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Apparrently my grt Grandfather was cousins to Vanda Godsell the actress and I'm trying to find the link, Vanda is posted on Wikipedia :Vanda Godsell (17 November 1922–11 April 1990) was an English actress. She was born near Bristol into the well known Godsell family, best known for its brewery based in Stroud. Her father was an officer in the Navy and served in the Battle of Jutland whilst her mother, Muriel, was the sister of novelist and actress Naomi Jacob. Godsell's sister Felicia was also an actress but her other sister was a respected editor in the publishing world. Problem is I have found her birth as being listed in 1918 too and I need her fathers name to see if there is a link to my Godsell's in Bristol, can anyone see what I'm missing, thanks

Geraldine where have you found the birth? I can't see her on freebmd nor her sister,

going solely on her mother's first name

Marriages Mar 1914 (>99%)


ABBOTT Muriel W E Godsell Weymouth 5a 511
Godsell Reginald Abbott Weymouth 5a 511

Wondering if Vanda ( and Felicia) is a stage name?

Births Mar 1919 (>99%)
Godsell Audrey Abbott Marylebone 1a 654


Births Dec 1922 (>99%)
Godsell Nancy E Abbott Portsmouth 2b 834

Re Naomi Jacob from wiki:

"Her Sister Mu and mother moved south to start a new life"

which may account for the diffent surname for Muriel at marriage.

Just reading back, if Vanda's father was in the navy it makes sense that the marriage was in Portsmouth 1914.

Never thought of that Rambling Rose... I dont know if they had stage names, but Wiki does say that Muriels sister was called jacob's I dont know but thats probably her married name. hmmm Will go with the marriage at portsmouth though. Thanks guys thats given me food for thought. x

Geraldine the marriage will give you father's names so should be easy to confirm from that I think .

good luck with it :)

This certainly looks like Reginald:

1911 census transcription details for: Stratford Court Stratford Road Stroud
RG14PN15373 RG78PN932 RD327 SD4 ED6 SN183


Reg. District: Stroud Sub District: Stroud
Parish: Stroud Enum. District: 6
Address: Stratford Court Stratford Road Stroud
County: Gloucestershire

GODSELL, James Uriah Head Married
27 years M 57 1854 Master Brewer Glos Stonehouse
GODSELL, Thomas Kempthorne Son Single M 26 1885 Master Brewer Glos Stroud
GODSELL, Reginald Son Single M 21 1890 Sub Leutenant R N Glos Stroud
GODSELL, Dorothy Gladys Daughter Single F 19 1892 Glos Stroud
EVANS, Dorothy Mary Visitor Single F 19 1892 Llanelly
FILED, Harriet Ellen Servant Single F 27 1884 House Maid Birmingham
CLIFFORD, Harriet Servant Widow F 41 1870 Cook Lea Marston


His probate mentions widow Muriel Ellington Godsell-(Ellington playing a large role here,I guess!).

Name: Muriel Ellington Godsell
Birth Date: 31 Jul 1891
Death Registration Month/Year: 1971
Registration district: Sutton Coldfield
Inferred County: Warwickshire
Volume: 9c
Page: 2299


Maureen

The Times, Monday, Jun 23, 1941; pg. 1; Issue 48959; col A
Deaths

Godsell-On June 20,1941,at 20,Holland Road Hove.Commander Reginald Godsell,R.N. (retired),brother-in-law and grand friend of Naomi Jacob.

The Times, Saturday, Sep 04, 1971; pg. 20; Issue 58268; col B
Deaths
Godsell,Muriel Ellington,beloved widow of Commander R. Godsell,R.N. and adored mother of Felicia,Audrie and Vanda,passed away peacefully on September 1st.

Maureen