Help finding a property in Leigh on Sea please

[umalaka]

Hi everyone

I’m wondering if anyone can help to solve a mystery?

William Henry Hollis died in 1952 at 1031 London Rd Leigh on Sea . I have a copy of the probate which shows he left his money to a Margaret Rebecca Cole and Edward James Shrubb. 

Family legend has it that when William’s wife died (1947) he ran off with his next door neighbour to  run a café causing a great deal of upset.

I’ve established that William and Margaret were indeed neighbours in London for many years and I am currently working on the assumption that Edward is Margaret’s nephew (although there are other possibilities :-) )

I’m trying to find out the name of the café and where it was. I’ve checked Google street view and the London Rd property appears to be a semi-detached house although I assume the café would be local. 

Does anyone have any ideas on how to progress this? I was wondering if there may be trade directories for late 1940’s early 1950’s for this area?

Many thanks
John

[louisa maud]

Have you found out Margare Rebecca's maiden name, there is a death for 1972 Margaret Rebecca Cole, Leigh on Sea shows her date of birth as 05/06/1897, the only Margaret Rebecca I can find is M R Mackie but I can't find a marriage that might fit, if you had her maiden name you might find the family connection between Edward and Margaret

Possibly electrol registers would help for a search of cafe locally to 1031 London Road

Louisa Maud

[umalaka]

Thanks for your reply Louisa.

Since posting I noticed there was a marriage for a Margaret Rebecca Cole in Southend in 1956. Thinking this was unlikely to be just a coincidence i purchased the certificate - turns out that in August 1956 she remarries James Joseph Cole after their marriage was dissolved in January of that year. Her maiden name was Edwards and I confirmed Edward was her nephew.

I'd love to find out more about the cafe does anyone know if Leigh Electoral Rolls or trade directories are available on line?

Regards
John

[louisa maud]

Margaret's sister Jennie Edwards married Edward Shrubb 1925 Poplar

Margaret Rebecca Edwards baptised 01/08/1897 St Paul Haggerstone, married 16/09/1917 to James Joseph Cole St Luke Hackney, her father was Albert and his father was Charles

This does not help you find the cafe but it might fill in some gaps

LM

[umalaka]

Thanks Louisa

[Scrabble]

There seems to be a Leigh Society, this is their newsletter and contact details

http://www.leighsociety.com/pdf/Issue3%20April2000.pdf

Perhaps someone there might be able to help or perhaps they would put a request in the next newsletter for you.

Scrabble

[umalaka]

Looks an interesting site. Thanks Scrabble.