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Hi.

The above was born on 8 March 1878 and is shown in the 1921 census with children William Matthew Mitchell, Stanley K, Edith L, Jack and Joan I.

The area is East Stonehouse, Devon.

He is also in the 1939 register but not in 1901 or 1911 census as I suspect he is serving in the Royal Navy.

Can anyone find a place of birth? No luck I 1881 or 1891 census I'm afraid.

Thank you

Look for his birth registration on freebmd

1921 census states ‘Parish of St Paul’s’ to be birthplace

Get copy marriage certificate to see if he knew his father’s name

He says in 1939 that he was born 3rd AUGUST.....not 8th March

Jack and Joan are not on the 1921 census

1911 includes naval personnel….but if you don’t know PoB, how can you be sure he isn’t recorded in that year or in 1901?

But it doesn't say where St Paul's is.

You have other options……explore them

Try using search engines.

Looking for St Paul’s in Devon gives St Paul’s in Stonehouse - a good place to start.

Thank you all and sorry if I caused any irritation.

Family on the 1939 register -

1939 Register
14 Battery Street, Plymouth, Plymouth C.B., Devon, England

First name(s) Last name(s) Birth date Sex Occupation Marital status Schedule Schedule sub number
William M Mitchell 03 Aug 1878 Male General Labourer Married 74 1
Ellen E Mitchell 16 Dec 1880 Female Unpaid Domestic Duties Married 74 2
William M Mitchell 05 Mar 1917 Male Brewer's Drayman Single 74 3
Stanley K Mitchell 11 Sep 1918 Male Plasterer Single 74 4
Edith E Kosper (Mitchell) 22 May 1920 Female ??? Single 74 5
Jack J Mitchell 25 Dec 1921 Male Apprenticed Cooper Single 74 6
Joan I Brimacombe (Mitchell) 20 Jun 1924 Female Shop Assist Cigarette Con Single 74 7

and in 1921

1921 Census Of England & Wales
10, Edgcumbe Cottages, Edgcumbe Street, East Stonehouse, Devon, England

First name(s) Last name Relationship to head Sex Birth year Age in years Birth place Occupation Employer
William Mitchell Head Male 1878 42 - Casual Labourer H M Dockayard
William M Mitchell Son Male 1917 4 Devonport, Devon, England - -
Stanley H Mitchell Son Male 1918 2 - - -
Edith S Mitchell Daughter Female 1920 1 Devon, England - -


William (Senior) born Parish of St Pauls, Devonport, Devonshire

In 1921 WMM snr was SINGLE
He married in 1924 and the children’s births were re-registered - some as late as 1960!!!

The wife probably married for the first time in 1903, but that needs to be verified
The only hope of finding WMM pre-1921 is buying the marriage cert - and hoping it has useful - true - info.

Birth of children indicate mmn Foster -

Not finding a marriage of a William Mitchell to an Ellen E Foster but there is a marriage in E. Stonehouse RD of a William M Mitchell to an Ellen E Knowles in 1924

Surname First name(s) Spouse District Vol Page
Marriages Mar 1924 (>99%)
Knowles Ellen E Mitchell E.Stonehouse 5b 501
Mitchell William M Knowles E. Stonehouse 5b 501

The 1921 census shows an Ellen E Knowles at the same address but different Schedule as William Mitchell and says Children are enumerated on Schedule 10 (this is the schedule for William and the children shown with him in 1921)


1921 Census Of England & Wales
10, Edgcumbe Cottages, Edgcumbe Street, East Stonehouse, Devon, England

First name(s) Ellen E
Last name Knowles
Sex Female
Birth year 1881
Census date 19 June 1921
Age in years 40
Age in months 6
Age as transcribed 40 y 6 m
Relationship to head Head
Marital status Married
Birth place Newton Ferrers, Devon, England
Birth town Newton Ferrers
Birth County Devon
Birth Country England
Birth place as transcribed Newton Ferrers, Devonshire
Nationality British
Occupation Home Duties Children Enumerated <<<<<<<<< original says children enumerated on Schedule no 10
Employer On Sckdule No 10 <<<<<<<<
Place of work At Home
Language used to complete form English
Person making return Mrs Knowles
House number 10
Address 10 Edgcumbe Cottages, Edgcumbe Street
Street Edgcumbe Cottages, Edgcumbe Street
Parish East Stonehouse
Registration district East Stonehouse
Registration district number 277
Sub-district East Stonehouse
Sub-district number 1
Enumeration district number 4
Ward of borough or urban district Mount Edgcumbe
Parliamentary borough or division Plymouth PB, Drake Div.
Archive The National Archives
Archive series RG 15
Birth country England
Piece number 10665
Schedule number 11
District reference RD 277 RS 1 ED 4
Schedule type code E
Schedule type England household, single page, 10 entries
Other household member's first name(s) -
Other household member's last name -
Record set 1921 Census Of England & Wales
Category Census, land & surveys
Subcategory Census
Collections from Great Britain, England

Ellen's first marriage ?

Surname First name(s) District Vol Page
Marriages Dec 1903 (>99%)

FOSTER Ellen Elizabeth Devonport 5b 759
Knowles Thomas Devonport 5b 759

--------------------------------------
and with children in 1911

1911 Census For England & Wales
59 George Street East Stonehouse, East Stonehouse, Devon, England

First name(s) Last name Relationship to head Marital status Sex Age Birth year Occupation Birth place
Ellen Knowles Wife Married Female 30 1881 Charwoman Devon Tove Newton Feress
Charles Knowles Son - Male 6 1905 School Stonehouse Devon
Alice Knowles Daughter - Female 3 1908 School Stonehouse Devon


Name: Mother's Maiden Surname:
KNOWLES, CHARLES FREDERICK FOSTER
GRO Reference: 1904 D Quarter in EAST STONEHOUSE Volume 05B Page 262

KNOWLES, ALICE MARGARET FOSTER
GRO Reference: 1907 D Quarter in EAST STONEHOUSE Volume 05B Page 239

Birth registrations for the Mitchell children - from this site - https://www.freebmd.org.uk


Surname First name(s) Mother District Vol Page
Births Mar 1917 (>99%)
Mitchell William M Foster Plymouth 7a See D/60

Births Sep 1918 (>99%)
Mitchell Stanley K Foster Plymouth 7A See D/60
Mitchell Stanley K Foster Plymouth 7A See D60

Births Dec 1918 (>99%)
Mitchell Stanley K Foster E. Stonehouse 5b 387

Births Jun 1919 (>99%)
Mitchell William M Foster E.Stonehouse 5b 363

Births Sep 1920 (>99%)
Mitchell Edith E Foster E.Stonehouse 5b 510

Births Dec 1921 (>99%)
Mitchell John J Foster Plymouth 7A see D 60

Births Mar 1922 (>99%)
Mitchell John J Foster E.Stonehouse 5b 448

Births Sep 1924 (>99%)
Mitchell Joan I Foster E.Stonehouse 5b 413

The 3 boys are reregistered in December 1960
Surname First name(s) Mother District Vol Page
Births Dec 1960 (>99%)
MITCHELL John J FOSTER Plymouth 7a 672 Scan available - click to viewAssociated System Entry related to this entry - click for more information
MITCHELL Stanley K FOSTER Plymouth 7a 672 Scan available - click to viewAssociated System Entry related to this entry - click for more information
MITCHELL William M FOSTER Plymouth 7a 672 Scan available - click to viewAssociated System Entry related to this entry - click for more information

eg. of what is said if you click on "Info " by the freebmd entry
The above transcription represents what is in the GRO index but it is referred to by the following entry
Births 1921 Dec: Mitchell,John J,Foster,Plymouth,7A,see D 60
which implies that this is a late entry, that is an entry that has been registered in a quarter later than the event. See here for more information on late entries.

-------------------------
and here from the GRO site when looking for second names

MITCHELL, WILLIAM MATTHEW FOSTER
GRO Reference: 1919 J Quarter in EAST STONEHOUSE Volume 05B Page 363 Occasional Copy: A

The 1917 birth registration not shown here for William Matthew, but 1917 would fit his age of 4 in 1921

MITCHELL, STANLEY KENNETH FOSTER
GRO Reference: 1918 D Quarter in EAST STONEHOUSE Volume 05B Page 387 Occasional Copy: A

MITCHELL, EDITH ELLEN FOSTER
GRO Reference: 1920 S Quarter in EAST STONEHOUSE Volume 05B Page 510

MITCHELL, JOHN JAMES FOSTER
GRO Reference: 1922 M Quarter in EAST STONEHOUSE Volume 05B Page 448 Occasional Copy: B

John James only shown the once on the GRO site

MITCHELL, JOAN IRIS FOSTER
GRO Reference: 1924 S Quarter in EAST STONEHOUSE Volume 05B Page 4

Young Charles Knowles's death:

KNOWLES, CHARLES FREDERICK 13
GRO Reference: 1918 M Quarter in PLYMOUTH Volume 05B Page 417

Can't see Alice Margaret Knowles in 1921.
She may have married Albert H Sampson in Plymouth in 1934, and if so, is with him in 1939 in Plymouth.
She died in 2003 in Plymouth.

I have found a website for the Mitchell's of Devon. This appears to have William's parents and an entry in 1901 for him at Royal Greenwich - thank you for the enormous amounts of information you have provided here - it's much appreciated!!!

Thank you so much

No help with William - but -

Possibly Ellen's birth:

FOSTER, ELLEN ELIZABETH mmn SHILLABEER
GRO Reference: 1881 M Quarter in PLYMPTON ST MARY UNION Volume 05B Page 222

Parents:

Marriages Mar 1878 (>99%)
FOSTER Frederick John Plympton 5b 331
SHILLABEER Ellen Sophia Plympton 5b 331


Ellen Foster
in the 1881 England Census
Name Ellen Foster
Relationship to Head Daughter
Father Frederick Foster
Mother Ellen Foster
Gender Female
Where born Torre Newton Ferrers, Devon, England
Civil parish Newton Ferrers
County/Island Devon
Country England
Registration District Plympton St Mary
ED, institution, or vessel 6
Neighbors
Piece 2185
Folio 68
Page number 5
Household Members (Name) Age Relationship
Frederick Foster 24 Head
Ellen Foster 21 Wife
Edith Foster 2 Daughter
Ellen Foster Daughter [ 3 months ]
John Cooper 4 Lodger


Ellen E Foster
in the 1891 England Census
Name Ellen E Foster
Gender Female
Age 10
Relationship Stepdaughter (Step Daughter)
Birth Year 1881
Mother
Ellen S White
Birth Place Yealmpton, Devon, England
Civil parish St Andrew
Residence Place Plymouth, St Andrew, Devon, England
Registration District Plymouth
Sub registration district St Andrew
ED, Institution or Vessel 10
Neighbors
Piece 1733
Folio 104
Household Members (Name) Age Relationship
Samuel White 28 Head
Ellen S White 32 Wife
Edith A Foster 12 Stepdaughter (Step Daughter)
Ellen E Foster 10 Stepdaughter (Step Daughter)
Frederick J Foster 6 Stepson (Step Son)
Florence L White 2 Daughter

On Ancestry:

William Mitchell
in the UK, Royal Navy Registers of Seamen's Services, 1848-1939
Name William Mitchell
Gender Male
Birth Date 3 Aug 1878 <<<<<<<
Birth Place Devonport, Devon
First Service Date 15 Feb 1898
First Ship Served On Vivid 2
Last Service Date 23 May 1917
Last Ship Served On Vivid II
Service Number 287341


Dark brown hair, grey eyes, fresh complexion.
Height: 5ft 6 ins in 1898, 5ft 8ins in 1910.

Was with the Canadian Navy 21/11/1910 - 23/1/1913.

1917: Invalided out. Astigmatism, both eyes.

There's a long list of ships on which he served, with dates.

His service documents show he was with HMS Vivid 2 from 1 Mar 1900 to 9 Apr 1901 and that he was a Stoker (a Rating not an Officer).

Google - Vivid II was the Stokers and Engine Room Artificers School in Devonport.

1901 census was taken on 31 March

The suggested 1901 census in Greenwich shoes that William Mitchell as a Royal Naval Officer - Assistant Engineer.

The documents also show him 17 Aug 1910 to 22 Jan 1913 (as per ArgyllGran) HMS Vivid 2 and HMS Victory - RCN. He may have been "attached" to HMS Victory, a shore establishment in Portsmouth for administrative purposes whilst with the Royal Canadian Navy.

Ancestry also suggest a 1911 census in Portland. It shows that William Mitchell as aged 31, a Petty Officer 1st class (but not what trade) and has him as a widower. This can't be correct if he was in Canada.

Petty Officer - a rating not an Officer

I'm wondering about this:

SAVILLE, WILLIAM MATTHEWS -
GRO Reference: 1878 S Quarter in STOKE DAMEREL Volume 05B Page 335


???

Mathew Saville
in the 1881 England Census
Name Mathew Saville
Age 2
Estimated Birth Year abt 1879
Relationship to Head Son in Law (Son-in-law) [ ie - stepson ]
Gender Male
Where born Devonport, Devon, England
Civil parish Stoke Damerel
County/Island Devon
Country England
Street Address 30 Granby St
Registration District Stoke Damerel
Sub registration district Morice
ED, institution, or vessel 4
Neighbors
Piece 2209
Folio 122
Page number 39
Household Members (Name) Age Relationship
Henry Mitchell 48 Head - Naval pensioner, Cornwall
Elizabeth Mitchell 50 Wife - Plymouth
Ellen Saville 23 Daughter in Law (Daughter-in-law) - unmarried, Devonport
Ellen Jane Saville 16 Daughter in Law (Daughter-in-law) - unmarried, Devonport
Mathew Saville 2 Son in Law (Son-in-law)

Possibly Matthew (William Matthew ? ) is the illegitimate son of Ellen 23 ??


Births of the two step-daughters:

SAVILLE, ELLEN mmn RICKARD
GRO Reference: 1858 M Quarter in STOKE DAMEREL Volume 05B Page 325

SAVILLE, ELIZABETH JANE mmn RICKARD
GRO Reference: 1864 S Quarter in STOKE DAMEREL Volume 05B Page 339


The mother Elizabeth's first marriage:

Marriages Jun 1850 (>99%)
Rickard Elizabeth Stoke Daml 9 525
Savill Matthew Stoke Daml 9 525


Second marriage:

Marriages Sep 1873 (>99%)
MITCHELL Henry Stoke D. 5b 586
SAVILLE Elizabeth Stoke D. 5b 586

Marriage of Ellen , born 1858 (possible mother of William Matthew ???):

Marriages Sep 1883 (>99%)
Perry James Stoke D 5b 598a
Saville Ellen Stoke D. 5b 598a


Ellen Perry
in the 1891 England Census
Name Ellen Perry
Gender Female
Age 30
Relationship Wife
Birth Year 1861
Spouse
James Perry
Child
Matthew Perry
Ellen Perry
Beatrice Perry
Eliza Perry
Edmund Perry
Birth Place Devonport, Devon, England
Civil parish Stoke Damerel
Residence Place Stoke Damerel, Devon, England
Registration District Stoke Damerel
Sub registration district Morice
ED, Institution or Vessel 4
Neighbors
Piece 1743
Folio 87
Household Members (Name) Age Relationship
James Perry 30 Head
Ellen Perry 30 Wife
Matthew Perry 13 Son - Devonport <<<<<<<<<<<<<<
Ellen Perry 6 Daughter
Beatrice Perry 4 Daughter
Eliza Perry 2 Daughter
Edmund Perry 2 Son

AG - I'd also come across that birth registration entry and wondered ............
poor lad, quite a collection of surnames

Stoke Dameral RD became Devonport RD in 1898

Wikipedia - Stoke, also referred to by its earlier name of Stoke Damerel, is an inner suburb of the city of Plymouth, Devon, England. In 1844, Stoke Damerel was described as a parish in Roborough hundred, adjoining the borough of Plymouth, and including Devonport within it