• Welcome to this forum . We are a worldwide group with a common interest in Birmingham and its history. While here, please follow a few simple rules. We ask that you respect other members, thank those who have helped you and please keep your contributions on-topic with the thread.

    We do hope you enjoy your visit. BHF Admin Team

French Family

Pixie

proper brummie kid
My grandfather Walter (Wally) French is a bit of a mystery.I can just remember him, very dapper and a 'bit of a ladies man'. He was a master tailor at some point in his life, he also sang on the music halls and told fortunes on Smethwick market I believe. He was known as Professor Lyons during someof this time. My last memory of him would have been around 1945-7 probably. At some point he lived in Gillott Rd Edgbaston and apart from these details all I know is that my dad was born in 1907 and his mother Elsie Amy died in 1912. I am also searching names Batty,Jones,Tate and Parkin.
 
Robert Isaac French and Ida Evelyn Dorothy French were at 263 Gillott Road in 1935/9/45, and Robert D French was there as well in 1945. They are the only 'French' there up to that date.
In 1925 they were at 2 Victoria Buildings, Chiswell Road (between nos 45 & 47) Rotten Park.
A 'Robert I French' was born 1st quarter 1890 Merthyr Tydfil vol 11a page 613.

Walter French/Elsie Amy Batty marriage 3rd quarter 1906 Aston vol 6d page 555
Elsie Amy Batty born 4th quarter 1884 Birmingham vol 6d page 175.
Elsie Amy French died aged 27 3rd quarter 1912 Aston vol 6d page 304
Walter French born 3rd quarter 1885 Birmingham vol 6d page 12
They do not appear in the 1911 census (unless surname mistranscribed)
 
What was your fathers christian name?

1911 census
Brooks cottage,Wickenford, Martley,Worcs.
HEAD,
Walter French age 26,married, b. birmingham,Tailor.
no census entry for anyone else.
 
Thanks Alberta there has always been a feeling that somewhere in Worcester was part of my dad's life. His name was Eric Walter. I shall certainly try and follow thisup.
 
22 Carpenters road ,Aston

John Batty age 57 Photographers apparatus maker
Rose age 51 ,wife,assists in business
Ida age 16 ,daughter
Elsie French ,daughter
Eric French age 3,grandson, all born birmingham
 
John and Rose Batty were still at 22 Carpenters Rd in 1920, electoral roll
then
132 Dudley Rd in 1925 and 49 Gillott Rd in 1930.
 
Thanks LLoyd information really useful as was your previous message. I am now able to get my grandfather's birth certificate which willl ead me to his parents, and so on, hopefully.
 
Doesn't help your search for Walters parents but I have found him with father
1901, 96 Dudley road
Herbert French age 46 b. Rawmarsh,Yorkshire.Dyer & cleaner of clothes
he is a widower
Herbert E 19
Walter age 15 ,a Tailor
Alfred 14
Elizabeth 7
Christopher 6
Arthur 3 all b. birmingham
Ann Pearsall age 45 ,unmarried,housekeeper,b. birmingham

Herbert French had married Elizabeth Pearsall in June1891 and she died in December 1898

1891 76 Dudley road

Herbert french age 37,widower b. Rawmarsh,Dyer and cleaner
Herbert 9
Walter 5
Alfred 4

I have been unable to find Herbert on 1881/1871
but 1861
Drapers shop, Midland road,Kimberworth,Yorkshire
Christopher French age 30 ,born Dalton Magna, Tailor & draper
Mary age 31 b. Lincolnshire
Herbert 7 b. Rawmarsh
Edwin 5
Ellen 3
Frederick 1 (wrongly transcribed as Kendrick)
 
Alberta you are a genius, obviously far more experienced at this than I am. Where have I been going wrong that I could not find all this, and where did it all come from. Thanks again:D
 
Not a genius,just like many of our members I have been doing this a long time,but even so I think we need the help of other members for the 1871/1881.
That's the beauty of this forum we all add our contribution to others findings.
 
i have found them in 1871 in kimberworth yorks

christopher french lodger widower 41 tailor b. dalton parva yorkshire
ellen elizabeth 15
frederick 13

children b. rawmarsh yorks.

dont know where herbert was though
 
Last edited:
Herbert French married Emily Roberts,june 1881 Rotherham,ref 9c 683

Emily French died age 31, September 1889 Birmingham,ref 6d 4
 
We seem to have Walterborn 1885 but 1901 census has him as 143 yrs making D O B 1888. Am awaiting birth and marriage certificates which will confirm D O B and fathers name.His grandfather would seem to be Christopher - many thanks for that SHERA. So many names and dates now I dont know where to start.You lot are great - when I have my head round it all and certificates arrive I'll let you know results. Thanks again.
 
I promised an update well here it is. Thanks to your help I have found my Grandfather, G Grandfather and G G Grandfather..... Alberta I found Herbert in 1871 census as a lodger in Rotherham,still having trouble with 1881. Traced the French family back to 1841 census which I believe is as far as it goes. Could not have done it without you all many thanks. Checking for more names now, trouble is most of them are in Yorkshire.:biggrin::biggrin::biggrin::biggrin:
 
Back
Top