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I am looking for Ivy Keel b 1897/98 I think in Watford, Hertfordshire area.

I know she married Alfred H Montague in 1920 in Watford, and died there 1928 aged 31.

They had a son b 1921. Alfred Montague remarried in 1929 !

I cannot find her birth at all. Any suggestions please...…!!

???

Ivy Keel
in the 1901 England Census
Name: Ivy Keel
Age: 4
Estimated birth year: abt 1897
Relation to Head: Visitor
Gender: Female
Birth Place: Hammfield, Wiltshire, England [ Hammerfield on image]
Civil Parish: Woodford
Ecclesiastical parish: Wilsford and Woodford All Saints
Town: Upper Woodford
County/Island: Wiltshire
Country: England
Street address:
Registration district: Amesbury
Sub-registration district: Amesbury
ED, institution, or vessel: 9
Neighbors:
Piece: 1949
Folio: 111
Page Number: 14
Household schedule number: 92
Household Members:
Name Age
James Keel 58 - shepherd, Bulford Wilts
Elizabeth Keel 62
Mary Jane Mailey 17 - niece [Bailey on image ]
Ivy Keel 4


Hammerfield, as shown in the image as her birthplace, appears (from a Google search) to be near, or maybe part of, Hemel Hempstead, Herts.

Thanks Argyll Gran. It may be her.

But I cannot find any birth reference to her on either FreeBMD, GRO site, or even Ancestry !!

Very confused!

If she knew her father, he will be named on the marriage cert

If she didn't know him, she may have invented one. In that case, he would probably be recorded as 'deceased'

James and Elizabeth in 1881

Name: James Keel
Age: 38
Estimated birth year: abt 1843
Relationship to Head: Head
Spouse: Elizabeth Keel
Gender: Male
Where born: Bulford, Wiltshire, England
Civil Parish: Woodford
County/Island: Wiltshire
Country: England
Street address: Road
Marital status: Married
Occupation: Shepherd
Registration district: Amesbury
ED, institution, or vessel: 8
Neighbors: View others on page
Piece: 2064
Folio: 97
Page Number: 1
Household Members:
Name Age
James Keel 38
Elizabeth Keel 42
Frank Keel 14
Bessie Keel 12
Mary Jane Keel 10

1911
Record Transcription:
1911 Census For England & Wales

High Street East Hoathly Sussex, East Hoathly, Sussex, England

Members that resided in the household at the time of the census.
First name(s) Last name Relationship Marital status Sex Age Birth year Occupation Birth place
Sarah Ann Bryant Head Single Female 76 1835 Dressmaker Sussex East Hoathly
Frances Marwick Assistant Single Female 23 1888 Dressmaker Assistant Uckfield Sussex
Margaret Mae Flynn Boarder Single Female 20 1891 Dressmaker Assistant Middlesex London
Ne Lie Mae Flynn Boarder - Female 13 1898 School Middlesex London
Ivy Keel Boarder - Female 14 1897 School Hertford Hammersfield

James with a new wife in 1911

Name: James Keel
Age in 1911: 68
Estimated birth year: abt 1843
Relation to Head: Head
Gender: Male
Birth Place: Bulford, Wiltshire, England
Civil Parish: Woodford
County/Island: Wiltshire
Country: England
Street address: Upper Woodford, Salisbury
Marital status: Married
Estimated Marriage Year: 1904
Occupation: Shepherd
Registration district: Amesbury
Registration District Number: 252
Sub-registration district: Amesbury
ED, institution, or vessel: 09
Piece: 12077
Household Members:
Name Age
James Keel 68
Anne Keel 57

Her marriage cert should give her father's name if known, which might help.


James's first marriage:

Marriages Mar 1865 (>99%)
Keel James Amesbury 5a 215
KNIGHT Elizabeth Amesbury 5a 215


By 1911 James Keel had remarried:

Marriages Sep 1904 (>99%)
Daniels Ann Salisbury 5a 390
Keel James Salisbury 5a 390

Presumably Ivy is some relation of James.

In 1891 he and Elizabeth only have the niece with them.

1881:

James Keel
in the 1881 England Census
Name: James Keel
Age: 38
Estimated birth year: abt 1843
Relationship to Head: Head
Spouse: Elizabeth Keel
Gender: Male
Where born: Bulford, Wiltshire, England
Civil Parish: Woodford
County/Island: Wiltshire
Country: England
Street address: Road
Marital status: Married
Education:
Employment status:
View image
Occupation: Shepherd
Registration district: Amesbury
ED, institution, or vessel: 8
Neighbors:
Piece: 2064
Folio: 97
Page Number: 1
Household Members:
Name Age
James Keel 38
Elizabeth Keel 42
Frank Keel 14
Bessie Keel 12
Mary Jane Keel 10


1871 mistranscribed on Ancestry:

James Thul
in the 1871 England Census
Name: James Thul
[James Keel]
Age: 28
Estimated birth year: 1843
Relation: Head
Gender: Male
Where born: Bulford Wiltshire England
Civil Parish: Ford and Laverstock
County/Island: Wiltshire
Country: England
Registration district: Alderbury
Sub-registration district: Britford
ED, institution, or vessel: 8
Household schedule number: 11
Piece: 1952
Folio: 40
Page Number: 3
Household Members:
Name Age
James Thul 28
Elizabeth Thul 32
Frank Thul 5
Besse Thul 2

Ivy in 1911

Name: Ivy Kul
Age in 1911: 14
Estimated birth year: abt 1897
Relation to Head: Boarder
Gender: Female
Birth Place: Hammerfield
Civil Parish: East Hoathly

County/Island: Sussex
Country: England
Street address: High Street East Hoathly Sussex
Occupation: School
Registration district: Uckfield
Registration District Number: 74
Sub-registration district: Framfield
ED, institution, or vessel: 06
Piece: 4951
Household Members:
Name Age
Sarah Ann Bryant 76
Frances Markwick 23
Margaret Mac Flynn 20
Nellie Mac Flynn 13
Ivy Kul 14

I suppose it's possible that Ivy was Bessie's illegitimate child, but perhaps registered under the unknown father's name.


Bessie Keel
in the 1891 England Census
Name: Bessie Keel
Gender: Female
Age: 22
Relationship: Servant
Birth Year: 1869
Birth Place: Charlton All Saints, Wiltshire, England
Civil Parish: Amesbury
Ecclesiastical parish: Amesbury
Residence Place: Amesbury, Amesbury, Wiltshire, England
Registration district: Amesbury
Sub registration district: Amesbury
ED, Institution or Vessel: 5
Neighbors:
Piece: 1615
Folio: 55
Household Members:
Name Age
Arthur W Phelps 56
Emily J Ridout 32
Bessie Keel 22
George Ridout 65
Sarah Ridout 61



Bessie married Charles James Knight in 1906:

Bessie Knight
in the 1911 England Census
Name: Bessie Knight
Age in 1911: 41
Estimated birth year: abt 1870
Relation to Head: Wife
Gender: Female
Birth Place: Charlton, Wiltshire
Civil Parish: Gloucester
County/Island: Gloucestershire
Country: England
Street address: 16 Jersey Rd, Gloucester
Marital status: Married
Estimated Marriage Year: 1907
Registration district: Gloucester
Registration District Number: 325
Sub-registration district: Gloucester Southern
ED, institution, or vessel: 12
Piece: 15306
Household Members:
Name Age
Charles James Knight 39
Bessie Knight 41


However, having checked all the births of Ivys in 1897-8 ,with no middle name, in Herts and Willts, I can't find one with mms Keel.

???

National School Admission Registers & Log-Books 1870-1914

First name(s) Ivy
Last name Keel
Birth year -
Birth date -
Event year 1903
School name Hemel Hempstead, Boxmoor Junior, Middle & Infant School
Town Hemel Hempstead
County Hertfordshire
Country England
Parent name(s) Frank
Book type Admissions
Archive reference HED1/210/7

There is also Dorothy admitted 1902 and Daisy in 1903. All have Frank as parent or guardian and Hammerfield as an address.


This appears to be the family for these girls. No mention of Ivy though. EDIT She's already been posted visiting James and Elizabeth.


1891 England, Wales & Scotland Census

Frogmore Street, Tring, Berkhampstead, Hertfordshire, England

Frank Keel Lodger Married Male 24 1867 Watchmaker Wiltshire, England
Ann Keel Lodger Married Female 22 1869 - Little Tring, Hertfordshire, England
Bessie May Keel Lodger - Female 1 1890 - Tring, Hertfordshire, England



1901 England, Wales & Scotland Census

Hammerfield, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, England


Bessie Keel Wife Married Female 32 1869 - Tring, Hertfordshire, England
Bessie M Keel Daughter - Female 11 1890 - Tring, Hertfordshire, England
Sydney F Keel Son - Male 9 1892 - Watford, Hertfordshire, England
Daisy E Keel Daughter - Female 7 1894 - Willesden, Middlesex, England
Walter W Keel Son - Male 6 1895 - Willesden, Middlesex, England
Dorothy Keel Daughter - Female 5 1896 - Willesden, Middlesex, England

KEEL, BESSIE MAY HARROWELL
GRO Reference: 1890 J Quarter in BERKHAMSTED Volume 03A Page 596

KEEL, SIDNEY FRANK JAMES HARROWELL
GRO Reference: 1892 M Quarter in WATFORD Volume 03A Page 592

KEEL, DAISY EMMA HARROWELL
GRO Reference: 1893 S Quarter in HENDON Volume 03A Page 215

KEEL, WALTER WILLIAM HARROWELL
GRO Reference: 1894 D Quarter in HENDON Volume 03A Page 173

KEEL, DOROTHY MARY JANE HARROWELL
GRO Reference: 1895 D Quarter in HENDON Volume 03A Page 190

KEEL, CHARLES ALFRED HARROWELL
GRO Reference: 1899 M Quarter in HEMEL HEMPSTED Volume 03A Page 719

KEEL, EVA MURIEL HARROWELL
GRO Reference: 1901 S Quarter in HEMEL HEMPSTED Volume 03A Page 772

KEEL, VALENTINE RONALD HARROWELL
GRO Reference: 1903 M Quarter in HEMEL HEMPSTED Volume 03A Page 819

Frank is James and Elizabeth's son, as in 1881 census already posted.

Dorothy and Daisy are the children of his marriage in 1889:

Frank Keel
in the England & Wales, Civil Registration Marriage Index, 1837-1915
Name: Frank Keel
Registration Year: 1889
Registration Quarter: Jul-Aug-Sep
Registration district: Berkhamstead
Inferred County: Hertfordshire
Volume: 3a
Page: 812
Records on Page:
Name
Annie Maria Harrowell
Frank Keel



KEEL, BESSIE MAY mms HARROWELL
GRO Reference: 1890 J Quarter in BERKHAMSTED Volume 03A Page 596

KEEL, DAISY EMMA mms HARROWELL
GRO Reference: 1893 S Quarter in HENDON Volume 03A Page 215

KEEL, DOROTHY MARY JANE mms HARROWELL
GRO Reference: 1895 D Quarter in HENDON Volume 03A Page 190

So Ivy would seem to be either Frank's daughter from an extra-marital liaison, or Bessie's daughter, with Frank acting as guardian, which seems more likely.

Doesn't help find her birth, though!


Her marriage cert should be the first port of call, and hope it gives her father's name.

Not helping with her birth but young Ivy certainly enjoyed writing articles and essays. Here are a few snippits to 'Uncle Tom' which seems to be a 'club' for younger readers.


PRIZE LETTER | (Sent by Ivy Keel, 12, East Hoathly School). Dear Uncle Tom, saw in your last week's '' Sussex Express that you wanted this week a letter on my favourite game. Well I have many favourite games, but I think the one I like best is the game
13 August 1909 - Sussex Agricultural Express - Lewes, Sussex, England


COMMENDED ESSAYS,
(Sent by Ivy Keel, 13, East Hoathly School). T Dear Uncle Tom, —I saw in your last weeks '' Sussex Express '' that you wanted this week a letter on any treat we had this Yuletide. Well, I think the most enjoyable time I have spent this
21 January 1910 - Sussex Agricultural Express - Lewes, Sussex, England


(Sent Ivy Keel, 13, East Hoathly School). Dear Unele Tom, saw in your last week's '• Sussex Express '' that you wanted this week letter
12 November 1909 - Sussex Agricultural Express - Lewes, Sussex, England


(Sent by Ivy Keel, 12, East Hoathly School). Dear Uncle Tom, saw in the 44 Sussex Express " that you wanted this week letter on our flower
17 September 1909 - Sussex Agricultural Express - Lewes, Sussex, England



PRIZE ESSAY
(Sent by Ivy Keel, 13, East Hoathly National School). Dear Uncle Tom, saw in your last week's Sussex Express" that you wanted this week letter on harvest. We all know what anxiety this causes our friend the farmer, and also the nation, for
07 October 1910 - Sussex Agricultural Express - Lewes, Sussex, England

????

Births Dec 1896 (>99%)
Williams Ivy Keel Edmonton 3a 483

Record Transcription:
England & Wales Births 1837-2006

First name(s) IVY KEEL
Last name WILLIAMS
Birth year 1896
Birth quarter 4
Registration month -
Mother's maiden name Harrowell
District Edmonton
County Middlesex
Country England
Volume 3A
Page 483
Record set England & Wales Births 1837-2006
Category Birth, Marriage, Death & Parish Records
Subcategory Civil Births
Collections from Great Britain, England

Record Transcription:
1901 England, Wales & Scotland Census

St Albans, Hertfordshire, England

First name(s) Frank
Last name Kell
Relationship Prisoner
Marital status Married
Sex Male
Age 34
Birth year 1867
Birth town Bulford
Birth town as transcribed BULFORD
Birth place England
Birth place other as transcribed -
Birth county Wiltshire
Birth county as transcribed WILTSHIRE
Occupation Watchmaker
House name -
House number -
Street -
Town -
Parish St Albans
Country England
County Hertfordshire
Municipal ward St Alban
Registration district St Albans
Other household member first name(s) -
Other household member last name -
Archive reference RG13
Piece number 1312
Folio 158
Page 3
Record set 1901 England, Wales & Scotland Census
Category Census, land & surveys
Subcategory Census
Collections from Great Britain, England

Marriages Sep 1889 (>99%)
Dell Alice Berkhampstead 3a 812
HANDLEY Thomas Berkhampstead 3a 812
Harrowell Annie Maria Berkhampstead 3a 812 xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Keel Frank Berkhampstead 3a 812 xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Record Transcription:
1911 Census For England & Wales

2 a Church Lane Tring, Tring Rural, Hertfordshire, England
Learn about this record set
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Household Members
Members that resided in the household at the time of the census.
First name(s) Last name Relationship Marital status Sex Age Birth year Occupation Birth place
Annie Maria Keel Head Married Female 42 1869 Char - Woman Littlle Tring Tring Herts
Sydney Frank Keel Son Single Male 19 1892 Baker's Assistant Watfod Hert
Walter William Keel Son Single Male 16 1895 Fishmonger's Assistant Willesden Middlesex
Valentine Ronald Keel Son - Male 8 1903 School


10 born 8 living 2 died