Thread: Help!

I have been trying to trace any records of my maternal grandmother Kathleen Ethel Matthews born 6 April 1912. I have been told she was born in Ireland, possibly Dublin, that she had one slightly older sister, that her father was a french Hugenot called Dubois. I have managed to trace her two marriages and death in Hampshire in 1999 but nothing else. I have tried lots of websites paid subscriptions and free ones but I am going round and round in circles getting absolutely nowhere. I would be really grateful for any suggestions or help anyone could give me
Feebee

Hello

Let's establish a starting point

Kathleen Ethel MATTHEWS b 06/04/1912. Is MATTHEWS her birth nane only you mention her father as DUBOIS?

You indicate that she has been married twice, do you have the marriage certificates, these will tell you the name of her father and his trade....and possibly siblings. it is likely that her sister was a witness to one or both marriages

You mention being a Huguenot, have a look at this link huguenotsociety.org.uk

elsabels

think this is the death

Name:Kathleen Ethel JoplinBirth Date:6 Apr 1912Death Registration Month/Year:Nov 1999Age at death (estimated):87Registration district:WinchesterInferred County:HampshireRegister number:E8ADistrict and Subdistrict:5022Entry number:221

and poss one marriage
Name:Kathleen E KenvigSpouse Surname:JoplinDate of Registration:Jul-Aug-Sep 1949Registration district:StouthamptonVolume Number:6bPage Number:1588

though cant see a kathleen/ kenvig marriage

okay first marriage

Name:William K KinvegSpouse Surname:MatthewsDate of Registration:Jan-Feb-Mar 1933Registration district:SouthamptonRegistration county (inferred):HampshireVolume Number:2cPage Number:63
bride = kathleen e matthews

Hi thanks for your reply. I have been told that my grandma Kathleen ethel matthews was born in dublin - I can only find one Dubois in Dublin on the 1911 census, one Henry George Dubois aged 42 born in Dublin. However I have done some more research and am unable to find a Henry George Dubois born in Dublin at all. Its ver confusing/frustrating. But thanks for the advice
Feebee

Hi Elsabels
Thank you for your post. I believe my grandma's name was Kathleen Ethel Matthews, at least this was the name she was using when she married first William Kenvig in 1930, then met my grandfather Archibald Joplin and had my mother and two uncles. William Kenvig passed away in 1948 and Archibald and Kathleen married in 1949. Kathleen died in Moorgreen Nursing home Southampton in 1999. The was some kind of rift between her and my mother and my mother was very reluctant to share any family history with me, and I think she was not comfortable with the fact her parents were not married at the time of her birth (possibly).
I will try to get a copy of her marriage ceriticate/s and see where that leads me - thank you for your help.
The Dubois link is confusing as well - Kathleen was apparently born in Dublin and there is only one Dubois on the 1911 census for Dublin - one Henry George aged 42, born in Dublin. But when I have tried a person search this is coming up non existant. I have also been told that Kathleens mother worked for the Guiness Estate and Lady Guiness was my grandmothers god mother (something bestowed on valued staff) but I have no idea how or where to start trying to find out about this.
Its all ver confusing and frustrating but I will keep going.
Feebee

Hello

You have your grandmother Kathleen Ethel MATTHEWS b 06/04/1912.

Where does the surname MATTHEWS come from, only you suggest that on a marriage certificate her father is Mr DUBOIS?

Why do you think she was born Dublin?

We need to establish Kathleen and her sister a name you do not mention, can you please give details of her,

Is MATTHEWS her birth name, and if DUBOIS is shown as the father, a different surname, have you considered:

a) the possibility of iilegitimacy

b) DUBOIS may not be her father but a name added to the marriage cert for 'respectability'?

You then say Kathleen married at least twice

Name:William K KinvegSpouse Surname:MatthewsDate of Registration:Jan-Feb-Mar 1933Registration district:SouthamptonRegistration county (inferred):HampshireVolume Number:2cPage Number:63
bride = kathleen e matthews

Name:Kathleen E KenvigSpouse Surname:JoplinDate of Registration:Jul-Aug-Sep 1949Registration district:StouthamptonVolume Number:6bPage Number:1588

Are these the CORRECT marriages? Is the information given about the father consistent?

Name:Kathleen Ethel JoplinBirth Date:6 Apr 1912Death Registration Month/Year:Nov 1999Age at death (estimated):87Registration district:WinchesterInferred County:HampshireRegister number:E8ADistrict and Subdistrict:5022Entry number:221

Is this her death?



elsabels

Hi Elsabels
The Dubois link is something told me by my Grandmother but I have no documentation for her at all. The two marriages and death you have shown in your message are for my grandmother. My mother has passed away as has one of her brothers and I have been in touch with my one remaining living Uncle. He has no family paperwork and wasn't aware that both his parents Kathleen and Archibald had both been married twice. I have also looked at travel from Ireland to England but am unable to find anything conclusive. I think I will try to get a copy of Kathleen's marriage certificate/s and see what is on there for her fathers details.
Thank you
Feebee

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