The Diary of Nathaniel Bryceson (Part 6)

[nestagj]

I'll have a go later on and see what I can find
Nesta

[nestagj]

Got them I think - didn't do the original image tho' just the transcript; searched for Alexander Abrahams born 1866 (+/- 2) London and only the one came up so here it is - I hope i can post this !  The sister's age tallies as well !

Elizabeth Abrahams  Head F 50 Single No Occupation born Middlesex, London
Alexander Abrahams Bro    M 46 Single Journalist born Middlesex, London
Nellie Shirley Servant F 22 Single General Servant Domestic Birkhampstead, Herts

The address is 33 Sherriff Road, W. Hampstead NW

There is also a Alfred Abrahams aged 51 resident in Bethnal Green - sorry didn't buy that one;

There is a Elizabeth Abrahams death in 1902 in Islington which would tally with the 1901 census entry.

Nesta

[waiteohman]

On Amazon it associates Abrahams with the Dept of Botany, British Museum http://www.rootschat.com/links/09g0/

I saw that - botany doesn't really seem quite his subject does it 

Looking into Museum, found on Wikipedia that the British Library was created on 1 July 1973 by the British Library Act 1972. Prior to this, the national library was part of the British Museum. I could see Aleck having a job at the museum knowing his interest in documents of which he also profited from. Maybe warehouse manager is not so far off from managing a warehouse, even the possibly of managing a collection of documents, exhibits etc. in a Botany department of the museum would be in line with his interests.

Linda

[Ruskie]

Thanks Nesta - I think we'll all feel more a bit more comfortable with his occupation this census. 

I found this. Not sure if it's him though:
Births Sept 1865
Alexander Abrahams
E. London
1c 4

Of course we don't know what kind of warehouse Aleck managed in 1901 - it may have been something related to his antiquarian interests.

[nestagj]

Forgot to say if I remove the place of birth I only get three -

1.  The one above

2.  Thomas Alexander  in Sunderland  44

3.  Philip A;lexander Abrahamson in Hackney 47

N

[waiteohman]

Aleck is Aleik in 1881 census age 15 living with widowed mom and siblings Morris, Alfred J. and Lizzie at 4 High St. All born Mdx, London City. They have 2 servants so not poorly off. In parish of St Botolph Aldgate.

[Siamese Girl]

I reckon the Department of Botany thing might be one of those odd things computer searches throw up? It seems he  co-wrote the book The Life and Works of William Robinson topographer of North East London with John Ardagh in 1925. Nothing he ever contributed to N&Q etc ever seems to have had anything to do with botany. He's interested in Old London.

I'm sure all his reading and letter writing was done in his spare time.

Carole

[drykid]

I reckon the Department of Botany thing might be one of those odd things computer searches throw up

I've concluded that the Botany thing is a red herring.  The only thing linking AA to botany that I'm aware of is this page:

http://www.rootschat.com/links/09g0/

But if you look at it closely, the formatting of the author links is very messed up on that page.  I believe that the reference to Botany should instead go with the name following Aleck's i.e. John Ardagh, who is closely associated with botany:

http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v163/n4145/abs/163557b0.html

So I think you're right and that Aleck had no formal links to academia; just a passion for history. Also it seems from that link that John Ardagh was another contributor to the ever-present Notes and Queries, which is presumably how they ended up working together on the book.

[nestagj]

No problem Ruskie - I agree with the occupation - it did seem to leap out didn;t it.

Don't seem to see any other possibles in that period as regards birth.

1871 Census - 4 & 5 Aldgate  - all born Aldgate
 
Elizabeth Abrahams W 48  General Hardware Dealer
Isaac Abrahams           20 General Merchant
Bloom                        17  Assistant
Moses                        15  Assistant
Michael                      13  Scholar
Abraham                    12  Scholar
Alexander                   5
plus a housemaid and Nursemaid

Family is at 7 Hound Ditch in 1861 - with father Joseph alive.
and is also at a very similar address in 1851


As regards the 1901 census - he could have been a bit like our Nathaniel and begun with an amateur interest in antiquaria and writing which in his case became his occupation and in 1901 he was only writing informally whilst holding down a job but by 1911 it was paying the bills - of course they are def not badly off - they have servants and his mother had died in 1902 (?) I wonder how much she left ! Can anyone check the new probate list on ancestry.

Nesta