RIDGWAY - Lookup request marriage, death, anything!

[tropicalj]

Hello  there

With  regards  to  to  the Divorce records for Oliver Ridgeway  and  Ellen  Ridgeway  and William J Reader named as the co-respondent.

Yes  the  marriage certificate attached says Ellen  LAMBERT born  1884 however, your Ellen  seems  to  have been  very  liberal  with the  truth, not  meaning any  offense.

Has she married  in  England  returned to Australia and been  found  out  and Oliver Ridgeway  has  divorced her.  It  is an assumtion  but  I  do  feel  it cannot be  overlooked,  the  divorce papers may  reveal an awfull  lot.

I  believe  I gave  you  a  link  to a  transcription agent (reply 35 on  your Whatever happed to evelyn thread  )and also  told  you  that  I  had  hoped one of  our fellow rootschatters might be able to get into the Sydney Records Office and  get a copy of the divorce papers.  As this kind soul  hasn't done  that as  yet would  indicate  that she not  doubt  has  not  the time or means  to  get into Sydney  to take a  look for  you. 


kind regards Jenn

[tristiw]

Dear Jenn,

Thank you so much for reminding me that it was you who told me about the transcription agent, and the rootschatter who may be kind enough to look it up for me.  I've done so much research in the last few weeks I've been getting into a muddle regularly and I can't find anything.  I hope you're not offended...that's the last thing I want to do as everyone has been so kind to me.  I do tend to come off a bit abrupt - particularly when i have limited time to make adequate replies. 

I promise that I'm not going to overlook the divorce.  I still have a hunch that I'll be able to connect it somewhere.  Keep reminding me it's there and we'll get around to it sooner or later.  Since its such a long shot, I would rather not waste the time of the wonderful rootschat volunteers checking for me (but how thrilling would it be if it  turned out to be the right divorce - I think my head would explode)

Also, Ellen and the other Ridgways do seem to be liberal with the truth.  In fact, I think it may be a family trait  particularly if the truth is getting in the way of a good story. 

Ellen and Evelyn came out to Sydney in 1914 (the same year as the divorce), and Evelyn's sister was left at home in England.  There's got to be a reason why.  (I know she died, but I don't know when).  Evelyn was so young...I wonder if her father told her that her mother ended up in a mental institution instead of re-marrying.  Although...there is a bit of a family history of shaky mental health. 

I wonder what the collective noun is for a group of skeletons in the closet.  My family seems to have so many of them 

gotta go...baby awake.  Tristi

[tropicalj]

Hello  there
no  no  offense  taken.

It  is a  bit awkard cause you  have a couple  of threads  going at the same time on Ridgeway so it gets a  bit confusing

regards Jenn

[deb usa]

Hi Tristi

I found this site this morning ...it has wonderful photos from the 1800's -1900's ...some of them are of the Market place (circa 1886-1920's) where I am sure your Samuel Ridgway may have sold his veggies 

I was trying to find an old picture of the post office where yourt rellies used to live ...no luck with that so far.

here is the link;

eeekkkkk , can't post it ...will send you PM

deb

[deb usa]

Sarah's parents, Oliver's maternal grandparents, Evelyn's ggrandparents:
George Rossiter b abt1823 Isle Abotts, Somerset m 1839 d 1891 Taunton, Somerset (death cert ordered) Profession: Farm Labourer
Mary Parker b abt1836 Staple Fitzpaire, Somerset d???

hi Tristi
I wonder if we should try to find Sarah's siblings and see when they died ....they may hold clues re; Alzheimers
In 1891 George Rossiter as this under occupation; "ill infirmity, parochial relief" 
mary is still alive in 1901 ...no luck for a death for her 

deb

[tristiw]

Deb, thanks for the pm of the link.  I did find a photo of the West Monkton Post Office where the Parsons were in 1901.  West Monkton has it's own website, and the post office is threatened with closure  .  so sad.
I also found a Tanpitts farm that is now a camp park and cider farm.  The owners have a very similar name to one that came up when I talked to that long-lost family member from NZ.  I am going to write a Snail - Mail letter to them. 
I do have a list of Sarah's siblings:

James Rossiter b1859
Eliza Rossiter b1861
George Jnr Rossiter b1863 m Jane (possible Hurford), his children Emily Rossiter b1889 Oliver W Rossiterb1891
Emma/Emily Rossiter b1868
Frances/Frank Rossiter b1871
John Rossiter b1874
Ellen Rossiter b1876
Alice Rossiter b1880

I have ordered George Rossiter's Snrs death cert, as I knew when and where he died and because of the whole 'infirm' thing. 

Last night I found some online parish registers and found George Snr's christening:
George Rossiter Christened 24th Sept 1822 father George Rossiter (labourer) mother Sarah Dower Isle Abbotts.  He also had siblings:
Ann Rossiter 1820
James Rossiter 1821
Charlotte Rossiter 1826. 
Maybe Sarah ended up with an aunt or uncle in 1901?  (If she wasn't already dead)  I will try to follow all those names up when I get a chance. 

At the moment I'm researching the Somerset and Wells Lunatic Asylum, as it is the closest Asylum to West Monkton...and maybe where Ellen Ridgway ended up.  There is some information that the 'lunatics' included dementia patients. 

I just don't seem to have the time to do everything at once!  Funny that!

Thanks for you're help Deb, You're a legend. 

[deb usa]

Hi Tristi

Trying to fill in some gaps for you ...have had no luck with deaths

In 1901 John Rossiter b 1874 West Monton is mar and living with his wife Isabel A.

here is their marriage;
John Rossiter = Isabella Alice Singleton
Sept q 1900, Taunton
~~~~~~~~----
This is a possible for Alice Rossiter b 1880 (she had a middle initial D in the censuses ...birth reg ... Alice Delia Rossiter, sept 1879 taunton 5c 352)

Alice Delia Rossiter to either William james Brooks or Ernest William BlackmoreJune q 1901, Taunton 5c 561

then these births:
Ernect C Blackmore june q 1813 Taunton MMN= ROSSITER
Ronald F Blackmore June q 1916 Taunton MMN= ROSSITER

deb 

[stessy]

Just found this conversation - hello everyone!

I had Oliver in my tree already - tho' knew nothing about what a fascinsating life he seems to have led!

Anyway, just to introduce myself.I am descended from Samuel's uncle Thomas Ridgway (1806 - 1872).

Sam's dad was William (1815 - ?) and he and brother Thomas were 2 of 10 kids born to Jacob Ridgway and Jane Bray.

I have a vast Ridg(e)way tree which seems to originate in north Devon and meanders into Somerset and into South Wales.

Am happy to share info if you'd like.

Anyway - good luck with your hunt.

Best wishes


Stessy

[tropicalj]

Hello  there Tristi

Just an  observation... is it possible  that Willian  and Sarah  had divorced?  Did  she go  to New Zealand  perhaps  that is why Oliver ended  up  there?  Just rambling  thoughts

regards Jenn