Liverpool & South West Lancashire FHS - Forum

Hi folks

My aunt who's just turned 81 knows nothing about her father's family, not a lot about her dad either except he was a great dad to her and 6 siblings. She's not sure how old he was when he died.

He, Edward Charles Blamey, was raised in the British Seamen's Orphan Boys Home in Brixham after his dad (according to family stories) died at sea. Other than that he never spoke of his family.

He married Catherine Davies in Liverpool in 1920 but I've no idea how & when he made the move - guess he may have worked his passage after reaching the maximum age for the orphanage.

I've checked 1901 for some details and it's listed as B.S.O. Boys Home - the 'inmates' (what a horrible description) were aged between 8 & 13. Master of the Institute was Thomas H Bennett, his wife Jessie was matron - they were both 37 so may have still been there in 1911.

If anybody has the time would it be possible to check the 1911 just to see if Edward Charles Blamey and any possible siblings were there.

A million thanks

Lesley

Unfortunately the 1911 census is a pay per view only http://www.1911census.co.uk/ We could attempt to work out from the index who is in the same household but you don't give his age.

There is, however, if you look on that site, an Edward Charles Blamey age 26 living in Liverpool, although I can't work out his birthplace, I don't believe it is Liverpool.

For any more information you would have to pay for either the image or the transcript.

The Edward Charles I mentioned above may be a little old for your chap, but also have you seen his marriage certificate to Catherine? If he knew it this would give his father's name and occupation. It might also state if he was a bachelor or a widower since the Edward in Liverpool appears to be married to an Elizabeth Jane 29 and with a daughter Elizabeth Albetha? age 1.

This Edward Charles Blamey married Elizabeth Jane Bennett Q2 1909 West Derby 8b 661.

Other Bennetts in the household are Elizabeth 57, Robert 32 and Frederick 17. There are also a Thomas and Martha Jones with their 1 year old son Thomas.

If the age is incorrect it might save you spending money unnecessarily.

Hi

This marriage is on Lancs BMD, variation of Blaney

BENNETT Elizabeth J BLANEY Edward C Walton on the Hill, St. Luke The Evangelist Liverpool 2010WD/2/143


Simone x

Hi Lesley,
I live in Brixham, so was surprised to see it mentioned on a Lancashire forum!
I've looked at the 1901 details on Ancestry, but don't actually see your Edward on the transcription. Am I missing something?
You might be interested in the following link about the BSO now. It is an educational activity centre now and my own son spent a wekend there with school a couple of years ago jumping off ropes and cliffs and capsizing canoes. It's obviously come a long way!
http://www.grenvillehouse.co.uk/about.html
Not sure if the 1911 census is available in hard copy anywhere, but there may be something in the Torquay library. I won't be able to check it out till the boys are back at school, but may have an opportunity to check it out then.
Regards
Chris

Simone & Mary

Many thanks to both of you for taking the time to search for possible info.

Have spoken again to my aunt and realise Edward Charles BLAMEY was older than I'd thought - she can be a little vague sometimes

Haven't ordered the marriage cert yet - added to my 'to do' list

My aunt THINKS her dad passed away about 50/52 years ago aged 75 which would make his birth year c1884 so the 1911 sighting looks promising

Thanks once again

Really appreciate all your help

Lesley x

Hi Lesley

It looks as if Elizabeth Jane Bennett (Blamey) died in 1919 -
Ref: June Qtr 1919 West Derby, Vol 8b. p.385 age 38.

Edward Blamey then married Catherine Davies June Qtr 1920, West Derby, Vol 8b p.886.

Marchbird

Hi Lesley

There would appear to be several daughters born to Elizabeth and Edward between 1910 and 1919 when Elizabeth died.

Elizabeth Albertha (as mentioned in post above) b.1910
Dorothy b. 1912, Lilian E. b.1916, Nellie b. 1917 and Mabel b.1919.

Marchbird

Hi Lesley

Here is the 1920 one from Lancs BMD
DAVIES Catherine BLAMEY Edward C Walton Breck, Holy Trinity Liverpool 2007WD/5/233

so you can get them both from the Records Office now when you go, rather than paying out for certs

You're going to have a long list of 'to do's'

Simone x

Hi Marchbird

OMG!!

My aunt is one of 8 children but none of their names tie in with the youngsters from his 1st marriage - oooer. What a busy bee he was!

Thanks for finding out so much

Lesley

Hi Chris

What a fabulous place to live - not been to Brixham for many years - bet it's still just as lovely as I remember

Just put a letter in the post to Brixham Heritage Museum who according to the website hold the records for the BSO so am keeping my fingers crossed they can trace him.

Anything you can find after the holidays would be fantastic - thanks so much for the offer

Lesley

Hi again Simone

Ever felt that you've opened a can of worms!!

Don't know about the 'to do list' - it'll be more like a copy of War & Peace

You're a treasure, thanks for all your help

Lesley x

Well I certainly hope we've got the right family for you, but I'm with Chris, I don't see the entry for Edward at the Brixham school in 1901, can you post the reference you have to make us feel we aren't being stupid - or maybe that we ARE!

Hi Lesley

Could this be your Edward Blamey on the 1901 census on board HMS "Nautilus". Ref: RG13, piece 2103, folio 95, p.3

BLAMEY, Edward, b.1884 age 17, member of crew, Boy 1st class b.Dartmouth, Devon

Marchbird

Hi everyone
Here's Thomas H Bennett & wife Jessie in 1901

Brixham Cornwall Torquay.
Thomas H Bennett Master of Inst. 37 bn St Austell
Jessie wife 37 matron etc etc

RG13/2066/72/13

Tina

Hi Mary

Sorry for the confusion - didn't see him on 1901 either but thought he could be young enough to be on 1911. Boys seem to be aged between 5 & 13 so guessed it was possible - never dreamt he was born around 1884 - have checked 1891 he's not there either - so must have been there between census years.

Just hoping the Heritage Museum in Brixham could hold the answers to his parents, siblings etc.

Sorry again for the confusion

Lesley

Hi Marchbird

Thanks for that bit of news - do you know if there's a way I can trace the movements of the Nautilus and its crew

Lesley

Lesley,
Let me know how you get on with the Museum. It would be very easy for me to wander down there if there is anything you need that they can not provide directly for you. I'll hold off visiting Torquay Library (where I assumed the records would be) until I hear something more definite from you.
Hope you find what you need, but let me know if I can help further.
Chris

Hi Chris

Thanks so much - museum say it's about a 14 day turn round so will let you know when I get the reply - fingers crossed

Lesley

Hi Lesley

I'm not too sure about how you would go about tracing a ship and its crew. I think the "Nautilus" in 1901 was based in Plymouth and was a training ship. I would imagine the National Archives would hold some records or perhaps the Royal Navy archives. No doubt one of the crew will point you in the right direction.

I don't know whether you have Edward's birth but think this may be him -
Dec Qtr 1883, Totnes, 5b, p.171.

Marchbird