Genealogical history of Gertrude Ellen Harvey
Pictured left is an early photograph of the author's sister, Gertrude (Trudie) Ellen Harvey. The photograph was taken about 1929 when she was aged 2 Yrs She was the only child of William Harvey and Gertrude Gladys Harvey nee Palmer. Trudie was born in 1927 and died in 1984. Her mother died in 1935 when Trudie was aged about 8 Yrs old. The photograph was probably taken around 1930 when the family were living 699 Alum Rock Road, Saltley, Birmingham.
Great Grandparents, Grandparents, Parents and their Children.
Her father's paternal grandparents were Harry Edward Harvey and Mary Ann Harvey nee Bowen. Her father's maternal grandparents were Thomas Blackmore and Ellen Blackmore nee Nicholls. Her father's parents were Albert Harvey and Ellen Harvey nee Blackmore. Information relating for both of these sets of grandparents and parents have already been described in the genealogical history for David Thomas Harvey.
Her mother's maternal grandparents were Thomas Sheffield and Elizabeth Sheffield nee Whitehead They were married on the 8th January 1871 at All Saints, Birmingham, Warwickshire. Thomas Sheffield was born in 1843 Aston, Birmingham and died in 1913 age 69 Yrs. His wife, Elizabeth was born in 1851 in Warwickshire and died in 1914 age 64 Yrs.
The 1851 census lists Thomas Sheffield, aged 7 yrs, living at home with his parents William and Hannah Sheffield. He has an older brother Joseph and four younger sisters Mary, Hannah, Lucy and Esther. The family are living in Sutton Road in the Parish of Sutton Coldfield,
The 1861 census finds Thomas Sheffield aged 17 Yrs living at Barrack Street, Sedgley, Wolverhampton. He is living with Joseph and Harriett Collier and their family. Joseph Collier is listed as a File Manufacturer. Thomas is listed as an Apprentice File Cutter.
The 1871 census lists Thomas and Elizabeth Sheffield living at William Street, Aston, Birmingham. Thomas is aged 27 Yrs and Elizabeth is aged 20 Yrs. Thomas is working as a "File Cutter" and Elizabeth is at home. His birthplace is shown as Sutton Coldfield, Warwickshire and Elizabeth's birthplace as Fenn End, Warwickshire
The 1881 census shows the family living in the parish of St George, Birmingham at 15 Westminster Place. Thomas is aged 37 Yrs and still working as a "File Cutter". His birthplace is shown as Sutton Coldfield, Warwickshire. His wife, Elizabeth is aged 31 Yrs and not working. Her birthplace is shown as Fenn End, Warwickshire. The census lists 5 children - Florence 9 Yrs, Hannah E 7 Yrs, Sarah Ann 3 Yrs, Lucy 1 Yr and Martha 6 months. All children were born in Birmingham, Warwickshire.
The 1891 census shows the Sheffield family still living in the parish of St George, Birmingham at 95 Constitution Hill. Thomas is aged 47 Yrs and still working as a File Cutter. His birthplace is shown as Sutton Coldfield, Warwickshire. His wife, Elizabeth is aged 41yrs and not working. Her birthplace is shown as Fenn End, Warwickshire. The census lists 6 children - Hannah E 17 Yrs of age working as a "wire worker", Lucy 11 Yrs, Martha 10 Yrs, Ada 8 Yrs, William 4 Yrs and Thomas aged 2 Yrs. All children were born in Birmingham, Warwickshire. Hannah Elizabeth Sheffield later married William Alfred Walter Palmer on the 20th 1894.
The 1901 census shows the Sheffield family still living at William Street North in the parish of St George, Birmingham. Thomas is aged 57 Yrs and still working as a "File Cutter" Elizabeth is aged 51 Yrs and still at home. The census lists 5 children - Lucy aged 31 Yrs working as a "Brass Tender Warehouse Girl", Martha is aged 20 Yrs and working in "Cabinet Japaning", Ada is aged 18 Yrs and working as a "Gold and Silver Drop Worker", William is aged 14 Yrs and working as a "Jewellers Errand Boy" and Thomas is aged 12 Yrs and still at school.
The 1911 census finds Thomas and Elizabeth Sheffield living at 272 New John Street West, Birmingham. Thomas is aged 67 Yrs and still working as a "File Cutter". Elizabeth is aged 61 Yrs and now working as a "Brassworker". Thomas Henry Sheffield is 22 Yrs of age and working as a "Brass Dresser". Birthplaces are as previously listed. The census records that 11 children were born alive, 6 are still living and 5 had died.
There are no photographs of these Grandparents
The 1851 census lists Thomas Sheffield, aged 7 yrs, living at home with his parents William and Hannah Sheffield. He has an older brother Joseph and four younger sisters Mary, Hannah, Lucy and Esther. The family are living in Sutton Road in the Parish of Sutton Coldfield,
The 1861 census finds Thomas Sheffield aged 17 Yrs living at Barrack Street, Sedgley, Wolverhampton. He is living with Joseph and Harriett Collier and their family. Joseph Collier is listed as a File Manufacturer. Thomas is listed as an Apprentice File Cutter.
The 1871 census lists Thomas and Elizabeth Sheffield living at William Street, Aston, Birmingham. Thomas is aged 27 Yrs and Elizabeth is aged 20 Yrs. Thomas is working as a "File Cutter" and Elizabeth is at home. His birthplace is shown as Sutton Coldfield, Warwickshire and Elizabeth's birthplace as Fenn End, Warwickshire
The 1881 census shows the family living in the parish of St George, Birmingham at 15 Westminster Place. Thomas is aged 37 Yrs and still working as a "File Cutter". His birthplace is shown as Sutton Coldfield, Warwickshire. His wife, Elizabeth is aged 31 Yrs and not working. Her birthplace is shown as Fenn End, Warwickshire. The census lists 5 children - Florence 9 Yrs, Hannah E 7 Yrs, Sarah Ann 3 Yrs, Lucy 1 Yr and Martha 6 months. All children were born in Birmingham, Warwickshire.
The 1891 census shows the Sheffield family still living in the parish of St George, Birmingham at 95 Constitution Hill. Thomas is aged 47 Yrs and still working as a File Cutter. His birthplace is shown as Sutton Coldfield, Warwickshire. His wife, Elizabeth is aged 41yrs and not working. Her birthplace is shown as Fenn End, Warwickshire. The census lists 6 children - Hannah E 17 Yrs of age working as a "wire worker", Lucy 11 Yrs, Martha 10 Yrs, Ada 8 Yrs, William 4 Yrs and Thomas aged 2 Yrs. All children were born in Birmingham, Warwickshire. Hannah Elizabeth Sheffield later married William Alfred Walter Palmer on the 20th 1894.
The 1901 census shows the Sheffield family still living at William Street North in the parish of St George, Birmingham. Thomas is aged 57 Yrs and still working as a "File Cutter" Elizabeth is aged 51 Yrs and still at home. The census lists 5 children - Lucy aged 31 Yrs working as a "Brass Tender Warehouse Girl", Martha is aged 20 Yrs and working in "Cabinet Japaning", Ada is aged 18 Yrs and working as a "Gold and Silver Drop Worker", William is aged 14 Yrs and working as a "Jewellers Errand Boy" and Thomas is aged 12 Yrs and still at school.
The 1911 census finds Thomas and Elizabeth Sheffield living at 272 New John Street West, Birmingham. Thomas is aged 67 Yrs and still working as a "File Cutter". Elizabeth is aged 61 Yrs and now working as a "Brassworker". Thomas Henry Sheffield is 22 Yrs of age and working as a "Brass Dresser". Birthplaces are as previously listed. The census records that 11 children were born alive, 6 are still living and 5 had died.
There are no photographs of these Grandparents
.Her mothers great great grandparents were William Palmer b 1812 - 1816 and his wife Hannah Palmer nee Perrins b 1812 - 1816.
The 1841 census lists William Palmer and Hannah Palmer both aged 25 years. Also listed is William Palmer aged 1 year birth 1840. The residence is given as Coach Yard, Birmingham.
The 1851 census lists William Palmer (head) aged 36 yrs and Hannah Palmer (wife) aged 38 yrs. In addition to this William Palmer is still at home aged 11 years. There are now additional siblings Mary Ann Palmer and Hannah Palmer aged 9 yrs and 3 yrs respectively. The family are living at Russell Court Moor Street. William Palmer is working as a shoeing smith.
The 1861 census lists William Palmer (head) aged 46 yrs and Hannah Palmer (wife) aged 48 yrs. William Palmer (son )aged 21 yrs. He's living at home with his siblings Mary Ann Palmer, Hannah Palmer and Elizabeth Palmer aged 19 yrs, 13 yrs,
8 yrs respectively. In addition they now have a servant Daniel Cook aged 26 yrs.
Her mothers paternal great grandparents were William Palmer and Mary Ann Palmer nee Lawley. They were married on the 30th Dec 1866 at Saint Martin, Birmingham, Warwickshire. William Palmer was born in Warwickshire about 1840. His wife was born in Warwickshire about 1850. Dates of their births / marriage / deaths to be confirmed. These dates have been obtained from those declared on marriage records
The 1841 census lists William Palmer and Hannah Palmer both aged 25 years. Also listed is William Palmer aged 1 year birth 1840. The residence is given as Coach Yard, Birmingham.
The 1851 census lists William Palmer (head) aged 36 yrs and Hannah Palmer (wife) aged 38 yrs. In addition to this William Palmer is still at home aged 11 years. There are now additional siblings Mary Ann Palmer and Hannah Palmer aged 9 yrs and 3 yrs respectively. The family are living at Russell Court Moor Street. William Palmer is working as a shoeing smith.
The 1861 census lists William Palmer (head) aged 46 yrs and Hannah Palmer (wife) aged 48 yrs. William Palmer (son )aged 21 yrs. He's living at home with his siblings Mary Ann Palmer, Hannah Palmer and Elizabeth Palmer aged 19 yrs, 13 yrs,
8 yrs respectively. In addition they now have a servant Daniel Cook aged 26 yrs.
Her mothers paternal great grandparents were William Palmer and Mary Ann Palmer nee Lawley. They were married on the 30th Dec 1866 at Saint Martin, Birmingham, Warwickshire. William Palmer was born in Warwickshire about 1840. His wife was born in Warwickshire about 1850. Dates of their births / marriage / deaths to be confirmed. These dates have been obtained from those declared on marriage records
Her mother's parents were William Alfred Walter Palmer and Hannah Elizabeth Palmer nee Sheffield. They were married on 20th October 1894. William Alfred Walter Palmer was born 27th June 1867. The Baptism record for Wiliam Alfred Walter Palmer shows that he was baptised on the 22nd July 1867 in the parish of St Martins in Birmingham. His parents names are shown as William and Mary Palmer (no reference to a mothers middle name). His parents were living at Moor Street, Birmingham. His fathers occupation is listed as a "shoeing smith" Later research revealed that William Palmer was listed in Kelly's Directory for 1855, 1868 and 1872 listing him as a "Farrier". In each directory the address is given as Moor Street, Birmingham. He does not appear in later Directories. Hannah Elizabeth Sheffield was born in 1874.
The author also had available (inherited from his father) a family Bible which documented dates and events in the Palmer family's life. Also an inscription inside the Bible showed that it had been presented to Alfred Palmer by the members of the Mission school held at 59 Titford Road, Langley on his leaving to join the Royal Navy, The inscription was dated 10th June 1882. Research has confirmed this to be true and showed that he entered service in 1882 and served until 1892. Details of this service as well as the history for the Mission school are described in the page "Items of Historical Interest found during research" Conflicting information appears on some census reports and further research is necessary. However, the 1901 and 1911 census returns offer the most realistic information and these have been used as a starting point for the Palmer family history. Also, a page marker inside the bible show's that the bible had been used by Gertrude Gladys Palmer which showed an address of 152 Moseley Street, Birmingham. This address is declared as the home address for Hannah Palmer and her daughter Gertrude on the 1911 Census..
The 1901 census show the family living at 4 Summerfield Grove, Municipal Borough of Rotten Park, Birmingham. William is aged 33 Yrs and listed as a Fireman in the Fire Brigade. Birthplace is Birmingham, Warwickshire. His wife, Hannah is 27 Yrs of age and not working. Her birthplace is listed as Birmingham, Warwickshire. Only one child is listed on this census, Gertrude Gladys aged 3 Yrs.
Historical Note.
Further research has revealed that William Alfred Walter Palmer was employed as a fireman with Birmingham
Fire Brigade after leaving the Royal Navy. His employment details have been provided by the resource group of Birmingham Fire Service. Details of these are shown in items of historical interest as well items shown in photographs that support family history. These are reproduced by courtesy of the Resource Group of the Birmingham Fire Brigade.
William Alfred Walter Palmer died 15th January 1904 aged 36 Yrs. The burial record shows that his abode at the time of his death was the Workhouse Infirmary. He was buried in the Parish of Aston in, Warwickshire and is buried in Saint Peter and Saint Paul Churchyard, Aston.
At the time of the 1901 census the family's address is listed as 4 Summerfield Grove, Dudley Road. A search of an OS Map for 1888 - 1913 for Birmingham shows that this address was inside a necklace of roads (Cuthbert Road, Bellefield Road and Heath Green Road which bordered Dudley Road). The address was in close proximity to the Birmingham Workhouse and its Infirmary which was accessed from Western Road..
The 1911 census lists Hannah E Palmer (now a widow) as 39 Yrs of age and working as a Cook in a Police Station. The Police Station was in Edwards Road, Balsall Heath which was close to Moseley Street. Her daughter, Gertrude Gladys is 13 Yrs of age and still at school. Their home address is 152 Moseley Street, Birmingham. The census also shows that they had been married for 16 Yrs also that they had a total of 3 children and only 1 was still alive. However, the details had been changed (possibly by Hannah Sheffield) because the marriage had only existed for 10 years (1894 to 1904). The details relating to the number of children from their marriage were correct.
Hannah Elizabeth Palmer died 1915 aged 42 Yrs. It's unknown what happened to Gertrude Gladys Palmer in the period following the death of her mother in 1915 until she married William Harvey in 1926, Taking into account her age when her mother died (she would have been 17 Yrs of age) there could be a number of possibilities - moved to live with relatives (her closest relatives at the time were Thomas and Elizabeth Sheffield (her grandparents) who were living in New John Street West, Hockley), obtained lodgings or just remained at her last address. It is quite possible that she could have obtained paid work as Britain was now at War and jobs for young women could be available as an aid to the War effort.
Whatever happened it's clear that the future for her must have seemed bleak. Gertrude Gladys Palmer later married William Harvey in 1926.
There are no photographs of her mother's parents.
The author also had available (inherited from his father) a family Bible which documented dates and events in the Palmer family's life. Also an inscription inside the Bible showed that it had been presented to Alfred Palmer by the members of the Mission school held at 59 Titford Road, Langley on his leaving to join the Royal Navy, The inscription was dated 10th June 1882. Research has confirmed this to be true and showed that he entered service in 1882 and served until 1892. Details of this service as well as the history for the Mission school are described in the page "Items of Historical Interest found during research" Conflicting information appears on some census reports and further research is necessary. However, the 1901 and 1911 census returns offer the most realistic information and these have been used as a starting point for the Palmer family history. Also, a page marker inside the bible show's that the bible had been used by Gertrude Gladys Palmer which showed an address of 152 Moseley Street, Birmingham. This address is declared as the home address for Hannah Palmer and her daughter Gertrude on the 1911 Census..
The 1901 census show the family living at 4 Summerfield Grove, Municipal Borough of Rotten Park, Birmingham. William is aged 33 Yrs and listed as a Fireman in the Fire Brigade. Birthplace is Birmingham, Warwickshire. His wife, Hannah is 27 Yrs of age and not working. Her birthplace is listed as Birmingham, Warwickshire. Only one child is listed on this census, Gertrude Gladys aged 3 Yrs.
Historical Note.
Further research has revealed that William Alfred Walter Palmer was employed as a fireman with Birmingham
Fire Brigade after leaving the Royal Navy. His employment details have been provided by the resource group of Birmingham Fire Service. Details of these are shown in items of historical interest as well items shown in photographs that support family history. These are reproduced by courtesy of the Resource Group of the Birmingham Fire Brigade.
William Alfred Walter Palmer died 15th January 1904 aged 36 Yrs. The burial record shows that his abode at the time of his death was the Workhouse Infirmary. He was buried in the Parish of Aston in, Warwickshire and is buried in Saint Peter and Saint Paul Churchyard, Aston.
At the time of the 1901 census the family's address is listed as 4 Summerfield Grove, Dudley Road. A search of an OS Map for 1888 - 1913 for Birmingham shows that this address was inside a necklace of roads (Cuthbert Road, Bellefield Road and Heath Green Road which bordered Dudley Road). The address was in close proximity to the Birmingham Workhouse and its Infirmary which was accessed from Western Road..
The 1911 census lists Hannah E Palmer (now a widow) as 39 Yrs of age and working as a Cook in a Police Station. The Police Station was in Edwards Road, Balsall Heath which was close to Moseley Street. Her daughter, Gertrude Gladys is 13 Yrs of age and still at school. Their home address is 152 Moseley Street, Birmingham. The census also shows that they had been married for 16 Yrs also that they had a total of 3 children and only 1 was still alive. However, the details had been changed (possibly by Hannah Sheffield) because the marriage had only existed for 10 years (1894 to 1904). The details relating to the number of children from their marriage were correct.
Hannah Elizabeth Palmer died 1915 aged 42 Yrs. It's unknown what happened to Gertrude Gladys Palmer in the period following the death of her mother in 1915 until she married William Harvey in 1926, Taking into account her age when her mother died (she would have been 17 Yrs of age) there could be a number of possibilities - moved to live with relatives (her closest relatives at the time were Thomas and Elizabeth Sheffield (her grandparents) who were living in New John Street West, Hockley), obtained lodgings or just remained at her last address. It is quite possible that she could have obtained paid work as Britain was now at War and jobs for young women could be available as an aid to the War effort.
Whatever happened it's clear that the future for her must have seemed bleak. Gertrude Gladys Palmer later married William Harvey in 1926.
There are no photographs of her mother's parents.
Shown left is a scanned image of the family history from a Bible presented to Alfred Palmer (details and information relating to this are described in Historical Notes) Another image is shown in the gallery of family photographs. All of the details shown on this page have been verified by comparing details recorded on the FreeBMD index.
The Family Bible chronicles (probably written by Hannah Palmer) the date of their marriage, births and deaths of their children as follows:
William Alfred Walter Palmer born June 27th 1867 married Hannah E Sheffield (born July 17th 1873) October 20th 1894 Saint Georges Church, Birmingham. Hannah Sheffield writes "my dear husband passed away 15th January 1904".
With regard to their children, Hannah writes "Mary Eveline born 30th November 1895 passed away 29th August 1896. Gertrude Gladys born 10th October 1897. Minnie Grace born 10th March passed away 29th August 1899".
The Family Bible chronicles (probably written by Hannah Palmer) the date of their marriage, births and deaths of their children as follows:
William Alfred Walter Palmer born June 27th 1867 married Hannah E Sheffield (born July 17th 1873) October 20th 1894 Saint Georges Church, Birmingham. Hannah Sheffield writes "my dear husband passed away 15th January 1904".
With regard to their children, Hannah writes "Mary Eveline born 30th November 1895 passed away 29th August 1896. Gertrude Gladys born 10th October 1897. Minnie Grace born 10th March passed away 29th August 1899".
Her parents were William Harvey and Gertrude Gladys Harvey nee Palmer. William Harvey was born 25th Sept 1901. His wife Gertrude, was born 10th October 1897. They were married in qtr2 1926. Their daughter, Gertrude Ellen was born qtr2 1927. William Harvey died in 1984 aged 82 Yrs. Gertrude Gladys Harvey died in qtr1 1935, aged 37 yrs. Their daughter died in 1984, aged 57 yrs, within days of the death of her father.
Gertrude Gladys Harvey was buried in Yardley Cemetery on the 29th January 1935. She is buried in Section 40 in Grave No 45063. She was the only burial in the grave.
Gertrude Gladys Harvey was buried in Yardley Cemetery on the 29th January 1935. She is buried in Section 40 in Grave No 45063. She was the only burial in the grave.
Home and family life.
The Harvey Family between 1926 - 1984
William Harvey married Gertrude Gladys Palmer in q2 1926. Their daughter Gertrude Ellen Harvey was born q2 1927.
Shown left is believed to be an early photograph of Gertrude Gladys Harvey nee Palmer with the author's sister, Gertrude Ellen Harvey. The author cannot confirm the exact date but this photograph would have been taken between 1927 and 1932 when the family lived at 699 Alum Rock Road, Birmingham. Very little is known about the family's early life. Gertrude Ellen Harvey was at Sladefield Road Infants School, Birmingham during her early years.
Shortly after the death of her mother, her father married Dorothy Evelyn Uncles in 1936. The family then moved to 23 Morestead Avenue, Sheldon, Birmingham. Unfortunately very little is also known about the authors sister's early years between 1936 after her father remarried and the time my sister joined the WRNS in 1945.
Shortly after the death of her mother, her father married Dorothy Evelyn Uncles in 1936. The family then moved to 23 Morestead Avenue, Sheldon, Birmingham. Unfortunately very little is also known about the authors sister's early years between 1936 after her father remarried and the time my sister joined the WRNS in 1945.
The photograph shown left is an early picture probably taken just after my sister, Trudie joined the WRNS - she served initially between 1945 - 1949 and would have been about 18yrs of age at this time when she joined. She was stationed at HMS Gangees. A search of the electoral registers show that she was living at 23 Morestead Avenue, Sheldon, Birmingham in 1950.
Shown opposite is an early photograph of the author and his sister taken in the garden of 23 Morestead Avenue. This would have been taken during a time when she was home on leave from HMS Daedalus. She served on this station between 1952 to 1956. During her second term of service she was a Leading Wren and took part in the Spithead Review on the 15th June 1953. A search of the electoral registers show that she was still listed at 23 Morestead Avenue in 1955.
Not long after finishing her service in the WRNS she married William John Driver in 1956. After their marriage they moved to Castle Donnington, Leicestershire where they lived for a number of years. They later moved to Doncaster, Yorkshire where they remained for the rest of their lives. They had no children.
Trudie died in 1984 aged 57 years within a few days of the death of her father William Harvey. William John Driver died within a year after her in 1985. Their ashes are retained in the Driver family grave at the St Michael and All Angels Church, Stourport on Severn.
History Repeats itself
Research following on from the information in the Palmer Family Bible showed that in 1882, William Alfred Walter Palmer (her maternal grand father) had joined the Royal Navy at an age of 15 yrs. Some 60 plus years later, the only surviving descendant, his grand daughter also joined the Royal Navy. The circumstances which prompted my sister to join the Royal Navy are unknown to the author, and probably never will be known.
Tracing and documenting this branch of the Harvey family history has and still is proving to be very difficult at the time of writing (October 2019).
Research is still ongoing (November 2019).
Research following on from the information in the Palmer Family Bible showed that in 1882, William Alfred Walter Palmer (her maternal grand father) had joined the Royal Navy at an age of 15 yrs. Some 60 plus years later, the only surviving descendant, his grand daughter also joined the Royal Navy. The circumstances which prompted my sister to join the Royal Navy are unknown to the author, and probably never will be known.
Tracing and documenting this branch of the Harvey family history has and still is proving to be very difficult at the time of writing (October 2019).
Research is still ongoing (November 2019).
The Palmer Family
Conflicting information appears on some census reports and further research is necessary. However, the 1901 and 1911 census returns offer the most realistic information and have been used as a starting point for the Palmer family history.
The author also had available (inherited from his father) a family Bible which documented dates and events in the Palmer family's life. Also an inscription inside the Bible showed that it had been presented to Alfred Palmer by the members of the mission school held at 59 Titford Road, Langley on his leaving to join the Royal Navy , The inscription was dated 10th June 1882. Research has confirmed this to be true and showed that he entered service in 1882 and served until 1892. Brief details of the Mission school as well details of his naval service are described in the page "Items of Historical Interest found during research"
The Baptism record for William Alfred Walter Palmer show that he was baptised 22nd July 1867. His parents are listed as William and Mary Palmer. Their residence is listed as Moor Street, Birmingham. His father's occupation is given as a shoeing blacksmith.
The marriage record for William Alfred Walter Palmer to Hannah Elizabeth Sheffield shows that they were married on the 20th October 1894 at the Parish Church in the Parish of St George in Birmingham. The record shows that his father, William Palmer was deceased and that his occupation had been a Blacksmith. Because his name is not listed in Kelly's Directory after 1872 it is not unreasonable to assume that he had died between that date and 1894. The record also shows that for Hannah Elizabeth Sheffield at the time of their marriage , her father, Thomas Sheffield was still alive. His occupation is given as a file cutter. The witnesses are listed as Thomas Sheffield and Florence Sheffield (her sister). Their address at the time of their marriage is given as William Street North.
Also, a page marker inside the bible show's that the bible had been used by Gertrude Gladys Palmer which showed her name and an address of 152 Moseley Street, Birmingham. This address is declared as the home address for Hannah Palmer and her daughter Gertrude on the 1911 Census.. The 1901 census (RG13/2852) show the family living at 5 Summerfield Grove, Dudley Road. William A Palmer is 33 yrs of age and working as a Fireman in the Fire Brigade. Hannah E Palmer is 27 yrs of age and at home. Their daughter Gertrude Gladys Palmer is 3 yrs of age and at home. The 1911 census shows Hannah E Palmer, now a widow, aged 39 yrs of age and working as a cook in a Police Station. Later research revealed that this was known as Balsall Heath Police Station. Her daughter Gertrude Gladys Palmer is aged 13 yrs and at school (poosibly attending Edward Street School tbc). The census lists that she (Hannah) had been married for 16 yrs and had 3 children 2 of which had died..
Tracing and documenting the Palmer family history has and still is proving to be very difficult at the time of writing (October 2019).
Research is still ongoing 08/04/2023.
Conflicting information appears on some census reports and further research is necessary. However, the 1901 and 1911 census returns offer the most realistic information and have been used as a starting point for the Palmer family history.
The author also had available (inherited from his father) a family Bible which documented dates and events in the Palmer family's life. Also an inscription inside the Bible showed that it had been presented to Alfred Palmer by the members of the mission school held at 59 Titford Road, Langley on his leaving to join the Royal Navy , The inscription was dated 10th June 1882. Research has confirmed this to be true and showed that he entered service in 1882 and served until 1892. Brief details of the Mission school as well details of his naval service are described in the page "Items of Historical Interest found during research"
The Baptism record for William Alfred Walter Palmer show that he was baptised 22nd July 1867. His parents are listed as William and Mary Palmer. Their residence is listed as Moor Street, Birmingham. His father's occupation is given as a shoeing blacksmith.
The marriage record for William Alfred Walter Palmer to Hannah Elizabeth Sheffield shows that they were married on the 20th October 1894 at the Parish Church in the Parish of St George in Birmingham. The record shows that his father, William Palmer was deceased and that his occupation had been a Blacksmith. Because his name is not listed in Kelly's Directory after 1872 it is not unreasonable to assume that he had died between that date and 1894. The record also shows that for Hannah Elizabeth Sheffield at the time of their marriage , her father, Thomas Sheffield was still alive. His occupation is given as a file cutter. The witnesses are listed as Thomas Sheffield and Florence Sheffield (her sister). Their address at the time of their marriage is given as William Street North.
Also, a page marker inside the bible show's that the bible had been used by Gertrude Gladys Palmer which showed her name and an address of 152 Moseley Street, Birmingham. This address is declared as the home address for Hannah Palmer and her daughter Gertrude on the 1911 Census.. The 1901 census (RG13/2852) show the family living at 5 Summerfield Grove, Dudley Road. William A Palmer is 33 yrs of age and working as a Fireman in the Fire Brigade. Hannah E Palmer is 27 yrs of age and at home. Their daughter Gertrude Gladys Palmer is 3 yrs of age and at home. The 1911 census shows Hannah E Palmer, now a widow, aged 39 yrs of age and working as a cook in a Police Station. Later research revealed that this was known as Balsall Heath Police Station. Her daughter Gertrude Gladys Palmer is aged 13 yrs and at school (poosibly attending Edward Street School tbc). The census lists that she (Hannah) had been married for 16 yrs and had 3 children 2 of which had died..
Tracing and documenting the Palmer family history has and still is proving to be very difficult at the time of writing (October 2019).
Research is still ongoing 08/04/2023.
The Sheffield Family
Tracing and documenting the Sheffield family history is still ongoing (November 2019).
Tracing and documenting the Sheffield family history is still ongoing (November 2019).
Please note that this site is still under construction. Data will change and pages will be added / deleted as work progresses. Please check back at frequent intervals to see progress and any updates. Last edit 3004/2023