Completed Help me find G. Grandma Shield

[shield63]

Hi Everyone,
I really need some help finding my Great Grandmother, I have looked everywhere to no avail.
Her name was Pheobe Shield, maiden name Clarke, my g. grandfather was william, I am looking for either her marriage or her death and I can't find either.  It looks as though my g. grandfather's first child was born in 1921 in Chester-le-Street.  She apparently died in childbirth in 1935 or 1936 and I think they lived in Claypath.  If anyone can give me some clues I would be very grateful.

[CaroleW]

Hi

We first need her approx age when she died to judge her birthyear so we can check census entries

I have checked the full GRO index for 1935/36 but the only Phoebe Shield death was in June qtr 1935 Alston and she was 74 which does not fit with her dying in childbirth

Did you get her maiden name from one of her childrens birth certs?

[shield63]

Hi Carole,
I think she was born in 1899 because there is a Pheobe Clarke aged 3 of Lanchester in the 1901 census  and yes I got her surname from birth certificates, although some say clark and others clarke, but I have looked everywhere for her death, which my G. Uncle told me was when he was about four and he was born in Dec 1932.  I can't find the marriage either. Unfortunately my G. Uncle died last year so I havenīt anyone else to ask.
Thanks for your help. 

[CaroleW]

Hi

I have now checked the full index for 1937 and 1938 as well but no trace

You need to visit your nearest main library and check the full death index from 1939 onwards

Was your great uncle her son?

[shield63]

Hi Carole,
See she is a phantom!! As far as I know her first child was born in chester-le-street (Edmondsley) in 1921, he died in 1923 and my grandmother was born in 1922, followed by a sister I can't find, and my g. uncle, I have birth certificates for all these family members.  The story was that she died around about the time I said, she was definitely dead by the time the second world war started because apparently my g. grandfather left my 14 year old grandmother to look after the family and enlisted!! He was promptly sent back home.  She is supposed to be buried with the child she lost.  The child who died in 1923 is Miles Shield and he died in the same place he was born, but I don't know where he was buried.  I would dearly love to come to Durham, but I live in Spain (and it's raining)
Thanks again.

[CaroleW]

I have now checked the full GRO index for her death from 1932 when you say your Gt uncle was born - to and including 1939 when WW2 commenced

The only entry for a Phoebe Shield is the one I showed in my earlier reply

Is it possible that they never married so she died as Phoebe Clark?


 

[shield63]

Thanks Carole,
I will have to look further into that one. Perhaps she didn't die, maybe she ran off with the coalman!

[CaroleW]

I must admit- my reply above originally included a similar thought but I deleted it!!

I wondered if her "death" was a story to cover an affair but then thought that in later years she may have made contact with her children

[shield63]

Yes, the only other thing I thought of, was if she was suffering from depression or the like, maybe she was put away somewhere.........
Thanks for trying carole, maybe on my next trip back to the U.K. I should contact a medium and try to speak to my missing ancestors that way!!!!!!!!!