Electoral Rolls Brighton 1950's

[mothermicheal]

Just looked at marriage certificate does not show (dec),
only fathers name Walter James Fowler and occupation Chef.

I think it must be his father that lived to 100.

Linda

[kizmiaz]

Right, now I don't know if I should post this as it may be totally unrelated to your search and may just muddy the water a bit more, but this is something I've just found after wading through the death indexes, and certainly fits quite nicely.

I looked through from 1956 to 1980  and the only Walter James, or even plain old Walter, Fowler I could see dying in Sussex was in Battle in 1970 (Battle Jul 1970 Vol 5h Page 66). This gave his birth date as 24 December 1885.

Then I looked on 1901 Census, and there is a Walter Fowler born in about 1885 living in Brighton with his father James Fowler, who was born in about 1859 (RG13/928 Folio 126 Page 7)

Going back to the death indexes I found a James Fowler dying in Brighton in 1959 at the age of 101!!! (Brighton Dec 1959 Vol 4h Page 49)

Maybe (or probably) coincidence, but hopefully the death and marriage certificates will match these individuals.

Glen

[mothermicheal]

Hi Glen

I had seen this family, it is one of many I had earmarked as possibles.

I have now followed these back in the census record's to John 1834 M to Sarah A,
looks like a real possibility. especially with the birth and death of James 1859 - 1959.

Will have to send of for certificate as soon as I can.

Thanks
Linda

[Roy G]

Hi Linda
If you decide to follow up the death of the 101 year old James Fowler in the December quarter of 1959, and then check out his 100th birthday in 1958, there were two other local newspaers available at that time.  The Brighton & Hove Herald and the Gazette.  These had the advantage of being weekly publications rather than the Argus which was daily, so there would be less issues search for info.

The 1949 & 1958 street directories do give a Jas. Fowler living at 23 Park Crescent Road, but this may not be your James, for someone that mature may have been then living with relatives or being cared for in a home for the elderly.

If there turns out to be a positive match however, don't forget to then look at wills!

Roy G

[mothermicheal]

Hi

Thats the marriage certificate ordered for Walter J Fowler to Ada Nye,
fingers crossed and everything else, that it's the one.

It will feel like forever waiting for it to arrive. 

Linda

[mothermicheal]

Hi Roy G

Do you know if anyone else was living at 23 or 24 Park Cres with Jas (James)

He was at Park Cres in 1901 with his family.

I do hope this is my family, it feels right, and so far it fits with his age.

I now have a long wait for the postman

Linda

[Roy G]

Sorry, the Brighton street directories only gives the principle householder at 23 Park Crescent Road as Jas Fowler.  If that was the James who died in 1959, he ought to missing from directories from 1960 onwards.

Looking back at the acres of correspondence your request has generated, I also missed you saying that the photo you have had "The B & H Herald" printed on the back of it.  The Herald was in circulation in the 1950s and only ceased to be published around 1970.  It used to have several pages devoted to the previous week's weddings and other family events and I recall many people regularly purchased copies of photos used in their publications.  I feel certain that the photo you have is one of these, so it and some supporting text must have appeared in one of their issues.  I therefore suggest you look for the publication which followed the Brighton James Fowler's 100th birthday, presumably there must have been a family tie. 

If I still lived in Brighton I would do it for you, but I have retired abroad and it is no longer just down the road.

Roy G

[mothermicheal]

Thanks

Will ask if anyone has the time to go through the records, do not know what this will involve, and see if anyone can check Brighton street directories for 1960/61

How nice to be retired and abroad.

I'm stuck up north  and working

Linda

[kizmiaz]

Hi Linda

I went to the History centre again on Saturday and have found a couple of newspaper reports which may be helpful.

(Unfortunately my computer has bitten the dust so I am forced to use the computer at work, and can't scan anything to post it here!)

The first news report is dated Saturday May 17, 1958 and comes from the Brighton & Hove Gazette.

A Century for James

He was a fireman on an engine as early as 1884. He worked on the railway for 53 years and he was a member of Brighton's Congress Hall Salvation Army band for 40 years. When he was 90 he survived an operation. And on Monday Mr. James Fowler, of Park Crescent-road, Brighton, celebrates his 100th birthday.
Mr. Fowler has lived in Brighton all his life. He was a fireman with the London, Brighton and South Coast Railway for seven years. Then a spark blinded him in one eye and he left the footplates. He worked on the railway, however, for another 46 years.
On Monday, he will be visited by the Mayor of Brighton, Ald. Charles Tyson, and he will receive a birthday cake from Brighton Rotary Club.

(There is also a photo of him, but I can't post till my new computer arrives.)