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Flip, the "nurse" comes from family information from a number of sources and over the years. Mind you, historically the term has covered a multitude of sins so it may be that she worked domestically and not in a hospital as we would know it today.

One thing bothers me, what evidence to you have Jane was a nurse? The 1911 census does not say this, and the 2 travel records found - both state housewife.

Yes, I think it's worth pursuing Mike.

Do let us know if you get any response.

I gave the Virgin Islands a lot of time yesterday. The Stiles family seemed to own a house there that was how I found the grandsons. I also checked death records without success.

Returning to the "via San Francisco", there is little information re sailings to Australia or, for that matter, arrivals in Australia. If Jane did go there, she did so at the start of a heavy post war migration period and again, details are hard to find at this point.

I might pick up my pen again.....

I read the wedding article Flip, her gran's dress that she wore sounded lovely.

I think I'm going to relocate the chase to the Virgin Islands - Roger Stiles died St Thomas VI in 1951 (perhaps Jane could have been his nurse too?). The 1951 city directory says "Rem to Virgin Islands" and wife Marian died 1973 in a plane "over Chicago" (death registered Oregon) so presumably en route to/from VI?

Working on the hypothesis (and that's all it is, I guess) that Jane stayed with the family then she could possibly have died Virgin Islands? Haven't a clue how you'd find records for there - have checked overseas deaths for British nationals but it could be complicated if it was the US Virgin Islands.

EDIT: FamilySearch has images for parish records for St Thomas, US Virgin Islands but sadly the burial records only go to 1937. :-(

The other problem is that there probably won't be travel records between Virgin Islands, mainland US and/or Australia.

The Stiles connection to England is Roger's father Francis Walter Talman Stiles (born Gloustershire 1861), the son of Rev Robert Canning Stiles - he was the former rector of Shepton Mallett, born in Wiltshire c1833, but I can't see any obvious connection to Jane's family. (Roger's marriage to Marion was reported in the NY Evening post 9/3/1931).

I agree with MC, think the chase moves to Australia!

It's interesting too that on the 1945 city directory for the Stiles that Flip referred to it says "Rem to Australia" - there is definitely something going on here, highly possible to be a nurse to the children if the Stiles were travelling as much.

Unfortunately there's not much on-line re passenger lists for Australia at that time and a quick search of Trove (Australian Newspaper Archives) hasn't yielded anything yet.

Will give Cherilyn the Australian researcher a shout.

I can see what you mean and have put the pen down!

Mike - don't write that letter yet!

I THINK she was only stopping off in the USA en-route to Australia, I'd been puzzling what the scribble was next to her name under the Final Destination column.

I've enlarged it and now think it says "Australia via San Francisco". Here's a link for second opinions:

http://www.genesreunited.co.uk/keepsafe/asset/details/6124497

Thanks again,

Flip/PricklyHolly, the threads that you mention are all accounted for as I have a copy of the will.

MarieCeleste/Flip, I'm getting towards the eight year point on this one so boggled eyes is a problem that I can understand!

I've found no reason to suspect a Scottish connection apart from the fact that, as in wartime, in 1945 Glasgow was still the main departure point for the US.

I've come across Jane E Ficke before and also felt excitement. The US however, is knee deep in Fickes who (like my gtgrandfather) left Germany in the mid 1800s so there is ample opportunity for dissapointment.

I'm fairly confident that Jane died pre 1955. There's no trace of any divorce nor any talk of one from surviving relatives but in 1955 Frederick married his long term partner and on the certificate is described as "widower".

As for Barnet's Wood - that might well give him London contacts.

I have dug around the Stiles and found that all of the children are now deceased. They were a well travelled couple with homes in both the Virgin Islands and the US. I have however, found three grandsons and will shortly be composing a letter.

I will plod on.....

That's curious Flip as it was January 1945 when Roger left Glasgow for the US (sadly no UK side passenger list for that).

He was no stranger to England, have found his first arrival in 1902. I have a gut feeling that there may be some sort of family or friendship connection.

The only other clue I can see, is the City directory for 1945 gives Roger S (Marion H) - and it states "rem to Australia".

Not sure what this means, as they both appear to have died in US - Roger in 1951, Marion in 1973.

Just having another dig around on Roger Stiles, he had been in England in 1930 and 1932. When he departed on both occasions his address had been Barnets Wood , Bromley Common, Kent.

Mike - does that address have any connection to the Fickes or Armsbys?

I had got quite excited when I found this, especially given the occupation:

U.S., World War II Cadet Nursing Corps Card Files, 1942-1948
Name: Jane E Ficke
Issue Date: May 1944
Educational Institution: Silver Cross Hospital School of Nursing
School Location: Joliet, Illinois

Sadly, I also found this:

U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-Current
Name: Jane E. Ficke
SSN: 358-12-3975
BORN: 8 Dec 1908
Died: 11 Sep 1991
State (Year) SSN issued: Illinois (Before 1951)

along with her birth in Iowa and have tracked her through the census and city directories, she can be eliminated.

Mike, I don't know if we ever could crack the US side, that's if she did indeed stay there - her immigration record did say she only intended to stay for 6 months. I guess that could have been a ruse to get into the country? I don't know what "the authorities" would have done when her 6 months had expired......

It might be worth trying to find the Stiles daughters (they'd only be in their 70s) to see if they have any recollection of an English nurse in their childhood - an extreme long shot but if you've been searching for years any new avenue is worth pursuing.

Meanwhile, I have looked in the US city directories; worldwide passenger lists & border crossings in the names of Jane, Harriet or Jennie (as per the 1911) and with surnames Ficke or Armsby - nothing.

I've also done a search on deaths for those first names with her exact date of birth but there were just way too many. I've looked in the British Newspaper Archives and the limited US newspapers that I have access to - nothing.

(Having said the above, I was starting to get boggle eyed so some fresh eyes may see something I've missed).

One area I haven't looked is Scotland (haven't got any credits left for ScotlandsPeople), another long shot but as she departed from Scotland to the US, could she have returned there?

England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1858-1966
about Frederick Ficke Name:Frederick Ficke
Probate Date:5 Jun 1961
Death Date:24 Mar 1961
Death Place:Leeds, England
Registry:Wakefield

Of 25 Henconner Lane Leeds.

To Ernest Frowd transport manager and Thelma Frowd (Wife of the said Ernest Frowd.)

Effects: £5267 4s 3d

On the outgoing passenger list, 2/7/1945 it gave her address as Sycamore Cottage, Knutsford Rd, Grappenhall (cheshire), stating US as intended permanent residence. The area would tie in with her passport being issued at Manchester on 30 June.

Do you have any idea how Thelma Ficke(r) fits in to this - married to Ernest Frowd in Leeds, 1944 - they were granted probate when Frederick died.

Thanks everyone for your help so far.

PricklyHolly, I have the Ficke/Armsby census' but it's good to be confirmed.

AnneCardiff, thanks for the Stiles info, it's opened an interesting line of enquiry.

BeverlyW, Frederick did die in Leeds in 1961 but Jane's contact with the city is new info as I thought that she spent most of her time nursing in London. Their lawyers were different.

MarieCeleste/Andrew, re the births - none of Frederick's children were ever registered, something that has led to interesting conversations with registrars! The background is complicated and I'm sure that you will understand when I say that I cannot go into details as some of those concerned are still alive. Suffice to say that, I've been along the William line of enquiry already.

Again, thanks everyone, I appreciate your help but, can anyone suggest a way of cracking the American end?

Mike

London, England, Marriages and Banns, 1754-1921
about William Ficke




Name:William Ficke
Estimated birth year:abt 1889
Age:25
Spouse Name:
Jane Mabel Richards
Spouse Age:25
Record Type:Marriage
Event Date:19 Mar 1914
Parish:Hackney St Peter
Borough:Hackney
Father Name:Frederick Ficke Ficke
Spouse Father:George John Richards
Register Type:Parish Register

Address for William is 6 Church Road.


on 1911 census for Frederick, 4 Church Road


Andy

I think this is the correct marriage based on the info provided by Mike and also the 1911 census:

England & Wales, FreeBMD Marriage Index, 1837-1915

Name: Frederick John Ficke
Date of Registration: Oct-Nov-Dec 1909
Registration district: Shoreditch
Inferred County: London
Volume Number: 1c
Page Number: 234

Records on Page:
Name
Jane Armsby <<<<
Ada Bagnell
Frederick John Ficke
John William Morris