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Born in Portsmouth in 1873 - he was married to Bessie who, so I'm told, was born in Germany in 1879, and her maiden name was Vigers (or similar spelling).

I am told that she was a professional opera singer who eventually performed in a quarter called The Singing Munroes (or could be Monroes), and performed at such places as The Kings Theatre, Theatre Royal and the Colliseum - all in Portsmouth.

Also suspect that Baron was born a twin (sister could have been Beatrice Louise).

Does anyone know anything about any of this?

Regards - Sandy Robey

UK Incoming Passenger Lists, 1878-1960
about Baron Pratt
Name: Baron Pratt
Birth Date: abt 1874
Age: 57
Port of Departure: Montréal, Québec, Canada
Arrival Date: 12 Jul 1931
Port of Arrival: London, England
Ship Name: Ausonia
Search Ship Database: View the 'Ausonia' in the 'Passenger Ships and Images' database
Shipping Line: Cunard Line
Official Number: 145970

travelling alone

address southsea portsmouth

occupation gardener

Canadian Passenger Lists, 1865-1935
about Baron John B Pratt
Name: Baron John B Pratt
Gender: Male
Age: 56
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1873
Birth Country: England
Date of Arrival: 6 Oct 1929
Vessel: Aurania
Search Ship Database: View the 'Aurania' in the 'Passenger Ships and Images' database
Port of Arrival: Quebec
Port of Departure: Southampton, England
Roll: T-14760

place of birth portsmouth
passage paid by sister

mrs florence elsted


address 4643 union st vancouver

next of kin wife mrs pratt
29 adair st eastney portsmouth



occupation gardener

had been visiting sister

England & Wales, FreeBMD Birth Index: 1837-1983
about Baron John B Pratt
Name: Baron John B Pratt
Year of Registration: 1873
Quarter of Registration: Oct-Nov-Dec
District: Portsea Island (1837-1900)
County: Hampshire
Volume: 2b
Page: 444

A Baron John B.D. Pratt married Bessie Louisa Vigurs, Portsea, Sep. Q 1897. (2b 988)

England & Wales, FreeBMD Birth Index: 1837-1983
about Bessie Louise Vigurs
Name: Bessie Louise Vigurs
Year of Registration: 1878
Quarter of Registration: Jul-Aug-Sep
District: Portsea Island (1837-1900)
County: Hampshire
Volume: 2b
Page: 450

1891 England Census
about Bessie L Vignes
Name: Bessie L Vignes
Age: 12
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1879
Relation: Daughter
Father's Name: Wm Hy
Mother's Name: Jane
Gender: Female
Where born: Portsmouth, Hampshire, England

Civil Parish: Portsea
Ecclesiastical parish: St Mary
Town: Portsmouth
County/Island: Hampshire
Country: England

Street address:

Occupation:

Condition as to marriage:

Education:

Employment status: View Image

Registration district: Portsea Island
Sub registration district: Kingston
ED, institution, or vessel: 39
Neighbors: View others on page
Household Members: Name Age
Alfred G Vignes 17
Alfred M Vignes 46
Bessie L Vignes 12
Jane Vignes 45
Mabel C Vignes 9
Marion Vignes 15
Selina J Vignes 23
Walter M Vignes 6
Wm Hy Vignes 54


says vigurs on census
father born cornwall

1871 census
2 Marine Terrace, Portsea, Hampshire
Frederick Pratt, head, 38, house & estate agent, born Hants, NK
Eleanor E.A., wife, 38
Clarence G.F., son, 9
Eleanor D.P., dau, 7
Frederick J.D., son, 4
Florence D., dau, 2
Baron G,D., son, 5 months
Plus a servant.
All born Portsea except son Clarence born Brighton, Sussex and father Frederick born Not Known, Hants.

Incidentally this Baron is not yours. This was Baron George D. born Dec. Q 1870. Yours was Baron John B., born Dec. Q. 1873.

There were 2 Pratt children born that quarter, Baron John B. and Beatrice Louise.

1901 England Census
about Baron J B D Gratt
Name: Baron J B D Gratt
Age: 27
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1874
Relation: Head
Spouse's Name: Bessie L D
Gender: Male
Where born: Portsmouth, Hampshire, England

Civil Parish: Portsmouth
Ecclesiastical parish: St Peter
Town: Portsmouth
County/Island: Hampshire
Country: England

Street address:

Occupation:

Condition as to marriage:

Education:

Employment status: View Image

Registration district: Portsmouth
Sub registration district: Portsmouth and Mid Southsea
ED, institution, or vessel: 30
Neighbors: View others on page
Household schedule number: 185
Household Members: Name Age
Baron J B D Gratt 27
Bessie E M Gratt 2
Bessie L D Gratt 22
Victor B V Gratt 1

Barons occupation is estate agent
no occupation for bessie

A Florence Delville Elsted died in British Columbia, 27 April 1945, age 76. His sister, perhaps? But she would have been born 1869 and isn't on the 1871 census.

Update, oops she was there, I missed her, will go back and add her name!

Florence Delville Pratt married Edward Whitfield Elsted, Portsea, Sep.Q 1886. (2b 728)
( only 17!)

Edward Whitfield Elsted died 29 May, 1917, British Columbia, age 57.

Florence's son, Edward Leslie Elsted was a soldier in WW1 in Canadian Army. He enlisted April 1, 1916, Vancouver, British Columbia. He was born 5 Nov.1896, Southsea, Hants, England, next-of-kin mother Florence Elsted, Elburne Station, British Columbia.

I'm amazed at your responses - thank you so much. I can now do some further investigations.

Sandy

Now looking for father and siblings of Baron John Pratt, because I've got a feeling that the Frederick Pratt in the 1871 census must be related to Baron John - he had the same occupation and one of his daughters, Florence, has the family name of Delville.

Oh yes, the Frederick on the 1871 census is Baron John's father but that was before Baron John was born. There was an older brother Baron George born 1870, he's on the census but must have died then your Baron John was born 1873.

Free BMD:
Frederick John Pratt married Eleanor Elizabeth Ann Halls, Portsea, Jun, Q 1861. (2b 612)

Eleanor Elizabeth's family in 1861:
15 Victoria St., Portsea, Hampshire
William S.L. Halls, head, 52, dancing master, born I.O.W.
Eleanor E., wife, 49
*Eleanor E.A., dau, 28
William S.L., son, 22, musician
Thomas L.S., son, 20, soliciter's clerk
Emily C., dau, 17
Priscila A., dau, 10
Kempster?, son, 7
All born Portsea except head William born I.O.W. and son William born Southampton.

frederick an eleanor are not your barons parents

this is your baron


England & Wales, FreeBMD Birth Index: 1837-1983
about Baron John B Pratt
Name: Baron John B Pratt
Year of Registration: 1873
Quarter of Registration: Oct-Nov-Dec
District: Portsea Island (1837-1900)
County: Hampshire
Volume: 2b
Page: 444



frederick and eleanors son is the other baron


this one

England & Wales, FreeBMD Birth Index: 1837-1983
about Baron George D Pratt
Name: Baron George D Pratt
Year of Registration: 1870
Quarter of Registration: Oct-Nov-Dec
District: Portsea Island (1837-1900)
County: Hampshire
Volume: 2b
Page: 453

there is probably a connection between frederick and your barons father we will have to find

if you send for your barons birth cert it will give his parents names

right get it know sorry got confuse

frederick and eleanor are your barons parents they had two sons called baron , baron george and baron john

1881 England Census
about Baron J.B.D. Pratt
Name: Baron J.B.D. Pratt
Age: 7
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1874
Relation: Son
Father's Name: Frederick J.D.
Mother's Name: Eleanor E.A.
Gender: Male
Where born: Portsea, Hampshire, England

Civil Parish: Portsea
County/Island: Hampshire
Country: England

Street address: Stamshaw Road "Stamshaw Ho"
Education:

Employment status: View Image
Occupation: Scholar

Registration district: Portsea Island
Sub registration district: Kingston
ED, institution, or vessel: 13
Neighbors: View others on page
Household Members: Name Age
Martha Isaacs 43
Alberta M.D. Pratt 6
Baron J.B.D. Pratt 7
Beatrice L.D. Pratt 7
Clarence G.F. Pratt 19
Eleanor D. Pratt 17
Eleanor E.A. Pratt 48
Florence D. Pratt 12
Frederick J.D. Pratt 48
Frederick J.D. Pratt 14

the eldest baron george died age 1 so they called their next son baron too


England & Wales, FreeBMD Death Index: 1837-1983
about Baron George D Pratt
Name: Baron George D Pratt
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1871
Year of Registration: 1872
Quarter of Registration: Jul-Aug-Sep
Age at Death: 1
District: Portsea Island (1837-1900)
County: Hampshire
Volume: 2b
Page: 276