Brassingtons of Staffordshire

[madabout]

Jan (John Thursfield's granddaughter) has been in touch, she is going to ask her aunt about Charles.

[madabout]

Hi Menfreya
have spoken to Jan over the phone, her mum Mary born 1913 did talk about your nan.
Jan is going to see if she can find out anything which would be of interest to you.
I think it's the Bertha Brassington born Stafford which is the one you are looking for. Do you know who she was living with on the 1901 census
all the best

[AmyThursfield]

Hi,

I am Amy Thursfield. I think the Charles Thursfield who married your great grandmother was my grandfather. He married my grandmother Edith in 1926 and they had 3 children, William, Edna and Charles. William died in 1990.

I don't think any of his children knew that my grandfather had been married before until after he died and they certainly didn't know he had other children.

I am sure my Dad would be interested to know more and if there is anything you want me to try and find out just let me know.

Amy

[Menfreya]

Hi Madabout

Thanks for the info on Charles' Army career in WW1. When I mentioned this to my mum she said that she hadn't known him to have been in the war but that it would make sense for the tin to be Charles' as was given to her by Bertha.

I asked her about Cryil she now thinks the nickname may be wrong but she did remember the name and she was interested to hear he played for Stoke.

With regards to Bertha I have a couple of pieces from the 1901 census

37 Shelton Old Road
RG13/2608

Samuel Brassington Head 37 Tailor                  b. Leek
Lucy           "             Wife  40                           b. Birmingham
Christopher "            Son   19 Railway porter   b.Stafford
Samuel        "            Son   17 Pottters figure maker b. Manchester
Leonard       "           Son    11                          b. Leek
Bertha         "            Daur   7                           b. Stafford
George        "            Son     5                          b. Stoke-on-Trent

Or it could be

Cracow Moss, Betley Entire
RG13/2584

John Brassington Head 28 Railway worker b. Staffs Betley
Sarah A     "         Wife   27                          b.   "          "
Arthur        "         Son    7                           b.    "          "
Bertha M    "        Daur    6                           b.    "          "
Nellie          "        Daur    4                          b.    "          "
John          "         Son      3                          b.     "         "
Rose         "         Daur     2                          b.     "         "

I'm not sure yet which of the two it is My mum is racking her brains trying to remember if she wasever told Bertha's mothers' name.

Thanks also for contacting Jan for me.

[Menfreya]

Hi Amy

Thanks for getting in touch.

I have spoken to my mum, She still lives in Stoke and she was surprised to hear about your side of the family. My nan never mentioned that her dad had remarried and had other children so one can only assume she never knew herself or never chose to discuss it.
Unfortunately Phyllis died in 1989, and she never really discussed much about her childhood. So the sketchy details I have are via my mum who is trying to recollect things from her childhood.

In an earlier post Madabout mentions Elizabeth Thursfield (Charles' Mother). My mum does remember going to visit her as a young girl when Elizabeth celbrated her 96th Birthday. She said the house was full of flowers and that she had a telegram or something like that from the Queen. She died shortly after I understand.

We'll chat soon I hope.

Regards
Menfreya

[madabout]

Hi
Have got Elizabeth Thursfield died 1953 Stoke on Trent age 96.

[madabout]

http://rmslusitania.info/pages/second_cabin/

have found the above site which has Gertrude Walker (maiden name Thursfield) She was the daughter of Alfred Thursfield who was related to this branch of the Thursfields.

[Menfreya]

Hi madabout

Been away taxing my mums brain about the family and apparently my uncle is doing a search too but I don't know how far he has got yet!
She did tell me Phylis was a nippie for Lyons tea rooms back in the thirties, she would have been in her late teens I think, before she got married but not sure of the details yet.
Thanks for the info on Gertrude and Elizabeth. Mum does remember visiting Elizabeth on her birthday.
She also remebers an Aunt Kate, I think this may be Kate Rawlins.
My mum has told some of her siblings about my search so they may remember something as well so I'll carry on hunting.
Will have to try and get hold of Bertha's marriage cert. Find out who is her father.

Thanks again for the info

regards
Menfreya

[madabout]

Hi Menfreya

Have Phyliss married in 1940 Stoke on Trent.

I think the best idea is to get a copy of Bertha's marriage to Charles. You can get the relevant details for the marriage from a civil registration index which is held at some local libraries &  local record offices, and at LDS Family History centres. Then it's possible to order the certificate online. http://www.gro.gov.uk/gro/content/certificate/index.asp