Henry Frederick Skinner of Harlesden

[aquavida]

Hi,I'm new here.I'm looking for my grandfather,Henry Frederick Skinner of 58 Craven Park in Harlesden.He was an ice-cream/grocer's assistant.My Dad,Peter Henry Skinner was born at Twyford Lodge in Acton Lane Willesden in January 1927.My grandmother was Winifred Skinner (Clarke or Long).I've checked other records,and cannot find Henry at this address.Dad emigrated
to Australia in 1937 as a child migrant.I would be happy to just know when Henry died or where he is buried.
Barbara W in Australia

[Peter Goodey]

Welcome, Barbara.

I think this message might be better off as a new thread. perhaps some kind moderator will do the necessary.

I think we would really like to know a bit more about the birth certificate. Is this where the Craven Park address came from? Did the parents both attend to register? What do you mean by Clarke or Long? What is the exact wording? Were there any siblings, if so have you got the birth certificates? Do you know what organisation arranged the emigration? Do you know anything about how that came about? Were the parents married?

[aquavida]

Hi Peter, my Dad,Peter Henry Skinner had an 1930 original issue of his birth certificate.He was born 28th January 1927.
He was born at 109 Twyford Lodge Acton Lane.Registration district Willesden,sub district Harlesden,county Middlesex.
Father Henry Frederick Skinner; mother Winifred Skinner,late Clarke formerly Long.
Occupation of father: grocer's assistant of 58 Craven Park Harlesden Willesden
Signature,description and residence of informant : W.Skinner mother, 58 Craven Park Harlesden registered same day.

Dad emigrated to Australia on S.S.Orford in 1937 and subsequently went to the Lady Northcote Children's Farm at Bacchus Marsh in Victoria.He trained to become a farmer,but became a railway shunter in Victorian Railways.
I often wonder what happened to Henry Frederick Skinner.Dad was Church of England as he was confirmed at Holy Trinity Bacchus Marsh as a 12 year old.At present I am concentrating on Dad's life in England,between 1927-37.He never remembered anything about his father.
In reconstructing Dad's timeline,,he told of being at a Yorkshire orphanage( at tender age of 7),which turns out to be Bramhope Children's Home.A close friend of Dad's,still alive,but busy helping others,also mentioned that Dad and he were also at Middlemore Children's home near Birmingham.I can't imagine what was going through his mother's mind when she applied for her 2 children's certificates in May 1930.
Having recently viewed the film ''Oranges and Sunshine'' and visited the Immigration Museum in Melbourne,I found the information somewhat irrelevant to what I need to know about Dad's family in England.I can understand the poverty Dad spoke of, but it was the system that my grandmother surrendered her children to, THAT I don't understand.
I wonder if some kind moderator could help me with the issues/queries I have.I really need some closure.I 'm sure that there are others also needing closure with the child emigration.I am trying to find records e.g. of Bramhope Children's home,but was told there was only a photo.I wonder if the records of admission were pulled.

Thankyou Peter.Constructive criticism is greatly appreciated.

Barbara W in Sunny Australia

[Procat]

I think this message might be better off as a new thread. perhaps some kind moderator will do the necessary.

Hi Peter and Barbara.

Moved and retitled.

[Peter Goodey]

There was no criticism, just questions that needed to be asked. Thanks for the information.

I'm struggling to find a suitable marriage of a Winifred Long or Winifred Clarke.

Is that a sister born in 1928 and registered in Willesden? I'd like to know what the birth certificate says.

I can think of some avenues to explore but I'm afraid I'm not going to have much time to look at this today. I will do later on but in the meantime I hope someone else will weigh in with some ideas.

[Coromandel]

A close friend of Dad's . . . mentioned that Dad and he were also at Middlemore Children's home near Birmingham.

Hello Barbara
There is an article about Middlemore Homes here and on the linked pages. There are records relating to the homes at Birmingham Archives: see the link on the bottom right of the page, 'Using the Middlemore Homes Archive'.

Much of the information on this site is about emigration to Canada, but it does note that 'From 1926, children from the Middlemore Homes were also sent to Australia through collaboration with the Fairbridge Society of London.'

[janbooth]

Hello Barbara and welcome to the Forum. There is a Harry SKINNER in the 1911 census of Willesden, unmarried, aged 17, born Horton, Buckinghamshire, whose profession is shown as Engine Cleaning living with his brother Joseph, his wife Annie and their daughter Florrie at 8 Essex Road - could this perhaps be your grandfather? I know the profession is not correct, but he could well have changed that by the time your father was born. He is the only Henry/Harry SKINNER I can find in Willesden so maybe one to bear in mind.

Janet

[Peter Goodey]

By the way, I had a look at the Electoral Registers. Nothing for 58 Craven Park (which is why I'm fishing for alternative addresses eg from the sister's birth certificate). There is a Henry Frederick Skinner in Willesden at about the right time but he appears to be with an Amy Elizabeth Skinner.

[aquavida]

Thank you Procat. Barbara W

[aquavida]

By the way, I had a look at the Electoral Registers. Nothing for 58 Craven Park (which is why I'm fishing for alternative addresses eg from the sister's birth certificate). There is a Henry Frederick Skinner in Willesden at about the right time but he appears to be with an Amy Elizabeth Skinner.

I'm working on contacting that researcher at present,and waiting for a reply.This Henry Frederick was born 1894 in Willesden,baptised in Rye Sussex.Parents Jane Elizabeth Boreham and Henry Skinner married 1891 at Pancras,London.Henry Frederick and Amy Elizabeth were a constant item on Willesden Electoral Rolls.At one point a Jane E Skinner was with them.This I presume was Henry's mother.

I'll go to your other posting Peter. Thanks,Barbara