Research Forum

Mabel Buck
published by on Sat, 28/09/2013 - 15:04

I'm looking for anyone who may be related to my Grandmother, Mabel Constance Buck, born 1897 in Long Ashton. Father was George,quarryman from Nailsea, Mother Emily (Ware) Tickenham. Siblings, Richard, Malinda, George, James. John, Samuel & Oliver. She left to marry my Grandfather in 1918 having broken her engagement off to a soldier, who was serving in the first war. She settled in Kensington, London, but was widowed in 1928, with 3 young daughters, she died in the late 20's and my mother and sisters were sent to a children's home, then into service. They knew nothing of her family, who may have disowned her. Does this ring any bells to anyone, who may know of a relative who caused a family scandal? I would love to know more, only having 1 picture of her with her previous fiancÃ©e, in uniform. Thanks, Hilary.

Comments ..

Submitted by Pat Hase on Sun, 29/09/2013 - 17:04

This is an interesting problem when you are researching a family without much information having been handed down. You will need to make sure that the information you do have is correct.

Starting with yourself and working backwards â€“ Presumably your mother and her sisters are the three daughters of Alfred H KEMP who married Mabel Constance BUCK. Their marriage was registered in the Kensington District in the June quarter of 1918 just in time for the birth of their first child in the Sept quarter of the same year!

A copy of that marriage certificate should show the name of Mabelâ€™s father.

Iâ€™m a bit worried about whether her parents were George & Emily BUCK but you may have evidence which proves this. I can see from the 1901 and 1911 censuses of Bedminster that George & Emily did have a daughter called Mabel of the right age â€“ but - the only birth I can see on FreeBMD in the Bedminster Registration District for that time is of a Mabel Maria D BUCK whose birth was registered in the March qrt of 1897.

There is a marriage in Bristol in the Sept qrt 1918 of a Mabel M BUCK to an Earl J JOHANSSON â€“ There were JOHANSSON children born in Bristol with the motherâ€™s maiden name of BUCK following this marriage.

However, there is a birth in the same quarter of 1897 of a Mabel Constance BUCK whose birth was registered in the Fulham District. Her christening is available on Ancestry and her parents were James & Clara â€“ he was a fishmonger. She is on the 1901 and 1911 censuses.

Before I get carried away â€“ you must have had a reason for stating that you are descended from George & Emily BUCK so I would be interested in your comments.

Submitted by on Tue, 01/10/2013 - 15:20

Hi Pat,
I don't know anyone who is 100% certain when finding about family that no one is alive to verify. However, Mabel was 21 just days before she married Alfred, in June, so she couldn't have been registered in the March, she is June/July/August. My auntie Joan was born on 15th August 1918, and died in January 2011. Although the eldest she outlived both my aunt Muriel and my mum Barbara. I will when I get a chance see if I can track down a copy of the marriage certificate, as the girls went into a home, we have no family papers at all, as my granddad died when my mother was 4, and his sister, who we always called granny, was his only living relative, so any papers went to her, and she died in 1981 having been a nursing home for 2 years. Her son cleared her house and we never got the chance to find any documents. No doubt this is a familiar story. Thanks for your interest and advice, Hilary.

Submitted by Pat Hase on Tue, 01/10/2013 - 22:14

I do appreciate your problems - Even when you have family who are still alive they do not always know exactly what happened - only what they have been told!

Do you have the actual date of the marriage of Mabel Constance BUCK with Alfred H KEMP? All I could find was the index of the marriage registration which was in the June Quarter of 1918. The June quarter includes marriages which have taken place during April, May and June of that year. If you can get a copy of Mabel's marriage - that should confirm her father's name and occupation.

Looking again at FreeBMD - I cannot see a birth of a Mabel BUCK registered in the June qrt of 1897 anywhere in the country. To make matters worse the Mabel Constance BUCK whose birth was registered in the March Qrt of 1897 and who was christened on the 27th Jan 1897 in the Church of St John Walham Green, Fulham was born on the 19th Dec 1896 (birth date on the image of the Baptismal registers on Ancestry) which does not fit at all with your information that she was married only days after her 21st birthday. So that does appear to rule her out.

Can anyone else find a suitable birth registration?

Submitted by DebbieD on Thu, 03/10/2013 - 0:24

I found another possible birth registration for June Quarter 1897 in Barton district, Lancashire.

Constance Mabel BUCK. Checking the censuses (very briefly) she appears to have been the daughter of Simon and Annie BUCK and born in Swinton, Lancashire. In 1901 she is listed as Constance M BUCK. I find that quite often a middle initial means that the person is known by their middle name. Haven't checked for any marriages or deaths to rule her out but will have another look now.

Submitted by DebbieD on Thu, 03/10/2013 - 0:29

Sorry, posted too soon. A Constance Mabel BUCK born 7 May 1897 died in 1974 in the Barton district so don't think it is her but will keep looking.

Submitted by on Fri, 04/10/2013 - 15:14

Thanks Pat,
I'll keep badgering my sisters for more info!

Submitted by on Fri, 04/10/2013 - 15:24

Hi all,
Anyone recognise the phrase 'I be alright, ow be you??' This is something my mum used to say, that she picked up from her mum! Is it a west country phrase. Might be a red-herring, but its certainly not a London thing.