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Census Lookups General Lookups => Census and Resource Discussion => Topic started by: SeaThreePeeO on Wednesday 24 April 13 20:41 BST (UK)
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I came across the gravestone of Daisy Maud Spencer the other day on a wander round my local cemetery whilst taking pictures of inscriptions for a fellow genealogist on Australia.
Anyway I snapped a picture because of the beautiful wild primroses growing there and I noticed her gravestone states that she did suddenly on 21st august 1911. This grabbed my interest and I attempted to find her on the 1911. I have found her, the cousin of Sir Stanley Spencer, born in Cookham Berkshire in 1882 on the 1891 and 1901 Census, but no joy on the 1911.
The one daisy Maud spencer I can find on the 1911 Census I am certain is no her. I have tried searching under different spellings, as Daisy Maud, just Daisy and just Maud. No luck. I know she died in Southwark, London aged 29.
Any fresh ideas on how to search for her?
Any help gratefully received.
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Thought probate may have given an address -but no!
probate
Daisy maud Spencer of Belmont Cookham Berkshire spinster died 21 Aug 1911 at bethlem Royal Hospital Southwark Surrey. Administration London 7th February to mabel Lloyd Spencer spinster
Effects £550
Suz
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Ah, thank you for that Suz! At least now I know she died in a hospital, so possibly had an illness or accident of some sort. That's a little piece of the puzzle.
From my own research her family had seen so much death. Her disabled sister Lily died in 1899, then her elder sister Violet Eleanor passed away in 1901 aged only 20, then her father passed away in 1902 aged 54. The only surviving members of the family where Daisy's mother Sarah Jane and her elder sister Mabel Lloyd who is named in her will.
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What was daisy maud's occupation?
It seems sister Mabel was a nurse - so wondered if that was Daisy's occupation too. If so she could have been working in the hospital she died in - or maybe she was away somewhere tending sick/injured military personel?
Just guessing -but may be worth a thought
Suz
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Unfortunately I haven't found an occupation listed for her. The last 'time' I have founf her is the 1901 Census living with her parents aged 18, no occupation given.
It's a mystery.
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I have just researched Bethlem Royal Hospital to discover that it's Britain's oldest hospital for dealing with mental illness, dating back to 1247.
I am wondering if with the loss of almost her entire family between 1899 to 1902, Daisy became depressed.
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We aren't allowed to do 1911 English census lookups here but I think people in institutions (hospitals, schools, gaols, etc.) were listed in under initial rather than surname and first name(s) (at least that's how they were enumerated in Ireland) so perhaps search 1911 census by initials- sometimes less is more so just keep trying different combinations of search terms.
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Yes people in institutions in England are also listed under initials only. In addition birthplace may not be known if the patient was unable to say and there was no family available to ask.
Jan ;)
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I've searched the hospital on the 1911 census and none of the initials add up. I don't think she was in that hospital at the time the census was taken. She could have possibly been in another hospital, but I guess I will not find out, today at least.
I hate mysteries I cannot pin down.
Thank you everyone for your help and suggestions.
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Hello everyone
I thought I would update you on my progress. I think I have found her, but I cannot be 100% sure.
I searched last night just under the initials D M S born 1882 in Berkshire and came across a female D M S born around 1880, birth place unknown as a patient at Cane Hill Lunatic Asylum. Of course I cannot say for certain this is Daisy, but it's the closest match I have found so far.
I have also e-mailed the archive at Bethlem Royal Hospital Museum to see if they have a date for Daisy's admittance to help narrow down the search.
Here's a picture of Daisy's gravestone. It was the beautiful little primroses that caught my eye at first, then of course the inscription on the stone.
(http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g17/seathreepeeo/076_zps7453983c.jpg)
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Let us know if you find out any more :)
Jan
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I received a replay from the Bethlem Royal Hospital Archive this morning.
Daisy Spencer was admitted to Bethlem Royal Hospital twice: first in 1903 (for seven months), and then in 1911 (from 10 April to her death on 21 August. In the interim, she was resident at Camberwell House (from 15 December 1909 to 8 June 1910) and at Essex County Asylum in Brentwood (immediately prior to her second admission to Bethlem).
So it would seem that her history with mental health issues was a long one and not a sudden spiral into despair I was imagining.
So according to the above she was a patient at Essex County Asylum immediately prior to her last admittance to Bethlem. Of course on the night the 1911 Census was taken she could have been elsewhere.
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Oh my goodness I have just found her. D S born 1884 Cookham Berkshire, previous occupation, governess, a patient at Essex County Asylum.
The Bethlem Archives did offer to send me her admittance and medical records for a fee of £10 and being the noisy cow that I am the offer is very very tempting. I'm not sure the husband would be as enthusiastic about it though.
Thank you everyone for your suggestions and help finding Daisy. I feel I know her a little bit better. Next time I am at the cemetery I shall spend a little time with her.
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Glad you've found out so much. Bethlem Archives are obviously very helpful. If you do order her records you will find them very interesting but quite likely upsetting as well. I have my g grandfather's asylum records and am very glad to have them, despite some distressing details.
Jan ;)