Until recently the one hint for Elizabeth Lawrence's date of birth came from her daughter Jessie who remembered a comment about how appropriate it was that she was born on Independence Day. It was only this that pointed to an Elizabeth Lawrence who was born on 4th July 1892 in Islington Workhouse. However corroboration has now emerged from a different source which fits all the facts.

Elizabeth Monica Hilditch née Lawrence in 1922/23

A hand-written inscription on the reverse reads:

"To my own Darling Girlie Priscilla. From her ownest own Mama. October 25th 1923"

What has always been certain is that, according to the census in 1901, Lizzie Lawrence, aged 8 and born London, Holloway, was a visitor at 10 Gordon Rd. Hornsey, with George and Margaret Chalkley, their daughter Emily and son Frederick, all from Stevenage, Herts.

Then in 1911 the census placed Elizabeth Monica Lawrence once again at 10 Gordon Road, Hornsey, but this time as a visitor to Albert Fred and Lizzie Lousia (sic) Howard and their daughter, Jane. Elizabeth was described as aged 18, single, typist “Own account”, working at home, born Middlesex, Hornsey. Also living at the same address, but in a separate household, were George and Margaret Chalkley and their granddaughter, Ena Chalkley, aged 4. Lizzie Louise Chalkley had married Albert Fred Howard in 1899.

It is not known how Elizabeth apparently came to be living with the Chalkley family in 1901. If they can be found, school records may possibly provide a lead. There is no indication that Elizabeth was directly related to the family but contact was maintained, in one way or another, for many years.

The Islington Workhouse records show that Elizabeth’s mother, also Elizabeth Lawrence and aged 30, was admitted on 3rd July 1892 and left with her baby daughter on 22nd July, 18 days after the birth. It appears she was only taking advantage of the hospital facilities, rather than seeking long-term support. On the birth certificate she described herself as a domestic servant and gave her address as 166 Hornsey Road, Islington. No father was named.

The Religious Creed Register for the workhouse tells us that they were Church of England and confirms the mother's age and Elizabeth's date of birth as well as repeating the dates of admission and discharge. It also states that they were admitted from Islington.

When Elizabeth married Thomas Percy Hilditch after Banns in 1912 she gave her address as 24 Cranston Road, Forest Hill and the marriage took place at Christ Church, Forest Hill in Kent, close to where Thomas’s father was living. The certificate states she was 20 years old (she was 19yrs 8 months) and her father was named as Thomas Lawrence (deceased).  Albert Howard was one of the witnesses.  Possibly he gave her away.  Her husband, who was sometimes known as Percy within the family, gave his address as Sunnyside Villas, Knutsford Road, Grappenhall, Cheshire, but that was temporary because an invoice paid on 19 April 1912 from Warrington Co-op for furnishing their house was addressed to “Birchdene”, Grappenhall.

To read more about Elizabeth's life after her marriage and also some recent discoveries confirming her origins use the link to Elizabeth Lawrence.

Click here to open a new window with source citations for the tree above.

These two photographs of an interior belonged to Elizabeth's daughter Jess

On the back of one Jess has written "?1925 First wireless. Last of dolls."

This date would mean that the house is "Birchdene", Grappenhall.

Are any of the items pictured here also listed on the 1912 invoice from the Co-op in Warrington? It provides us with an almost complete inventory of the contents of "Birchdene" when the couple moved in.

The wireless on the right-hand table looks like a GEC model BC2730 as far as I can tell.

Between the wireless and the chair, on the smaller table, is the speaker which appears to be a Gecophone model "B" BC1620. It has a horn speaker inside the wooden case.

Can anyone confirm this, or correct me?

The 1911 census provides cause for some intriguing possibilities involving Elizabeth Monica, Thomas Percy and members of the Burgess family. Use the link below to learn more.

Elizabeth LawrenceCensus 1911