the Haydons who are not related so am not sure why the enumerator wrote "Father" on the form or "Widower" as Sarah is definitely his wife (she was older) and did not die until 1896.
Whatever his status or relation to that household I am still confused as to why I cannot find him after then. The Haydons have moved by 1901 & are not at thia address then.
All very strange!
Malcolm (Sydenhamer)
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family beta
burial 08 Aug 1883 London Kent
John HUNTER age 63 (1820)
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Dear Ladyhawk
Thanks for this.
Does that tell you which bit of outer London/Kent?
Where would I find this burial list?
Sydenhamer
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I'll reply on Ladyhawk's behalf as she's offline now.
I think this must be the familysearch beta website, operated by the Latterday Saints (also known as the IGI or LDS or Mormon website). Anyway, it's free to search - just put familysearch into Google and select pilot.
Then put in John Hunter, select Death/burials and enter the year and England
He was buried 8 Aug 1883 at ST Peter's, London, Kent (according to record)
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From Freebmd, this John Hunter's death was registered in Thanet 2a 472 Sep Q 1883. There is a church in Thanet called...St Peter-in-Thanet and it has been there since 1128, so def there when this John Hunter was buried. As to whether it's your man, only you can decide!
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Thanks to all for the info on John Hunter who died in Thanet. I don't think it's my John Hunter as there are 2 John Hunters aged 60 living in Ramsgate/Margate on the 1881 census and it must be one of those who died in 1883 & was registered in Thanet.
And my John is still about on the 1891 census so must have died after then?!
Thanks for the info on the IGI website.
Sydenhamer
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Hi
Have you checked his Metropolitan police pension record held at The National Archives? Does that give a date of death?
The National Archives guide
Looking for records of an officer in the police force
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/records/looking-for-person/policeofficer.htm?WT.lp=rg-3120
MEPO 21/12/3985 Retirement from Metropolitan Police: John Hunter, born 19th November 1823, Shoreditch Middlesex 1873-1875
Regards
Valda
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I had followed that line already.
Another relative has got his pension records from the National
Archives at Kew and that shows his pension records but that they had stopped ( he only served in the police for 20 years) which is why he is living "on the parish" by 1891. Thanks anyway.
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Hi
Have you checked with the local registrar in case this is a death missing from the GRO index?
Regards
Valda
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Hi
My tuppenceworth?
Death 1896 QtrJun John Hunter75 Wandsworth 1d 431
She died Lewisham? "Next door".
Ray
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Thanks for the suggestions: I did check all the Death Registers in Lewisham Archives & he is not in there at all.
I ordered the Wandsworth Death Cert 10 days ago as I thought he might just have been visiting someone & been taken ill etc. But it came on Saturday and it is someone else completely which is what finally drove me to seek help on here!
It is very strange that he just disappears.....
Thanks anyway