Re: margaret matilda wadlow Born: 1870 in Aston
My name is Pauline McDonald (nee Somerfield). My Mother's name was Margaret May Somerfield (nee Alexander). My Grandmother's name was Violet Matilda Alexander. My Great Grandmother's name was Margaret Matilda Alexander (nee Wadlow). My Great Grandfather was James Alexander.
My Great Grandmother married James Alexander on October 1st 1888 (he was 28 years old, she was 18 years old), I have their Marriage Certificate and both their residence's was entered as 10 Trevor Street, she had two children, Emma Rosetta Wadlow born 14.03.1888 and Elizabeth Jane Wadlow born 17.03.1890, I have their birth certificates and the father's name was not mentioned !!! On my Grandmother's (Violet Matilda Alexander) birth certificate the father name James Alexander was entered, his occupation was a bricklayer/labourer.
My Grandmother had my Mother on the 01.11.1918, my Mother was born in the Workhouse at 1 Union Road, Erdington, there was no father's name on the birth certificate. My Grandmother's employment at the time stated that she was a tube worker and either living/working at 42 Sheep Street!!!!
I do not know how long my Grandmother and Mother were in the Workhouse.
A Mr & Mrs Slater took to looking after my Mother, do not know what date this was, they never legally adopted my Mother. I found out by going to the Birmingham Library on the 6th floor that my Grandmother Violet Matilda Aalexander was in institutions all her life. My Mother last saw her Mother in 1932 when she was 14 years old and was told by her Grandmother not to visit her anymore. My Grandmother died in All Saints Hospital on the 12.12.1976.
Question's l wish l had answers to, why was my grandmother in institutions all her life, if it was because my grandmother had a baby out of wedlock, my Great Grandmother seems to have done the same, also why was my grandmother in a workhouse, also why was'nt she allowed to stay at her Mother's house, did my Great Grandmother ever go and visit her.
Violet Matilda Alexander died on the 21.03.1956, her address states that she lived at 27 Burney Lane, Birmingham 8, the informant was her Grandaughter M.J.Jennings.
The only time l have heard the name Francis was we used to have a Aunt Francis, l don't know if she was our real Aunt, and at one time my Mother told me that Aunt Francis had said to my Mother that she was more of a Francis then a Alexander!!!!!! what did she mean !!!! l don't suppose l will ever no the answers unless you can tell me different?
Hoope to hear from you soon
Pauline Somerfield