Thread: Smiths of West Bromwich

I am trying to find out about Priscilla Nellie Smith, born Aug 1905 in West Bromwich. Her parents were William Isaac Smith and Polly Wenlock, who were married 1n 1903 in West Bromwich. ( I have birth and marriage certs)I can't find them on the 1911 census, nor can I find any deaths for any of them or a marriage for Priscilla. I would love to find any records of siblings of Priscilla . Any help greatly appreciated.

There is a NELLIE PRISCILLA SMITH F 1904 (7) Doncaster on the 1911 - have you discounted her as your lady ?

To research the name "Smith" a little more info would help There's even several candidates for Polly Wenlock!



Do you have years and places of birth for Priscilla's parents?

Thanks Esta, but that Nellie Priscilla is not the one.



I have the birth certificate for Priscilla Nellie Smith who was born on 3rd Aug 1905. Her father was William Isaac Smith and her mother was Polly Smith nee Wenlock. They were living at The Cottage, Franchise Street, Wednesbury.



William and Polly were married on 6th Aug 1903. William was 25 and a clerk living at 8 Lower Darlington Street, Wednesbury. His father was also William Isaac, a farmer.



Polly was 23 and living at 8 Cross Street, Wednesbury. Her father was Thomas Wenlock, a wheelwright.



I have been unable to find a marriage or death for Priscilla, nor deaths for her parents. I was hoping to find the family on the 1911 census, but frustratingly I can't find any of them I was hoping to find a male sibling with a strange first name that would be easier to trace! I'm not sure where to go from here.

Looks like Priscilla’s father goes out to New York in 1906 maybe that is why you can't find him in 1911 Census!



On the passenger list it states that his last residence was Wednesbury and he is a telegrapher.



He is travelling to Conser, Albany County to be with his cousin Mr. Fletcher



Name: William Isaac Smith

Arrival Date: 15 Jan 1906

Estimated Birth Year: abt 1878

Age: 28

Gender: Male

Port of Departure: Southampton

Ethnicity/Race-/Nationality: English

Ship Name: St Paul Search

Port of Arrival: New York,

Where were William and Polly born ? Walsall & West Bromwich ?



Was there any mention in the family of them emigrating ?



I have looked for births beween 1911 - 1915 for anyone born with the parents Smith & Wenlock with no luck.



There was a Ernest J smith reg in Walsall in 3Q 1924 father Smith mother Wenlock. This would make Polly about 44 so possible.



Have you checked for military records ?

Thank you Geniegenie!



Priscilla had a baby in 1925 (my Mum). At the time she was working as a domestic servant at 18 Yew Tree Road, Londonderry, Smethwick. There is no name under father, just a strange squiggle, a bit like rams horns with a \ across and the number 5 next to it. The baby was adopted in 1928. I have the adoption papers. In my search for what became of Priscilla, I had looked at her either marrying or emigrating, but not until after 1928. I never considered that William might have gone.



I seem to remember finding a Priscilla Nellie returning to England, but didn't pay much attention to it at the time. I haven't got access to Ancestry at the moment until we get our new computer, (our old one is too old for the download!)



That certainly gives me something to work on. I wonder if Polly and Priscilla joined William at a later date and then Priscilla came back as an adult.



I did send for the birth certificate of Ernest J in 1924, but the parents were not William and Polly.



Many thanks for your help.

Don't have a clue what that "squiggle" and no. 5 in the father's name column is - have taken a look around to see if I could find an explanation -but nothing I'm afraid.



I have taken a quick look at passenger lists for Polly and/or Priscilla but I haven't found anything. Perhaps if you visit the "offer help to other ......" Forum here and take up one of the kind offers for passenger list look-ups, someone may be able to find them.



William states that he is married when he travels in 1906 - maybe he came back to join her and Priscilla. But as you can't find them in 1911 it does suggest that they may have joined him