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Does anyone have any links to the family of my great grandfather John Saunders b.abt 1852 in Iver, Bucks.

In or about 1884 he was married to Phoebe and in the 1891 census they were living in 34 Arthur Street, Chelsea.

At that time they had 3 children;
Caroline (my paternal grandmother - 7),
Phoebe - 3 and
Lucy - 10, she may also have been known as Lottie.

By 1901 they were living in 2 Meek Street, Chelsea and had added;
May - 0,
Maude - 7,
Ivy - 10
and Frederick - 4.
Lucy who would by then have been 20 was not listed so had probably left home.

In both census, John was listed as a Baker or Baker Journeyman.


Caroline gave birth to my father, Frederick, in June 1918 and my aunt Caroline (Carrie) Grace, in December 1920. When she registered the births there is no father listed for Frederick but when she had registered Carrie the father was shown as Charles Ernest Saunders, a miller by trade and Caroline has the entry (formally Paine) against her name.

I can as yet find no record of a marriage between Paine - Saunders in the right area and timeframe (assuming that she had been married an either divorced or maybe widowed in WW1).

Charles Ernest Saunders is shown as may dad's father on his wedding certificate. His occupation is Miller (Brewery) and my father told me that his dad had been killed in an accident in a brewery while he was only a few years old - I can find no evidence of that so far either.

I know both children were illegitimate and their lives were further complicated by the fact that she brought them up thinking their name was Chapman and I have records of them being put in a children's home in Banstead Surrey in 1927 under that name.

The truth only came out at the start of WW2 when my father failed to respond to call-up papers sent to Frederick Saunders.

My father was very embarrassed about his history and very secretive I would really like to find out the real story, and indeed name, of my paternal grandfather.
For all I know Charles Ernest may have been the real father and maybe a cousin of Caroline.
Or maybe someone called Chapman has had an affair with her and fathered both children - I can think of no other explanation for telling them that was thier name.

By the time my mother had met my dad, about 1938, Caroline was living with at least two of her sisters, in Munster Road, Fulham.

If any of this rings bells with someone I would love to get in touch.

Thanks,
Have searched the trees to no avail, so now my only hope is that someone has info but not yet entered it.

Keith, You may like to know that the Banstead History Research Group has published a 100 page book on Beechholme or The Kensington and Chelse District School in Banstead. Just search for 'BHRG' to find their website.

Hi Keith,
Just sent you a message about John Saunders of Iver and I put it on the message board instead of replying here! I didn't realise your message was 2008.
If you are still looking -see the message board.
Diane.