Malcolm Robinson
master brummie
Help!
I am looking for a bit of help trying to locate any potential details of my great grandmother and my grandmother and her siblings. Forgive the drawn out expanation. On the 1911 census they were living at Erdington.
My great grandmother (Julia Reece) was married to a 'right charmer' Alfred Edward Farmer. He managed to make the papers in 1913 for deserting his wife and family and tricking another woman! The family ended up in the workhouse and him in prison. I have put the news article below and a transcription as it's hard too read.
What I am keen to find out is what workhouse they would have gone to (I assume Erdington) and if records exist where I can get some more details.
I'd be grateful for any help/ideas.
Malcolm
Article Birmingham Gazette July 1913
A story concerning the double life a Birmingham man has been leading for two years past was told at the Victoria Courts yesterday.
The man was Alfred Edward Farmer, formerly living in Osborne Road, Erdington was charged with deserting his wife and five children, and leaving them chargeable to the Birmingham Union. He was sent to gaol for six weeks hard labour.
Inspector Wheeler said Farmer, who was a commercial traveller, left home to go to Coventry on 2nd July last and did not return again to his wife.
Mrs Farmer and her five children, the eldest of whom was eleven years of age entered the Workhouse on the 25th July, and all together had cost the guardians six guineas.
Farmer, said witness, had been earning between £3 and £5 per week, but out of his wages only gave 18s to 20s weekly to his wife to keep the house going.
During the past two years the defendant had been keeping company with a young woman and for the last twelve months had given her 10s per week in order that it would not be necessary for her to go to work.
He represented to her that he had £8000 in the bank, which bought him in £5 per week.
He had arranged to marry this girl on 7th August last and had taken a house at Moseley and opened up negotiations with a leading firm in the city with regard to furnishings.
Finally, however, he told his intended ‘bride’ that he would be unable to marry her because his mother had stopped his money.
Subsequently the young woman made enquiries and found out he was a married man.
I am looking for a bit of help trying to locate any potential details of my great grandmother and my grandmother and her siblings. Forgive the drawn out expanation. On the 1911 census they were living at Erdington.
My great grandmother (Julia Reece) was married to a 'right charmer' Alfred Edward Farmer. He managed to make the papers in 1913 for deserting his wife and family and tricking another woman! The family ended up in the workhouse and him in prison. I have put the news article below and a transcription as it's hard too read.
What I am keen to find out is what workhouse they would have gone to (I assume Erdington) and if records exist where I can get some more details.
I'd be grateful for any help/ideas.
Malcolm
Article Birmingham Gazette July 1913
A story concerning the double life a Birmingham man has been leading for two years past was told at the Victoria Courts yesterday.
The man was Alfred Edward Farmer, formerly living in Osborne Road, Erdington was charged with deserting his wife and five children, and leaving them chargeable to the Birmingham Union. He was sent to gaol for six weeks hard labour.
Inspector Wheeler said Farmer, who was a commercial traveller, left home to go to Coventry on 2nd July last and did not return again to his wife.
Mrs Farmer and her five children, the eldest of whom was eleven years of age entered the Workhouse on the 25th July, and all together had cost the guardians six guineas.
Farmer, said witness, had been earning between £3 and £5 per week, but out of his wages only gave 18s to 20s weekly to his wife to keep the house going.
During the past two years the defendant had been keeping company with a young woman and for the last twelve months had given her 10s per week in order that it would not be necessary for her to go to work.
He represented to her that he had £8000 in the bank, which bought him in £5 per week.
He had arranged to marry this girl on 7th August last and had taken a house at Moseley and opened up negotiations with a leading firm in the city with regard to furnishings.
Finally, however, he told his intended ‘bride’ that he would be unable to marry her because his mother had stopped his money.
Subsequently the young woman made enquiries and found out he was a married man.
