Contessoir

[Mary from Italy]

Mary - Thats fabulous, thank you ever so much, all this info. will be invaluable when we get around to doing our full family tree & I know my mother will be so pleased when she is told, though with some sadness I'm sure.

You're very welcome

I'm not sure your mother's going to be terribly happy about it, though, because it does give the impression that FW stopped bothering about her after he remarried.

[Woodsmoke]

You're very welcome

I'm not sure your mother's going to be terribly happy about it, though, because it does give the impression that FW stopped bothering about her after he remarried.

Yes it does, although I believe there was more going on with the dynamics within the Harnett & the Squire families than we will ever know.
For instance mum always said that she came from good stock while her father has a question mark over him, referring to him being known as a bit of a cad & an entrepreneur, and his father being a General Dealer, on FWDC's marriage cert., what would a General Dealer be around 1928 anyway?

[margaretmarch]

Yes it does, although I believe there was more going on with the dynamics within the Harnett & the Squire families than we will ever know.
For instance mum always said that she came from good stock while her father has a question mark over him, referring to him being known as a bit of a cad & an entrepreneur, and his father being a General Dealer, on FWDC's marriage cert., what would a General Dealer be around 1928 anyway?

I think a general dealer would be someone who traded in whatever he could buy and sell - market stall?? shop?? or just around the doors.

Margaret

[Olde Crone Holden]

Oh, but I don't think it was so much rejection as much as just letting things slide until it was too late. Even under the best circumstances, a naval career isn't conducive to hands-on fathering and pre war it was unheard of for a widower to bring up a small child - especially a girl. Then he remarried - maybe the new wife said she didn't want to bring up his child. That brutal honesty may have saved your mother from a miserable childhood with a stepmother who didn't want her.

The other interesting point is that he has adopted the name Dennis at some point - what was THAT about I wonder?

OC

[Mary from Italy]

I think this document probably relates to FW's father, who was also a seaman:

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/d...doc_Id=6935959

You can download it for £3.50, but never having downloaded any naval documents myself, I have no idea what information it's likely to contain.

[Woodsmoke]

Oh, but I don't think it was so much rejection as much as just letting things slide until it was too late. Even under the best circumstances, a naval career isn't conducive to hands-on fathering and pre war it was unheard of for a widower to bring up a small child - especially a girl. Then he remarried - maybe the new wife said she didn't want to bring up his child. That brutal honesty may have saved your mother from a miserable childhood with a stepmother who didn't want her.

OC - My wife & I were thinking along the same lines, his sister may also have reassured him that his daughter was settled, happy & being well looked after. Mum has said that "Auntie Ann(e) was a good woman & was always good to me", so all in all, not the ideal but possibly the best outcome given the circumstances.
I will be in Plymouth in a few weeks time & will be talking to mum about FTF & how helpful you have all been, maybe the info. up to this point will jog her memory about other things of interest & importance.

Mary - I will download the document you mention, thank you.

[Mary from Italy]

Might be worth asking your mum if she remembers an "Auntie" Constance or Ethel (FW's 2nd wife) - you never know, they may have met.

[Olde Crone Holden]

Or even if the name Caunter strikes any bells!

OC

[angelina]

This thread is so brilliant - problem stated, various bits of information given out by enquirers and helpers and a highly likely scenario suggested- all by people who will probably never meet each other but help because they can. This is what makes FTF so great.

[margaretmarch]

This thread is so brilliant - problem stated, various bits of information given out by enquirers and helpers and a highly likely scenario suggested- all by people who will probably never meet each other but help because they can. This is what makes FTF so great.

and so worthwhile to belong to!
Margaret