Baker family - Norwood

[raven-nellie]

Hi

I am looking for members of the Baker family: Victor b. 1890,  Ernest Edgar b. 14.1.1892, George b. 1894.  There was an older son born in Essex called William.  Their father was Henry Baker b. 17.10.1839.

The mystery is that I can find no mother.  The family story is that there were two mothers, one of them possibly French.

Any information welcomed,

Helen

[Annette7]

Hello Helen

First of all I think the birth year of Henry Baker is incorrect.   Looking at earlier records there was only 1 Henry Baker born in Hampton in Arden, Warks. and he was actually baptised 11/12/1836, son of William and Ann - if the birthday is correct then this would make his birthdate actually 17/10/1836.

I'm assuming you don't have details from the 1891 census as this clearly shows there was another older son besides William.

1891 census - 1 Whiteley Road, Norwood (family mistranscribed as Baber)

Henry Baker    Widr.    49    Manager Iron Tub Warehouse  b. Hampton in Arden
Charles P. Baker  son    8                                      b. London E
William H. Baker   son    4                                      b. Leyton, Essex
Albert V. Baker     son     1                                      b. Norwood, Surrey
Georgina Mennia (or Mennie) Housekeeper  Mar.  21   Domestic Servant
                                                                                    b. Jarrow on Tyne

Ref. RG12 - 419 - 74 - 15

So he is a widower on both 1891 and 1901 Census and his age seesaws.   Unfortunately, with such a common name it's impossible to establish which of the many marriages could be his.   The only way you can establish who his wives were is to get birth certificates of a child from each of his marriages.

Cannot find a likely birth entry for Charles P. Baker but have found:

William Henry Baker    Sept.qtr.1886 West Ham     ref. 4a 239
Albert Victor Baker      Sept.qtr.1889 Lambeth        ref.1d 513
(Leytonstone came under West Ham and Norwood under Lambeth)

Ernest Edgar Baker     Mar.qtr.1892 Lambeth        ref. 1d 571

Good Luck.

Annette

[lizdb]

I wonder if this is him in 1881

24 Arkley Rd Bow
Henry Baker 40 Unm Warehouseman bn Hampton
Elisa English 70 widow boarder housekeeper bn Gloucestershire
Jane Heslen visitor 12 bn London

This narrows down when he could have first married, and shows it is likely to have been in East London (Charles born there 1883 ish)

[raven-nellie]

Thank you for all your work.  The reason I thought there were only four is that my mother only knew 4. They were referred to in the family as the 'Four Baker Boys' and all the photos we have there are only the four sons.  I wonder what happened to the elder and why he as never mentioned?

Going to hunt out birth certificates for them all and see if the mystery of the French bride is true.  Recent family history amazes me.  How little my mum knew of her own grandfather!

Helen

[lizdb]

So this marriage looks a possibility (I agree, a cert of a childs birth will give maiden name of mum and firm up any possibles)

Jan/Feb/MAr 1882
Poplar reg district
1c 846

brides on page:
MAry Louisa Kimmins
Elizabeth MAgdalene Schilling