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I have been trying for years to locate the birth of my husband's grandmother Germaine Brookes. I believe it would have been about 1873 to 1876, possibly in Manchester. Details we have are that she married Frederick Dyer Fisher in Eastbourne, Sussex on 09/05/1898 (certificate shows Brooks and Brookes) . She then married Edwin Penfold in Eastbourne 16/01/1915 and died in Eastbourne on 13/11/1935.
On 1901 census she was listed as "Bessie", wife of Fred Fisher (son Leonard and daughter Florence) in Eastbourne. I have found various comments about an "Elizabeth" Fisher in the Eastbourne Union Workhouse records in the early 1900's where my husband's father, Frederick John Fisher, was born on 10/05/1902. I have been unable to find any birth records for a Germaine Brooks (e) (es).
I wonder if the name Germaine was a Catholic baptismal name as she had Frederick John baptised a Catholic in Eastbourne.
Both her marriage certificates show her father as John Brookes, Engine Driver, deceased.
Also I have had no luck in locating her son Leonard born possibly 1894 (Brooks, Brookes or Fisher) also possibly in Manchester. He is mentioned in the workshop records as being sent to the "Waifs and Strays Home" in Bognor Regis, Sussex with a boy called Horace Boniface on 30/05/1902 on condition that Elizabeth (possibly Germaine) Fisher discharges herself with her 2 children (Florence and Frederick) from the workhouse. Latest details of Leonard we have found was that he was in St Andrews Home, Reading under the name Fisher on 01/12/1910 aged 16.
Family folklore states that he went to Canada in his late teens, joined the RCMP and returned to England with the contingent from the RCMP for the Queen's Coronation in 1953. We have found no evidence to support this however.
I would be very grateful if anyone could help locating these 2 elusive births.