Phyllis Cliffe (formerly Brown, nee Johnston)

[Wendus]

Thanks for your interest everyone, I'm very grateful.

However, the story may have moved on a way. It is possible that:
a) Phyllis wasn't English but Brazilian, in which case she might have got confused as to what surname to put where, and in none of her subsequent marriages did she call herself Cliffe!
b) It is possible that her marriage to Morton was annulled.

We are also now wondering whether she HAD to keep getting married in order to avoid being sent back to Brazil. It's a very obscure hypothesis, but not entirely out of the question, maybe?

[groom]

Why do you think she was Brazilian - Phyllis B Johnston doesn't sound a very Brazilian name? When was she born?

[chempat]

If the death that I found was correct, I could not see an appropriate birth for a Phyllis B Johnston in around 1908 - supporting the idea that she may have been born overseas. (Do not think I could see her in 1911 either)

The first marriage that you suggested for her was in 1939, making her over 30 at that time - slightly old, but interesting if linked to marrying at start of war years.

It might help if you could say how your contact has linked to Phyllis and the daughter.  I can see how she may believe that the daughter changed her surname, but some certificates are needed, as there are lots of other possibilities to explain the subsequent marriages.

[chempat]

Do you believe that this is Phyllis?

Phyllis Beauchamp Johnston age 28 Departure Date 22 July 1939 from Liverpool to Santos Brazil.
Last address in England in Bassett, Southampton.
Brazilian citizen intending to stay in England.

Better age - born about 1911

(Just found her in 1911, but cannot post)

Added;
also travelled with her Mother Jessie Elizabeth Johnston age 26 in 1916. (Wartime)

[chempat]

This death?
Never married - wrong person?
Phyllis Beauchamp Johnston born January 1st 1911 died September quarter  1978 at Southampton, Hampshire

Probate:
https://probatesearch.service.gov.uk/Calendar?surname=johnston&yearOfDeath=1978&page=4#calendar

[Wendus]

We found her!

Grateful thanks for all your interest, but we have found who we're looking for!  After discounting the multitude of red herrings, it turns out that the marriage to Morton was the correct one, and the daughter used that surname henceforward. We then found the daughter's marriage and then her listing in the latest electoral registers. We even discovered photos!

Result! 

[groom]

Brilliant, so does that mean that she didn't marry 4 times? Was she Brazilian?

[Wendus]

Groom ... no she wasn't Brazilian and she didn't marry four times, although she did marry at least twice, but not to Mr Griffiths. Couldn't believe how many people had the same names, dates, places etc, it has been a real maze to get through, lol.

[chempat]

The daughter is on facebook with a picture of the wedding of 1952 - presumably that is what you have found?

Weddings were much simpler then, but I really like the clothes.