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  1. #1
    CourtenayL
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    Default EDWARD WARREN CONGDON AND BERT LEVEY

    Dear British Genealogy/Actors & Artistes

    Please does anyone have information on:

    Bert Levey vaudeville agent in San Francisco in 1917/1918 and his working relationship with Edward Warren Congdon.

    Please does anyone have information on Edward Warren Congdon who worked for Bert Levey as a booking manager for the Alcazar Theatre, San Francisco in 1917/1918.

    Please does anyone have information on Edward's first wife Jennie Frances Congdon born 1876, Wisconsin, America (maiden name Montena). Edward and Jennie married in 1900, Chicago.

    Please does anyone have information on Edward's second wife Ruth Jezzard Congdon born 1879, London, England (maiden names Ruth/Ruby Thrasher/Jezard and married name Ruth/Ruby Court).

    Ruth was an English actress who before she married was on a boat to America with a group of theatricals in 1897 including Jessie Almer (Finkle) who was researched on a Who Do You Think You Are programme.

    Ruth performed in lavish pantomimes in 1898 and 1899 at The Royal Drury Lane Theatre, London - The Forty Thieves and Jack & The Beanstalk with Dan Leno. Charlie Chaplin would watch these pantomimes honing his comic skills from Dan Leno - Ruth later emigrated to America and we wondered if she knew Charlie Chaplin and also became involved with silent movies.

    Ruth married Albert Edward Court in England in 1900 who was Chief Of Staff at the London Coliseum in 1905.

    Ruth's sister Louisa Thrasher/Thresher married Percy Frederick Atkins a theatrical business manager working at the London Lyceum Theatre in 1905.

    Thank you for your help.

  2. #2
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    Census: Year: 1880; Census Place: Eau Claire, Eau Claire, Wisconsin; Roll: 1425; Family History Film: 1255425; Page: 406D; Enumeration District: 130
    Name Age Birth Place Relation Father’s birth place Mother’s Birth place Occupation
    Joseph Montena 40 New York Head Canada France Barber
    Francis Montena 29 New York Wife New York New York
    Albert J. Montena 8 Wisconsin Son New York New York
    Jennie F. Montena 5 Wisconsin Daughter New York New York
    Cora J. Montena 2 Wisconsin Daughter New York New York

    The family seem to drop out of sight until Jennie’s marriage. I can’t see any other records for them.

    Marriage
    Name: Jennie F. Montena
    Age: 23
    Gender: Female
    Birth Year: abt 1877
    Marriage Type: Marriage
    Marriage Date: 26 Apr 1900
    Marriage Place: Chicago, Cook, Illinois
    Spouse Name: Edward W. Congdon
    Spouse Age: 23
    Spouse Gender: Male
    FHL Film Number: 1030309

    Census: Year: 1900; Census Place: Chicago Ward 12, Cook, Illinois; Roll: 259; Page: 19B; Enumeration District: 0349; FHL microfilm: 1240259
    Name Age Birth Place Relation Father’s birth place Mother’s Birth place Occupation
    Edward Congdon 23

    Nov. 1876 Illinois Head Illinois Illinois Shipping clerk
    Jennie Congdon 23

    Oct. 1876 Wisconsin Wife New York New York

    This seems to be the only record that I can find for them.

    I can’t see a birth for a Ruth or Ruby Jezzard or Jezard in 1879 +/- 5 years. A Ruth Thrasher was born 8 Aug 1879 in Westminster and baptised at St George, Hanover Square on 11 April 1880 to parents Robert and Priscilla. Robert was a messenger living at 41 Hill Street, and at the same time they baptised Alice born 3 Nov 1871 and Louisa born 20 Oct 1873.

    The only Census where she appears is the 1881 Census when she and her mother and sisters are lodging at 1, Kinnerton Place S, St George Hanover Square, London:
    First name(s) Last name Relationship Marital status Gender Age Birth year Occupation Birth place
    Priscilla Thrasher Lodger Head Widow Female 40 1841 Cook Domestic Serv Suffolk, England
    Eliza Thrasher Daughter Single Female 12 1869 Scholar Holborn, Middlesex, England
    Alice Thrasher Daughter Single Female 9 1872 Scholar Holborn, Middlesex, England
    Ruth Thrasher Daughter Single Female 1 1880 - Holborn, Middlesex, England

    2 things to note this:
    1. her mother is a widow, and
    2.she has a sister Eliza who is not mentioned in the baptism records and her sister Louisa from the baptisms is missing.

  3. #3
    CourtenayL
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    Thank you Megan

    Edward Warren Congdon died in 1919 - whether from WWI injuries or the flu epidemic / other is unknown

    I'm just waiting to hear back from Forest Lawn Cemetery where Edward and his family are buried to see if Ruth is also buried there as Edward's second 'wife' and if Jennie is buried there as Edward's first wife

    Father: George G Congdon is buried in Section D, Lot 86, Space 3

    Mother: Emma A Hall Congdon is buried in Section D, Lot 86, Space 4

    Son: Edward Warren Congdon is buried in Section D, Lot 86, Space 2

    Daughter: Ethel May Congdon is buried in Section D, Lot 86, Space 5

    Daughter: Fannie L Congdon is buried in Section, D, Lot 86, Space 1

    Edward is working for the Mutual Telephone Company while living in Hawaii in the 1900 US Census

    In the 1914 Los Angeles California City Directory Jennie F Congdon is calling herself the widow of E W Congdon living at 353 Vista Walk - Edward died in 1919

    Edward calls Ruth his wife Ruth Jezzard Congdon in his 1917/1918 US WWI draft registration cards while working for Bert Levey and living at Sutter Street

    Tried finding Ruth before she 'married' Edward as she has been living in the USA since emigrating in 1905/1912 and is not found in the UK 1911 census - but no luck either

    We have not been able to trace Jennie Frances Congdon's death

    Ruth calls herself the widow of E W Congdon in the 1941 San Francisco California City Directory but have not been able to find any marriage for Ruth and Edward

    Ruth's first husband Albert Edward Court is still alive in England in 1914 according to his WWI soldiers records working at Brook Green Skating Rink - Albert had been working as a rink manager in the 1911 UK census - we believe Albert died in 1923

    Ruth is found living with her sister-in-laws Ethel and Fanny in the US 1940 census and had been living with them since at least 1935

    It looks as though Edward and Jennie, then Edward and Ruth both did not have children

  4. #4
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    This guy also worked at the Ice Rink
    Albert Edward Court
    Gender: Male
    Birth Date: 10 May 1880
    Birth Place: Norwood. London
    Service number: F3857
    First Service Date: 10 Apr 1915
    First Ship Served On: President II
    Last Service Date: 24 Nov 1916
    Last Ship Served On: President II

  5. #5
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    #1
    Tried finding Ruth before she 'married' Edward as she has been living in the USA since emigrating in 1905/1912 and is not found in the UK 1911 census - but no luck either
    Please does anyone have information on Edward's second wife Ruth Jezzard Congdon born 1879, London, England (maiden names Ruth/Ruby Thrasher/Jezard and married name Ruth/Ruby Court).
    1900 25 August
    Edward Albert COURT 28 bachelor Clerk father Thomas Gilbert COURT contractor
    Ruby JEZARD 21 sp father Robert JEZARD dec'd
    1901 RG 13 54 42 7
    19 Dorset Mansions
    COURT Edward 27 Private Secretary Norwood
    COURT Ruby 21 Norwood

    This outs Edward as born 1873/1874

    #2
    2.she has a sister Eliza who is not mentioned in the baptism records and her sister Louisa from the baptisms is missing.
    Eliza Priscilla Thresher born 28 Oct 1868
    7 Feb 1869 Myddelton Square St Mark Islington Robert Thresher a messenger of 13 Southanpton Street ,
    Priscilla Thresher

    1871
    13 Southanpton Road
    RG10; Piece: 341; Folio: 35; Page: 3;
    Name Age
    Robert Thrasher 40 Southampton
    Priscilla Thrasher 39
    Eliza Thrasher 2

    Is this Robert THRASHER's death
    Deaths Sep 1879
    Thrasher Robert 53 Strand 1b 331
    Is this Priscilla THRASHER's death
    Deaths Jun 1900 (>99%)
    Jezard Priscilla May 63 Strand 1b 371

    I would question if Priscilla re married and if Mr JEZARD existed!

  6. #6
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    Child of Edward Court & Ruby JEZARD

    Edward Leslie Court
    Mother's Maiden Name: Thrasher
    [Jezard]
    Registration Year: 1905
    Registration Quarter: Jan-Feb-Mar
    Registration district: Fulham
    Inferred County: London
    Volume: 1a
    Page: 271

  7. #7
    CourtenayL
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    Thank you all for your posts - this family is fascinating!

    We now know that Ruth Court's (later known as Ruth Jezzard Congdon) son Edward Leslie Court was left behind in England with his married aunt Grace Solomon (husband Herbert Lewis Solomon) and Edward's cousin, Horace Courtenay as Ruth had emigrated to America in 1905/1912 according to the US censuses.

    From her birth certificate: Robert and Priscilla Thrasher have their daughter Eliza Priscilla Thrasher in 1868 London, born at 13 Southampton Street, close to The Strand and Covent Garden Market, while father Robert was a process server.

    From her birth certificate: Robert and Priscilla Thrasher have their daughter Alice Maud Mary Thrasher in 1871 London, while the family are living at 13 Southampton Street, close to the Strand and Covent Garden Market, with father Robert a process server.

    From her birth certificate: Robert and Priscilla Thrasher have their daughter Louisa Thrasher in 1874 London, while living at 2 Rudolph Road, Paddington, with father Robert a solicitor’s clerk.

    From her birth certificate: Robert and Priscilla Thrasher have their daughter Ruth Thrasher in 1879 London born at 9 New Burlington Street and Robert is a messenger, close to Saville Row and Regent’s Street.

    Grace Solomon married as spinster Grace Courtenay but was born as Alice Thrasher - it's been a tangled web tracking this family down and only through historical luck that Edward Leslie Court was living with his married aunt Grace Solomon in the 1911 census and Horace Courtenay and his other cousin Violet Alice Louise Jezard were living in a girls boarding school in the 1901 census that we could trace this family at all.

    From Horace's birth certificate: Horace is born at 81 Archel Road where his grandmother Priscilla May Thrasher (now known as Priscilla Jezard) is living in the 1894 London electoral register.

    From Ruth, Alice and Louisa's wedding certificates: When Ruth and her sisters Alice Thrasher and Louisa Thrasher get married they call their father Robert Thrasher, Robert Jezard and Robert Courtenay.

    From Priscilla's death certificate - We believe that Robert was renamed to John Jezard as Priscilla is called the widow of John Jezard living at 133 Finborough Road - daughter-in-law Ellen Jezard was in attendance at her death (we have not been able to trace Ellen Jezard).

    From Horace and Violet's baptism: Horace Thresher and Violet Alice Louise Jezard are baptised together in 1896 and living at 133 Finborough Road where their grandmother Priscilla May Jezard is living in the 1897 London electoral register. However, Horace is birth registered as Horace Thrasher in 1893, baptised as Horace Thresher in 1896 and known as Horace Courtenay by the 1901 census. Horace's 'parents' on his baptism are actually his aunt Louisa and uncle-to-be Percy Atkins who marry in 1905. On Horace's birth certificate his mother Alice Thrasher calls her maiden name Grace Courtenay and married name Grace Thrasher, wife of Robert Thrasher (her father).

    We have tried finding Robert's family from Southampton - but after taking this family's details with a big pinch of salt looking again at the 1871 census Robert Thrasher says he comes from Southampton - Robert, Priscilla and Eliza are living in Southampton Street - I now think that is helping them to remember their current story and Robert was probably born under a completely different name/area - unfortunate for tracing this branch now.

    What kind of messenger/process server could Robert have been living in these areas of London - did theatres have messengers, did aristocrats have messengers?

    Have not been able to find Robert and Priscilla's marriage.
    Have not been able to find Robert in the 1841 census (unless Robert is his real name and he was a servant in Romsey, Hampshire), in the 1851 census and 1861 census.
    Have not been able to find Priscilla in the 1861 census.
    Are they using completely different names?
    Robert was a comparatively older father to Eliza - had he previously been married with children from another wife?

    From Robert's 1879 death certificate: Robert's occupation was a fireman - after checking with the fire brigade they believe he worked as a private fireman - so most likely a theatre fireman being in The Strand area.

    From the 1881 census: Priscilla's 'brother' Alfred Pope is living with her but we have not been able to find Alfred elsewhere - was he her brother or common-law-husband? Louisa is living in a boarding school in London, how could the family afford this with Priscilla being a widow and what kind of school (sadly no records exist) - could it have been a theatrical school?

    Ruth's sister Eliza Thrasher/Eliza Jezard (both maiden names) had a daughter Violet Alice Louise Jezard in 1890 - Violet is not found on the 1891 census - why hide her? When Violet is birth registered her mother Eliza calls her maiden name Eliza Thrasher and married name Eliza Jezard, husband being Alfred Jezard - we can find no trace of a marriage for Eliza and Alfred - and Eliza and Alfred are not found on the 1891 census together - however, Eliza is found with her mother Priscilla and sisters Ruth and Louisa now known as Torplow. When Violet is baptised with Horace, Violet's 'parents' are May Jezard and George Jezard who again do not exist - and Violet and Horace have been baptised outside of their parish - checked with the local churches in the area.

    From Violet's birth certificate: Violet was born at 109 Finborough Road, Sacillia Lovell who was living there in the 1890 London electoral register does not exist on any other official documents.

    From the 1891 census: Alice Thrasher is working in a coffee house that could have been providing music hall type entertainment, Edward VII before becoming King met his mistress in a coffee house/pub - her mother Priscilla and sisters Eliza, Louisa and Ruth are dressmakers - could this be for making theatrical clothes and another reason how the family became involved with the theatre?

    From the 1901 census: Grace Courtenay is living in a boarding house living on own means, while Horace Courtenay and Violet Jezard are sent to a girls boarding school - now we know that the family were theatrical they were likely to have been gaiety girls - and gaiety girls frequented with the aristocracy, the family rumour is that Horace was the son of an Earl. When Horace and his wife Adelaide died a trusted family member told Horace's son that Horace's father was ‘an illustrious member of the aristocracy, a person of considerable note'.

    From Louisa's wedding certificate: Louisa Thrasher and Percy Atkins marry in 1905, Percy is working at the Lyceum Theatre, London, Percy Atkins later uses Percy Thresher/Percy Thrasher in the electoral registers - why!

    From Horace's Laytmer school records: Horace attended Latymer Upper School in Hammersmith from 1906 to 1910 and his 'father' is shown as Solomon H L Courtenay - a combination of his father's name H Courtenay and his step-father's name Herbert Lewis Solomon. Horace’s birthday is also shown as 21 (to remember his real birthday) September 1896, when Horace was in fact born on 2 January 1893. 

    Sadly, Ruth emigrated to America in 1905/1912 according to the US censuses leaving behind her son Edward Leslie Court with her married sister Grace Solomon. Edward Leslie Court emigrated to Canada in 1926 - we believe his father Albert Edward Court died in 1923.

    Ruth died in America in 1968 and had been living with her sister-in-laws Ethel Congdon and Fannie Congdon from at least 1935 to at least 1941.

  8. #8
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    #7
    while father Robert was a process server.
    Process servers are needed in an assortment of tasks such as filing court papers, serving legal documents and document retrieval. Their principal job is to deliver or “serve” legal documents to a defendant or person involved in a court case.

    The role of a process server is simple: he or she delivers court summons to those who are party to a legal proceeding

    Looks as if that is still a title used today

    https://www.wikihow.com/Become-a-Process-Server

    with father Robert a solicitor’s clerk.
    ties in with the above job

    I started looking else where and came across this thread on Victorian War Forums

    https://www.victorianwars.com/viewtopic.php?f=82&t=8191

  9. #9
    CourtenayL
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    I have just found out that Ruth was buried at sea in 1968! Now trying to find out who did this - her son Edward, her sister Eliza, her niece Violet - or would a captain of a ship perform this duty if no family or friends could do this if someone requested a burial at sea? I've contacted the crematorium and mortuary for more information and also about tracing Ruth's will - to see who might be mentioned.

    The cemetery has confirmed that Ruth's M was May - so she was called Ruth May Jezard Congdon (Ruth's mother Priscilla was called Priscilla May Pope).

    Also under the 'Coryphees For Nature' article - Jessie Almer is mentioned (who Ruth sailed with in 1897) - and Mr Charles Heldersley in the article also sailed with them.

    https://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive...6E9C94669ED7CF

  10. #10
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    I have thought about this.I think that the name changes probably only came following the death of Robert THRESHER. As the work he did was of a legal nature I think he would keep his own name. I use the name THRESHER as I can find persons of this name in both the 1841 census and familysearch, all Hampshire.

    The name written as THRASHER may come as a result of what the a recorded thought he heard Robert & Priscilla say on their respect dialects!

    I consider the 1841 entry for Robert THRASHER aged 15 gardenerto be your man, which means he could have been born 1825+

    I can not find him for either 1851 /1861 which begs the question was he in either the Army or Navy, being overseas on census night.

    Checking freebmd does no throw up any Robert THRESHER / THRASHER marriages in the time period, therefore you will need to look at the GRO indices which are on FMP.

    As regards the period 1868 - 1926 when you are looking at the widow & daughters, sadly I get lost with an overload of information not only on this site but on most of the FH forums where others have spent time helping you. I note there are older posts on this site, it would have been helpful to refer to them. Looking overall you seem to have amassed a wealth of information yourself and from others, which means you need a slightly more experienced researcher to follow or pitchin mid way through your research quite honestly just trying to grasp the bare facts is overwhelming!

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