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England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => England => London and Middlesex => Topic started by: minniehaha on Sunday 22 September 19 04:31 BST (UK)
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Hi everyone,
Francis Maxwell BEST, (died in London 19.5.1951) is of interest to me as he was in partnership with my ancestor, John Hammond GALBRAITH until the latter's death in London in 1921, in a legal practice known as 'Galbraith & Best'. This was situated in Australia House, The Strand. After the death of John, Francis continued to practise at the same address for many years.
I would like to be able to make contact with descendants of Francis Maxwell Best. I'm hoping through Rootschat to be able to climb up his tree to the point where I can then work through the personal messaging system once discovery of the living is made. I am well aware that the living may not be named on this forum.
Some background on Francis Maxwell Best:
BEST, Francis Maxwell
ww1scvstories.com.au › pdf › BEST, Francis Maxwell
The above does not work as a direct link, so some cutting and pasting might need to be done. It also says- "the site can't be reached" but click on 'Show saved copy' and there is a potted history of his early years. It is here that his first wife is named, Mary Eliza Whitty. Married in 1907 in NSW, Australia.
"Francis Maxwell BEST. Francis Best was educated at the. University of Melbourne, passing his Annual Exam in November. 1900. He was admitted to practice............."
Divorce re second marriage:
Reference: J 77/2909/36
Description: Divorce Court File: 36. Appellant: Mabel Wilberforce Best. Respondent: Francis Maxwell Best. Type: Wife's petition for divorce [WD].
Date: 1931
Held by: The National Archives, Kew
Legal status: Public Record(s)
Language: English
Closure status: Open Document, Open Description
Second marriage:
Douthwaite Mabel W Best St.Geo.H.Sq.
1a 1082
Best Francis M Douthwaite St.Geo.H.Sq.
1a 1082
Third marriage:
Best Francis M Chapman Westminster
1a 701
Weinstein Rose P Best Westminster
1a 701
Deaths Jun 1951
________________________________________
BEST Francis M 69 Marylebone
5d 278
His death notice appeared in 'The Times' of London on 21 5. 1951.
I have not looked for any other family information.
Minniehaha,
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Good Afternoon Minniehaha ;D
I should be getting some exercise on this glorious day but..... Brain Exercise must use just as many calories!
There is a tree on Ancestry for Francis Maxwell BEST. I think I am right in thinking you don't have membership?
It seems he only had one daughter by Mary Eliza WHITTY. namely Eleanor Mary Maxwell BEST b Castlemaine Victoria 9 July 1910 and died in 1970 - added - there is a will
according to them
Eleanor married Philip K RIESLY Kensington Mdx 1935. Divorced
second marriage to David Stahel FARMER in 1941. He died in 1950.
2 children
1. Suzan Maxine FARMER b 1942 d 2017 who married (still living) in 1965 and divorced him in 1968
she was an actress. Doesn't seem to have had any children or remarried
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/183668129
The other child likely to be still living but who they are is hard to tell.
on FreeBMD there are several Farmer/Best births in the period but no others in Maidstone, so cannot be sure which they might be. Maybe the one Tonbridge registration?
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Hello Mckha, Now where have I come across you before? ;D ;D
Thank you for those details. You are correct, I don't have an Ancestry subscription.
Since putting up the topic I have found Eleanor Mary Maxwell Best and.......
Barbara Maxwell Best, born 1908 at Castlemaine and.....
Austen Maxwell Best, born 1912 at Castlemaine. All three had the same mother nee Whitty.
I will now have a look through the information you have very kindly provided.
Minniehaha. :)
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Sussex Agricultural Express 22 February 1946
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Taunton Courier, and Western Advertiser 06 April 1957
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newspaper says 2 sons.
I can see one on FreeBMD born 1951, but blowed if I can see the other.
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An interesting family...... ;D I think there may be more to be discovered.
Thank you for those additional snippets Mckha. Building quite a picture here and I am grateful for your help.
Minniehaha.
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Of course you are welcome! Just hope it is useful
who is this?
Western Daily Press 20 April 1938
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BEST, MARIAN MAXWELL WHITTY
GRO Reference: 1915 J Quarter in TICEHURST Volume 02B Page 165
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The joining in matrimony of Francis and Mary Eliza was a big posh wedding!
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/235030862
Sue
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The joining in matrimony of Francis and Mary Eliza was a big posh wedding!
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/235030862
Sue
I just love it when they list the presents! And who gave them. The Shame.
At least they didn’t say how much the cheques were for.
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Are some of the gifts stacked up and ready for the sale before departure here? ;D
Well, probably not the cheques ::)
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/200460834
Sue
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That sale included a 'Domestic' Vaccum cleaner .... what was its power source? 240V 50Hz or what - Hot Air?
JM
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Other child of Austen and Jean Beryl was born in Uganda. He is on a shipping list.
3 mths old mid April 1949 so b beginning of 1949
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That wedding gift list was a hoot! ;D
Giving a cheque would definitely have been the best way to go (of course no pun intended!) :P
Minniehaha
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Other child of Austen and Jean Beryl was born in Uganda. He is on a shipping list.
3 mths old mid April 1949 so b beginning of 1949
A good find Mckha....... ;)
Minniehaha.
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I wonder if Mabel W BEST died quite young?
Deaths Sep 1931
BEST Mabel W
Aged 48
Chelsea 1a/ 343
I not see her on records a few years later, though Francis is visible.
Sue
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Part quote from reply #3...
1. Suzan Maxine FARMER b 1942 d 2017 who married (still living) in 1965 and divorced him in 1968
she was an actress. Doesn't seem to have had any children or remarried
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/183668129
The other child likely to be still living but who they are is hard to tell.
on FreeBMD there are several Farmer/Best births in the period but no others in Maidstone, so cannot be sure which they might be. Maybe the one Tonbridge registration?
Yes the other child is a life peer in the House of Lords. Born 1944 in Kent.
Might send him an e-mail. How does one address a peer??
Minniehaha.
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Snap, was just looking for that.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forms_of_address_in_the_United_Kingdom
he is a Baron It looks as though 'Sir' is enough
have you read his wiki about his childhood?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Farmer,_Baron_Farmer
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Mabel Wilberforce were the Christian names of wife no. 2. Was divorced in 1931.
I think this may be the death you have found Sparrett?
BEST, MABEL WINIFRED 48
GRO Reference: 1931 S Quarter in CHELSEA Volume 01A Page 343
Minniehaha.
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Yes, looks like i found the wrong lady.
Sue
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Snap, was just looking for that.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forms_of_address_in_the_United_Kingdom
he is a Baron It looks as though 'Sir' is enough
have you read his wiki about his childhood?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Farmer,_Baron_Farmer
Yes I had 'sir' in mind. ;D And yes, I have now read his bio. Very, very sad. I think I will write to this man. He may know something.
Minniehaha.
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Kent & Sussex Courier 09 November 1945
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They are a very interesting family. Full of Highs and Lows!
Francesca's second husband Donald Murray Logie FINLAY was a Professor of Medicine on passenger list 1946 age 30 (seems awfully young to be a Professor but not unheard of)
They are going to Sydney.
Added - they ended up in Tasmania. Both there in 1972 He seems to have been a Medical Practioner. Not academic staff as implied by shipping list
Donald died 2003. in Ryersons. implication is died Sydney
Cannot see a death for Francesca
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Yes I agree, they are interesting. In a way, I now know more about Francis Maxwell Best and his family than I do about his legal partner, my ancestor, John Hammond GALBRAITH. He never married but I have found his life to be of interest too. Especially starting from scratch when I knew nothing at all about the man. Such is the joy of family research. :)
Minniehaha.
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Here is a photo from my family album of Austen Maxwell Best standing next to my father in 1938/9 when they passed out from RAMC and joined the Indian Medical Service together.
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Thank you very much for your interest and sharing the photograph. From memory, I think Austen was a son of Francis Maxwell?
Kind regards,
Minniehaha.
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Not the Francis from Scotland These are his children:
Janet Nielson Maxwell born on 13 Sep 1851 in West Derby, Liverpool.
Married James Roddick born 1849, died 1898
James Roddick died on 16 Apr 1930 in Norwich.
Grace Maxwell born in 1855.
Grace Maxwell Census 1861 in Port Street, Annan, Dumfriesshire (Scholar).
Andrew Hair Maxwell born on 07 Mar 1857 in Annan, Dumfries, Scotland.
Died in 1904.
Census 1861 in Port Street, Annan, Dumfriesshire.
Francis Maxwell born in 1858.
Census 1861 in Port Street, Annan, Dumfriesshire.
Mary Hair Maxwell born on 29 Oct 1860 in Annan, Dumfries.
Census 1861 in Port Street, Annan, Dumfriesshire.
Robert Maxwell born in 1862.
John Maxwell born in 1864.