In search of the family

 LOIS SOANES 1828-1917   Smoking the herring. Lowestoft www.taleoftheherring.com I was intending to write Lois' story under the theme of 'Steps.' However this was not to be, but I hope that you will agree that 'stormy weather' certainly features within her story as much as the various 'step' relationships. Lois was born in Corton, a village neighbouring the port of Lowestoft in Norfolk the 2nd surviving daughter of Robert Taylor Soanes and his wife Esther, nee Youell. By the 1841 census, a widowed Esther is a shopkeeper in Corton. I have previously written about Lois' brother, John Soanes, who in later life became caretaker of Lowestoft yacht pond, now it is his sister, Lois' turn to take the spotlight.   Map of the coast from Lowestoft and Yarmouth including Gorleston and Corton. In 1846 Lois married local fisherman of Corton, George Charles Hannant,  at St Batholomew Church, Corton, on 19th Jul. Three months later, their first child, a son, was bap...

  FUN AND GAMES I have noticed that some of my ancestors, after retirement, having continued to work, but in leisurely pursuits. Both 'Granny Swatridge's' husbands worked as deck chair attendants. Her first husband, William Richard Pitts 1876-1958, at Canvey Island and her second husband Harrison Robert Peter Swatridge, Uncle Bob at Bogner. But for this weeks post I am writing a short post about a more distant ancestor from my 'Youell' family:-  The Tatler 1901 'Setting Sail' Southampton Boat Pond  History of the Boating Lake | The British Newspaper Archive Blog John Soanes 1821-1898. John was the eldest son of my 3x Great Grandfather, William Youell's sister Esther, who married Robert Taylor Soanes in 1820. John spent his life in Suffolk living throughout within 5 miles of the coastal resort of Lowestoft. His occupation for much of his working life was as a hemp dresser, sometimes known as a 'hackler', this job was to seperate the coarse parts o...

  CHARLES YOUELL 1837-1903 This is the third and final part to the Youell trilogy. I have previously written about William Youell, the grandfather, Jane Youell, the granddaughter and now it is the turn of Charles Youell, the son and the father. Charles Youell was born in Hales Norfolk in 1837, son of William and Eliza Youell nee Hall. Shortly after his birth the family moved to Wanlip, Leicestershire and remained there for the next ten years or so, before the family moved to Bermondsey London in 1851/52. Charles enlisted to the Military, the 1st Battalion Rifle Brigade in 1861 and is found at Aldershot barracks for the 1861 census.                                                            Forces War Records    His military career must have been short lived as at the time of Charles' marriage on 9th March 1864 to Emily Willi...

  JANE YOUELL 1874-1895 CAUSE OF DEATH: MURDER!  image: Western Mail 2nd May 1895 Last week I wrote about my 3x Great Grandfather for the theme 'In the City' This week I am writing about his Grandaughter, Jane Youell, who was murdered by the lodger. Jane Youell was the daughter of Charles Youell and Emily nee Williams. She was born in Birkenhead, Cheshire in 1874, the couples youngest child. The newspapers of the time were awash with the story, but the report I have transcribed is perhaps the most comprehensive WESTERN MAIL MONDAY APRIL 29 1895 Page 5. TERRIBLE CRIME IN LONDON   A WELSH GIRL MURDERED   KILLED BY LODGER IN HER FATHERS HOUSE   STORY OF THE CRIME   ANTECEDENTS OF THE VICTIMS FAMILY   SURRENDER OF THE MURDERER   FULL CONFESSION OF HIS GUILT   A young woman of Welsh parentage 21 years of age named Jane Youell living with her parents at 41 Delaford Rd South Bermondsey, was murdered by her sweetheart shortly before midnight on Frida...