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Even if Zilpah was living under a false name , somebody must have known who she really was, in order for probate to be granted under the proper name.

But, on second thoughts, maybe it took a while to discover that she had died and when, as the probate date is 8 years after her death.

https://www.genesreunited.co.uk/boards/board/ancestors/thread/1371867

Checking the workhouse records (whether on Ancestry or anywhere else ) is an almost impossible task, as records aren't in discharge date order.

Names are roughly lumped together by initial letter of surname, but not alphabetically within that, and then in order of date of admission, which isn't helpful in this case.

Oh well it was worth a try ArgyllGran didn't realise the records were difficult to search. I also thought it more likely she was in hospital, but thought the admissions may have covered that as well - but also wondered as she isn't found on the census whether she had been committed for some reason.

She's certainly a mystery.

If she was living under a false name in 1881 and 1891, she must have also invented a new birthplace for herself, as there's no likely person born 1858 in Wickhambrook in either of those censuses, as far as I can see. They're all either married or appear on other censuses, or birth records.
(At least - I haven't checked every single one, but lots from 1891.)

Thank you so much for your time in looking. Sorry I had some sudden visitos and had to go.

But what triggered Levy to apply for probate 8 years after her death - something must have happened to alert him to the estate (albiet £50) and her death. Their father died in 1896 so not that, as his probate went to his widow Mary Ann and granddaughter Esther. Esther married in 1902 and by the 1911 census was up in Cheshire.

How much details do probate records contain, enough to give some clues?

Jackie -

What was Zilpah's exact date of birth? Do you have a copy of her birth cert?
With the exact DOB we could search 1897 deaths of women with that DOB and see if anything jumps out at us.

Re Levi -

Zilpah's probate in 1905 says he's a jeweller.

But in 1911 he's a boot maker and dealer.
In 1901 he's an office worker.
In 1891 he's a boot & shoe maker.
1881, a shoemaker.

So when was he a jeweller ??

I can't see where he was a jewller

Kucinta posted the info on Page one - here it is again

Probate

Name: Zilpah Pryke
Death Date: 22 Jun 1897
Death Place: Middlesex, England
Probate Date: 18 Jul 1905
Registry: London, England

Probate was given to Levi Pryke, her brother on the 1871 census?

Zilpah Pryke of 285 Harrow Rd Middlesex spinster died 22nd June 1897. Admin London 18 July to Levi Pryke Jeweller. Effects £50.

No sorry I don't have her birth certificate.

Just a thought - re the 8 year gap between death and probate -

If Zilpah had been missing for 7 years, Levi might have been able to apply to have her declared presumed dead. That would allow him to tie up loose ends and administer her estate, small though it was.

If so, the date of death would only be a presumed date , and no actual death certificate would exist..


Nowadays " Death is taken to occur on (a) the last day that they could have been alive (if the court is satisfied that they are dead), or (b) the day seven years after the date they were last seen (if death is presumed by the elapse of time)."

Oh right. this is a mystery.
Thank you

perhaps something happend to zilpah like being drowned or murdered and her body never found

Probate records that I've seen sometimes say where the person died, and then also give their usual address. Otherwise I guess the assumption is that the person died at the only address given

Yes, there's one lower down the page from Zilpah's record that does that .........

Pryor, John Thomas of Harwell Berkshire died 17 July 1905 at the infirmary Oxford .......

Yes, Zilpah's probate only gives Harrow Road as if it was her address, and doesn't say where she died.
Maybe she worked there, and lived in, and 22 June 1897 was the last time she was seen.
Or was discharged as a patient on that date, and then never seen again.

I don't suppose we'll ever know.

Only limited archives are in existence:
https://tinyurl.com/yd9okmwb