Edward Simonds (Symonds) - Abbots Bromley

[alyson123]

Oh! well done you.....
Glad you have the missing piece to the jigsaw, I'm sure you will find him somewhere
on record regarding the Boer War.
As to his death, I'd bet he is there somewhere with a gross mis-transcription error....
.... presumably he returned to the area? Firstly I would look on 1901 census to see
if he is in the area, don't rule out reg. districts of Burton on Trent and Lichfield as these
districts run very close to where the family were in 1901, I'm presuming he was not
welcome in the family home so may have been residing quite close.
Also, keep these reg. dist. in mind when searching for his death, my ancesters died up
the road from Hoar Cross and their deaths came under Burton on Trent. Similarly another
of mine died Kings Bromley (also not far away) and that death came under Lichfield.
I do get up to Staffs RO every few months, I will look out for him there next time I visit.
I f you find him in the mean time ......... do let me know.
Regards
Alyson

[etonjim]

Alyson,

Thanks. I'll keep looking. There must be some record. It's amazing that so much is so readily available.

Best wishes,

Jim

[matron54]

Hi I live in A.B. and have just read your posting.  Births and deaths at that time were
registered in Uttoxeter, there is a Edward Simonds death registered in 1903 you will
find his death certificate at Burton on Trent, it maybe worth your while to get a copy
just to eliminate him.  The address is 57-60 High Street, BOT DE14 1JS 01283 233301.
Also The Goats Head was run by Stephen Arnold in 1891 and in 1900 it was Thomas
Dawson.
Hope this info is of some use

[etonjim]

Hello!

Thanks for your information. I have begun to wonder if the Edward Simonds who died in the Uttoxeter workhouse in 1903 is my great-grandfather after all, although the age given is off by about 30 years. It would certainly explain why my family were so reluctant to speak of him. To complicate things, the Edward who died at Uttoxeter, if it's the same Edward that we're looking for, is listed in the 1891 census in Atherstone as Edmund, aged 61. So he would have to have been 74 in 1903.

The Goat's Head does figure in the family history, so searching that out might be helpful, as well, but there are likely no records of Edward ever working there.

Here's another possibility. I understand that my great-grandmother, Mary Olivia, either taught music or was chapel organist at St Mary's School in A.B. She went with the choir to Lichfield Cathedral when they sang Evensong (which from the A.B. Girls School web site, they still do) and was able to play the organ (a feat unheard of for a woman at the time). If this is true, the school may have a record.

So, there are a few more leads.

Much appreciated,
Jim

[lancs.fox]

Hi etonjim,

My own view (without seeing a death certificate) is that the Edward Simonds who died in Uttoxeter is the same Edward (I read the 1891 Census entry as 'Edward', not 'Edmund') who was recorded as an 'uncle' on that Census whilst residing with the Mary Olivia Simonds family at Railway Terrace, Atherstone.

Although that Edward Simonds was recorded as being 70 at death, this age must not be taken as 'gospel'.  It is my experience that many incorrect ages are given at death, particularly so where such deaths occur in a workhouse.  Three or four years discrepancy is not unusual.

The mystery remains - when and where did the person we are seeking, namely, Mary Olivia's husband Edward Simonds, die?

[matron54]

Hi, re Mary Olivia at St Marys A.B.  Marcia Rice who was Head for some years at the
school wrote a book about the school I have seen the book some years ago I'm
sure it listed past teachers, pupils etc I'm trying to get hold of the people who owned
it will let you know of my findings.
You may be able to get hold of a copy not sure how many printed
El.

[matron54]

Hi, the Edward Simmonds in Heath Union workhouse in 1901 was 67years old born in
Atherstone job descript Hatter, his marital status says S for single but has been
written over w or m. I think this is the guy you are looking for
el.

[pc99]

Hi,

If you access 'staffordshirebmd' you will see that Edward Simonds died at
Uttoxeter in 1903. If you require a certificate you can download an
application form and the cert. will cost you £7.

pc99

[etonjim]

Hi,

Thank you. That's very helpful. Even if it's not Edward the nephew (my great-grandfather), the certificate may some information on the deceased's next of kin.

Jim