Crossley Orphans

[colinsmac]

Hi Everyone,
I am trying to connect to anyone who may be able to identify with Three Crossley Children.
They are George Crossley born around 1885 place unknown, Robert Crossley birth details unknown, and Pauline Crossley birth unknown. They came from a circus family and where put in an Unknown London
Orphanage where Pauline died. Their parents circus act was called The LeRoys I think they were trapeze artists who ended up having a fatal accident hence the children being put in an orphanage.

George went on to join the merchant navy and then joined the New Zealand Expeditionary Force around 1914, He married a Mary Dacey in 1917 at Cardiff, He then emigrated to NewZealand and brought up a family there. However he never managed to locate his brother Robert after leaving the Orphanage.

George's family wan't to know  if Robert survived and had children.

There are no Birth records for any of the three children, nor do they appear in any Census records for 1891.

The only record that I have seen is the marriage certificate for George Crossley and Mary Dacey which took place 13th October 1917 in Cardiff.

I would be gratefull for any information which may help in tracing Robert or finding out which orphanage they were in.

Thanks

Colin Macpherson

[heywood]

Hello,

Was there a father's name and occupation on the marriage certificate (I know you have said trapeze artiste but just confirming)?

regards
heywood

[jennifer c]

Large amount of Crossley's in West Riding of Yorkshire and Lancashire.

Jennifer

[heywood]

I can't see a death for a Pauline Crossley 

Nor can I see a marriage for mary Dacey 1917 Cardiff to George Crossley - beg your pardon- there is one to Ellen Dacey December quarter 1917

Do you have any details from his service in the Merchant Navy or NZ Expeditionary Force?

heywood

[jorose]

http://www.archway.archives.govt.nz/ has George Crossley's WWI records digitised.

He enlisted 23.8.1915 and at that point was aged 30 years 7 months.  In another part his birthdate is given as 1.1.1885 and his religion as R.C.
(however "1st Jan" is sometimes used as a birthday for people who aren't sure of theirs). Nellie Darcey/Ellen Dacey appears to have been given as his next of kin from the start.

http://www.1911census.co.uk/ - there is a George Crossley living in Cardiff here, age is slightly off, but you might check out the full info to see if it fits with what you know of yours.