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Violet Carew Lester is my maternal grandmother born 27th November 1887 in Hougham, Kent. It is believed she went abroad around 1920, possibly Europe, and no family members know what happened after that. How can I find whether she died abroad without even knowing which country it may be?

Violet's birth certificate gives her parents as Henry Carew Lester (Solicitors Clerk) and Helen Lester (formerly Pamphilon). However I cannot trace Henry Carew Lester at all or a marriage certificate. I have the death certificate of Helen using the surname Pamphilon, along with census evidence that she lived with her aunt not her husband if he actually existed at all!

Detective work shows Helen was illegitimate and my mother (Violet's daughter) was illegitimate too so my maternal family roots are extremely difficult to trace. This family are one of the Essex Pamphilon families recorded in the publication by Michael Coyne.

Any information would be gratefully received

Thank you
Ros :-|

If she went to Europe, there will not be any travel records

There is nothing for her on FMP's migration records

1911 England Census

Name: Violet Carew Leslie
Age in 1911: 23
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1888
Relation to Head: Niece
Gender: Female
Birth Place: Dover, Kent
Civil parish: Saffron Walden
County/Island: Essex
Country: England
Street Address: 5 Sarahs Place, Castle St, Saffron Walden
Marital Status: Single
Occupation: House Keeper
Registration district: Saffron Walden
Registration District Number: 203
Sub-registration district: Saffron Walden
ED, institution, or vessel: 7
Household schedule number: 118
Piece: 10480
Household Members:
Name Age
Emma Pamphilon 59
Violet Carew Leslie 23


When was her child born?

There is no record of any kind on freebmd for Henry Carew Lester

seems she lived with the aunts


1901 census transcription details for: 13, Museum Street, Saffron Walden

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National Archive Reference:
RG number: RG13
Piece: 1735
Folio: 47
Page: 7
Reg. District: Saffron Walden
Sub District: Saffron Walden
Parish: Saffron Walden
Enum. District: 8
Ecclesiastical District: Saffron Walden St Mary
City/Municipal Borough:
Address: 13, Museum Street, Saffron Walden
County: Essex
Name Relation Condition Sex Age Birth Year Occupation , Disability Where Born
PAMPHILON, Helen Head Single F 33 1868 Dressmaker
Saffron Walden, Essex
PAMPHILON, Emma Sister Single F 47 1854 Dressmaker
Deaf Saffron Walden, Essex
LESTER, Violet Niece Single F 13 1888
Dover, Kent

If Helen was her mum she is listing her as her niece

1891

1891 census transcription details for: Castle Street, Saffron Walden, Strethall

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National Archive Reference:
RG number: RG12
Piece: 1432
Folio: 94
Page: 31
Reg. District: Saffron Walden
Sub District: Saffron Waldon
Parish: Saffron Walden
Enum. District: 6
Ecclesiastical District: St Mary
City/Municipal Borough: Saffron Walden
Address: Castle Street, Saffron Walden, Strethall
County: Essex
Name Relation Condition Sex Age Birth Year Occupation , Disability Where Born
PAMPHILON, Emma Head Single F 39 1852 Dressmaker
South Walden, Essex
PAMPHILON, Helen Niece Single F 27 1864 Dressmaker
South Walden, Essex
PAMPHILON, Annie Niece F 16 1875 Nurse Domestic Servant
South Walden, Essex
LESTER, Violet C Visitor F 3 1888
Dover, Kent

Helen is still in Saffron Walden in 1881

1881 census transcription details for: (Gatwards Passage), Saffron-Walden

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National Archive Reference:
RG number: RG11
Piece: 1818
Folio: 66
Page: 31
Reg. District: Saffron Walden
Sub District: Saffron-Walden
Parish: Saffron-Walden
Enum. District:
Ecclesiastical District:
City/Municipal Borough:
Address: (Gatwards Passage), Saffron-Walden
County: Essex
Name Relation Condition Sex Age Birth Year Occupation , Disability Where Born
PAMPHILON, Mary Head Widow F 68 1813 Supported By Granddaughter & Parish Allowance
Deaf Saf Walden, Essex
PAMPHILON, Emma Daughter Single F 29 1852 Dressmaker
Deaf Saf Walden, Essex
PAMPHILON, Helen Grand Daughter Single F 17 1864 Dressmaker
Saf Walden, Essex

There is this on Familysearch

spouse: Helen Lester
child: Violet Carew Lester
name: Violet Carew Lester
gender: Female
baptism/christening date: 15 Jan 1888
baptism/christening place: Hougham, Kent, England
father's name: Henry Carew Lester
mother's name: Helen Lester
indexing project (batch) number: I00356-4
system origin: England-EASy
source film number: 1836242

Thank you to all those who sent answers to my questions.

It would seem I have no way of finding out anything about Violet Carew Lester after she left the country.

My research has been fairly extensive and I do have copies of all census records and BMD certificates relevant to the family and the various connections to my mother, back to John and Mary Pamphilon who are Violet's great-grandparents.

Detective work has also led to the discovery of my mother's father (remember I said she was also illegitimate) or at least I'm 99% certain I have the right man - just cannot prove it!

It would seem Henry Carew Lester will remain a mystery too - very frustrating!

Many thanks for your efforts.

Ros :-)