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General => The Common Room => Topic started by: Letsy on Sunday 12 February 23 13:41 GMT (UK)

Title: Frank Ernest Prior
Post by: Letsy on Sunday 12 February 23 13:41 GMT (UK)
Does anyone have Frank Ernest Prior in their tree? He was born 3 August 1909 at the General Lying-in Hospital, York Road, Lambeth. His parents were Alfred Ernest Prior and Sarah Jones (full name Sarah Elizabeth Phyllis Ann). He married Annie Schuts in 1939 and died in the Haringey registration district in 1974.
The reason for my enquiry is to find any information about his father who, on his marriage certificate 21 January 1906, gave his father’s name as Frank Prior deceased boot maker. Assuming Alfred Ernest was telling the truth this makes him my paternal grand father’s brother who vanishes from the records in 1891. The story was that Alfred (known as Ernest) was in the regular army, went to France with the BEF, was sent back to assist with training Kitchener’s new army, missed the action, deserted, re-enlisted under an assumed name and came through the war without a scratch!
On FindMyPast there are records for an Alfred Prior born Marylebone, marrying Sarah Jones 21 January 1906 at St John’s Hammersmith. He gives his next of kin as a cousin Mr or Mrs, it’s not clear, Tilbury of Silver Town. I know of no marriage between a Tilbury and any Priors in my tree.
Any help welcomed.
Title: Re: Frank Ernest Prior
Post by: softly softly on Sunday 12 February 23 14:03 GMT (UK)
Let's start off with 1881 census for Alfred Ernest with father Frank.

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QK65-GZV3

John

added, birth of Alfred and his brother Albert as per 1881 census.

   PRIOR, ALBERT  LEONARD     mmn EMERY 
GRO Reference: 1874  S Quarter in MARYLEBONE  Volume 01A  Page 469

   PRIOR, ALFRED  ERNEST     mmn EMERY 
GRO Reference: 1876  J Quarter in MARYLEBONE  Volume 01A  Page 481
Title: Re: Frank Ernest Prior
Post by: softly softly on Sunday 12 February 23 14:20 GMT (UK)
Alfred Ernest's baptism records a date of birth 12th April 1876.

John
Title: Re: Frank Ernest Prior
Post by: softly softly on Sunday 12 February 23 14:26 GMT (UK)
Frank Prior snr died 29th August 1890 Middlesex Hospital, probate record names wife as Emma Jane.

Death ref

PRIOR, FRANK       aged 44 
GRO Reference: 1890  S Quarter in MARYLEBONE  Volume 01A  Page 372

John
Title: Re: Frank Ernest Prior
Post by: softly softly on Sunday 12 February 23 14:32 GMT (UK)
Quote

On FindMyPast there are records for an Alfred Prior born Marylebone, marrying Sarah Jones 21 January 1906 at St John’s Hammersmith.

They did marry on that date with Alfred recording his father as Frank Prior deceased occupation Boot Maker..
Title: Re: Frank Ernest Prior
Post by: Letsy on Sunday 12 February 23 16:32 GMT (UK)
Thank you. I should have made clear that I have all the available information. What I am trying to establish is contact with any descendants of Frank Ernest Prior in the hope that they may know what happened to Frank’s father.
Title: Re: Frank Ernest Prior
Post by: Ladyhawk on Sunday 12 February 23 16:43 GMT (UK)
Assuming Alfred Ernest was telling the truth this makes him my paternal grand father’s brother who vanishes from the records in 1891.

The story was that Alfred (known as Ernest) was in the regular army, went to France with the BEF, was sent back to assist with training Kitchener’s new army, missed the action, deserted, re-enlisted under an assumed name and came through the war without a scratch!


Do you have any idea which Regiment he served with?



Title: Re: Frank Ernest Prior
Post by: Letsy on Sunday 12 February 23 16:54 GMT (UK)
No except the Alfred Prior whose service record is on FindMyPast was in the Hampshire Regiment.
Title: Re: Frank Ernest Prior
Post by: softly softly on Sunday 12 February 23 17:56 GMT (UK)
Letsy, after Alfred seems to have gone awol after his marriage in 1906, his wife Sarah remarries in 1916. Have you her marriage cert to Tom Threlkeld and does it record her as a widow?

John
Title: Re: Frank Ernest Prior
Post by: Letsy on Sunday 12 February 23 18:08 GMT (UK)
I’m waiting for that marriage certificate. It should have been delivered over a week ago. I’ve notified the GRO and hope they’ll send another copy.
Title: Re: Frank Ernest Prior
Post by: rosie99 on Sunday 12 February 23 18:10 GMT (UK)
On FindMyPast there are records for an Alfred Prior born Marylebone, marrying Sarah Jones 21 January 1906 at St John’s Hammersmith. He gives his next of kin as a cousin Mr or Mrs, it’s not clear, Tilbury of Silver Town. I know of no marriage between a Tilbury and any Priors in my tree.


Could you give a link to that record please
Title: Re: Frank Ernest Prior
Post by: softly softly on Sunday 12 February 23 18:24 GMT (UK)
rosie, this is on FindMyPast but I cannot view.

Prior
Alfred
1878

1896
British Army Service Records
Marylebone, London, Middlesex, England

and this on An*

ame:   Alfred Prior
Enlistment Age:   18
Birth Date:   abt 1878
Birth Place:   Meryborne Middlesex
Enlistment Year:   1896
Regiment:   Hampshire Regt
Regimental Number:   4948
Attestation Paper:   Yes

John
Title: Re: Frank Ernest Prior
Post by: Letsy on Sunday 12 February 23 18:27 GMT (UK)
https://search.findmypast.co.uk/record?id=GBM%2FWO97%2F5723%2F006%2F001&parentid=GBM%2FWO97%2F5723%2F1001649
This is the link. Hope it works!
Title: Re: Frank Ernest Prior
Post by: Mabel Bagshawe on Sunday 12 February 23 19:40 GMT (UK)
There's an Albert Ernest Prior aged 39 who joins the Freemasons in November 1916. Residence Farnborough, occupation relieving officer

Would fit with an army connection
Title: Re: Frank Ernest Prior
Post by: Letsy on Sunday 12 February 23 22:02 GMT (UK)
Not mine I’m regret to say. FranK Ernest’s father was Alfred Ernest.
Title: Re: Frank Ernest Prior
Post by: bbart on Sunday 12 February 23 22:44 GMT (UK)
This may not be your man at all, but if it is, they were in Dorset at some point.

Southern Times and Dorset County Herald 10 April 1909

I, Sarah Prior, 1, Victoria terrace Weymouth hereby give Notice, - That I WILL NOT BE RESPONSIBLE for any DEBTS incurred by my Husband, ALFRED ERNEST PRIOR, on or after this Date
(signed) SARAH PRIOR
Dated April 8th, 1909
Title: Re: Frank Ernest Prior
Post by: Letsy on Monday 13 February 23 00:10 GMT (UK)
Thank you very much. Sarah registered her son’s birth in the August so this may be the same Alfred Ernest but what they’d be doing in Weymouth I cannot imagine!
Title: Re: Frank Ernest Prior
Post by: Mabel Bagshawe on Monday 13 February 23 08:01 GMT (UK)
There's an Albert Ernest Prior aged 39 who joins the Freemasons in November 1916. Residence Farnborough, occupation relieving officer

Would fit with an army connection

Not mine I’m regret to say. FranK Ernest’s father was Alfred Ernest.

My typing error - the entry is for Alfred Ernest, not Albert

Title: Re: Frank Ernest Prior
Post by: jonwarrn on Monday 13 February 23 11:26 GMT (UK)
I think this could be AEP the relieving officer in 1911, with wife Alice Maud Mary
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XWQY-3HN
Title: Re: Frank Ernest Prior
Post by: rosie99 on Monday 13 February 23 12:26 GMT (UK)
rosie, this is on FindMyPast but I cannot view.

Prior
Alfred
1878

1896
British Army Service Records
Marylebone, London, Middlesex, England

and this on An*

ame:   Alfred Prior
Enlistment Age:   18
Birth Date:   abt 1878
Birth Place:   Meryborne Middlesex
Enlistment Year:   1896
Regiment:   Hampshire Regt
Regimental Number:   4948
Attestation Paper:   Yes

John

Thank you John  :)

I was looking for a marriage record  :-\.  ;D

Quote from: Letsy on Yesterday at 13:41
On FindMyPast there are records for an Alfred Prior born Marylebone, marrying Sarah Jones 21 January 1906 at St John’s Hammersmith. He gives his next of kin as a cousin Mr or Mrs, it’s not clear, Tilbury of Silver Town. I know of no marriage between a Tilbury and any Priors in my tree.
Title: Re: Frank Ernest Prior
Post by: Letsy on Monday 13 February 23 13:47 GMT (UK)
Alfred the Relieving Officer was born in Odiham, Hants.
Title: Re: Frank Ernest Prior
Post by: jonwarrn on Monday 13 February 23 14:10 GMT (UK)
He's not your man, sadly.
Title: Re: Frank Ernest Prior
Post by: Letsy on Monday 13 February 23 14:25 GMT (UK)
Indeed. The hunt continues!
Title: Re: Frank Ernest Prior
Post by: Mabel Bagshawe on Monday 13 February 23 19:51 GMT (UK)
I'm fairly sure  the Tilbury thing is a red herring. The image of the register entry is on Ancestry. Alfred lists his father Frank, deceased. There's no mention of Tilburys anywhere in the entry for his marriage. There's no other next of kin entry on a register like this anyway, so not sure where the "He gives his next of kin as a cousin Mr or Mrs, it’s not clear, Tilbury of Silver Town" comes from.

However, the previous marriage in the register is between Harry Handley and Amy Tilbury

I think someone has mixed the two separate marriages entries up
Title: Re: Frank Ernest Prior
Post by: Dundee on Monday 13 February 23 22:47 GMT (UK)
I'm fairly sure  the Tilbury thing is a red herring. The image of the register entry is on Ancestry. Alfred lists his father Frank, deceased. There's no mention of Tilburys anywhere in the entry for his marriage. There's no other next of kin entry on a register like this anyway, so not sure where the "He gives his next of kin as a cousin Mr or Mrs, it’s not clear, Tilbury of Silver Town" comes from.

I assumed this was from his military pension record.

 
rosie, this is on FindMyPast but I cannot view.

Prior
Alfred
1878

1896
British Army Service Records
Marylebone, London, Middlesex, England

and this on An*

Name:   Alfred Prior
Enlistment Age:   18
Birth Date:   abt 1878
Birth Place:   Meryborne Middlesex
Enlistment Year:   1896
Regiment:   Hampshire Regt
Regimental Number:   4948
Attestation Paper:   Yes

John

Debra  :)

Title: Re: Frank Ernest Prior
Post by: Dundee on Monday 13 February 23 22:50 GMT (UK)
He had also previously deserted from the Royal Navy.

https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D6787175

Debra  :)
Title: Re: Frank Ernest Prior
Post by: Letsy on Monday 13 February 23 23:04 GMT (UK)
The Tilbury reference is on his attestation papers. Yes I noticed the marriage of Amy Tilbury on the same page as Alfred Ernest’s. Interestingly both grooms are postmen.
Title: Re: Frank Ernest Prior
Post by: bbart on Monday 13 February 23 23:16 GMT (UK)
Letsy, I believe you have FindmyPast?

If you search Alfred Ernest Prior,  with keyword Postman (in advanced search), there is an index entry for 1904 for postman records.  However, I keep getting a "500 error".  I don't even know if it is the right fellow, but it might be something?  Sorry I can't direct link.... it goes right to the error screen.
Title: Re: Frank Ernest Prior
Post by: Ladyhawk on Monday 13 February 23 23:22 GMT (UK)
Not sure if you have this

Record set Berkshire Baptisms Index
 Frank Ernest Prior
Birth 03 Aug 1909
Baptism 12 Sep 1909
Father occupation Postman
Residence Parsons Green
Denomination Anglican
Place Sunningdale
Mother Sarah
Father  Albert Ernest
Document type Parish records


 
Title: Re: Frank Ernest Prior
Post by: bbart on Tuesday 14 February 23 00:02 GMT (UK)
A possible sister of Frank Ernest?

PRIOR, ALICE  ELLEN CONSTANCE     JONES     
GRO Reference: 1907  D Quarter in FULHAM  Volume 01A  Page 180

She died in 1908. I was hoping to find a baptism, but no luck so far.
Title: Re: Frank Ernest Prior
Post by: Dundee on Tuesday 14 February 23 01:19 GMT (UK)
Frank Ernest went to Australia in 1927, aged 17 no occupation, and returned in 1931 as a radio salesman.  He was using the surname PRIOR-THRE(L)KELD.  He is with his mother and step father on electoral rolls after he returned but he is not with them in 1921.  Do you know where he was?

Debra  :)
Title: Re: Frank Ernest Prior
Post by: Dundee on Tuesday 14 February 23 01:53 GMT (UK)
There were 29 Dreadnought boys on the Barrabool in 1927 and it looks like Frank was amongst them.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dreadnought_scheme

Debra  :)
Title: Re: Frank Ernest Prior
Post by: Letsy on Tuesday 14 February 23 08:13 GMT (UK)
Thank you all for your help and suggestions.
I have a PDF of Alice Ellen Constance’s birth certificate and she certainly was Frank’s sister. I am currently waiting for her death certificate.
I have searched the 1921 census for Frank but so far failed to find him. His mother and stepfather are visiting a family named Wagstaff in Leigh on Sea. The stepfather is a wireless inspector working for Marconi.
Is there a link to the entry for Frank on the Barrabol?
Reverting to an earlier post I have reported the error message to FindMyPast.
From a trawl through the GRO indexes I have established that Frank Ernest had a son Melvyn in 1940 and a daughter Pamela in 1946 who may well be still alive. Do these names ring any bells?
Title: Re: Frank Ernest Prior
Post by: jonwarrn on Tuesday 14 February 23 09:41 GMT (UK)
Longshot for 1921? :-\
Free index has a Frank Ernest Priss, born 1909, Catford, London, in Margate St John the Baptist, Kent. Father dead, mother alive?
Don't have access, and don't know who it is. With other boys.
Title: Re: Frank Ernest Prior
Post by: Dundee on Tuesday 14 February 23 10:31 GMT (UK)
I was wondering if he might be at school somewhere, I think that is probably him.

Debra  :)
Title: Re: Frank Ernest Prior
Post by: Dundee on Tuesday 14 February 23 10:47 GMT (UK)
Links to Frank on the Barrabool from Ancestry

Departing

http://www.rootschat.com/links/01s3v/

Returning

http://www.rootschat.com/links/01s3w/

If you are using FindMyPast, just search for - Prior-Threlkeld, Frank for the departure, but I don't think they have the inbound passenger lists.
   
Debra  :)
   
Title: Re: Frank Ernest Prior
Post by: Letsy on Tuesday 14 February 23 11:06 GMT (UK)
Dundee,
Brilliant detective work! It has to be him. The surname is clearly Prior mistranscribed as Priss. His birthplace is wrong, it should be Lambeth but then who knows what his mother told the school. From photos on line Margate College looks pretty impressive - I wonder who was paying the fees?
Title: Re: Frank Ernest Prior
Post by: Dundee on Tuesday 14 February 23 11:19 GMT (UK)
I looked and failed, it was jonw65 who found him. 

Debra  :)
Title: Re: Frank Ernest Prior
Post by: Letsy on Tuesday 14 February 23 18:48 GMT (UK)
Update. The Threlkeld/Prior marriage certificate has finally arrived - the bride gives her status as widow.
Title: Re: Frank Ernest Prior
Post by: Mabel Bagshawe on Tuesday 14 February 23 19:34 GMT (UK)
The Tilbury reference is on his attestation papers. Yes I noticed the marriage of Amy Tilbury on the same page as Alfred Ernest’s. Interestingly both grooms are postmen.

Ok - don't have access to those papers and the opening post read to me as if the Tilbury info was part of marriage documentation

I've looked at Amy Tilbury's family and can;t find any connection. Her mother's maiden name was Long, so doesn't look like she's a first cousin. Her two brothers are in Hammersmith in 1911 and seem to stay in that area. A Silver Town connection's eluding me at the moment
Title: Re: Frank Ernest Prior
Post by: Ladyhawk on Tuesday 14 February 23 19:53 GMT (UK)
Letsy, after Alfred seems to have gone awol after his marriage in 1906, his wife Sarah remarries in 1916. Have you her marriage cert to Tom Threlkeld and does it record her as a widow?

John

Update. The Threlkeld/Prior marriage certificate has finally arrived - the bride gives her status as widow.

Just in case anyone else is looking married

Dec 1916   Lewisham    1d   2009    
George    Gertrude E    Parker   
Parker    Percy J    George   
Prior    Phyllis S E    Threlkeld   
Threlkeld    Tom G    Prior   

her death

Sarah Elizabeth Phyllis Ann Threlkeld age 72
Date of death 15 Sep 1960
Cemetery Oulton
Record set Norfolk, Churchyard Graves And Memorial Transcriptions

Added

I have searched the 1921 census for Frank but so far failed to find him.

His mother and stepfather are visiting a family named Wagstaff in Leigh on Sea.
The stepfather is a wireless inspector working for Marconi

See details from jonw65 #33 for details of  Frank 1921

Southend on Sea, Essex
Tom Gordon Threlkeld 1888 Newcastle  on Tyne, Northumberland
Phillis Elizabeth Sarah Mary Anne Threlkeld   1888 Hammersmith, London

and 1939 Gipping R.D., Suffolk

Tom G   Threlkeld   1888   
Phyllis E   Threlkeld   1888   


Title: Re: Frank Ernest Prior
Post by: Ladyhawk on Tuesday 14 February 23 21:07 GMT (UK)
Letsey is this Frank and his mother Sarah on 1911 census?
Says she is married 5 years 2 children 1 living 1 died

47 Elizabeth St S E, St Mary Newington, London & Surrey
Sarah   SMITH Widow 1872   Chelsea
Carrie   Smith   Daughter 1898   Shepherds Bush
Edward   Smith   Son 1896   Apprentice tailor   Hammersmith
Sarah   PRIOR Daughter   Married   1888   Hammersmith Waitress restaurtant
Frank   PRIOR Grandson 1910   Lambeth

Plus 1 boarder

S Prior signs the declaration
Title: Re: Frank Ernest Prior
Post by: Ladyhawk on Tuesday 14 February 23 21:50 GMT (UK)
Letsy, I believe you have FindmyPast?

If you search Alfred Ernest Prior,  with keyword Postman (in advanced search), there is an index entry for 1904 for postman records.  However, I keep getting a "500 error".  I don't even know if it is the right fellow, but it might be something?  Sorry I can't direct link.... it goes right to the error screen.

There’s also this record in Scotland, Edinburgh Gazette 1797-2018 - don’t know if it relates to your AEP

Post office:- postman or Porter, London Alfred Ernest Prior
Issue date 07 Oct 1904  Issue number 11661
Title: Re: Frank Ernest Prior
Post by: Letsy on Tuesday 14 February 23 22:23 GMT (UK)
Ladyhawk,
Yes it is. The problem is the absence of Alfred Ernest for whom there are two possibilities either he dodged the enumerator or had rejoined the army, possibly under an assumed name, having deserted his wife and child.
Title: Re: Frank Ernest Prior
Post by: Ladyhawk on Wednesday 15 February 23 09:30 GMT (UK)
Update.
The Threlkeld/Prior marriage certificate has finally arrived - the bride gives her status as widow.

If Alfred had died, could this be a possibility for his death?

Mar 1913   Pryor    Alfred    age 38    Kensington    1a   251   

The problem is the absence of Alfred Ernest for whom there are two possibilities either he dodged the enumerator or had rejoined the army, possibly under an assumed name, having deserted his wife and child.

A long shot as it’s not an exact match and only initials given

1911c London County Asylum Bexley, Dartford, Kent
A E P male Age 33
Relationship to head Patient
Marital status Single
Occupation Potman
Birth place London Shoreditch


Title: Re: Frank Ernest Prior
Post by: Letsy on Wednesday 15 February 23 14:01 GMT (UK)
Unlikely. My father said that his Uncle Ernest was in the BEF and died sometime after the war.