| Census Year | Copy Found | Certificate Type | Copy Found | Associated Locations | |
|
|
No |
|
Yes |
|
Place of birth (No map yet) |
|
|
Yes |
|
No |
|
Place of marriage |
|
|
Yes |
|
No |
|
Residence |
Research Dates
8 August 06
As with others of her generation, facts about Bertha are proving hard to
find after the 1901 census. What is known so far is that she was
born in the barracks of the Tower of London, something that not too many people
can lay claim to. Her father was a Colour Sergeant in the Coldstream
Guards, and a number of Bertha's siblings were born in different Army camps, but
Bertha's birthplace is by far the most auspicious. Her next
appearance comes in the 1891 census, where aged 11 she is found living in the
Staff of Life beerhouse. Sadly, her father died in 1899, but before
he did he may have managed to secure Bertha a job, as she is next found in the
1901 census with her sister, working for a Lt Col Fleming and his wife in
Frimley, Surrey. After the 1901 census, she vanishes, but there are
two possible entries in the register of marriages which may relate to her.
The certificates will be obtained to establish if either of them applies to her.
 |
| Bertha was born on the 16th December 1879, daughter to William and Sarah Ann Pettit (Middleditch). The location for Bertha's birth is a bit special, she was born in the barracks at the Tower of London. At the time of her birth father William was a Colour Sergeant in the Coldstream Guards, and he was no doubt on duty at the time of the birth. Mother Sarah Ann reported the birth on the 23rd January 1880, to J Sparks, Registrar. |
 |
 |
| The 1901 census finds Bertha aged 21 working as a housemaid domestic at The Glen, Frimley, in Surrey. Her employers are an Edward Fleming a Lieut Col RA, and his wife Gertrude. There are a number of servants employed at the house, another of them possibly being Bertha's sister Elizabeth, although her name is shown as Lucy, so further enquiries are being carried out. Amusingly, someone has entered the word 'Toff' against the Head of the Household's entry - I wonder what that story is! Did he upset the enumerator by his manner? I suppose it is something that will never be known, but if he did, did his servants find it pleasant working for him? | |