Eliza Amelia Smith, died Ipswich 1940

[Susixbawn n Bred]

Good evening,

My wife has been trying to find what became of her great-grandmother Eliza Amelia Smith (nee Curtis), and has been hitting brick wall after brick wall until this evening, when she found a record on Findagrave (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/280021569/eliza-amelia-smith) which has finally cleared up on the when part of the mystery.

What is most intriguing is that despite having this information there does not seem to be a corresponding death on GRO, so we cannot yet order a death certificate. Closest match is an Eliza Smith in Blyth, but her death was in June 1940, but our Eliza didn't die until December.

If anyone can find a relevant (and correct) GRO reference it would be most gratefully received.

Also, if anyone is in the immediate area, and would happen to be passing Eliza and her husband Sidney's grave, and would be kind enough to take a picture, that would be a massively wonderful thing and my wife would be extremely happy to see it. The Findagrave link has a very helpful marker on the map to locate.

Many thanks all for reading.

[Milliepede]

Have you checked in 1941 for the death registration?

 If she died late December 1940 then it probably wasn’t registered till the following quarter March 1941.

[jonwarrn]

Perhaps she didn't die in Ipswich?
SMITH, ELIZA  AMELIA     
Age at Death (in years): 75 
GRO Reference: 1940  D Quarter in LEEDS  Volume 09B  Page 400

That death seems to have been around the end of December.

[amondg]

Sidney Smith 1863- 5 November 1935 is buried with Eliza same plot and grave number

XH 4  478  New Ipswich Cemetery

[amondg]

Probate Index

Sydney Smith of 448 Foxhall Road, Ipswich died 5 November 1935 at Heathfields Hospital.
Probate to Eliza Amelia Smith  29 November 1935.

[amondg]

1911 Census  448 Foxhall Road, Ipswich

Sidney Smith 47  born Boyton
Eliza 42  born Ipswich
Miriam    5
Herbert  S   4
Lawrence   2
Alfred F 0
-----------------
GRO Index
Miriam Jane Smith 1886 reg. Woodbridge mothers maiden name Curtis
Herbert Sidney Smith 1887
Lawrence James Smith 1889
Alfred John Smith  1891
Stanley George Smith  1893
Beatrice Amelia  Smith   1895

---------------
Sidney Smith married Eliza Amelia Curtis 1885 reg. Woodbridge

[Pinetree]

I wonder if the burial register might include any further information that could help.

Might be worth contacting the council, contact details given on Eliza’s entry, see link below:

https://ipswichboroughcouncil.discovereverafter.com/profile/35716177

Pinetree

[Susixbawn n Bred]

Thank you all for the information. It looks like the Leeds death record may be the one to look at. at least for elimination purposes if nothing else.

I assume no burial could take place without a death certificate, and as she was buried on 3 January 1941, that only leaves only 1 week when her death could have been registered, so I know that the January quarter of 1941 would be the last possible one to look in.

I'll inform my wife about the record for Leeds Eliza and hopefully, fingers crossed, we can put a great big hole through this brick wall.

[AntonyMMM]

I assume no burial could take place without a death certificate

Not the case. What is required is a "certificate for burial/cremation", which can be issued, by a registrar or coroner, before the death is registered in some circumstances.