PREECE - Aston

[Susan Preece]

It seems all the Preece family, going way back, were involved in engineering. I can research back as far as 1883 - Frederick Preece then lived at Adelaide Street. He moved to Clifton Road, Aston Manor and in 1907 had his first child, Elsie. He was married to Elizabeth (nee Meredith) and they had several other children who I have not managed to research yet. A son Jim worked at SU Carburettas. Frederick died young aged 40 and lived in Sherbourne Road at date of death. Their son and daughter, Jim and Elsie, went to live in Canada where they died in their nineties both within the last 5 years.

I would be interested in seeing any photos of Adelaide Street or Clifton Road at the turn of the 1900's - if available. Also anyone with any knowledge of Preece families in Aston ? I believe one was a publican.

 

[jennyann]

Hi Susan: My Father's sister Helen(Nellie) Venville married Frederick Preece
in l922(I would have to check) in Aston. Frederick Preece who married Nellie must have been one of the sons of your Frederick Preece. Frederick and Nellie had no children and I have some memory of Frederick being married before. Not sure though. They lived for many years in Finchley Road- Kingstanding and both passed away in the mid l960's. I live in Canada and I remember going to Finchley Road to see Uncle Fred at Xmas l965 when visiting my parents, the last time I ever saw him. Aunty Nellie died about two or three years later.

Uncle Fred's sister Elsie moved from Birmingham to Vancouver Island to be close to her brother Jim. We tried to look them up by phone when my parents were visiting me in Vancouver many years ago but they must have been away because we never connected with them when we visited Vancouver Island. Elsie's brother Jim moved to Vancouver Island many many years before Elsie did. I know nothing about Uncle Fred's family. Elsie and her husband belonged to the Elim Church in South Road, Erdington and were very devout and as far as I know they had no children. Elsie's husband must have died in Birmingham before she went to Canada.

Uncle Fred was very dapper. I am not sure what his job day job was but
in the evenings he would catch the bus to the Yenton pub close to Chester Road, Erdington and act as a bookmaker. It was all very hush hush mind you.

 

[Susan Preece]

Preece Family - Aston

JennyAnn - I am astonished! All this info from you and I only uploaded this afternoon. You are absolutely right. Elsie and Arthur Knibb had no children - she lived with (much married) Jim Preece since the 1960's when Arthur died and she went out to join Jim in Canada. Jim had one son Graham who died in 2000, another son (different mothers) Tony who is my brother living in Cheltenham, and myself. I am doing a family tree on Genes Reunited - are you on there because you might be able to fill in some gaps. For instance how many children did Frederick Preece have ? Jim, Elsie and ? Ive got death cert for a Frederick Preece who died in 1923 aged 40 of Sherbourne Road. Could this be the father of Jim and Elsie ? Many thanks for your help! Are we related then ?

 

[Susan Preece]

Preece Family - Aston

Forgot to say that Elsie was devout right up to the end. She and Jim came to visit me in Ireland in the 1980's where I was married and I went several times to visit them in Victoria. She was 96 when she died and Jim died shortly before her aged 94 - he was one of life's reprobates, a total opposite to Elsie who lived for 24 hour church TV. He had a fishing boat and we all used to go fishing for salmon - Elsie steering (she was 4.10 and wore a black wig) and Jim opening the beers and smoking - much to her disgust. They shared a flat for many years until Jim got himself a girlfriend in his late 80's a moved Elsie out along the corridor to another flat. So Frederick was their brother and Nellie their sister in law. I think there were more siblings. Your image of Fred is very fitting. I think my mother once mentioned Nellie or a Florrie who had a pub. This is great !

 

[Anne Jessel]

Jennyann and Susan

What a small world. It is incredible how these sites can link people together.
I don't have relatives with Brummie birth rights - all West bromwich - not that I can be sure, but I'll never know!
But does anyone know of a the Brummie family of John ( Jack) Harris or Morris who was based at Hyde Park Barracks - Irish Guards - 1941/42.
He had at least one boy and one girl. The rest is very vague.
If he were alive today he'd be at least 102/3
The rest is very vague.
My hubby would like to know about him.
Oooh it'll be like a needle in a haystack.
Anne

 

[Susan Preece]

PREECE - Aston

JennyAnn. I have just researched and found that Helen E G Venville married Frederick Preece in the last quarter of 1939 in Birmingham. A lot later than you thought. Frederick has to be born after Elsie as she was first born - her parents married 9 months before her birth in Jan 1907. Traditionally the first son was named Frederick (going by my research) so I am guessing he was born in or around 1908. I cant find another mention of any wedding for him until his marriage to Nellie in 1939. The marriage certificate will tell me more. Watch this space. I have one photo of Elsie's wedding day and 5 men behind her all of similar looks so I guess they are Preece's. Would you happen to have any photos of Frederick, or know of who might have one?

 

[jennyann]

Hi Susan: I have sent you a private message about Preece's. I have just dug out the research done by Christine Venville to whom I refer in my private message. I have Ellen Emily G Venville. (I was calling her Helen when it was Ellen, my mistake, we always called her Nell) married to Fred Preece in l925 in Birmingham North Reg. District. Nell was born in l889. Not sure about Fred's previous marriage. Looks like he wasn't married before then.

Nell was definitely married in the l920's since my parents were married in l935 an had a secret wedding breakfast at their home. Aunt Nell was born in l889.
So if she was married in l939 she would have been 50 which I can't imagine.

 

[Susan Preece]

PREECE - Aston

Ah Ha - this has upset my research then because Elsie was born in 1907 I know that for certain and hav e her certificate, and I have her parents marrying in 1906. This must be wrong and I wont know until the copy marriage certificate arrives from the GRO. Not possible if Fred was born after Elsie, which he would have to have been with my current research, otherwise he would only have been 14 in 1922. If you could try and obtain a photo of Fred that would be marvellous - do you think anyone would have had their wedding photos as there were no children to pass on to ? Very flummoxing. As Elsie would have said "I'll go to the foot of our stairs"!

 

[Alf]

JennyAnn - I am astonished! All this info from you and I only uploaded this afternoon. You are absolutely right. Elsie and Arthur Knibb had no children - she lived with (much married) Jim Preece since the 1960's when Arthur died and she went out to join Jim in Canada. Jim had one son Graham who died in 2000, another son (different mothers) Tony who is my brother living in Cheltenham, and myself. I am doing a family tree on Genes Reunited - are you on there because you might be able to fill in some gaps. For instance how many children did Frederick Preece have ? Jim, Elsie and ? Ive got death cert for a Frederick Preece who died in 1923 aged 40 of Sherbourne Road. Could this be the father of Jim and Elsie ? Many thanks for your help! Are we related then ?

Susan I wouldn't be astonished about anything the lovely Folks on here come up with, they surprise me everyday and I've only been here just under 3 years.
So enjoy and welcome and I don't have to say be happy because it looks like you are that already.