My husband, Phil, inherited his Great Grandfathers medals, he'd died 20 years before my husband was even born, but being given them made us want to know more about this man, who had lived so far away in Portsmouth Hampshire UK, and so many years before our time.
Phil had the old medals remounted and we set out to find a photo to put in a frame with the medals and a bit of history. We thought it would be easy! It's not, it's hard, it's obsessive, it's amazing and it's frustrating all at the same time.
No-one seems to know much about Robert, his son, Leonard, was my husbands Grandfather and he came to Australia in 1922 and he died in 1991. To our knowledge he never returned to his birthplace.
We have found out more about Robert and his life but no photo's.
So far this is the story:
Robert Wood was born in Darlington Durham UK in 1876, his parents were Robert and Annie. No middle names. No siblings that we can find.
Robert was in the Royal Navy, Reg number 156321, we purchased his records. He was only 15 when he joined and eventually became Petty Officer 1st class.
Robert married Maud Trew in 1897 in Portsea Hampshire. They had 2 son's Arthur Robert Wood (1901) and Lionel Charlie Wood (1902) but Maud died in 1903 leaving Robert with 2 young sons
In July 1904 Robert married Emily Lucy Rose Vine (b 1876), also known as Emily Lucy Rose Canning, Emily Luch R Vine, Emily Jackman and Rose Wood.
Emily was a widow, she had been married to Charlie Jackman who died at sea, aged 28 (b. 1875 d.1902) and she was left with 3 young children:
Helen Emily Jackman (1897 - 1984) McCarthy
Robert Charlie Jackman (1899) Robert Charlie had one son and I've been told his name was Robert John Wood born in South Australia 1941 - still looking - please help if you can.
Rose May Jackman (1900 - 1971)
We would love to know more about these three children, but we cannot seem to find out if they married? Had children? Is there any decendants? The Jackman children are related to us by blood as they share the same mother as Leonard (and Ivy)
Robert and Emily had 2 children together
Leonard George Wood (1905 -1991) Leonard immigrated to Australia in 1922 with the Barwell Boys Farm apprenticeship scheme, he arrived on the Barrabool and later married Ivy Millicent Dawson in 1937.
Ivy Ruby Wood (1910 -2003) did not marry as far as we know.
As for Arthur Robert Wood, we don't know what happened to him, I have ordered a death certificate so we are hoping it will tell us something. Some one on Ancestory.com has said he married Dora Annie Adams, but we are at a loss to what happened after that. I can't find Dora either!
Lionel Charlie Wood...
Apparently he never went by the name Lionel as he hated it, he went by "Charlie"
He also came to Australia, and joined the Australian Army, he married Eliza Jane Hopkins, actually Leonard and Ivy had moved to Adelaide and introduced him to Eliza! We found out he had a son, Don, who to our surprise lives in our town! So Phil called him and he had some photo's of his parents that we were able to scan and put into the tree. I asked if had children, which he did, a son and a daughter both around our eldest son and daughters ages. So being the super sleuth that I am, what did I do? I got right onto facebook! As I typed in his daughters name it came up as a friend of our own adult daughter! So I looked and couldn't help but see the similarities of the Wood family they had both inherited.
I asked my daughter, "Who is she?"
She said "Oh I went to school with her"
I said, "You both have the same last name, I think you could related"
She said "No, I don't think we are related"
I asked her "What do you know about her family?" and she named her mother, father and brother and I said YES, yes that is her!! She is your cousin!
So I hope she's nice! :)
My daugher said "She is really lovely"
I have never felt so close to the Wood / Jackman family as I do now (and I've been part of it for 27 years!), I am reading their story, and I want to know more.
I want to know what happened to Arthur Wood, to Helen, Robert Charlie and Rose Jackman?. I want to see what they looked like and find any descendants.
I want to see who Roberts first wife was and know why she died so young, I want to know more about Roberts second wife Emily and put a face to her name.
I want to see who Robert was, the man who earned the medals that are sitting on our shelf for all to see, waiting for a photo to put beside them in a frame. All I know about his appearance is from his Navy records, he was only 5"5' with grey eyes and a tattoo of an anchor and a star.
I want to pass this knowledge down for generations to come.
Apart from joining Ancestory.com, I've utilized many forums, had a piece put in the Portsmouth newspaper and on their Facebook page. Please keep reading as I am adding information as I go below.
29th December 2014
Just as I come across a brickwall I am fortunate enough to have the good people at Familyhistory.uk.com come to the rescue. I've since learned that Arthur married Dora Annie Adams and had Raymond, Peter and Mary - so now it's a search for what happened with them.
Helen Jackman married Francis T McCarthy and they had 2 children, - Eileen and Patrick C. Patrick died at 26 years old at Winchester UK, with the military. Winchester is Military training so the poor boy might have died during training in some freak accident.
I'd love to find out more about Eileen. (edit - Have found out that Eileen married George Spencer)
At this point, I've been given documents that state Rose married Harold A Yeo and had 2 children, Gloster and Patricia. But Charlie Jackman's brother (Also named Gloster) had a daughter named Rose Jackman as well, so we are not at this point sure which Rose it's about. It is still of the same line though.
I've been talking with a nice family in the UK who are descendants so we're trying to work out the Rose Jackman issue. It's good to be getting somewhere.
(Edit - with thanks to Shelagh
Winchester is where the probate registry is, not where he died. So googled him and…. Porstmouth News article published 13.07.10. and guess who also appears in the article? WO PATRICK MCCARTHY Warrant Officer Class 2 Patrick McCarthy served during the Second World War after enlisting with the British Army in Portsmouth aged just 14.He served with the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers in North Africa and Palestine. WO McCarthy continued his army career after the Second World War, and in 1947 he was deployed to Palestine. Sadly, the 26-year-old died from gun shot wounds on May 5, 1948, along with five other soldiers when they were murdered by the Irgun paramilitary on the main road near Nathanya, during guerilla activity. He was awarded the General Service Medal with Clasp Palestine and The War Medal 1939-1945. His niece Karen Piepe, of Stanley Street, Southsea, said of receiving the Elizabeth Cross: 'It's incredibly moving. Although he was killed before I was born, he is remembered very much as part of the family.') http://www.roll-of-honour.com/cgi-bin/palestine.cgi
Phil had the old medals remounted and we set out to find a photo to put in a frame with the medals and a bit of history. We thought it would be easy! It's not, it's hard, it's obsessive, it's amazing and it's frustrating all at the same time.
No-one seems to know much about Robert, his son, Leonard, was my husbands Grandfather and he came to Australia in 1922 and he died in 1991. To our knowledge he never returned to his birthplace.
We have found out more about Robert and his life but no photo's.
So far this is the story:
Robert Wood was born in Darlington Durham UK in 1876, his parents were Robert and Annie. No middle names. No siblings that we can find.
Robert was in the Royal Navy, Reg number 156321, we purchased his records. He was only 15 when he joined and eventually became Petty Officer 1st class.
Robert married Maud Trew in 1897 in Portsea Hampshire. They had 2 son's Arthur Robert Wood (1901) and Lionel Charlie Wood (1902) but Maud died in 1903 leaving Robert with 2 young sons
In July 1904 Robert married Emily Lucy Rose Vine (b 1876), also known as Emily Lucy Rose Canning, Emily Luch R Vine, Emily Jackman and Rose Wood.
Emily was a widow, she had been married to Charlie Jackman who died at sea, aged 28 (b. 1875 d.1902) and she was left with 3 young children:
Helen Emily Jackman (1897 - 1984) McCarthy
Robert Charlie Jackman (1899) Robert Charlie had one son and I've been told his name was Robert John Wood born in South Australia 1941 - still looking - please help if you can.
Rose May Jackman (1900 - 1971)
We would love to know more about these three children, but we cannot seem to find out if they married? Had children? Is there any decendants? The Jackman children are related to us by blood as they share the same mother as Leonard (and Ivy)
Robert and Emily had 2 children together
Leonard George Wood (1905 -1991) Leonard immigrated to Australia in 1922 with the Barwell Boys Farm apprenticeship scheme, he arrived on the Barrabool and later married Ivy Millicent Dawson in 1937.
Ivy Ruby Wood (1910 -2003) did not marry as far as we know.
As for Arthur Robert Wood, we don't know what happened to him, I have ordered a death certificate so we are hoping it will tell us something. Some one on Ancestory.com has said he married Dora Annie Adams, but we are at a loss to what happened after that. I can't find Dora either!
Lionel Charlie Wood...
Apparently he never went by the name Lionel as he hated it, he went by "Charlie"
He also came to Australia, and joined the Australian Army, he married Eliza Jane Hopkins, actually Leonard and Ivy had moved to Adelaide and introduced him to Eliza! We found out he had a son, Don, who to our surprise lives in our town! So Phil called him and he had some photo's of his parents that we were able to scan and put into the tree. I asked if had children, which he did, a son and a daughter both around our eldest son and daughters ages. So being the super sleuth that I am, what did I do? I got right onto facebook! As I typed in his daughters name it came up as a friend of our own adult daughter! So I looked and couldn't help but see the similarities of the Wood family they had both inherited.
I asked my daughter, "Who is she?"
She said "Oh I went to school with her"
I said, "You both have the same last name, I think you could related"
She said "No, I don't think we are related"
I asked her "What do you know about her family?" and she named her mother, father and brother and I said YES, yes that is her!! She is your cousin!
So I hope she's nice! :)
My daugher said "She is really lovely"
I have never felt so close to the Wood / Jackman family as I do now (and I've been part of it for 27 years!), I am reading their story, and I want to know more.
I want to know what happened to Arthur Wood, to Helen, Robert Charlie and Rose Jackman?. I want to see what they looked like and find any descendants.
I want to see who Roberts first wife was and know why she died so young, I want to know more about Roberts second wife Emily and put a face to her name.
I want to see who Robert was, the man who earned the medals that are sitting on our shelf for all to see, waiting for a photo to put beside them in a frame. All I know about his appearance is from his Navy records, he was only 5"5' with grey eyes and a tattoo of an anchor and a star.
I want to pass this knowledge down for generations to come.
Apart from joining Ancestory.com, I've utilized many forums, had a piece put in the Portsmouth newspaper and on their Facebook page. Please keep reading as I am adding information as I go below.
29th December 2014
Just as I come across a brickwall I am fortunate enough to have the good people at Familyhistory.uk.com come to the rescue. I've since learned that Arthur married Dora Annie Adams and had Raymond, Peter and Mary - so now it's a search for what happened with them.
Helen Jackman married Francis T McCarthy and they had 2 children, - Eileen and Patrick C. Patrick died at 26 years old at Winchester UK, with the military. Winchester is Military training so the poor boy might have died during training in some freak accident.
I'd love to find out more about Eileen. (edit - Have found out that Eileen married George Spencer)
At this point, I've been given documents that state Rose married Harold A Yeo and had 2 children, Gloster and Patricia. But Charlie Jackman's brother (Also named Gloster) had a daughter named Rose Jackman as well, so we are not at this point sure which Rose it's about. It is still of the same line though.
I've been talking with a nice family in the UK who are descendants so we're trying to work out the Rose Jackman issue. It's good to be getting somewhere.
(Edit - with thanks to Shelagh
Winchester is where the probate registry is, not where he died. So googled him and…. Porstmouth News article published 13.07.10. and guess who also appears in the article? WO PATRICK MCCARTHY Warrant Officer Class 2 Patrick McCarthy served during the Second World War after enlisting with the British Army in Portsmouth aged just 14.He served with the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers in North Africa and Palestine. WO McCarthy continued his army career after the Second World War, and in 1947 he was deployed to Palestine. Sadly, the 26-year-old died from gun shot wounds on May 5, 1948, along with five other soldiers when they were murdered by the Irgun paramilitary on the main road near Nathanya, during guerilla activity. He was awarded the General Service Medal with Clasp Palestine and The War Medal 1939-1945. His niece Karen Piepe, of Stanley Street, Southsea, said of receiving the Elizabeth Cross: 'It's incredibly moving. Although he was killed before I was born, he is remembered very much as part of the family.') http://www.roll-of-honour.com/cgi-bin/palestine.cgi
A big thank you to Iris, from the beginning you have been there, helping me search when I had no clue what I was doing.
2nd January 2015
I have just realized I had some messages on Ancestry.com from a lovely lady named Iris, but they were not in the usual inbox, she has been such a big help and has even offered to look up some newspaper archives when she is in Portsmouth next. I've been meeting such lovely people on the journey which was originally just to find photo's, but now I want to know as much as I can about this family that I feel so close to but have never known.
We know from Roberts physical description in his Navy records, that he was a small man, only 5"5'
This photo was in Don's mothers album although there is no names of the adults, written on the back is "At Cosham with Mary as a baby 1939-1937" now I am grasping at straws here, but, Arthur had a daughter in March 1936 named Mary, and Cotham isn't far from Portsmouth.
Don's mothers album had a mixture of her family and Lionel's (Charlie) family, there was even one of Phil and his 3 siblings in there, but the height and the baby's name is the only thing I can go on with this photo.
I don't know if we'll ever find out...
(edit - This is Emily, Robert and their Grandaughter Mary, confirmed by Mary herself)
Monday 5th January 2015
Leonard Wood was one of the Barwell Boys!
I have just realized I had some messages on Ancestry.com from a lovely lady named Iris, but they were not in the usual inbox, she has been such a big help and has even offered to look up some newspaper archives when she is in Portsmouth next. I've been meeting such lovely people on the journey which was originally just to find photo's, but now I want to know as much as I can about this family that I feel so close to but have never known.
We know from Roberts physical description in his Navy records, that he was a small man, only 5"5'
This photo was in Don's mothers album although there is no names of the adults, written on the back is "At Cosham with Mary as a baby 1939-1937" now I am grasping at straws here, but, Arthur had a daughter in March 1936 named Mary, and Cotham isn't far from Portsmouth.
Don's mothers album had a mixture of her family and Lionel's (Charlie) family, there was even one of Phil and his 3 siblings in there, but the height and the baby's name is the only thing I can go on with this photo.
I don't know if we'll ever find out...
(edit - This is Emily, Robert and their Grandaughter Mary, confirmed by Mary herself)
Monday 5th January 2015
Leonard Wood was one of the Barwell Boys!
A Large group of 'Barwell Boys' at Keswick Barracks, September 1922. and Leonards travel records on the ship, the Barrabool.
17 years old and travelling across to the other side of the world alone.
The Barwell Boys were British lads who came to South Australia in the 1920s to be apprenticed on farms throughout the state. More than 1440 boys, most in their mid to late teens, migrated to South Australia under a scheme instigated in 1922 by the Liberal Premier Sir Henry Barwell as a means to gain young men for agricultural and pastoral work. Barwell aimed to address the loss of 6,000 South Australian men who had been killed in World War I.
We are ordering Leonards Barwell records, now that is exciting! As well as writing his story for the Barwell Boys historical collection
I don't think leonard ever saw his parents again, although I do know they wrote letters. I'm hoping his files will tell us much more. I know his sister, Ivy Wood came to Australia once a long time ago, most likely before my husband was born.
If you have any information please email us at [email protected]
What a fantastic surprise!
What a wonderful surprise to open my email and find this from a lovely lady who is researching Ivy Dawson's tree, thank you Jane, we now know that Robert and Emily moved from Easteny Portsmouth to Cosham!
10th January 2015
Ivy Ruby Wood
Another small breakthrough
I have come across a "wills and Probate" notice, for Ivy Ruby Wood, just via a google search.
Her address is different to Rose's! We all thought that Robert, Emily, Rose and Ivy lived together until the end, but it seems they didn't.
Ivy died in 2003 and this notice was from 2004. Whoever inherited Ivy's personal belongings would have inherited any family photos.
So I looked up the solicitors that she used for her will and wrote the following:
Hello, I am writing about the above person, who died in November 2003, I found your record online.
I'm not looking to try and claim anything, you see this was my husbands Great Aunt, he has inherited her fathers (his Great Grandfathers) Navy medals. We have done the family tree in the hopes to find some photo's to go in a frame with these medals.
We are at a total dead end finding a descendant over in the UK who might have some family photographs.
Ivy's brother - Leonard George Wood (Deceased) came to Australia in 1922 with the Barwell Boys scheme, leaving everything behind. Leonard was my husbands Grandfather.
Is there anyway we can find out who inherited Ivy's personal effects? This is just to see if they have some of her photographs that they might copy for us.
I have copied and pasted the details below, plus the link to the official public record.
Thanks for taking the time to read this, as we live in Australia, emailing and internet search is one of the only ways we can try to find these photo's.
I actually thought they might tell me to get lost! but the opposite, they have emailed me back and said they will look into it and get back to me next week. How exciting! This could be the break we've been waiting for.
We also learned that Ivy was a Nurse.
She had moved it seems and so both address's were on her probate :
33 Solent Road, Drayton, Portsmouth, Hampshire PO6 1HH and 43 Rosebery Avenue, Cosham, Portsmouth, Hampshire PO6 2PY.
Below is the only photo I have of Ivy, she came to Australia to see Leonard and his wife - also named - Ivy, It looks like a family picnic.
Ivy Ruby Wood
Another small breakthrough
I have come across a "wills and Probate" notice, for Ivy Ruby Wood, just via a google search.
Her address is different to Rose's! We all thought that Robert, Emily, Rose and Ivy lived together until the end, but it seems they didn't.
Ivy died in 2003 and this notice was from 2004. Whoever inherited Ivy's personal belongings would have inherited any family photos.
So I looked up the solicitors that she used for her will and wrote the following:
Hello, I am writing about the above person, who died in November 2003, I found your record online.
I'm not looking to try and claim anything, you see this was my husbands Great Aunt, he has inherited her fathers (his Great Grandfathers) Navy medals. We have done the family tree in the hopes to find some photo's to go in a frame with these medals.
We are at a total dead end finding a descendant over in the UK who might have some family photographs.
Ivy's brother - Leonard George Wood (Deceased) came to Australia in 1922 with the Barwell Boys scheme, leaving everything behind. Leonard was my husbands Grandfather.
Is there anyway we can find out who inherited Ivy's personal effects? This is just to see if they have some of her photographs that they might copy for us.
I have copied and pasted the details below, plus the link to the official public record.
Thanks for taking the time to read this, as we live in Australia, emailing and internet search is one of the only ways we can try to find these photo's.
I actually thought they might tell me to get lost! but the opposite, they have emailed me back and said they will look into it and get back to me next week. How exciting! This could be the break we've been waiting for.
We also learned that Ivy was a Nurse.
She had moved it seems and so both address's were on her probate :
33 Solent Road, Drayton, Portsmouth, Hampshire PO6 1HH and 43 Rosebery Avenue, Cosham, Portsmouth, Hampshire PO6 2PY.
Below is the only photo I have of Ivy, she came to Australia to see Leonard and his wife - also named - Ivy, It looks like a family picnic.
11 January 2015
A big thank you to Iris once again.
A lady on the other side of the world who is sweet enough to help, I'm learning but she is really experienced and find things that I must skip over.
For instance, I had the 1901 Census with Robert, Maud (1st wife) and baby Arthur, it's for 27 Dumbarton St. What I didn't notice was that at the very same address lived another Naval man, Walter George Linington, his wife Cecilia and their baby Teresa!
It's a long shot, but I found the private tree of Walters family, I've messaged them through Ancestry.com and asked, on the off chance did they have any photo's of the families together, since the did live together. We'll see :)
A big thank you to Iris once again.
A lady on the other side of the world who is sweet enough to help, I'm learning but she is really experienced and find things that I must skip over.
For instance, I had the 1901 Census with Robert, Maud (1st wife) and baby Arthur, it's for 27 Dumbarton St. What I didn't notice was that at the very same address lived another Naval man, Walter George Linington, his wife Cecilia and their baby Teresa!
It's a long shot, but I found the private tree of Walters family, I've messaged them through Ancestry.com and asked, on the off chance did they have any photo's of the families together, since the did live together. We'll see :)
11 January 2015 cont...
I think of Annie Wood. What a hard life she had.
Robert Wood, never knew his own father, he died when he was born, he was also named Robert Wood.
Being a single mother back then would have been difficult beyond belief.
Robert Wood's mother was Annie Wood (she was already a WOOD when they married)
When Robert died, Annie actually fell into poverty, so much so that she ended up in the workhouse for a few months. She was able to leave when she had found work as a wool spinner in a local mill, it would have been really hard work.
Finally in 1910 she met and married Robert Nelson, but he too died in 1911
She had such a hard life. But ended up living with her son Robert and wife Emily until her death.
I did smile though when I found a court record for Robert (the one who died young and didn't see his son Robert) - he has sentanced to 3 months "hard labor" for stealing apples off a tree, and it said "The defendant stands unrepentant!"
I think of Annie Wood. What a hard life she had.
Robert Wood, never knew his own father, he died when he was born, he was also named Robert Wood.
Being a single mother back then would have been difficult beyond belief.
Robert Wood's mother was Annie Wood (she was already a WOOD when they married)
When Robert died, Annie actually fell into poverty, so much so that she ended up in the workhouse for a few months. She was able to leave when she had found work as a wool spinner in a local mill, it would have been really hard work.
Finally in 1910 she met and married Robert Nelson, but he too died in 1911
She had such a hard life. But ended up living with her son Robert and wife Emily until her death.
I did smile though when I found a court record for Robert (the one who died young and didn't see his son Robert) - he has sentanced to 3 months "hard labor" for stealing apples off a tree, and it said "The defendant stands unrepentant!"
Monday 12th January 2015
Robert Wood, born in 1875/6 never knew his father, but I've found out quite a lot about him in the past few days, although not how he died.
His parents were John D Wood and Mary A Wood (nee: Smith), His father was a Shipwright, so we're still on the Maratime theme.
But Robert was one who moved away from ships, the Navy and the sea, in the 1861 Census he was 13 and an apprentice Glass Blower / Bottle Maker. In the 1871 Census he is listed as the same.
He and his family lived in Southwick, Durham, England.
It makes me wonder, was there an accident in his workplace that caused him to lose his life so young?
The above photo is not of Robert at work, but it's a photo of glass blowers in the 1800's and how they used to work.
I think to be able to make bottles like this, it would take talent!
Yet his own son, Robert, whom he never knew, went on to join the Navy at the tender age of 15. The sea must be in the blood.
Robert Wood, born in 1875/6 never knew his father, but I've found out quite a lot about him in the past few days, although not how he died.
His parents were John D Wood and Mary A Wood (nee: Smith), His father was a Shipwright, so we're still on the Maratime theme.
But Robert was one who moved away from ships, the Navy and the sea, in the 1861 Census he was 13 and an apprentice Glass Blower / Bottle Maker. In the 1871 Census he is listed as the same.
He and his family lived in Southwick, Durham, England.
It makes me wonder, was there an accident in his workplace that caused him to lose his life so young?
The above photo is not of Robert at work, but it's a photo of glass blowers in the 1800's and how they used to work.
I think to be able to make bottles like this, it would take talent!
Yet his own son, Robert, whom he never knew, went on to join the Navy at the tender age of 15. The sea must be in the blood.
Shocked!
13th January 2015
A huge thank you to Mal, who went out of his way to help and find where not only Robert Wood is buried but Emily Lucy Rose as well, no wonder I couldn't find a headstone, I was beginning to think these people just disappeared, although I did have the death index I simply could not find them.
A copy of the email that was sent to Mal, and he passed onto me.
Re Robert Wood born abt 1875
death registered Dec 1949 aged 79 at Portsmouth
Unfortunately since the burial of Robert, this grave some years later was reclaimed. This means that your relatives are still there, but other people not related have been buried on top, in those days the families were given the choice of either buying the grave in Perpetuity, or take 14 years free rights from the council. Most families took the 14 free rights, but never renewed these, the grave then returned to the ownership of the Local Authority who had the right to reuse any existing space.
I have provided you below with the grave location on the understanding that nothing is placed on this grave, we must be respectful towards the current family members who visit this grave.
Robert Wood was buried in Milton Cemetery on 14/12/1949 aged 74 years, buried with him was Emily Lucy Rose Wood, she was buried on the 24/05/1958 aged 81 years. The Plot is called (V), Row No.3 and Grave No.6, the current family who visit this grave do not have a memorial in place at this time, however, the following memorials in the same row will guide you to the grave area. At Grave No.3 is the name Mckay, and at Grave No.11 is the name Boxall.
MILTON CEMETERY
information given by Mal
Of course, we respectfully leave the graves as is, not that I can get there anyway! I'm in Australia, but maybe a kind soul will photograph it for me.
13th January 2015
A huge thank you to Mal, who went out of his way to help and find where not only Robert Wood is buried but Emily Lucy Rose as well, no wonder I couldn't find a headstone, I was beginning to think these people just disappeared, although I did have the death index I simply could not find them.
A copy of the email that was sent to Mal, and he passed onto me.
Re Robert Wood born abt 1875
death registered Dec 1949 aged 79 at Portsmouth
Unfortunately since the burial of Robert, this grave some years later was reclaimed. This means that your relatives are still there, but other people not related have been buried on top, in those days the families were given the choice of either buying the grave in Perpetuity, or take 14 years free rights from the council. Most families took the 14 free rights, but never renewed these, the grave then returned to the ownership of the Local Authority who had the right to reuse any existing space.
I have provided you below with the grave location on the understanding that nothing is placed on this grave, we must be respectful towards the current family members who visit this grave.
Robert Wood was buried in Milton Cemetery on 14/12/1949 aged 74 years, buried with him was Emily Lucy Rose Wood, she was buried on the 24/05/1958 aged 81 years. The Plot is called (V), Row No.3 and Grave No.6, the current family who visit this grave do not have a memorial in place at this time, however, the following memorials in the same row will guide you to the grave area. At Grave No.3 is the name Mckay, and at Grave No.11 is the name Boxall.
MILTON CEMETERY
information given by Mal
Of course, we respectfully leave the graves as is, not that I can get there anyway! I'm in Australia, but maybe a kind soul will photograph it for me.
Arthurs death
I've been waiting on this certificate, hoping to find something that may point us towards some descendants in the UK that may have photographs.
Arthur was a carpenter and active member of Trade Carpenters & joiners Union branch Cowes, Isle of Wight Union name Amalgamated Society of Woodworkers Union branch Cowes, Isle of Wight. He did indeed marry Dora Annie Adams (it's always nice to know as I sometimes doubt the information I've found)
I felt quite sad reading his death certificate, and seeing Dora's signature on the bottom.
RIP
14th January 2015
Just a thought...
When Robert Wood Snr married Annie Wood. Robert Jnr had all his relatives with the surname WOOD
Just a thought...
When Robert Wood Snr married Annie Wood. Robert Jnr had all his relatives with the surname WOOD
A huge thank you to Mick, for photographing the grave sites I have just put up. I still feel a little bit in shock that every grave we seem to find has someone else buried on top! Click the picture to see them
15th January 2015 So we all make a mistake researhing the family tree and I've just found mine! Thanks to being able to access some records from the Durham history center, I have found my Robert Wood Snr in Coley was not the one I was after, I have found the right one though. Died aged 29 in the FEVER HOSPITAL... Darlington Durham. I have ordered his death certificate so see what more of the story is. I also found out that his father was John DISTON Wood, His father was George, also a Shipwright and his mother was Ann. I have the records available uploaded now, as well as the death index. I have also written emails to try and find out if there is a headstone for Robert Wood Snr at the Darlington West Cemetery, every other resting place we've found is now occupied by someone else, so here's hoping this one might still be there It appears to be true that Robert Wood Snr never saw his baby, Robert Wood Jnr. There is a small issue with the record dates, some say 1875 and some say 1876 for the same person, but it's not unusual for these things for the 1800's |
January 15th 2015
A huge thank you to Darlington Borough Council Cemetery and Crematorium Office for taking the time to respond.
A huge thank you to Colin B, from www.AboutDarlington.co.uk for going out, looking for and photographing Roberts grave in Darlington Durham! I know that was not an easy task, and it would have taken up much of your time. Robert Snr died age 29 in the Fever hospital from "Typhus Fever" It also took 9 days to take his life. Thank you Colin for taking the photographs of where Robert Snr lays. Click HERE to see Colin's photo's |
16th January 2015
The kindness of others, we would not be able to get this far without the kindness of some lovely people in the UK who have gone out of their way to help. Today I recieved photo's of the Kingston Cemetery, North and South entry, from Mick, I've put them up underneath Maud's plot, which Mick also sent to me, thank you.
This is an ongoing journey and it can be difficult being in another country not being able to go in and take photo's ourselves, or just pop into an office, so we are so grateful that people are good and kind and are helping us find the information that we seek. We appreciate it so much. All help is appreciated! I can't wait to see what we find out next. I have several death certificates on the way, a couple of wills, Leonards Barwell Boys records just to name a few. I'm also waiting to hear back from the Porchester Crematorium to see if Ivy was cremated, as there is no burial records for her from 2003.
We hope that somehow, we will find descendants in England, who have some photo's. I feel like I know these ancestors but have never seen a photo of them. Still looking, still hoping.....
Click Here to go to the graves page to see the latest photo's Mick has taken for us.
The kindness of others, we would not be able to get this far without the kindness of some lovely people in the UK who have gone out of their way to help. Today I recieved photo's of the Kingston Cemetery, North and South entry, from Mick, I've put them up underneath Maud's plot, which Mick also sent to me, thank you.
This is an ongoing journey and it can be difficult being in another country not being able to go in and take photo's ourselves, or just pop into an office, so we are so grateful that people are good and kind and are helping us find the information that we seek. We appreciate it so much. All help is appreciated! I can't wait to see what we find out next. I have several death certificates on the way, a couple of wills, Leonards Barwell Boys records just to name a few. I'm also waiting to hear back from the Porchester Crematorium to see if Ivy was cremated, as there is no burial records for her from 2003.
We hope that somehow, we will find descendants in England, who have some photo's. I feel like I know these ancestors but have never seen a photo of them. Still looking, still hoping.....
Click Here to go to the graves page to see the latest photo's Mick has taken for us.
18th January 2015
Thank you IRIS, for finding this newspaper clipping on Robert Snr's death, he had gone from being a glass blower to cab driver,
Thank you IRIS, for finding this newspaper clipping on Robert Snr's death, he had gone from being a glass blower to cab driver,
Thank you to COLIN
Colin had the directions to Robert Snr's unmarked grave, I know it took a lot of work to find it and he photographed it. Thank you Colin, we really appreciate it.
You can see Colin's photo's on the GRAVES PAGE
Colin had the directions to Robert Snr's unmarked grave, I know it took a lot of work to find it and he photographed it. Thank you Colin, we really appreciate it.
You can see Colin's photo's on the GRAVES PAGE
19th January 2015
In 1902, Emily (Rose) Jackman lost her husband Charlie leaving her alone with three small children, Helen, Robert and Rose. Robert Wood was widowed in 1903 leaving him with 2 small son's. Emily and Robert married as explained further up this page, but thank you to IRIS, who has kindly send me this newspaper death clipping of when Charlie died at sea. Thank you Iris!
January 20th 2015
In regards to Ivy Ruby Wood, late of Cosham, passed away 2003 aged 93.
I was in touch with her Solicitor, who was very kind and looked into who inherited her estate, as whoever did, would have family photo's... we know Ivy had Nieces and Nephews, she was also in touch with her Niece here in Australia although that Niece was never told of Ivy's death.
I hung on with such excitement hoping I could find whoever inherited her estate. I thought I would find photos, what we've been searching for all this time and then the email came through...
With huge thanks to Lilli, for looking into this for us.
So we will not be finding any family photographs from Ivy's estate... totally gutted.
(edit- I have been told that the Solicitor was wrong, Ivy's will will be with us anyday now)
Thank you once again to IRIS for finding more newspaper clipping, this was Rose Jackman advertising for a place to store furniture and advertising for an Oak Bed. To us, this kind of information is like gold.
(edit- I have been told that the Solicitor was wrong, Ivy's will will be with us anyday now)
Thank you once again to IRIS for finding more newspaper clipping, this was Rose Jackman advertising for a place to store furniture and advertising for an Oak Bed. To us, this kind of information is like gold.
21st January 2015
Emily Lucy Rose Wood
Death Certificate
Emily's Death certificate has just arrived, I can't help feeling sadness when one of these arrives, it remindes me of our own mortality. Emily died age 81 years in 1958. She died from Terminal Bronchopneumonia and Cerebral Thrombosis. Her daughter Helen was with her, Helen's address says 31 Magdala Road, Cosham, Portsmouth. So we have another address to go with as well. RIP Emily..
Emily Lucy Rose Wood
Death Certificate
Emily's Death certificate has just arrived, I can't help feeling sadness when one of these arrives, it remindes me of our own mortality. Emily died age 81 years in 1958. She died from Terminal Bronchopneumonia and Cerebral Thrombosis. Her daughter Helen was with her, Helen's address says 31 Magdala Road, Cosham, Portsmouth. So we have another address to go with as well. RIP Emily..
23rd January 2013
Mick has very kindly taken a photo of the MIlton Cemetery gates, thank you Mick!
Click here to the the grave photo's
Mick has very kindly taken a photo of the MIlton Cemetery gates, thank you Mick!
Click here to the the grave photo's
The Ships and timeframe Robert Wood was on during his time in the Navy:
- Prince George 26 November 1896 - 18th January 1901,
- HMS Formidable 1906 -17th August 1908,
- King Edward 7th 27th November 1909 - 31st July 1911,
- Royal Soverign 18th April 1916 - 9th December 1916,
- Hyacinth (again) 10th February 1913 - 24th December 1915.
- Also on the Victory 1.
Finding Mary (Mary M Denyer-Radford) Nee: WOOD
24th January 2015
Thanks to a kind soul, Shelagh, we now have information that Mary M Wood, who was Arthur and Dora's daughter, married John Denyer-Radford, in 1958 Gosport. Mary would only be about my father inlaws age although I cannot find a phone number in the UK phone book there is a few other Denyer-Radford's, which I will try to call. There is also a few on facebook that I have inboxed but facebook has sent those messages directly to their "Others" folder, so whey will probably never see them. Wish me luck!
24th January 2015
Thanks to a kind soul, Shelagh, we now have information that Mary M Wood, who was Arthur and Dora's daughter, married John Denyer-Radford, in 1958 Gosport. Mary would only be about my father inlaws age although I cannot find a phone number in the UK phone book there is a few other Denyer-Radford's, which I will try to call. There is also a few on facebook that I have inboxed but facebook has sent those messages directly to their "Others" folder, so whey will probably never see them. Wish me luck!
25th January 2015
It's after midnight, a total stranger has really touched my heart and actually found Mary, not only found her, but spoken to her, gave her a lift and has offered to scan photo's. What a beautiful person, thank you Shelagh - xx
It's after midnight, a total stranger has really touched my heart and actually found Mary, not only found her, but spoken to her, gave her a lift and has offered to scan photo's. What a beautiful person, thank you Shelagh - xx
Monday 26th January 2015
Australia Day
Thanks to Mary and Shelagh we now know Helen McCarthy's (Jackman) daughter, Eileen married George Spencer and they had 2 daughters, Karen Spencer and Tanya Spencer, their family was close to Robert and Emily so we may be able to find them and ask if they have some photo's to scan. Karen and Tanya would only be 67 and 58 years old, I'm hoping we can find them.
We are still looking for ROBERT JOHN Jackman OR WOOD. There is so many dead ends. Many thanks to the historical societies who are helping me.
Australia Day
Thanks to Mary and Shelagh we now know Helen McCarthy's (Jackman) daughter, Eileen married George Spencer and they had 2 daughters, Karen Spencer and Tanya Spencer, their family was close to Robert and Emily so we may be able to find them and ask if they have some photo's to scan. Karen and Tanya would only be 67 and 58 years old, I'm hoping we can find them.
We are still looking for ROBERT JOHN Jackman OR WOOD. There is so many dead ends. Many thanks to the historical societies who are helping me.
It's been a wild ride... I have followed Phil's ancestors back to the birth of John Diston Wood in 1816, seen his son Robert move away from Maratime of being a sailor or Shipwrite to become a glass blower / bottle maker, I saw him marry the love of his life and die age 29 in the fever hospital in Durham, he never got to see his baby.
I've shed tears for unmarked graves and horror when I found out 3 have people unrelated buried ontop, I watched through Census reports the lives of many who's faces I've never seen but feel as though I have walked with them through birth, childhood, adulthood, parenthood and death. I saw Robert join the Navy at 15 years old to escape poverty and then in his 20's marry Maud, only to have her pass way at the age of 24 leaving him with 2 babies.
I saw Emily Jackman widowed with 3 young children meet Robert, widower with 2 little boys, get it together and marry and make it work in a time where he needed someone to care for his little boys and she needed financial help. Hats off to them, they made it work! Then had 2 children together, one of which was Phil's Grandpa.
I can only imagine the heavy hearts of his parents when he sailed on the Barrabool for a new life in Australia, Alone, with the Barwell Boys scheme, age 17, to the other side of the world.
I've cheered for their success's and had my heart drop at their losses, for even though these good people have been gone for years, they were people, my husbands people and they are my childrens people and my Grandchildrens people. Even though, up until Phil inherited these medals, we did not know of their existance.
I have rejoyced in a kind soul finding Mary, and now Tanya, the Grandaughter of Helen Jackman. I'm hoping and praying she may have some photos she can scan.
I could not have got this far without help, there is good good people in the world, who have stepped forward and helped without being asked. Iris, Shelagh, Mick, Mal, Colin, Carol, Diane I am so grateful, thank you with all of my heart
27th January 2015
I thought I would put this up, because it's beautiful. Leonard and Ivy on their 50th Wedding anniversary
I thought I would put this up, because it's beautiful. Leonard and Ivy on their 50th Wedding anniversary
27th January 2015
Lionel Charles Wood (Known as Charlie)
Australian Army records have just come in. It's a fantastic file with photo's and everything.
I wish we had have known him...
Lionel Charles Wood (Known as Charlie)
Australian Army records have just come in. It's a fantastic file with photo's and everything.
I wish we had have known him...
Friday 30th January 2015
What a month, I am so grateful for all the help I have received! We have, thanks to the kind people who have gone out of their way in the UK, found our UK family, and they love family history as much as we do. Not only have we been blessed enough to have them share photo's and stories, we are blessed to have found THEM.
We couldn't be more delighted!
The UK is a long way from Australia but I hope one day to give them a proper hug.
I felt so emotional talking on the phone, family reunited is a beautiful thing.
Here are some of the treasured photo's we have so far
What a month, I am so grateful for all the help I have received! We have, thanks to the kind people who have gone out of their way in the UK, found our UK family, and they love family history as much as we do. Not only have we been blessed enough to have them share photo's and stories, we are blessed to have found THEM.
We couldn't be more delighted!
The UK is a long way from Australia but I hope one day to give them a proper hug.
I felt so emotional talking on the phone, family reunited is a beautiful thing.
Here are some of the treasured photo's we have so far
Thank you Mick for searching, finding and photographing Annie Wood's (Nelson) resting place! Featured in the Graves section, click here to see it. Annie died in the workhouse, in 1927
Wow, I have just found this out! Robert Charlie Jackman Wood
I was told that Robert Charlie Jackman used Leonard's name to join the Army to fight WW2. I have just found he did indeed use Len's name and a close date of birth, to join the Army and fight in the war (WW2). It was not for any malice, it was because when WW2 broke out, the Australian Army would not take him as he was classed as too old (The cut off here was 37 years old), but as Charlie was already in the Army reserves, he was then put into the fulltime army, even though he was just over the cut off. So Robert Jackman, wanting to fight in the war knew that Len could not as Len had Polio and was not fit for service, and so, Robert said he was Leonard Wood and gave a birth date that was very close to Len's, and then the poor guy became a Prisoner of War! But he did come out alive and went on with his wife Christine, however, since he was registered now in the Army as Leonard Wood, he didn't really have a choice but to continue on! Legally he was now Leonard! So all his family called him BOB but all official documents he was Leonard and this even went with his death in 1969, he was listed as being 63 but he was really 69. He was cremated at Karrakatta Crematorium as Leonard Wood. His Ashes taken by the undertaker for his family. He lived in a Suburb called DoubleView in Western Australia and I have a photo I am told is of him with a speedway car? This doesn't make a whole lot of sense with the time frame...?. Maybe it's really his son? I just think this was a fascinating story, fancy having to continue with your brothers identity! We believe he had one son, Robert John Wood, still searching for him - I won't give up! Someone has to know something. Why is it harder to find someone in Australia than in England? I might have to start a new page, "Looking for Robert John Wood" if I keep getting no where.
I was told that Robert Charlie Jackman used Leonard's name to join the Army to fight WW2. I have just found he did indeed use Len's name and a close date of birth, to join the Army and fight in the war (WW2). It was not for any malice, it was because when WW2 broke out, the Australian Army would not take him as he was classed as too old (The cut off here was 37 years old), but as Charlie was already in the Army reserves, he was then put into the fulltime army, even though he was just over the cut off. So Robert Jackman, wanting to fight in the war knew that Len could not as Len had Polio and was not fit for service, and so, Robert said he was Leonard Wood and gave a birth date that was very close to Len's, and then the poor guy became a Prisoner of War! But he did come out alive and went on with his wife Christine, however, since he was registered now in the Army as Leonard Wood, he didn't really have a choice but to continue on! Legally he was now Leonard! So all his family called him BOB but all official documents he was Leonard and this even went with his death in 1969, he was listed as being 63 but he was really 69. He was cremated at Karrakatta Crematorium as Leonard Wood. His Ashes taken by the undertaker for his family. He lived in a Suburb called DoubleView in Western Australia and I have a photo I am told is of him with a speedway car? This doesn't make a whole lot of sense with the time frame...?. Maybe it's really his son? I just think this was a fascinating story, fancy having to continue with your brothers identity! We believe he had one son, Robert John Wood, still searching for him - I won't give up! Someone has to know something. Why is it harder to find someone in Australia than in England? I might have to start a new page, "Looking for Robert John Wood" if I keep getting no where.
3rd February 2015
It seems that Emily and Robert had another baby, in 1913, Baby Jack Feltham Wood, Emily's step-father was Robert Feltham Vine so she named Jack after him. Thank you Shelagh, Iris and Mick for your help!
Sadly, baby Jack lived a total of 4 months, I don't know why, but I have to know why, so I will order his death certificate.
I have also found the graves Lionel Charles Wood (Charlie) and his wife Eliza in Mount Gambier Cemetery.
Photo's of Baby Jack's grave (unmarked) and Charlie and Eliza's grave is on the graves page, Click here to see them.
It seems that Emily and Robert had another baby, in 1913, Baby Jack Feltham Wood, Emily's step-father was Robert Feltham Vine so she named Jack after him. Thank you Shelagh, Iris and Mick for your help!
Sadly, baby Jack lived a total of 4 months, I don't know why, but I have to know why, so I will order his death certificate.
I have also found the graves Lionel Charles Wood (Charlie) and his wife Eliza in Mount Gambier Cemetery.
Photo's of Baby Jack's grave (unmarked) and Charlie and Eliza's grave is on the graves page, Click here to see them.
Robert Feltham Vine was Emily Lucy Rose Wood's father, I have been sent a photo of him by our family in the UK, taken in Malta!
Ivy Ruby Wood was a nurse, here is a wonderful photo of her working in a hospital, check out the birdcage at the end of the bed! I love this photo, Ivy would have been a lovely nurse, I never knew her but from what our family in the UK have said, she was a beautiful person.
Lets open another chapter of the book, lets write the next series - Reunited
I always knew in my heart, our ancestors were good people, I followed their paths, like reading a novel I could not put down. Desperate to put faces to names and know the descendants in the UK that came after them.
I want to share our lives here with them, and I want to know them and share in their memories.
I have not been disappointed, our family in the UK are wonderful, I feel so blessed to have found them, I did not know of their existence until starting the family tree. We are still missing one, Looking for Robert John Wood - It's my mission to find him.
I am so glad the medals turned up, and that we started this journey