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Research in Other Countries => New Zealand => New Zealand Completed Requests => Topic started by: mdkiwi on Friday 08 November 19 01:58 GMT (UK)
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I am trying to find some more information about a gentleman called John Frederick PARSONSON (born on or about 25 March 1880 in Yorkshire (2q1880 Doncaster 9C/757) to John and Martha. He married Evelyn Cecilia HILL in New Zealand in 1906, and they had three children by 1917. He was employed as a law clerk in Christchurch. In January 1919 he was widely reported as having been admitted to Christchurch hospital with a mysterious gunshot wound to the chest. Thereafter he essentially vanishes. His wife's death certificate records her as a widow (in 1955), but there isn't a probate file.
I have been contacted by a gentleman in Australia who thinks that John Frederick PARSONSON might have reinvented himself as Phillip Edward John STANLAKE, who died in Western Australia in 1962. Apparently there is no evidence, anywhere, of a Phillip Edward John STANLAKE before about 1920, despite his own claim that he served in the South African War and in World War I with the West Yorkshire Regiment. Some of the other identifying details tend to match.
So we are wondering whether he might have officially changed his name, and if so, where that might be reported. We are also quite keen to get hold of any police records in respect of the mysterious gunshot wound to the chest. Does anyone know how we would go about doing that?
I would be very grateful for any suggestions.
Regards
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For others who may be searching, here are newspaper reports of the incident.......
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/SUNCH19190113.2.48.3?end_date=31-12-1919&items_per_page=10&page=2&query=john+parsonson&snippet=true&start_date=01-01-1919
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/TS19190113.2.80?end_date=31-12-1919&query=john+parsonson&snippet=true&start_date=01-01-1919
Minniehaha.
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The birth year is correct:
PARSONSON, JOHN FREDERICK mmn RIMMINGTON
GRO Reference: 1880 J Quarter in DONCASTER IN THE COUNTIES OF YORK AND NOTTINGHAM Volume 09C Page 757
1916 1962 Stanlake Phillip Edward John Male 82 Perth
It’s a rather specific set of names to change ones name too, any connection to the Parsonson family.
Jamjar
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No clue about the names. Also no clue why all his kids with his second wife have "Wentworth" as a middle name.
We have a working theory that he borrowed certain biographical details from his brother-in-law William James HARDHAM (who actually did serve in South African and WWI and died conveniently young with no offspring). He has a wikipedia page.
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The birth of his children shows a third Christian name........
1917/6712 Parsonson Derek John Evelyn Cecelia John Frederick -
1907/17555 Parsonson Berys Dashwood Evelyn Cecelia John Frederick -
1910/17416 Parsonson Denys Leighton Evelyn Cecelia John Frederick Fillingham
Minniehaha.
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Probably not helpful but details re the death of his wife........
https://christ-church.org.nz/rootspersona-tree/parsonson-evelyn-cecelia/
Minniehaha.
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Thanks.
You've found his three kids by his first [legal] wife in NZ. He had four more with his second [maybe not quite so legal] wife.
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And yeah, one of his nephews (born 1905) also had Fillingham as a middle name so I am guessing it is a family thing.
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Major P. E. J. Stanlake [1931]:
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/100124275?searchTerm=%22p.%20e.%20j.%20stanlake%22&searchLimits=exactPhrase=p.+e.+j.+stanlake|||anyWords|||notWords|||requestHandler|||dateFrom=1919-01-01|||dateTo|||sortby
Birth of a son [1931]:
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/21705168?searchTerm=%22p.%20e.%20j.%20stanlake%22&searchLimits=exactPhrase=p.+e.+j.+stanlake|||anyWords|||notWords|||requestHandler|||dateFrom=1919-01-01|||dateTo|||sortby
Minniehaha.
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Military record with photo. Birth year doesn’t fit.
https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=6484604
He does have a scar over the 2nd costosternal joint.
Note that the birth date has 23-3-1887 written above it.
Jamjar
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Cemetery details:
Metropolitan Cemeteries Boardprint this page
Summary Of Record Information
First Name PHILLIP EDWARD JOHN Application Number
Last Name STANLAKE
Names are only recorded in capitals
KB00119653
Karrakatta Burial
Aged (Years) 82 Date of Death 03/07/1962
Suburb CLAREMONT
Grave Location KARRAKATTA CEMETERY
Cemetery
ANGLICAN
Area or Denomination
ZT
Section
0230
Gravesite
Grant Number K0060865 Grantee MINNIE FLORENCE STANLAKI
Grant Status EXPIRED
At today's date
Expiry 02/07/2012 **
Grant Expiry ** Please follow this link for more information regarding grants expiring on 2/7/2012.
Minniehaha.
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Link to cemetery plaques.......
https://billiongraves.com/cemetery/Karrakatta-Cemetery/264333
[Direct link not coming up, just type in Stanlake]
Minniehaha.
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Seems he was in SA, VIC and NSW also:
https://www.ancestry.co.uk/boards/localities.oceania.australia.general/10503/mb.ashx
Jamjar
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Heh. Yeah that's the guy in Australia I have been corresponding with. It all gets a bit circular sometimes.
But that is all really helpful. We are know that he lied on his WWII service record (mainly because he gave two inconsistent birthdates), so that's OK.
Still missing the link that would show that they were actually the same person.
Thanks for all your help.
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On Page 6 of his WW2 digitised record, the scar on his chest is further described as GSW,
Gun Shot Wound.
When/how acquired is not mentioned.
Sue
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Marriage in South Australia:
STANLAKE Phillip Edward John Minnie Florence Adelaide 304/711 1925
Minniehaha.
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Minnie Florence STANLAKE travelled to England in Jan. 1960 with an intended stay of 4 months.
Her address would be 14 Lonely House, Tulse Hill S W 2.
Birth date is given 30/11/1889
Her return to Australia is also available
She was born in England.
Births Dec1/4 1889
WENTWORTH Minnie Florence
At Blything
4a/865
Sue
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I guess the only way to know for sure is for his rellies from both families to compare DNA.
There was a daughter (a nurse) - married a LANGRIDGE - a son (a school principal) in WA and another daughter who married a WINNING.
Funeral of daughter Phillis Wentworth LANGRIDGE:
https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/thewest-au/obituary.aspx?n=phillis-langridge&pid=192102335&fhid=14397
PHILLIS WENTWORTH LANGRIDGE
Pinnaroo Cremation
Aged:89
Date of Death: 4-4-2019
Suburb: FREMANTLE EAST
Ashes Request: TAKEN BY ADMINISTRATOR AT PINNAROO VALLEY MEMORIAL PARK
Added:
Engagement notice: http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article49069633
2 1959 Langridge Bertram George 32 parents Barton and Dorothy E Sussex
I think this is husband Bertram, with his folks at BUSSELTON CEMETERY:
LANGRIDGE, Dorothy E. 7 Sep 1954 aged 63.
LANGRIDGE, Bertram. 29 Dec 1958 aged 32
LANGRIDGE, Barton. Husband of Dorothy. 2 Nov 1972 aged 86
Son and second daughter may still be living, so not posting their engagements, but they are on Trove.
Do look for LANGRIDGE, birth notices.
Jamjar
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The same Minnie Florence?
https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/pubmembertrees/?name=Reuben_Gilham&fh=20&fsk=MDs2OzIw
Minniehaha.
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Hi Miniehaha
Mmm...
I was just about to post with that query too. :P
I suspect the birth I cited is for the woman you have spotted.
Co-incidence??
I cannot see Minnie Florence WENTWORTH on E rolls in Australia, so perhaps not her maiden name at all ???
Sue
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Hi Sue,
How about Minnie Florence GILHAM???
Minniehaha.
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No, not showing with both given names, though there are Minnie GILHAM s.
There is some evidence that Minnie Florence GILHAM (presumably nee WENTWORTH) was with husband and family around 1939 in England with a birthdate of October 1889.
Soo.. not so positive at all.
Sue
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As she was Minnie Florence Lovell at time of marriage, I think she is connected with this family, with folks Philip and Miriam. Now if it is it means that Minnie would have been born in Australia.
Arrival, 1st column: http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article43143739
Philip death: http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article5061207
Miriam death: http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article63949070
Miriam, In Memoriam: http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article36566787
Headstone: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/201294248/miriam-lovell#view-photo=188807898
Jamjar
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There is this UK registration, if she is not of the other family.
LOVELL, MINNIE FLORENCE mmn RUSH
GRO Reference: 1890 M Quarter in CAMBERWELL Volume 01D Page 971
It looks like Nugent, Joseph etc, as per names on ship manifest are mmn is PRICE.
Jamjar
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Philip and Miriam had a daughters Minnie and Florence. I wonder if Minnie Florence could be a daughter of one of the LOVELL son’s.
Florence was shot in the back, by her husband: on Trove, Florence Horton.
Jamjar
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Thanks again
Florence Minnie WENTWORTH would have explained a few things. Unfortunately it looks like she was married in the UK and having children with Reuben GILHAM at the same time as Florence Minnie STANLAKE nee LOVELL was havingh kids in Australia.
Dang.
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Thanks again
Florence Minnie WENTWORTH would have explained a few things. Unfortunately it looks like she was married in the UK and having children with Reuben GILHAM at the same time as Florence Minnie STANLAKE nee LOVELL was havingh kids in Australia.
Dang.
Yes, and I as mentioned above, she was with family around 1939 in England still so completely wrong info from me
The LOVELL family of SA looks hopeful, as mentioned.
And the only problem with the other Minnie Florence LOVELL, born Camberwell is date of birth is different from the date she gave on the voyage to England in 1960. ADDING (meaning the date Minnie STANLAKE gave on the voyage to England)
But should not be discounted just the same.
Sue
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So apparently:
"...Minnie Florence was daughter of Alfred Victor LOVELL and Emily Marguerite RUSH - the rest is correct. Minnie moved to Adelaide from London in 1925. She met and married Phillip STANLAKE in Adelaide in just a few months. Phillip stated that he is was a Major in the BEF on the wedding certificate. The previous year his electoral roll entry (Carlton, in Victoria) states his occupation as "Solicitor" but I've found zero evidence that he worked as a solicitor..."
I am inclined to doubt anything Mr Stanlake has to say. John Frederick PARSONSON was however a law clerk in Christchurch, so he probably knew his way around legal documents.
Regards
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Have you contacted any descendants of his siblings?
Here is one link..........
https://www.geni.com/people/John-Parsonson/6000000037356082750
His parents & siblings (all ?) emigrated to New Zealand.
Minniehaha.
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Hi,
I have sighted the baptism certificates for Minnie Florence LOVELL and her sister Mabel Louise LOVELL at St Agnes Southwark.
The baptism took place May 21 1904 but their birth dates are in the margin.
30/11/1889 for Minnie and 20/8/1894 for Mabel.
Father Alfred Victor LOVELL of 101 Royal Rd. Southwark. A builder's time-keeper.
Mother Emily.
The couple were married 3rd March 1889 at St Paul's Newington
She was Emily Marguerite Sophia RUSH.
He Alfred Victor LOVELL
Both 22 years.
His father George LOVELL a builder and hers George RUSH a salesman (of something?)
Interestingly one of the witnesses was a Minnie Florence RUSH ;D
I wonder if this passenger has been noted.
P. STANLAKE
Departed Wellington NZ
Port of Arrival Sydney, New South Wales
Voyage Arrival Date 26 May 1920
Vessel Moeraki
When was the last sighting in NZ?
Sue
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All good suggestions.
I believe the last mention of him in NZ is on or about 14 January 1919, in connection with the mysterious gunshot wound. We have assumed that there was some followup over the next few weeks: it just doesn't seem to have been reported.
The immigration details for P STANLAKE are, as far as we know, the first appearance in any historical records of P STANLAKE.
Regards
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Unusual Name Parsonson. Starts in England/Wales Free BMD 1837 as more of a Yorkshire name. Then spreads out with a reasonable showing still in Yorkshire.
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Have you contacted any descendants of his siblings?
Here is one link..........
https://www.geni.com/people/John-Parsonson/6000000037356082750
His parents & siblings (all ?) emigrated to New Zealand.
Minniehaha.
I am a descendent of one of his siblings who did not emigrate and can confirm that I am related to both NZ side of this man's family and the Australian side and it was I who proposed the connection in the first place to John F Parsonson as he was the only sibling who emigrated to Australia whose death I could not trace. Unbelievable and amazing story of a double life