Avis Family History in Kent

[jennimoor]

I have been researching my family tree through Ancestry UK and have hit a bit of a brick wall with my grandmothers side. Her surname was Avis, Minnie E Avis born 1913, her mother was Evelyn (Eva) Martin born approx 1890 in Kent and died 1974, she married a Chase Avis, born approx between 1877/1888 and died in 1942, they married in Kent in 1913, i can find marriage and cens records for both Chase & Evelyn but cant get any further with his family tree. If anyone else is researching the Avis name and has found anything to link my great grandparents and wouldnt mind throwing a few hints my way then it would be greatly appreciated.

Happy Hunting, Jenni

[Pam Downes]

Hello Jenni,

Welcome to Britiah-Genealogy.

Do you have the marriage certificate for Chase and Evelyn? If so, what details does it give for Chase re age, occupation, address, father's name and father's occupation? Also, did Chase sign the register, or did he make his mark (sign with an x? If you haven't got it, then you need to obtain a copy. https://www.gro.gov.uk/gro/content/certificates/

The 1939 Register says that Chase's date of birth was 15 Nov 1888. However they were a year out with that of their daughter, Joan, (said 1927, and it was actually 1926) while Eva/Evelyn's originally said 29 April 1895, but then looks to have been amended to 20/29 April 1891, while her death registration says her d.o.b. was 20 April 1890, so you can take your pick! Obviously with at least two dates being wrong in the 1939 Register, there's a strong chance that Chase's year of birth is also wrong.

i can find marriage and cens records for both Chase & Evelyn but cant get any further with his family tree.

Do you mean census records, and if so can you tell us for which years, and at least where the people are living because I can't easily find Chase in 1901 or 1911. The actual census reference beginning RG12, RG13, OR RG14 is better though,

Pam

[almach]

These censuses are interesting.

1911, 61 Priory Road, Tonbridge, Kent RG14; Piece: 4081; Schedule Number: 119
Alfred Avis 36
Sarah Chapman 45
Ellen Chapman 17
Charles Chapman 15
Alice Chapman 12
Louisa Chapman 10

1901, RG13; Piece: 760; Folio: 167; Page: 7
Sarah Chapman 36, Hadlow
Charles Chapman 6
Elizabeth Chapma 11
Ellen Chapman 8
Chase Chapman 14
Alice Chapman 1, Malling
Alfred Avis 26, lodger, Crowborough, Sussex

The gro doesn't show MMN, so probably an illegitimate birth
CHAPMAN, CHASE -
GRO Reference: 1888 M Quarter in TUNBRIDGE Volume 02A Page 703

[almach]

1891, RG12; Piece: 682; Folio: 80; Page: 1
All born Hadlow
John Underhill 32, head
Sarah Chapman 26, housekeeper
Chase Underhill 3
Elizabeth Underhill 1

No Mother's name entered.
CHAPMAN, ELIZABETH -
GRO Reference: 1890 M Quarter in TUNBRIDGE Volume 02A Page 710

[almach]

A possible in 1911, RG14; Piece: 4103; Schedule Number: 168

He's indexed on Ancestry as CHARE but the original sheet does look like CHASE
Tudly Hale, Tudeley Near Tonbridge, Kent
Harry Towner 34
Ellen Jane Towner 36
Chare Underhill 23, boarder, farm labourer, Hadlow

[Pam Downes]

A possible in 1911, RG14; Piece: 4103; Schedule Number: 168

He's indexed on Ancestry as CHARE but the original sheet does look like CHASE
Tudly Hale, Tudeley Near Tonbridge, Kentat
Harry Towner 34
Ellen Jane Towner 36
Chare Underhill 23, boarder, farm labourer, Hadlow

Based on the way the lower case 'r' is written in other words I would agree with you, that the first name is Chase.

As regards the other census finds, Alma, I can only say that your mind works in the most mysterious and convoluted ways at times.

Pam

[almach]

Perhaps John Underhill is Chase's natural father as John Underhill had a brother named CHASE

1871, Hadlow, RG10; Piece: 934; Folio: 22; Page: 37;
Jas Underhill 60
Ann Underhill 46
John Underhill 14, carpenter, Hadlow
Chase Underhill 11
Rosanne Underhill 8
Stephen Underhill 3

[Megan Roberts]

My congratulations to almach for a fantastic piece of sleuthing!

If you trace John Underhill from the 1891 Census back that almach found the 1871 census at Palmer Street, Hadlow, Tonbridge, Kent where he is living with his parents, James and Ann, you will see that one of his younger brothers was called Chase. RG10 Piece 934 Folio 22 Page 37.


OH I'VE JUST SEEN SHE'S BEATEN ME TOO IT!

[almach]

As I see a possible scenario:

John Underhill is Chase's father and is living with Sarah Chapman and her children Chase and Elizabeth UNDERHILL in 1891

Moving on to 1901
Sarah Chapman and her five children are living with Alfred AVIS, the children all entered as CHAPMAN

1911,
Sarah Chapman and four children, still living with Alfred AVIS.

Chase a boarder calling himself UNDERHILL

Then there's John Underhill in 1871 with a brother named CHASE

So, is Chase AVIS actually Chase Underhill whose birth was registered CHAPMAN? Very complicated!

A point to note: CHASE is not a common name.

[Pam Downes]

Perhaps John Underhill is Chase's natural father as John Underhill had a brother named CHASE

1871, Hadlow, RG10; Piece: 934; Folio: 22; Page: 37;
Jas Underhill 60
Ann Underhill 46
John Underhill 14, carpenter, Hadlow
Chase Underhill 11
Rosanne Underhill 8
Stephen Underhill 3

The plot thickens, as Chase Underhill would have been old enough to have been a father circa 1888.

Obviously, the main priority is the marriage certificate for Chase and Eva/Evelyn, but then I think I'd invest seven quid in a PDF copy of the birth certificate for Chase Chapman born 1888. Just in case there are any clues in it.

Pam