RootsChat.Com

I suspect that my gr-gr-aunt was a Sister of Mercy or, if not, a member of a similar Anglican sisterhood. If I'm correct, she would have joined some time between the 1861 and 1871 censuses. I already have her on every census between 1851 an 1921 but can't find her on the 1871 census by her given name. I've tried other strategies without success, hence this note.

Regarding the 1871 census specifically, can anyone suggest keywords that might work (I've tried the obvious ones) or the location of training institutions, or any other cunning plans or approaches?

Her birth name was Ellen Wilkinson Morton, b.1843, Sneinton, Notts., and later in life appears in the press in Cumberland as Sister Ellen, Superintendent of St Mary's Home for Penitents in Carlisle where she had been as Deputy Matron from the early 1870s when the institution opened. Her predecessor as Superintendent was definitely a Sister of Mercy. I can't find Ellen in 1901 either, when she was taken ill and took leave of absence, but I don't know where. She is in Maryport, Cumberland on Coronation Day in 1902.

Thanks.

Not on your list, but are you aware of Captain Edward Brittain MC, brother of Vera Brittain, and the circumstances around his death in action?

Some details here:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_Brittain
https://simonjoneshistorian.com/2015/05/07/where-and-how-did-edward-brittain-die/

Thanks Graham. The archivist in Carlisle couldn't find anything.

My Gr-Gr-Aunt, Ellen Wilkinson MORTON, born Sneinton, Notts, 1843 though her census age doesn't match, appears on the 1881 Census as "Assistant Matron of Penitentiary" at St Mary's, Caldewgate, Cumberland. In 1891 she was Head of Institution there.

My current understanding is that it was a church institution with a Board managed by the Bishop intended to train and educate "fallen women."

Could anyone point me towards any institutional records that might have more information about how she got there (I can't identify her on the 1871 census) and how she left (I can't identify her in 1901 though I can in 1911 and 1921).

Thanks in advance

Apologies for veering slightly off-topic, but following my Notts forebears back I eventually come to Edward and Ann Pacy in Crowle, Lincolnshire. I have three children baptised there 1701 - 1706, one of whom dies in infancy, but cannot find Edward and Ann's marriage which I suspect will have been local to the Isle of Axholme.

Should any Pacy and variant researchers encounter this family I would be grateful if they could let me know. Happy to chat by email etc. to avoid hijacking this thread.

Thanks

Ian