Bloomin' family did a disappearing act!!!! New eyes needed!

[Madraykin]

Right - starting a new thread as the old one was all of a jumble!

Looking for my GGG Grandmother, Thirza Hodgson (nee Austin) - born around 1840 in Great Bentley, Essex. I have her marriage certificate (marries Robert Francis Hodgson of Durham) in Poplar in August 1862 (she is resident at Bow at the time). Her father is Edward Austin and he is not registered as deceased.

Edward Austin married Mary Elizabeth Chamberlain in 1837 - I am, however, just assuming that this is the right marriage. According to family hearsay, Thirsa's mother went on to marry a descendant of the Earldom of Rochford (the De Zuleystein Nassau family) and this I can kind of back up as there are pictures in the ancient family album of Rochford Nassau - he is the son of John Augustus Nassau and Mary Elizabeth Chamberlain (born 1853). Were there such things as divorces in those days, or would Edward Austin have to have died for Mary to be able to marry again - in which case why is he not listed as deceased on Thirza's 1862 marriage cert.? Even more confusing is that both of John Augustus' wives were called Mary.

Anyway, I can't find Thirza on the censuses before she was married (she's quite prominent after that!!!!). The only Thirza Austen I can find who was born at the right time is staying with grandparents in Great Bentley (which would also fit) in the 1851, but the grandparents are called Hart!!! However (there are a lot of these) in the 1861 these Harts, still in Great Bentley, have Rochford Nassau staying with them as a Grandson (transcribed as Rockford Agustes) and also a load of Chamberlain grandchildren. But no Thirza.

I've tried every trick I know to try and find Thirza on the 1841 and 1861, but to no avail. I can't even find an Edward Austin on the 1841!! (the name is transcribed Ostin in the marriage indexes).

Please can some lovely people cast some new eyes on/try some interesting searches to try and track down my elusive family???

Much appreciated, as always

Mads

[mangomania]

Hi

I think this is the one you're looking for in 41....

1841 HO107/338/4 f10 p14
Great Bentley

Burgess(?) Green

Mary Chamberlain 44
Thomas                 20 Lab
Charles                 16 Lab
George                 13 Lab
Francis                  10 Lab
David                      9
Thirsa                     2

All born within county

Cheers
Ian

[Madraykin]

Hi Ian,

That's one I found - but Thirsa's name is Austin and, from research, there was a Thirsa Chamberlain born the same time in Great Bentley (parents William Chamberlain and Mary Cowell/Conell)

So no joy here I'm afraid, but many thanks for looking

[Madraykin]

Has anyone else had a situation where somebody just completely disappears???

[Burrow Digger]

Thirza can also be transcribed as Theresa/Teresa.

Have you looked for Theresa??

[Madraykin]

Yep - have looked for Thurza, Thursa, Thirza, Thirsa, Theresa, Teresa, Thisa, Thiza, Thusa, Therza, Thyrza, Thersa, Thyrsa - she's on the 1851 as Thuza!

I've been reduced for searching for all people born in Great Bentley (or Bentley, or Gt. Bentley and however many other variations) and even those born in Essex in 1840 +/- 2 years and nobody comes up!

[Madraykin]

Which makes me think - can anyone think of any other surname variations of Austin:

Austin
Austen
Auston
Ostin
Osten
Oston
Oustin
Ousten
Ouston

[CatOne]

According to the familysearch IGI, Mary Elizabeth Chamberlain and the Thirza that Ian found are sisters (member submitted record though so dont know how accurate this is) - Parents both listed as William Chamberlain and Mary Conell/Cowell (12 children listed for this couple in total)

Birth - Thirza Auston September 1838 Tendring Vol 12 Page 238
(cant find one for a Thirza Chamberlain.....)

Could Thirza have been the illegitimate daughter of Mary Elizabeth and Edward Austin, and the 1841 entry that Ian found being the same girl staying with her grandparent Mary?.......

 
oops just seen that they married in 1837 so that rules that theory out! 

[carrielovesfanta]

I don't suppose this could be her in 1861? It looks like it says Thirza Austin to me (but transcription disagrees).

Can't read the address line but it is Clapham, Surrey

Thirza Austin, servant, unmarried, 22, domestic servant, born Essex
RG9/369/1/1

any good?

Caz