I have tried in vain to obtain my 3xgreat grandmother's death cert. I have applied for no less than 9 certs over the years, none of which have been correct. The problem is she had a common name (Elizabeth Phillips, no middle name), she lived in London (so there are dozens of possible deaths on FreeBMD), and she died sometime between 1861 and 1871 (and the index doesn't show age at death until 1866).
What I do know about her:
Born Elizabeth Dalman, 6-Oct-1804, according to her baptism record 5-Nov-1804 St Leonards Shoreditch.
Married Frederick John Horatio Phillips 26-Nov-1826, Holborn St Andrew
7 children: George Frederick (17-Jan-1827); Ann Elizabeth Jane (21-Mar-1829); Elizabeth Jane (bap. 5-Oct 1834); Frederick John Horatio (1-May-1840); Ellen (16-Feb-1842); Horatio Frederick (2-Feb-1845) and Frederick William (1847).
1841: living Henry St, Lambeth (HO107 pc1055-4 j18 p31)
1851: living 31 Great Wild St, South St Giles (HO107 pc1508 f306 p41)
1861: living 31 Great Wild St, South St Giles (RG09 pc169 f70 p20)
1871: Husband Frederick is now a widower, living in Battersea (RG10 pc705 f82 p35). No sign of Elizabeth.
So... I was looking for a death between Q2, 1861 (since she was on the 1861 census, 7-April) and Q2, 1871 (since husband was widowed on 1871 census, 2-April). I would expect the death to have been either in St Giles RD (where they were living in 1861), or Wandsworth RD (where husband was living in 1871). However there are no likely candidates in the index in either of these districts, so I have been applying for certs in neighbouring districts, to no avail. Now, only yesterday I noticed that there is actually an Elizabeth Phillips death in St Giles district - the problem is that this is registered in Q1 of 1861, i.e. Jan-Feb-March of that year - yet she is shown as alive on the 1861 census, 7th April. I am wondering if the census return might have been filled out several weeks in advance of the actual date, and no-one thought to modify it if she died say at the end of March that year? I know I will probably end up shelling out for yet another cert, but just thought I'd ask opinions on here first, as to whether this is a likely scenario - or if there are any other avenues I could try instead!
What I do know about her:
Born Elizabeth Dalman, 6-Oct-1804, according to her baptism record 5-Nov-1804 St Leonards Shoreditch.
Married Frederick John Horatio Phillips 26-Nov-1826, Holborn St Andrew
7 children: George Frederick (17-Jan-1827); Ann Elizabeth Jane (21-Mar-1829); Elizabeth Jane (bap. 5-Oct 1834); Frederick John Horatio (1-May-1840); Ellen (16-Feb-1842); Horatio Frederick (2-Feb-1845) and Frederick William (1847).
1841: living Henry St, Lambeth (HO107 pc1055-4 j18 p31)
1851: living 31 Great Wild St, South St Giles (HO107 pc1508 f306 p41)
1861: living 31 Great Wild St, South St Giles (RG09 pc169 f70 p20)
1871: Husband Frederick is now a widower, living in Battersea (RG10 pc705 f82 p35). No sign of Elizabeth.
So... I was looking for a death between Q2, 1861 (since she was on the 1861 census, 7-April) and Q2, 1871 (since husband was widowed on 1871 census, 2-April). I would expect the death to have been either in St Giles RD (where they were living in 1861), or Wandsworth RD (where husband was living in 1871). However there are no likely candidates in the index in either of these districts, so I have been applying for certs in neighbouring districts, to no avail. Now, only yesterday I noticed that there is actually an Elizabeth Phillips death in St Giles district - the problem is that this is registered in Q1 of 1861, i.e. Jan-Feb-March of that year - yet she is shown as alive on the 1861 census, 7th April. I am wondering if the census return might have been filled out several weeks in advance of the actual date, and no-one thought to modify it if she died say at the end of March that year? I know I will probably end up shelling out for yet another cert, but just thought I'd ask opinions on here first, as to whether this is a likely scenario - or if there are any other avenues I could try instead!
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