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General => The Common Room => Topic started by: Aguella on Tuesday 15 July 25 07:36 BST (UK)
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Hi all
I am trying to work out the background of George Turner (1903-1983), who married my grandfather's first cousin Marjorie Wildish (1904-1997).
The first definite trace I have of George is his marriage certificate (3 June 1933 at Blacklands in Hastings). He is a 29 year old journalist of 6 Boscobel Road North (St Leonards-on-Sea). His father is listed as George William Turner, a deceased carpenter.
One witness to the marriage was Marjorie's paternal aunt, so of no help to this exercise. The other was Bernard F. Pennells, who I take to be Bernard Field Pennells (1908-1972), a surveyor from Hastings. More likely a friend I think, although could be a cousin (but MMN was Field, so no clear link yet!).
I cannot find George in the 1911 or 1921 censuses. Nor can I find a suitable George William Turner with a son named George of the right age.
I know from later records (such as the 1939 register) that George was born on 7 October 1903. I don't know where he was born.
Based on newspaper reports including coverage of his wedding to Marjorie in 1933, it is clear that George was already quite involved in sports and journalism in Sussex by that time. This makes me think he possibly grew up in Sussex, but this could certainly be incorrect.
Please note, I have (for now) enough information about George's later life/career in the UK and Germany. I mention this to prevent a doubling up of work. I just need some pointers, ideas, & inspiration as to finding his origins!
In hope - many thanks!
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FreeBMD has these births in December qtr 1903, Sussex:
Turner, George Daniel Steyning
Turner, George Henry Horsham
Turner, George Thomas Hastings
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Thank you. George certainly never used a middle name in adult life. I'll have a go at definitively ruling these three out ... will report back!
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George Daniel b 1903 Steyning - ruled out as his parents were James Turner & Ada Louisa Baker
George Henry b 1903 Horsham - ruled out as his parents were George Henry Turner, a farm labourer, & Elizabeth Aundls (sp?)
George Thomas b 1903 Hastings - ruled out as his parents were George Thomas Turner, a general labourer, & Mary Baker
It's looking likely George did not originate in Sussex.
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Just found this:
George Turner born 7 October 1903 baptised at All Saints' Church, Normanton, Yorkshire, son of George & Edith Turner, father a bankman(?)
Looking promising! Must investigate...
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Unfortunately the Normanton George died in Mar Q 1904. Confirmed this is the same lad by finding his parents in the 1911 census (4 children born alive - 2 deceased).
Good to rule it out at least, back to the drawing board. Knew it couldn't be so simple!
Apologies for the multiple posts.
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His dob in 1983 was 10.10.1903
His dob in 1939 was 01 10.1903
SS
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His dob in 1983 was 10.10.1903
His dob in 1939 was 01 10.1903
SS
Both say 1 Oct 1903 by my reckoning! Could be wrong!
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There were 10 George Turners registered in December qtr 1903, without a middle name, in England and Wales ;)
Goole
Blackburn
Dartford
Chelmsford
Birmingham
Newcastle Upon Tyne
Fulham
Pontefract
Plympton
West Derby
Another 5 in March qtr 1904 (allowing for late registration):
Rochdale
Gloucester
Bideford
Devizes
Bradford, Yorkshire
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A newspaper report of the wedding says that he was the only son of Mrs A. C. Reed and the late Mr G. W. Turner (of Rawcliffe, Yorkshire). He took part in cross country running and track running events in Yorkshire before coming to Hastings.
Hastings & St Leonards Observer 10 June 1933
So I think you need to be looking for him in Yorkshire.
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A newspaper report of the wedding says that he was the only son of Mrs A. C. Reed and the late Mr G. W. Turner. He took part in cross country running and track running events in Yorkshire before coming to Hastings.
Hastings & St Leonards Observer 10 June 1933
So I think you need to be looking for him in Yorkshire.
How on earth did I miss that!? Brilliant, thank you.
An Arthur Reed married a Doris Turner in 1930 in Middlesbrough, which caught my eye as Marjorie's mother was from Middlesbrough, and the family did retain some ties there.
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There were 10 George Turners registered in December qtr 1903, without a middle name, in England and Wales ;)
Goole
Blackburn
Dartford
Chelmsford
Birmingham
Newcastle Upon Tyne
Fulham
Pontefract
Plympton
West Derby
Another 5 in March qtr 1904 (allowing for late registration):
Rochdale
Gloucester
Bideford
Devizes
Bradford, Yorkshire
Thank you ... definitely worth trying to connect esp. the Yorkshire ones with the Reed clue.
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1911
High Street, Rawcliffe, Yorks
George William Turner 34 Joiner Rawcliffe
Elizabeth Ellen Turner wife 35 Rawcliffe
George Turner son 7 Rawcliffe
RG14PN28300 RG78PN1618 RD514 SD3 ED8 SN164
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1911
High Street, Rawcliffe, Yorks
George William Turner 34 Joiner Rawcliffe
Elizabeth Ellen Turner wife 35 Rawcliffe
George Turner son 7 Rawcliffe
RG14PN28300 RG78PN1618 RD514 SD3 ED8 SN164
Marriage O/D 1902 Goole dist.- George William Turner to Elizabeth Ellen Wardrobe
Birth O/D 1903 Goole dist.- George Turner (mmn- Wardrobe)
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Possible death of father
TURNER, GEORGE WILLIAM aged37
GRO Reference: 1914 J Quarter in GOOLE Volume 09C Page 1090
Mother Elizabeth Ellen remarries
Marriages Jun 1917
Read Albert C(Collins) Turner Goole 9c 1525
Turner Elizabeth E Read Goole 9c 1525
1921 found in Goole as Reed-----no son George with them.
Births Mar 1868
Reed Albert Collins Thorne 9c 617
REED, ALBERT COLLINS aged 79
GRO Reference: 1947 S Quarter in HASTINGS Volume 05H Page 228
Deaths Mar 1959
REED Elizabeth E 83 Hastings 5h 457
Albert and Elizabeth in Hastings in 1939--her dob 27.3.1876
SS
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SS
1927-1932 Hastings electoral register @ Burry Road
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In 1921 census George Turner is a boarder in the home of his aunt Amy Lavinia Briggs (Nee' Turner), sister to his father George William.
SS
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By George (Turner) - you've done it !!
Thank you very much softly softly, aghadowey and emeltom.
Everything has been tied together very neatly and I've happily added "Rawcliffe" as George's place of birth on my tree.
The Reed/Read threw me a bit after the Reed connection had been established (I couldn't find a Turner - Reed marriage), but I'm very grateful you unravelled it, softly!
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I think bearkat deserves a big thanks for her findings, everything from their post onwards was made so much easier.
SS
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Absolutely, and directly corrected my red herring assumption that George had come from Sussex. Thanks again, bearkat!
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Rootschatters work together - checking records, sharing ideas, breaking down brick walls etc.
It's a great place for family historians.
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Sure is! Brilliant teamwork and my long-standing conundrum was solved within a couple of hours ... a blank line on the tree filled in, always a nice feeling!
Hope everyone has a great day :)
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SS
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Thank you SS - that's brilliant. I had seen this article ages ago when I still had my FindMyPast subscription, and I'd snipped the photographs of George & Marjorie, but not the text (silly!) so I hadn't got a record of any of that rich information.
Full text suitably saved now, and this George Turner experience and seeing the importance of deep-diving the details (e.g. the mention of stepfather Reed and Rawcliffe) has inspired me to renew my FindMyPast subscription post-haste and get saving - I love their new snip tool!!
Anyway, many thanks again :)