The mystery of Annie Badger

[Willow 4873]

The reason I asked is there is a baptism of a Mary Jane Badger (Polly is sometimes a corruption of Mary) born 10.7.1886 baptised 11.8.1886 Caledon Street Primative Methodist Walsall parents John and Elizabeth of Pleck, Walsall and John is down as a labourer

Bit of a long shot I know 

Willow x

[avm228]

The reason I asked is there is a baptism of a Mary Jane Badger (Polly is sometimes a corruption of Mary) born 10.7.1886 baptised 11.8.1886 Caledon Street Primative Methodist Walsall parents John and Elizabeth of Pleck, Walsall and John is down as a labourer

Bit of a long shot I know 

Willow x

This young lady is Mary J (4) with parents in Pleck in 1891: RG12/2250/96/33
... and Mary (14) with widowed father John in Pleck in 1901: RG13/2703/15/22.

[Willow 4873]

Well thats one up on Annie/Polly because we havent found her in either of those census

There is a Polly Johnson servant in 1901 the right age in Smallthorne, Staffordshire

Willow x

[Vicki Morley]

She is one heck of an enigma.

I may have to get Harry's death certificate to see if there is anything interesting on that.

[Willow 4873]

It might be worth buying the certificate to see what it says

As you say she is very elusive and if you think about it she got around a bit too. She was born in Walsall met Harry who was born in Birmingham had a child in Worcester and ended up in Hay

I cant quite grasp why when she is called Annie Badger she would marry in the name of Polly Johnson either!

Willow x

[Vicki Morley]

Right, we have certificates that prove no use at all!!

George's birth 21st December 1907, registered on 30th January 1908.  Father Henry/Harry Campion occ General Labourer.  Mother Annie Campion (formerly Badger).  Born 22 Dolday, I think this was the workhouse.

Harry and Annie didnt marry until 6th Feb 1909, so she was already using Harry's name before marriage to register baby George.

Harry's death certificate
died 10th August 1960 (exactly 1 day and 16 years before I was born).  Died at Cockcroft House, Hay on Wye (which is a workhouse).  Occupation was a general labourer at Erdington House, Birmingham.  Informant was A H James who was an occupier of Cockcroft House.

So no mention of Annie.  Its possible she had passed away by then. I wonder though, as his occupation was listed in Birmingham, perhaps they had lived there, Annie may have died in Birmingham and he moved back to Hay when Annie died. 

The search continues!  I do need to visit my uncle as I believe grandad has told him stories of his younger days so maybe something will be in his notes.

[Willow 4873]

I think deaths in the workhouse were registered by one of the staff I have several certificates where relatives have died there and it is always someone totally unrelated on the certificates

Annie doesnt appear on the deaths for Hay so maybe she died in Birmingham

Willow x

[Vicki Morley]

Ive managed to get in touch with a grandson of Annie/Harry.  Sadly this man's father told him that he was orphaned, when he wasnt.  Because of this he knows very little about Annie and Harry.  He doesnt know where Annie died or was buried, and he doesnt know where Harry was buried - obviously we both know where he died.  We wonder whether Harry was brought back to Birmingham to be buried.

I know my grandad had issues with his father, Harry, so I am quite curious to know what this man did to upset his children to the point of effectively disowning him.

[Willow 4873]

He obviously had issues poor man

We'll keep looking something will pop up x