My Life Story
Appendix
Family History
Both my maternal and paternal lines came from Norfolk, where I had a fascinating tour embracing Salthouse, Swaffham, Castle Acre and many more places, the names of which I cannot immediately recall.
Maternal Line
My mother was born Edith Meggitt on 19th February 1920 to Ernest and Ada Alice (née Jarvis) who were married on 28th November 1915, during WW1. Grandad, I believe, was in the trenches but I am not sure of the dates. I have a book on the Northumberland Fusilliers which was his regiment. I only have snippets of information with regard to their life before this. Grandma had been previously engaged to someone called Walter but she had called it off. Her sisters married much younger but I think she was reluctant. She certainly wanted me to have a career rather than give it up to have a family. She wanted me to be a Head Teacher. Teaching was an unfulfilled dream of hers, having been a Pupil Teacher for a while, recalling how her younger sister Ellen tested the boundaries but was quickly sorted! I wonder how may people dream of being a teacher now? She did piece work in factories and was reportedly good at it, and was talented in all things practical and domestic.
Grandma was born to Edward Jarvis and Catherine Norman, who met in North Shields where Catherine was in service and after he had moved there from Salthouse, Norfolk, to work on the railways. I am unsure why Catherine moved there from Derby - it may have been after her mother, Sarah Coxon, was widowed. Sarah’s husband, Joseph Norman, had been a tailor. Sarah died from "senility". I have been to look at the institution in Northumberland where she died - sad. I have traced both sides of my Grandma's family history; the documents and information are boxed up awaiting interest from descendants! Grandma was the seventh of ten children and she was born on her parents’ 17th wedding anniversary. The linen wedding certificate from 5th July 1873 is in my box, along with a glass photograph of Catherine and her mother, taken when Catherine was about 4, maybe around 1859. I think that photos would have been a fairly new thing and I like to imagine that Sarah, like me, was up for trying new things much to the disdain of my relatives, who caught up with videos, dishwashers and mobile phones much later!
Similarly, I have traced the Meggits and Allons; the latter belonged to a well known Hull family, who had a demolition business. Ernest was one of ten. His mother was reported to be very difficult by all concerned. My mum's cousin, Auntie Jessie, who looked very much like my mum, lived with her grandmother, Sophia, and said the same. I have been in touch with various people on Ancestry who have traced the Allon family. Sophia died in old age, if I remember correctly, after an accident in the road.
John Meggitt came from a family of farm labourers who lived in Tickhill near Doncaster before they went to Hull. I have visited a couple of times on my way up north, to get the feel of it; quite a pretty village.
Paternal Line
Dad, Henry, born on 24th July 1919, was named after his father Henry also known as Harry and born on 2nd October 1892, and Gertrude Longmuir Starling born on 13th May 1894.
Grandma said her middle name was Louisa after her mother, but it transpired that Louisa's surname was Longmuir from her first marriage. I have not yet been able to ascertain whether Louisa ever did marry Alfred Starling but there is certainly a very interesting and sad family history leading up to them being together in Hull, having had connections in Norfolk when they were young. Dad told some stories and I wish that I had taken more notice. Dad was very fond of his grandmother as the family lived with her (and Alfred presumably) when he was young. My middle name Louise is after her.
I have had a really interesting time trying to solve a family mystery which I promised my Dad that I would do when I retired. In fact I did it before then, four years after he died. I became hooked on Family History but have now abandoned it for others to take forward. It was taking up too much of my time and became another chore.
My Grandad Henry, as mentioned elsewhere, when he was around the age of eleven had to go into an orphanage with his brother due to the death or disappearance of his father, a merchant seaman. Their sister, Mary, remained with their mother who took in washing to make some money. I am not sure but I think that he returned at the end of his education at age 14. I have looked for details in the Hull History Centre and was able to see a menu for the orphanage. Grandad did well at the orphanage and there is some evidence (not verified) that after he left he worked at the Carnegie Library on Anlaby Road, Hull. I do know that he studied at night school and eventually became an engineer in the Merchant Navy, working his way up.
My great Grandad Archibald Marshall, whose family lived in Dunbarton was a mystery. I guess that these things were not discussed and Grandad was away a lot so did not have the opportunity to talk about these things, even if he was so inclined.
Dad thought that maybe Archie was a dubious character as he was older than the recorded age on his marriage certificate. In addition he died in Alcester, Worcestershire in a "sanatorium" aged 43. Why was a seaman there? In the days before the internet, Dad trailed round Worcestershire trying to find out what had happened but he met a brick wall. There are many errors on certificates and census returns so the theory about Archie’s age may or may not be true. He was older than his wife.
In 2009, having not made much progress, the internet being still very much in its infancy, I decided to splash out and pay £25 to a researcher at the library. It was one of the best things I ever did, as she came back with a newspaper cutting which explained all. My dad had maligned his grandfather falsely. He was of "good character" but had been discharged from the Merchant Navy because of ill health. He had lung disease and was malnourished; this was before the Welfare State. He was trying to walk from Gloucester Docks to Hull! He worked in the workhouse on the way to earn food and a bed. He had a sad and lonely death by the side of a road, having told a policeman that he felt too ill to return to work in the workhouse. His wife had neither the means to travel, nor any funds to bury him. He is in a pauper's grave in Alcester, I do not know exactly where, but I visited in 2010 with Peter to pay my respects and give love. If I feel well enough I will try to do these family history tours again.
There is a lot of information on the Blundred family history in my boxes, less on Peter’s mum’s family, the Webbs. I know a bit about the latter and will ask Peter's cousins if anyone has anything. It would be a shame for these things to get lost. All these people made a contribution in various ways, cared for our ancestors, and are key players in our existence.
© 2026 A L Blundred