Hi Karina, Thanks for your reply. Matilda Sands was the daughter of my great Aunt Alma of whom I know nothing. She disappeared off the records after the birth of her illeg. daughter I have for you Matildas birth cert. (no death index entry found). The dau. Matilda was raised by my great grandmother and then she was sent into service. She is found in Tunbridge Wells in the 1901 census as a housemaid age about 20yrs with a Rebecca Read. Her elderly employer either dies or goes into some form of care. Matilda returns to Heathfield.
My guess is she is taken on by the Thomas family as a servant and starts a relationship with her employer who leaves Catherine (Arnold) his wife and daus. They go to London back to the Brompton Area and the son is born. Puzzled as to why these Thomas's show up in Heathfield, Louis must have found work there.
Clearly the couple lied on the Census 1911. They were not married, although a divorce had been petitioned for by Catherine. A very grave and expensive matter in these times. Its possible she could not afford to go through with it and her estranged husband was still supporting his family in Brighton.
I dont have any further info. The son may have married and died in Fulham, London where he was regd. as a birth but I only have initials to go on. Ive found no death for Matilda Sands/Thomas she may have gone on and married someone else - perhaps in London.
Interesting is that may be Louis Thomas returned to his wife. I'd love to have a copy of any of the info you have Karina in this interesting case. Please message me for my E Mail Address so you can send me attachments. Likewise I can fill you in on Matildas family and let you have a copy of her birth cert. This was a very naughty couple, I'm sure my great grandmother and her strict husband must have been horrified with her grandaughter. I have a photo of Julius Sands, Matildas grandfather which I can also copy to you. My grandfather was the second youngest child, Matilda would have been 9 year older than him - his cousin in effect. I never knew my grandparents and my father never mentioned Alma or Matilda. My father was the last male Sands of this family.
Thanks for your interesting info. looking fwd. to hearing from you. M.Ann
