Genealogy Chat

my gg grandfather (thomas spencer kemp) born about 1816 in lynn norfolk. he married in fincham in 1840 he moved with his family to birmingham first appearing in the the (kelly's dir) in 1855. He was in birmingham in the 1861 census and on daughters birth certificate in 1862. He last appeared in kellys 1865. His wife died of (TB) in 1866 on her death certificate it says wife of thomas kemp not the widow of thomas kemp but their daughter was present at the death and it took place at the daughters address and the daughter registerd the death.his wife was buried in a open grave but he had money ??? I cannot find him on any census after 1861 i have been to birmingham reg office 4 times thinking i had the correct death entry only to find out it was not him. its like he fell off the face the earth. ANY IDEAS????

Priscilla I wouldn't read too much into the fact that your 2 x g grandmother died at her daughter's house. Mine did also, even though her husband was alive. I suppose it was just that she was too difficult to look after at home. My 2 x g grandmother's son-in-law registered her death also but she did go home to be buried. Jennie

Just a few thoughts. Have you looked on the 1871 at the address where he was in Kelly's 1865? and have you looked on 1871 to see where his sons/daughters were living in case he is living with them and he has been mistranscribed? Another way I often find people is by looking for the youngest member of the family because they are often at home with parents. Sorry I can't be more help. Jennie

Is this his son in 1871:- Name: Thomas S Kemp Age: 30 Estimated Birth Year: abt 1841 Relation: Lodger Gender: Male Where born: Norwich, Norfolk, England Civil Parish: Birmingham Ecclesiastical parish: St David Town: Birmingham County/Island: Warwickshire Country: England Street address: Occupation: Condition as to marriage: Disability: View image Registration district: Birmingham Sub-registration district: St Martin ED, institution, or vessel: 13 Neighbors: View others on page Household schedule number: 228 Household Members: Name Age George E Gunton 25 Thomas S Kemp 30 Alice Stansfield 30 Henry Stansfield 34 I'm afraid I can't find him either. Kath. x

Hi Jennie, thank's for your reply Im trying to keep an open mind on everything. I have searched before 1865 thinking maybe he died before her and that he may have been included in kelly's due to printing deadlines. i have searched after 1865 thinking he may have been ill with (TB) at the time of his wifes death but still know luck. Shortly after 1865 they started to including the age at death still i cannot find a match. there daughter married in 1882 on the marriage certificate it reads father thomas kemp builder. do's that mean he was still alive ???.I don't know what to try next best wishes Priscilla

Unfortunately you can't tell whether they were alive still at the wedding or not-Mostly they do put (Deceased) on it-But equally I have one where I have seen the headstone and when he died-but he is named on a marriage cert after that without 9deceased)-so it does seem to vary! How about the local church records?

HI Kathleen, he did have a son named thomas in 1871 he was living as a lodger age 15 next door to his older sister susan williams who registerd there mothers death. Liveing with susan was there younger sister eliza ann kemp the one born in 1862. so it seams susan was bring up the younger children. however there are too other siblings i cannot trace. robert kemp born 1842 in fincham however he was was not with the family on the 1861 census so i think he may have died. i have tride to obtaine a death certificate from both birmingham and norfolk with no luck. i have been told that if he died on route that could be the reason. and william kemp born 1855 he is on the 1861 census but i cannot find him after this census. haveing said that i have not looked for a death entry for him but have look up every census up to 1901 with no luck best wishes Priscilla