Gertrude Webb and George Povey

When Gertrude Webb was born on March 20, 1891, in Wigan, Lancashire, England, her father, Alfred Thomas Webb (1861-1937), was 30, and her mother, Emma Alice Dodd (1862-1932), was 29.

On the 1901 census, Gertrude was boarding away from her family at the Institute for Blind Welfare and School for the Partially Sighted on Watling Street West in Fulwood, Preston, Lancashire (the census suggests that she was blind). Information about the school is documented in the book, “Those Derby Days: A History of the Derby School for the Partially Sighted.”

In 1911, Gertrude is back at home with her family.

On the 1939 Register, we find Gertrude Webb living at 36 Beech Avenue in Blackpool with Ellen Jones (whose birthdate is 1975, so likely the same Nellie Jones shown in the previous two censuses at her parent’s home).

Gertrude’s occupation appears to be “Net Braider.” Also listed are Irene Peacock (age 18) and her uncle, Charles Henry Dodd age 76 (her mother’s brother) Hilda Aston (eventually Linsley) and one more person who was born (possibly Irene’s child) after 1917. As she is 48 and unmarried, it’s likely that Gertrude did not have any children.

1939 Register, UK (via FindMyPast.co.uk)
36 Beech Avenue, Blackpool (image via Google Maps)

But even though Gertrude has not yet married in 1939, but the register was continually updated until 1952—and shows her married name as Povey with her maiden name crossed out. You may recall her father, Alfred Thomas Webb lived with a couple named Povey shortly after he was born. It is unknown if or how George’s parents are related to Thomas and Ann Povey.

Gertrude Webb married George Povey in 1943 in Blackpool, Lancashire, England. Gertrude was about 52 at the time of the marriage, and her husband was eight years her junior.

George Povey was born on September 10, 1898, in Chester, Cheshire, England, the son of William Povey and Mary.

George Povey was an “inmate” of the Liverpool School for the Indigent Blind (now known as the Liverpool Royal School for the Blind) on the 1911 census. The census suggests he had some sight (or at least he’s not marked “totally blind”).

On the 1939 Census, George is living with a wife, Marion (which suggests the reason for the late in life marriage to Gertrude). His occupation is “chair cainer (blind).”

George died on February 18, 1950. Gertrude survived him by over twenty years, she died on December 27, 1970, aged 79 years. They are both buried with Gertrude’s parents at the Marton Cemetery in Blackpool.

Main image: Blackpool ca 1898 (image via Wikimedia)

Are you related to this family? Do you have photos or stories you’d be willing to share? Please contact me using the comment form below or find me on Facebook! Want to know where this family fits in my tree? Check out the Index!

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ABOUT AUTHOR
AG Knapper

I’ve been researching my tree for over twenty years…and I’ve found some easy branches, and some gnarly ones…

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