The last three ancestors I featured were real blockbusters. There was so much information about them that it was difficult to know what to write and what to leave on the cutting room floor. No such problem this week with lovely looking Jennie Hill who was a great aunt on my adopted maternal branch.
Jennie Hill Jennie was the daughter of a well known journalist of his day, William Hill, who worked on a number of newspapers including being Editor in Chief of The Tribune, a well known Liberal newspaper.
Jennie, christened Jane, was born in Sophia Street, Seaham Harbour, Durham on 23rd February 1889 which was probably where the family lived just prior to moving down to London. Her mother registered her birth a month later, by which time her address was shown as 15 Dulka Road, Clapham Common in London. She was living there with her parents and brother, another William, on the 1891 census.
At some point in the next few years the family moved to 15 Old Park Avenue, Battersea. Jennie's early life must have been one of privilege as this was a large 9 roomed house in a popular suburb of London and they had a live in domestic servant. In 1897, eight year old Jennie went to local Belleville Road School in Webbs Road where she would stay until 19th September 1902. Whether she continued her education after that is not known but her brother studied at Trinity College, Cambridge, so it is possible she did.
Jennie and her parents were still living at 15 Old Park Avenue on both the 1901 and 1911 census.
I am sure she must have done a lot more, but the only other thing we know about Jennie is that she was at the funeral of her father in November 1932. In an article in The Times it says : "Owing to her prolonged illness and age, Mrs Hill (widow) was unable to be present, and the family were represented by Mr William Hill (son) and Miss Jennie Hill (daughter)".
As far as we know, Jennie never married. She obviously died ..... but when ? I haven't found details of her death. What I do know is that she is NOT the 62 year old Jane Hill who died in the Redhill district in October 1952 or the 71 year old who died in September 1961 in Chelsea, both of whom could have been her.
It is frustrating when there is so little information for a relatively recently departed ancestor who probably lived a full and interesting life but sadly didn't leave any footprints behind her. She was elusive in death as she was in life.
Jennie, christened Jane, was born in Sophia Street, Seaham Harbour, Durham on 23rd February 1889 which was probably where the family lived just prior to moving down to London. Her mother registered her birth a month later, by which time her address was shown as 15 Dulka Road, Clapham Common in London. She was living there with her parents and brother, another William, on the 1891 census.
At some point in the next few years the family moved to 15 Old Park Avenue, Battersea. Jennie's early life must have been one of privilege as this was a large 9 roomed house in a popular suburb of London and they had a live in domestic servant. In 1897, eight year old Jennie went to local Belleville Road School in Webbs Road where she would stay until 19th September 1902. Whether she continued her education after that is not known but her brother studied at Trinity College, Cambridge, so it is possible she did.
Jennie and her parents were still living at 15 Old Park Avenue on both the 1901 and 1911 census.
I am sure she must have done a lot more, but the only other thing we know about Jennie is that she was at the funeral of her father in November 1932. In an article in The Times it says : "Owing to her prolonged illness and age, Mrs Hill (widow) was unable to be present, and the family were represented by Mr William Hill (son) and Miss Jennie Hill (daughter)".
As far as we know, Jennie never married. She obviously died ..... but when ? I haven't found details of her death. What I do know is that she is NOT the 62 year old Jane Hill who died in the Redhill district in October 1952 or the 71 year old who died in September 1961 in Chelsea, both of whom could have been her.
It is frustrating when there is so little information for a relatively recently departed ancestor who probably lived a full and interesting life but sadly didn't leave any footprints behind her. She was elusive in death as she was in life.
UPDATE
No sooner had I posted Jennie's story than I had nice people making suggestions and discovering what I had failed to find. Her death is outlined on the attached probate record.
No sooner had I posted Jennie's story than I had nice people making suggestions and discovering what I had failed to find. Her death is outlined on the attached probate record.
9 Sudbrook Road, SW12 She died on 15th September 1959 at Highlands Hospital on Winchmore Hill, North London which at the time was a hospital specialising in the research and treatment of Parkinson's Disease. Her death certificate confirms she suffered from this condition. Probate was granted to her nephew and I am waiting to obtain a copy of her Will.
Prior to becoming part of the NHS in 1948, the hospital was called "The Northern Convalescent Fever Hospital". The building has now become residential apartments !
Updated story 5th February 2015
Prior to becoming part of the NHS in 1948, the hospital was called "The Northern Convalescent Fever Hospital". The building has now become residential apartments !
Updated story 5th February 2015
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