Iris Elfrida Gardiner (b 1906) - in 1911?

[brentor boy]

The birth of Iris was registered in Sep Q 1906 in Plymouth. In October 1913 she was adopted as Freda Gardner by a family living in Okehampton. I am looking for her in 1911. It is possible that she may have been in some form of residential care. Her father may have a soldier, missing or killed.

Any suggestions would be most welcome.

[Pamelawagster]

Do you know her birth parents names?

[Sandyhall]

Births Sep 1906
Gardiner, Iris Portsmouth, Vol No 2b, Page no 473.

this Birth Cert will give you parents names


1911 Census - 15 Shanklin Rd, Southsea, Portsmouth

Frank Gardiner 36 Head Private royal Marines Light Infantry
Ada Gardiner 44 wife
John S Scambler 17 Stepson
Iris Gardiner 4 Daughter

I says they where married for 8 years they had 3 children 2 had died 1 was still living


Ada Emily Scambler and Frank Gardiner
Marriage: Jul 1903 in Portsmouth, Hampshire
1903
Registration Quarter: Jul-Aug-Sep
Registration district: Portsmouth, Hampshire
Volume no: 2b
Page no: 1111

[Pamelawagster]

Think this is the more likely birth reg.

Name: Iris Elfrida Gardner
Registration Year: 1906
Registration Quarter: Jul-Aug-Sep
Registration district: Plymouth
Inferred County: Devon
Volume: 5b
Page: 253

[Pamelawagster]

1911 Possible

T Gardner Head Married Male 31 1880 York Porter Rly Compy
F Gardner Wife - Female 27 1884 Callington -
F Gardner Daughter - Female 4 1907 Plymouth -
E Gardner Son - Male 3 1908 Plymouth -

41 Gibbon St Plymouth

[Sandyhall]

Think this is the more likely birth reg.

Name: Iris Elfrida Gardner
Registration Year: 1906
Registration Quarter: Jul-Aug-Sep
Registration district: Plymouth
Inferred County: Devon
Volume: 5b
Page: 253

Your right thats the one I'll go stand in the corner or sit on the naughty step

[Sandyhall]

1911 Possible

T Gardner Head Married Male 31 1880 York Porter Rly Compy
F Gardner Wife - Female 27 1884 Callington -
F Gardner Daughter - Female 4 1907 Plymouth -
E Gardner Son - Male 3 1908 Plymouth -

41 Gibbon St Plymouth

This one too, I did find it as well but dismissed it as he worked for the Railway

[Pamelawagster]

I dismissed the 1911 census but then decided to post even though there are no first names stated and also the occupation. Also couldn't see any other census!

[brentor boy]

Thanks, both, for your suggestions. I think the Plymouth census entry looks very promising, particularly as I think I may have filled some of the blanks.

Theophilus Gardner Dec Q 1879 York
Flossy Hobbs JunQ 1884 Liskeard (includes Calling ton)
Theophilus Gardner/Flossie Hobbs on same page Sep Q 1906 (same quarter as birth of Iris)
Ernest Gardner Jun Q 1908 Plymouth
Death of Flossie Gardner Mar Q 1913, age 28, Plymouth (6 months before adoption of Iris/Freda)
Theophilus Gardner/Martha Hocking Dec 1914 Plymouth.
Of course all this is meaningless unless it is confirmed by birth certificate of Iris.

The reason I thought that there might have been a military connection is because when the adopting father enlisted in 1914 he was asked for Iris's birth certificate which he could not produce. He explained that he thought the birth father " was with the Somersets and was missing or killed", and he did not know where the certificate was. Was this a fabrication or does it have an essence of truth which would disprove my theory?

[Sandyhall]

Think this is the more likely birth reg.

Name: Iris Elfrida Gardner
Registration Year: 1906
Registration Quarter: Jul-Aug-Sep
Registration district: Plymouth
Inferred County: Devon
Volume: 5b
Page: 253

If and when you get the certificate let us know won't you I just hate it when people don't let us know.