Ralph’s mother. Her first husband died very shortly after their only child was born; her second marriage lasted longer and they had five children before she was widowed again, aged 68. She appears to have lived, worked and died within a very small area of Birmingham. (insert map)

The details:

Birth: Florence was born on the 17th September 1879 and baptised 8th October 1879 in St Johns, Ladywood. The family were living from Stour Strett; her father Alfred was a bricklayer. She was the 5th of 8 children. (Oldest, Alfred dies in Bangalore – Indian army. Next two Thomas and Edward are buried in Key Hill. Nellie in Handsworth, Marion married a Such and went to Canada voluntarily, Gertrude had the daughter who died of a cat scratch and Leonard died France 1914 WW1)

1881 census: at 4 court 8 Stour Street with her parents.

1891 census: 17 Stour St with her parents. and all their children at home

First marriage: 1898 quarter 2 she married Arthur Edwards; he died Q1 1899 aged 20; their son Arthur Edwards was born 3rd January 1899.

1901 census: Now widowed, shw was back living with parents at 15 Stour St with her son Arthur.

Second marriage: On 5th August 1902 she married James Payne. They both gave their address as 19 Barker Street, which is a few doors down from Florence’s sister Gertrude. The marriage took place in Birminghham Register Office (so either non-conformist ot no religion – probably the former; given where they are later buried??) Her sister Gertrude was a witness at the marriage, along with Gertrude’s future husband Alfred Parry.

Ralph was born 1903

1911 census: 1 back 28 Garbett St with Arthur through to Florence Amelia; James was a Brass Turner, she was a Charwoman.

1921 census: she is a charwoman at the children’s hospital, James is unemploed.

1939 register – 1 rear 28 Garbett St – just her and huband James – he died Q5 1947.

She’s still at 1 back 28 in 1950, now with Ralph.

Death: Died 9th May 1957 aged 78, at 1 Western Road Winson Green = Dudley Road Hospital as was? can’t be workhouse in 1957. cardiovascular degeneration and senility; registerd by James Leonard living at 99 Binstead Road. Buried Jun 1957 Key Hill Cemetery, Icknield Street, Hockley, Birmingham, Warwickshire, England Register Number 59442.