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General => The Common Room => Topic started by: SouthseaSteel on Friday 01 August 25 12:44 BST (UK)
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Anybody have any suggestions as to what the occupation "Head of the Intelligence Department" may specifically refer as given on the 1950 death certificate of Ernest Clifton Crick who died in Paddington Hospital.
He was a remarkable chap. Born in 1877 in Paris, he was arrested for fraud in South Africa and fled to New Zealand where he instigated what was then called the biggest fraud in New Zealand's history in 1899!! He raised finance for a power station that didn't exist. He escaped again to Australia where he was arrested 3 times in Sydney and Melbourne for a variety of offences.
In 1913 he married my brother in laws great aunt in Chelsea, London but was arrested and jailed for assault later that year whilst working as a foreign stamp dealer in Aldgate, London.
In 1914 he served in the London Regiment, Royal Fusiliers through WW1 and was then based at General Headquarters, British Army of the Rhine, Cologne in 1921 serving in the Intelligence Corps.
From 1928 until his 1950 death he lived in Paddington, London having married for the 2nd time in 1942.
Maybe his death occupation "Head of the Intelligence Department" harked back to his military days in the 20s but we can't help but think there is some much more exotic back story to it!!
Any insights or suggestions gratefully received as ever
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Have you considered that, in reality, any occupation could be given on a death certificate as no proof of the deceased having been such was sought? Any information on a death certificate was only ever as accurate as the knowledge of the person providing the details.
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As he served in the Intelligence service it's more than likely that's the reference on his death cert. However - you can give whatever occ you like on a death cert.
What's his occupation on the 1939 register?
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Interesting story on his fraud can be seen by the link below ....
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/TO18990610.2.6
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And yet more ....
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/TO18990610.2.5
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Have you considered that, in reality, any occupation could be given on a death certificate as no proof of the deceased having been such was sought? Any information on a death certificate was only ever as accurate as the knowledge of the person providing the details.
I have considerd that yes. My post was based on the assumption that his occupation was based on his military past ........ but what if it wasnt and it actually reflected his current reality?!! Such considerations are what feed our genealogical dreams!! :)
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As he served in the Intelligence service it's more than likely that's the reference on his death cert. However - you can give whatever occ you like on a death cert.
What's his occupation on the 1939 register?
Unfortunately, I can't find any 1939 Register entry which may confirm a continuing military career or maybe something more mysterious commensurate with being " Head of THE intelligence department"!! :D
Actually you have given me the idea of ordering his 2nd 1942 marriage certificate. That should have an occupation on it. Thanks you :)
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And yet more ....
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/TO18990610.2.5
I know - what tales!! And how they were written up back in the day, glorious prose!!!
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SouthseaSteel, you already seem to know quite a bit about this man. Were you aware that the 10th battalion Royal Fusiliers, as well as being a conventional service battalion also acted as holding unit for the nascent Intelligence Corps? Pte(Acting Sergeant) EC Crick held the Army number 253372. You can read a bit more about the dual role of the 10th battalion on the Great War Forum Here (https://www.greatwarforum.org/topic/157434-10th-battalion-royal-fusiliers/) and Here (https://www.greatwarforum.org/topic/82398-intelligence-corps-and-the-met-special-branch/). Also Wikipedia has This (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/10th_(Service)_Battalion%2C_Royal_Fusiliers_(Stockbrokers)#10th_Battalion,_Intelligence_(B)) on the subject, although I'm guessing you have already found that one. A contemporary, though limited, source can be found on pages 10 - 11 (https://archive.org/details/royalfusiliersin00onei/page/10/mode/2up) of H.C. O’Neill, The Royal Fusiliers in the Great War, London: Heinemann, 1922.
I assume that his entry in the 1921 Census which says that he was in the Armed Services Overseas is where you found out that he was serving with BAOR in 1921 (I haven't paid to look at the exact detail of the entry). Since he was presumably still a serving soldier his service record will have survived and you can obtain it from the MOD. (details of how to do that here (https://www.gov.uk/get-copy-military-records-of-service/apply-for-the-records-of-a-deceased-serviceperson)). This is likely to tell you a lot more about his intelligence career and when he joined and left the Army.
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SouthseaSteel, you already seem to know quite a bit about this man. Were you aware that the 10th battalion Royal Fusiliers, as well as being a conventional service battalion also acted as holding unit for the nascent Intelligence Corps? Pte(Acting Sergeant) EC Crick held the Army number 253372. You can read a bit more about the dual role of the 10th battalion on the Great War Forum Here (https://www.greatwarforum.org/topic/157434-10th-battalion-royal-fusiliers/) and Here (https://www.greatwarforum.org/topic/82398-intelligence-corps-and-the-met-special-branch/). Also Wikipedia has This (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/10th_(Service)_Battalion%2C_Royal_Fusiliers_(Stockbrokers)#10th_Battalion,_Intelligence_(B)) on the subject, although I'm guessing you have already found that one. A contemporary, though limited, source can be found on pages 10 - 11 (https://archive.org/details/royalfusiliersin00onei/page/10/mode/2up) of H.C. O’Neill, The Royal Fusiliers in the Great War, London: Heinemann, 1922.
I assume that his entry in the 1921 Census which says that he was in the Armed Services Overseas is where you found out that he was serving with BAOR in 1921 (I haven't paid to look at the exact detail of the entry). Since he was presumably still a serving soldier his service record will have survived and you can obtain it from the MOD. (details of how to do that here (https://www.gov.uk/get-copy-military-records-of-service/apply-for-the-records-of-a-deceased-serviceperson)). This is likely to tell you a lot more about his intelligence career and when he joined and left the Army.
Oh yes, bang on!!! Cant thank you enough Andy. All of this is new and is plenty to chew on. I have already found some new info using his Army number. Rich pickings. Thanks again
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"as given on the 1950 death certificate" - by who? Who was the informant?
I see that his Antwerp immigration record is linked to his FS page but not the original. In case you haven't seen it, his file starts here:
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-L99C-QY6K?wc=M6TQ-4PD%3A342014901%26cc%3D2023926&cc=2023926&lang=en&i=13
It looks like he had been in Paris visiting his father when he came in late 1924. He claimed to work for Ford (which on one level would make sense as Ford did open a site in Antwerp in 1922). There is a picture of him in the files and some info about addresses he stayed at.
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More records of him from a US paper based in Paris confirming a Ford link:
https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bd6t521333d/f4.image.r=%22Ernest%20Clifton%20Crick%22?rk=21459;2
https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bd6t5197457/f4.image.r=%22Ernest%20Clifton%20Crick%22?rk=42918;4
Also his Victorian court record (Ernest C Crick aka George Hamilton)
https://prov.vic.gov.au/archive/1CA8604F-F3A9-11E9-AE98-1D6EA4F7F3F8?image=62
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Great finds, jorose!
His grandparents' account of the events that took place in Paris during the Prussian siege in 1870 has inspired this novel.
https://books.google.com/books/about/A_Window_in_Paris.html?id=MhOL5vzVAM4C&redir_esc=y
MISS MARIANNE FARNINGHAM
... latter work was a vivid record of the state of things in Paris during the German siege of 1870, and the sanguinary period the Commune which followed. Her information came from Mr. and Mrs. Clifton Crick, friends with local connections, who had lived through ...
Published: Friday 21 December 1934
Newspaper: Northampton Mercury
County: Northamptonshire, England
Type: Article | Words: 237 | Page: 6
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I wonder if Ernest was an alias? Or is this his brother?
Name: Mother's Maiden Surname:
CRICK, CHARLES CLIFTON WARREN
GRO Reference: 1876 M Quarter in LAMBETH Volume 01D Page 581
His parents (Charles Clifton Crick and Mary Ann (Annie) Warren married in Kensington, England in 1873.
Surname First name(s) District Vol Page
Marriages Sep 1873 (>99%)
Crick Charles Clifton Kensington 1a 366
Warren Annie Kensington 1a 366
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I wonder if Ernest was an alias? Or is this his brother?
CRICK, CHARLES CLIFTON WARREN
GRO Reference: 1876 M Quarter in LAMBETH Volume 01D Page 581
His parents (Charles Clifton Crick and Mary Ann (Annie) Warren married in Kensington, England in 1873.
Marriages Sep 1873
Crick Charles Clifton Kensington 1a 366
Warren Annie Kensington 1a 366
For info
Charles Clifton Crick Death Age 6 mths
Birth Place Lower Norwood (Angleterre)
Death 7 août 1876 (7 Aug 1876) 16e Arrondissement, Paris, France
Father Charles Clifton Crick Mother Annie Warren
Added
Annie Warren Death Age 28
Birth Place Leighton (Angleture) (Leighton)
Death 28 juin 1879 (28 Jun 1879) 17e Arrondissement, Paris, France
Father Thomas Warren
Mother Mary Anne Webster
Spouse Charles Clifton Crick
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Great, thanks!
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"as given on the 1950 death certificate" - by who? Who was the informant?
His 2nd wife and widow Clara nee Widdows
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I wonder if Ernest was an alias? Or is this his brother?
Name: Mother's Maiden Surname:
CRICK, CHARLES CLIFTON WARREN
GRO Reference: 1876 M Quarter in LAMBETH Volume 01D Page 581
His parents (Charles Clifton Crick and Mary Ann (Annie) Warren married in Kensington, England in 1873.
Surname First name(s) District Vol Page
Marriages Sep 1873 (>99%)
Crick Charles Clifton Kensington 1a 366
Warren Annie Kensington 1a 366
This was his brother. Born London 1876, died Paris 1876
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Thank you so much everybody. This is turning into a real feast.
What a guy!!!
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I wonder if Ernest was an alias? Or is this his brother?
Name: Mother's Maiden Surname:
CRICK, CHARLES CLIFTON WARREN
GRO Reference: 1876 M Quarter in LAMBETH Volume 01D Page 581
His parents (Charles Clifton Crick and Mary Ann (Annie) Warren married in Kensington, England in 1873.
Surname First name(s) District Vol Page
Marriages Sep 1873 (>99%)
Crick Charles Clifton Kensington 1a 366
Warren Annie Kensington 1a 366
This was his brother. Born London 1876, died Paris 1876
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Thanks SouthseaSteel, so that means they left London for Paris with a newborn baby?
I'm finding his story fascinating ;D
While he was in Australia his aunt Mary died in Northampton and apparently she left him some inheritance
BnF Gallica
01 juin 1904
IF MR. ERNEST CRICK OR HIS REPRESENTATIVES will communicate with Messrs. Pettit, Fenn and Walton, Leighton Buzzard, England, Solicitors, they will hear of something to their advantage.
21 octobre 1930
Ernest C Crick, assistant sales manager of the Ford Motor Company of Belgium for several years, and recently in charge of the Ford organization in Switzerland, has resigned, because of ill-health, and left Antwerp to reside with his family in Paris.
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Thanks SouthseaSteel, so that means they left London for Paris with a newborn baby?
Indeed, but its just relentless country hopping for this family!!!
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Do you know where his grandfather Ebenezer Crick came from? Or should I say Ebenezer Clifton or Charles Ebenezer Clifton?
https://www.google.com/search?hl=&tbo=p&tbm=bks&q=inauthor:%22Ebenezer+Clifton%22
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He married in Victoria!
CRICK
Ernt Clifton
Marriage
THOMPSON, Flor
1906
4211/1906
And probably in NSW!
2912/1911 CRICK ERNEST C PEARSON JOSEPHINE M ST LEONARDS
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Just for the sake of completeness, here's more information about his dodgy character. It's from a London, England newspaper of 26 October 1913.
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Thanks for posting it, Andy! His grandfather looks much more interesting...
I can't find his birth/baptism records. The following link says 1805.
He went by the name of Ebenezer Crick in his marriage record to Sarah Sanders in 1834 in Potterspury, Northamptonshire.
He was a journalist/bookseller in Newport Pagnell and then the proprietor of the "Leamington Press" in Leamington Priors before going bankrupt in 1835.
By 1839 he translated a French book under the name C. Ebenezer Clifton, and authored many other books.
https://data.bnf.fr/fr/ark:/12148/cb12597471g
Maybe Clifton was his birth place? Or mother's surname?
His first son was christened on 9 Sep 1841 at Moulton, Northampton, Wiliam Clifton Crick, although there are two records and the other was transcribed William Allen Crick. I suppose William was born in Paris but they visited England around the time of his christening, or maybe they went to Paris after that. Their daughter Mary Clifton Crick was also christened in England, Potterspury 1849. I couldn't find the christening records of their second son, Charles (Ernest's father), but his marriage to Anne Warren was advertised in the newspapers and he is referred as the second son of Mr. Clifton-Crick.
In the novel "A Window in Paris", he is named Mr. Charles Clifton and in one paragraph he gave his name as Charles Cleveland Clifton and said he had been a resident in Paris for more than 30 years - this was 1870 (page 208), but this was a fictional work based on real people, so it's likely that the author has changed the names. She wrote under the nom de plume Marianne Farningham, her real name was Mary Anne Hearne.
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He married in Victoria!
CRICK
Ernt Clifton
Marriage
THOMPSON, Flor
1906
4211/1906
And probably in NSW!
2912/1911 CRICK ERNEST C PEARSON JOSEPHINE M ST LEONARDS
By jove, you're right, thank you!! So in all likelihood he was a triple bigamist as well!!!!
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Just for the sake of completeness, here's more information about his dodgy character. It's from a London, England newspaper of 26 October 1913.
Indeed!!! This happened 3 months after his marriage to my brother in laws great aunt Lily!!!!
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I have found this wonderful site with the detais of his father's family! (sorry for the old link, but it works)
http://www.mkheritage.site/hanslope/visitorPages/willDetail.php?firstName=Etty&familyName=Warren&sex=F&yoB=0&yoI=1846&source=23&sourceID=3104&masterID=231935&FullMinor=&CallFirstName=&CallFamilyName=&Tolerance=5&EndAction=C&Detail=I
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Thanks for posting it, Andy! His grandfather looks much more interesting...
I can't find his birth/baptism records. The following link says 1805.
He went by the name of Ebenezer Crick in his marriage record to Sarah Sanders in 1834 in Potterspury, Northamptonshire.
He was a journalist/bookseller in Newport Pagnell and then the proprietor of the "Leamington Press" in Leamington Priors before going bankrupt in 1835.
By 1839 he translated a French book under the name C. Ebenezer Clifton, and authored many other books.
https://data.bnf.fr/fr/ark:/12148/cb12597471g
Maybe Clifton was his birth place? Or mother's surname?
His first son was christened on 9 Sep 1841 at Moulton, Northampton, Wiliam Clifton Crick, although there are two records and the other was transcribed William Allen Crick. I suppose William was born in Paris but they visited England around the time of his christening, or maybe they went to Paris after that. Their daughter Mary Clifton Crick was also christened in England, Potterspury 1849. I couldn't find the christening records of their second son, Charles (Ernest's father), but his marriage to Anne Warren was advertised in the newspapers and he is referred as the second son of Mr. Clifton-Crick.
In the novel "A Window in Paris", he is named Mr. Charles Clifton and in one paragraph he gave his name as Charles Cleveland Clifton and said he had been a resident in Paris for more than 30 years - this was 1870 (page 208), but this was a fictional work based on real people, so it's likely that the author has changed the names. She wrote under the nom de plume Marianne Farningham, her real name was Mary Anne Hearne.
I must admit I have had my hands full with his grandchild who was only of immediate to the tree in hand through marriage but it looks most interesting to extend it back too!!
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I still don't know the origin of the middle name Clifton. ::)
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I still don't know the origin of the middle name Clifton. ::)
Yes, he was born and married as Charles Ebenezer Crick in Northants, but named all his 3 Paris born children Clifton Crick and died himself a Clifton Crick. His mother's maiden name was Hinds and his grandmothers were called Nicholls and Lane so not straightforward - not surprisingly!!
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Regarding his occupation as Head of the Intelligence Department... he left his job in 1930 in Belgium and returned to Paris. He was fluent in French, English and German, he had connections in France, Belgium, Switzerland and England and he worked for a major American company. Maybe he was recruited by the government during WW2?
And Ford had a controversial role in WW2
https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2001-dec-07-fi-12269-story.html
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He was definitely in Sydney around the time of his second marriage.
"Sydney Enlargement Co., 14 Castlereagh-st., photographers - Business commenced 17.10.10 - Propr.: Ernest Clifton Crick. Registered 17.10.10. No. 21930."
https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-788335674/view?sectionId=nla.obj-796600675&searchTerm=%22ernest+clifton+crick%22&partId=nla.obj-788349254#page/n17/mode/1up/search/%22ernest+clifton+crick%22
And he also gave the alias of "George Crick, a Melbourne press reporter", when he was arrested in Victoria.
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/149116998?searchTerm=%22george%20hamilton%22#
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He was definitely in Sydney around the time of his second marriage.
"Sydney Enlargement Co., 14 Castlereagh-st., photographers - Business commenced 17.10.10 - Propr.: Ernest Clifton Crick. Registered 17.10.10. No. 21930."
https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-788335674/view?sectionId=nla.obj-796600675&searchTerm=%22ernest+clifton+crick%22&partId=nla.obj-788349254#page/n17/mode/1up/search/%22ernest+clifton+crick%22
And he also gave the alias of "George Crick, a Melbourne press reporter", when he was arrested in Victoria.
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/149116998?searchTerm=%22george%20hamilton%22#
Thanks again, much appreciated. I have him down for at least 3 gaol spells in Melbourne, Victoria!!
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I have just found him living at 63 Campbell Road, Poplar, London E3 during 1928 - 1930 along with a Margaret Crick, which I reckon could be his 5th "wife"
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Where have you found this? What happened to Lily?
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I have just found him living at 63 Campbell Road, Poplar, London E3 during 1928 - 1930 along with a Margaret Crick, which I reckon could be his 5th "wife"
Not sure this is the same Ernest. There's a marriage in Bethnal Green 1926 to Margaret Alice Jones. He's aged 29, father William Stephen Crick
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I have just found him living at 63 Campbell Road, Poplar, London E3 during 1928 - 1930 along with a Margaret Crick, which I reckon could be his 5th "wife"
Not sure this is the same Ernest. There's a marriage in Bethnal Green 1926 to Margaret Alice Jones. He's aged 29, father William Stephen Crick
I can buy that yes. Thanks for pointing it out. I did notice a missing the all important Clifton middle name!!
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The Daily Telegraph (Sydney, NSW : 1883 - 1930) Wed 5 Apr 1911
Page 3
Advertising
IN THE SUPREME COURT OF NEW SOUTH WALES.
— PROBATE JURISDICTION.— In the Will of
GEORGE HORATIO VINCENT PEARSON late of Oatley-
road Paddington near Sydney in the State of New
South Wales Retired Engineer deceased., APPLICATION
will be made after fourteen days from the publication
hereof that Probate of the last Will of the above-
named deceased may be granted to ALBERT EDWARD
TWIGG of Paddington Furniture Warehouseman and
JOSEPHINE MARY CRICK (formerly Josephine Mary
Pearson) the wife of Ernest Clifton Crick of North Syd
ney Artist the Executor and Executrix named in the
said Will and all Notices may be served at the Office
of the undersigned. C. J. ELLIS (late Ellis and But-
ton) Proctor 84 Elizabeth-street Sydney,
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/239088312?searchTerm=%22josephine%20pearson%22#
George Horatio hanged himself :(
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For interest, in 1910 Ernest Clifton CRICK registered a photographic enlargement business in Sydney.
https://search.records.nsw.gov.au/permalink/f/1ebnd1l/INDEX1831473
An advertisement from 1911:
"CANVASSERS (50) - the Sydney Enlarging Company require the services of ladies and gentlemen of good address and appearance. Apply after 9 a.m., 14 Castlereagh-street, City."
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/15265871
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E C CRICK had a cottage to let in Oct 1911:
"COTTAGE, 2 rooms and kitchen, every convenience, rent 12s., 152 Grafton-street Woollahra. Apply E.C. CRICK 14 Castlereagh-street, city"
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/15279352
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The Daily Telegraph (Sydney, NSW : 1883 - 1930) Wed 5 Apr 1911
Page 3
Advertising
IN THE SUPREME COURT OF NEW SOUTH WALES.
— PROBATE JURISDICTION.— In the Will of
GEORGE HORATIO VINCENT PEARSON late of Oatley-
road Paddington near Sydney in the State of New
South Wales Retired Engineer deceased., APPLICATION
will be made after fourteen days from the publication
hereof that Probate of the last Will of the above-
named deceased may be granted to ALBERT EDWARD
TWIGG of Paddington Furniture Warehouseman and
JOSEPHINE MARY CRICK (formerly Josephine Mary
Pearson) the wife of Ernest Clifton Crick of North Syd
ney Artist the Executor and Executrix named in the
said Will and all Notices may be served at the Office
of the undersigned. C. J. ELLIS (late Ellis and But-
ton) Proctor 84 Elizabeth-street Sydney,
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/239088312?searchTerm=%22josephine%20pearson%22#
George Horatio hanged himself :(
Thanks again. I now have the right Josephine M (for Mary) Pearson as one of his wives. I am assuming GEORGE HORATIO VINCENT PEARSON is her Irish born father who yes, did hang himself aged 63, but this will seems to preclude his son William George Pearson who is well documented on Ancestry, whereas Josephine Mary is not!!!!
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E C CRICK had a cottage to let in Oct 1911:
"COTTAGE, 2 rooms and kitchen, every convenience, rent 12s., 152 Grafton-street Woollahra. Apply E.C. CRICK 14 Castlereagh-street, city"
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/15279352
Thanks Maddy!! He was a most busy and "industrious" man!!