Disappearing Chambers family from Westoe

[Pennines]

Hello Everyone,

I am seriously, seriously fed up with a family named Chambers who were living in Westoe from 1871 to 1891 inclusive.
 I was wondering if there was anyone with some time - and patience - who could kindly supply a second pair of eyes to this family please. I lose almost all of them in 1901.

A William Chambers b 1850 in West Hartlepool married an Ann Edwards (b abt 1852 in Newcastle) in 1874 (3 years after the birth of their first daughter, Elizabeth Ann in 1871.)

The couple appear to have had the following children;
Elizabeth Ann 1871 (born prior to marriage but named Chambers) (Missing from 1891)
Jane 1874  (may have been in Harton Workhouse in 1901)
Mary 1876 [Missing from 1901). Must still be alive in 1921 as sister Jessie quotes Mary Chambers, sister, South Shields as her next of kin on entry to USA.
Thomas William 1879 (Missing from 1891)
Jessie 1881 (is a servant in Harton in 1901 - then marries at Harton the same year) Goes to America.
George 1884 (Missing from 1901)
Margaret 1887(Missing from 1901)
Joseph Allan 1890 (May have been adopted by a childless couple by 1901)

All births registered in South Shields.

William Chambers, the father b 1850 West Hartlepool (MAY have been in prison in 1901 and Harton Workhouse in 1911)
Ann Chambers, the mother - nee Edwards, born Newcastle approx 1852. (Missing in 1901)

I realise that some of the girls may have married, but I feel I am overlooking something here - possibly because I've just kept looking and looking for different family members over and over again - and possibly re-making the same errors. I have checked deaths - and there MAY be one for the mother in 1898 - but wrong Reg District if it is her.

Any help at all, no matter how small - would be really appreciated. (I'm going to sit in a darkened room with a cold compress on my head!)

[patrexjax]

Hello Pennines.  I empathize with your frustration.  Since at least two of the siblings apparently have gone to America, I am wondering if others also could have followed? Have you traced those siblings in America up to and including the 1940 US census? If I may ask, did both of the known sibs go to the same place upon their emigration? Just a first thought.....    sincerely, patrexjax

[Pennines]

Hi Patrex -- thank you so much for replying.

As far as I know -only one went to America  ---and that was Jessie -- on her admission to the USA she named a sister, Mary Chambers, as her next of kin back in UK. (The record actually states Mary Chambers, sister, 3 Adelaide St, South Wales -- (but I suspect this should be South Shields!)

I have wondered if others went, but haven't found any. I also suspect that Mary's surname might have changed but Jessie couldn't remember her married name maybe.

I also think that my problem has been searching for too many people at once - as soon as I couldn't find one - I jumped to another!

I have actually requisitioned paid research from Tyne and ear Archives to look at the William Chambers who is in Harton Workhouse in 1911 - just to see if it's the correct William.

For the 1901 William Chambers in prison -I can't find a criminal record for that one -nor can I see anything in the on line Newspapers. It's really frustrating - surely such a large family cannot just have upped and disappeared - and why was the youngest son adopted?( If it was him of course - but name, age and birth place all fit.)

Maybe I'll have to just concentrate more on researching them just one at a time - I'll see how long that lasts!

Many thanks again for your response - I do appreciate it.

[patrexjax]

Hello agan! Where in the USA did Jessie live? When did she emigrate? When she entered the US was she a single woman? Did she travel wth anyone you recognize? patrexjax

[crisane]

Did Jessie marry George Craik and is in the 1911 census with her mother Ann visiting.?
She made 2/3 journeys back to England?

[AlisdairGB]

Might it be worth the Mods copying this to the Durham forum?

As it relates to a Co Durham family there might be people there who haven't seen this thread and can help. 

[Pennines]

You are correct -- Jessie did marry George Craik.
However she left him and her 2 surviving children and went to America. Had another child a month after she arrived!! - I have found her there  - and she 'remarries'! I was even able to download her death certificate - amazing. However I had forgotten that Ann was with Jessie and George in 1911 -- thank you SO much for reminding me.

Yes - I am sorted out with Jessie and all her trips - it's her own family I am trying to sort out now, without much success. It's as though 'something' happened after 1891. Maybe my imagination is running away with me.

This should be on the Durham board - I am really sorry -- it's because the associated family whom I researched last (Craik) - were originally from Northumberland - and I automatically went to that Board.
(It's an age and totally confused thing!!)

[Millmoor]

Hi

Have you considered this one for Ann in 1901?

40 Mitre Street South Shields

Ann Chambers 49 b Newcastle
Joseph A Chambers Son 10 b S Shields
Margaret Chambers Dau 5 b S Shields

I have checked the new Gro indexes and there is a birth in 1895 in South Shields for a Margaret Chambers with mother's maiden name Edwards. (Older children might have left home - it might be worth looking at death indexes for S Shields between 1891 and 1895 for a death for an older Margaret).

Ann is shown as a widow and this obviously contradicts what you have in the 1911 census but other than that it does seem to tick some boxes.

William

[Millmoor]

Just to add there is a death for a Margaret Chambers age 6 in the 1st quarter of 1894 in South Shields. (It might also, therefore, be worth checking the death indexes for the other children between 1891 and 1901).

William