BIOGRAPHICAL INDEX: CHRONOLOGICAL BY DATE OF BIRTH

This Index can be used to locate the individuals referred to in various sources such as the Ecclesiastical Returns and Annual Directories within a comprehensive family tree of the Deefholts Family in India between 1787 and 1945 and, by extension, it should be possible for most living members of the family to trace their own line of descent back to Frederick. Since there are some 170 individuals listed, creating a detailed biography for each of them would be too mammoth a task, so many are presented in short form. Also, quite a few of the biographies are contained (often identically) within their historical context in the History of the Deefholts Family.

Additional observations and corrections are welcome, as well as any help in identifying "strays" and, conversely, if anyone finds difficulty in establishing their own link in the tree, send an email to kpmsmd@hotmail.com with as many details as you have available and I'll try to work out where you fit in!

As a general rule, in the absence of other clues, estimated dates of birth are based on an assumption of 21 years between generations and two years between siblings. Likewise, in the absence of other references, it is assumed that the first appearance in one of the local directories denotes an age of 21. These assumptions are used both backwards and forwards in time and moderated by any other clues available. For example, the date of birth of Richard (1.2) is recorded in the India Office List of Uncovenanted Servants 1850. This has been used as an "anchor" to estimate the dates of birth of his father and siblings. A cross-check is provided by his brother Robert's certificate of burial: "WHEN DIED 1890, March 17th Robert Deefholts 77 years 6 months 10 days" hence his exact date of birth can be calculated. Conveniently, this is two years after that of Richard, so the "sibling gap" assumption has some merits; the "generation gap" assumption is more questionable (although, also conveniently, Richard was 22 at the birth of his first son).

The rudimentary indexing system is based simply on seniority between siblings, hence Richard (second son of Frederick) is indexed 1.2; the final column lists index numbers relating to the Ecclesiastical Records (see Records of Baptisms / Records of Marriages / Records of Burials ).

The "1940s Family Tree" referred to was compiled by Reginald Deefholts: more details in his biography .

INDEX

DATE OF BIRTH

NAME

INDEX NO

1785 est

Frederick

1

1806 07Oct

Lewis

1.1

1810

Richard

1.2

1812 07Sep

Robert

1.3

1814 est

F. Henry

1.4

1816 est

William

1.5

1818 est

Constance

1.6

1831/2

Frederick Richard

1.2.1

1833 13Feb

William L

1.2.2

1834 14Apr

Henry Augustus

1.2.3

1834 22May

Frederick

1.1.1

1836

Felix Emmanuel

1.1.2

1837 est

Georgina Lorenza

1.1.3

1837/8

Robert Horatio

1.3.1

1838 30Mar

Edmund Alfred

1.2.4

1838 06May

Henry Edmond

1.1.4

1839 18May

[daughter]

1.2.5

1840

Philliphine

1.1.5

1840 07Apr

[daughter]

1.2.6

1841

Lewis Theodore

1.3.2

1841 04May

[son]

1.2.7

1841/2

Frederick Conrad

1.4.1

1843 est

Annie

1.4.2

1845 14Feb

Caroline Rose (D'Souza)

1.6.1

1845 27Jun

[daughter]

1.2.8

1845 01Sep

Elvira Caroline

1.3.3

1845/6

Olivia Adeline

1.4.3

1846/7

Henrietta

1.3.4

1847 est

Theodora

1.4.4

1848 17Jul

Charles Frederick

1.3.5

1851/2 est

Richard

1.2.1.1

1853 est

D.W.

 

1853 est

O.

 

1853/4

Frederic

1.1.1.1

1856 est

J A

 

1857 est

T C E

 

1859/60

Margaret

1.1.2.1m

1860 est

Richard

1.1.5.1

1860/61

Henry Cecil M.

1.2.3.1

1861 est

Lewis

1.1.2.1

1861 est

[Male]

1.1.4.1

1862 est

Alice

1.1.5.2

1863 est

Elizabeth

 

1863

Edwin / Elwyn

1.1.4.2

1865

Milford Raymond

1.1.4.3

1866

Frederick St Clair

1.2.3.2

1867 00Dec

Lewis/Louis Joseph

1.3.2.1

1868 est

Beatrice Eugenie

1.3.2.2

1868/9

Mary Winefrede

1.1.1.1.1

1869

Mabel

1.1.4.4

1869/70

Frederick Austin

1.1.1.1.2

1869/70

Charles Robert

 

1870/71

Claude

1.2.3.3

1871 26Jun

Leonie Mary

1.3.2.3

1872

Rodney

1.1.4.5

1872

Joseph Edmund

1.2.4.1

1872/3

Etheline Aurora

1.1.1.1.3

1873 est

Ettie

1.2.3.4

1873 est

Genevieve Elsie

1.2.4.2

1873 est

Wilfred

 

1873/4

Etheline Marie

1.3.5.1

1874

Blanchard

1.1.4.6

1875

Birdie

1.1.4.7

1875 est

Clementine

1.2.3.5

1875

Charles James

1.2.2.1

1875/6

Sophia

1.1.1.1.4

1876 00Mar

Richard Alfred

1.2.4.3

1876 17May

James Percival

1.3.5.2

1876/7

Mary Bridget

 

1877 00Jul

Marie Blanche

1.3.5.3

1877 est

Amy

1.2.4.4

1877 est

Eva

1.2.3.6

1878 07Sep

Harry F

1.4.1.1?

1879 27Sep

Eugenie Marie

1.3.5.4

1879 est

Eda

1.2.4.5

1879 est

Annie

1.2.3.7

1879/80

Ernest Raymond

1.2.4.6

1881 26Jun

Oscar

 

1881 20Nov

Ernest Chas Raymond

1.3.5.5

1882/3

Henry Oswald

1.2.4.7

1883 04Nov

Marie

1.3.5.6

1885 10Sep

Mathilda Marie

1.3.5.7

1886 12Jan

Joseph

1.4.1.1

1886 09May

Cyril

1.1.4.3.1

1886/7

Anne Caroline (Dotty)

1.2.4.8

1887 24Apr

Ronald

1.1.4.3.2

1887 26Aug

Mary Florence

1.4.1.2

1887/8

Nesta

1.2.3.1.1?

1889 31Apr

Henry Egerton

1.2.3.1.1

1889 14Dec

Eileen Marie

1.1.4.3.3

1890 25Jan

Frederic Conrad

1.4.1.3

1890/1

Ada Millicent

1.2.3.1.2

1891 11Feb

Reginald Sidney

1.1.4.3.4

1892 31Jan

Percival St Clair

1.4.1.4

1892/3

Robert Augustus

1.3.2.1.1

1893 01Jan

Adrianne Virginia

1.1.4.3.5

1893/4

Cyril John

1.2.3.1.3

1893/4

David Daniel

1.3.2.1.2?

1894 27Jul

Henry

1.1.4.3.6

1895/6

Beryl K

1.2.3.3.1

1896 17Mar

Geraldine Millicent

1.1.4.3.7

1896/7

Bride

1.3.2.1.3

1897 25May

Edredge Rodney

1.1.4.3.8

1897 27Jun

[Emilius?] Richmond

1.4.1.5

1897 27Jun

Helena Adeline

1.4.1.6

1897 00Nov

Ivan Harold

1.3.3.4.1?

1897/8

Enid Maud

1.2.3.1.4

1898 13Jan

David Samuel

1.1.2.1.1

1899 11Jun

Dorothy Adelaide

1.1.1.1.2.1

1899 11Jun

Constance

1.1.4.3.9

1900 20May

Denis Frederick

1.1.1.1.2.2

1900 00Mar

Irene Maria

1.1.4.2.1

1900 20Jul

George Maurice

1.2.3.1.5

1900 07Aug

Ludovica Noreen

1.2.4.3.1

1901 25Mar

Aileen Clare

1.2.3.2.1

1901 21Jul

Ivy Ellen

1.1.4.3.10

1901 16Sep

Marie Isabelle

1.1.1.1.2.3

1901 04Oct

Adrienne

1.1.4.2.2

1902 01Jul

Roland Elwyn

1.1.4.2.3

1902 15Sep

Dorothy Inez

1.2.2.1.1

1902 17Nov

Ivy Henrietta

1.2.4.3.2

1902 21Dec

Mary Gertrude

1.1.1.1.2.4

1903 08Dec

Arnold Lionel

1.1.4.3.11

1904 28Feb

Edmond Alfred

1.2.4.3.3

1904 26May

Mignonette

1.3.5.2.1

1904 15Sep

Frederic Anthony

1.1.1.1.2.5

1904 23Sep

Claude Ashley

1.2.3.1.6

1905 02Jun

James St Clair

1.3.5.2.2

1905 20Sep

Alfred Malcolm

1.2.4.3.4

1905 00Dec

Percival Allen

1.1.1.1.2.6

1906 16Feb

Ulric Conrad

1.1.4.2.4

1906 15May

Eric Carl

1.2.3.1.7

1906 06Nov

Carlyle

1.1.4.3.12

1906 23Sep

Dorothy Inez

1.3.5.2.3

1907 24Oct

Iris Mary

1.2.4.1.1

1908 24Feb

Frederick Robert Edmond

1.3.5.2.4

1908 18Oct

Irene L.

1.1.4.3.13

1909 22Oct

Eric Robert

 

1909 est

Agnes

1.2.4.1.2

1910 01Feb

Roch Edmond M

1.2.4.6.1

1912 05Jul

Kathleen O

1.1.4.3.14

1913 01Dec

Marie Teresa

1.3.5.2.5

1913

Dorothy May

 

1913 est

Norman

1.2.4.6.2

1913 06Oct

Henry Edgar Anthony

1.4.1.3.1

1914 22Dec

Alice Noreen

1.2.4.6.3

1915 14Jul

Sybil Enid

1.3.5.2.6

1915 est

Denzil

1.4.1.3.2

1916 25Sep

Charles Foster Archibald

1.4.1.3.3

1916 08Nov

Dulcia May

1.3.5.2.7

1917 03Sep

Robert Eric

1.3.2.1.1.1

1917/18

Beryl May

1.2.4.7.1

1918 08Oct

Gladys Rose

1.3.5.2.8

1919 11Apr

Mervyn Allan Ignatius

1.4.1.3.4

1919 19Jun

Gertrude Elizabeth Rita

1.3.2.1.2?1

1920 est

Marjorie

1.3.5.2.9

1921

Ralph C

1.2.4.3.5

1921

Joan A A

1.1.4.3.4.1

1922 est

Kenneth

1.3.5.2.10

1922

Louis M

 

1923

Lionel D F (Leo)

1.4.1.3.5

1924

Cyril Brian

1.2.3.1.3.1

1925

Erroll H

1.2.3.1.3.2

1926 00Jun

Arnold S

1.3.2.1.2?2

1928 17Feb

Esmond Lionel Murray

1.1.4.3.8.1

1928 15Jul

Sheila

1.2.3.1.5.1

1928

Keith C J

1.2.3.1.3.3

1928

Colin Edward M

1.1.4.3.4.2

1929

Mervyn G F

1.1.4.3.8.2

1929 22Sep

Leon N C

1.1.4.3.4.3

1930 25Jul

James Ian Frederick

1.3.3.2.4.1

1931 19Nov

Pamela E C

1.1.4.3.4.4

1931 13Dec

Lorna Patricia

1.1.4.3.8.3

1932

Ida E

1.1.4.3.11.1

1932 est

Dorothy Ursula

1.3.3.2.4.2

1933

Ashley L M

 1.1.4.3.11.2

1934

Margaret G P

1.1.4.3.4.5

1935

Donald C

1.2.3.1.3.4

1935 29Mar

Leslie Allan

1.2.3.1.7.1

1936 18Jun

Trevor Frederick

1.1.4.3.11.3

1939 23Jul

Keith Reginald

1.1.4.3.4.6

1939 19Aug

Duncan Arnold

1.1.4.3.11.4

1941 22Dec

Carol Ann

1.4.1.3.3.1

1943 18Feb

Norma Dorothy

1.4.1.3.3.2

1944 24Apr

Winston Conrad

1.4.1.3.3.3

1945 18May

Dillon Anthony

1.4.1.3.1

1945 12Sep

Frederick Archibald

1.4.1.3.3.4

1947 18Mar

Derrick Foster Ralph (Derek)

1.4.1.3.3.5

1953 30Apr

Bruce

1.4.1.3.3.6

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BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES

 

1785 est Frederick - 1

Children: Lewis, Richard, Robert, Henry, William, Constance

Listed in Directories as "F. Doefholfz" under "Dutch Subjects at Chinsurah" [OCAD 1813]. Subsequently mentioned 1835 & 1840.

"F.Doefholfz" is almost undoubtedly Frederick Deefholts, who died probably around 1840 and, according to the last will of his son, Robert, was buried in a family vault in the Catholic Cathedral, Portuguese Church Lane, Calcutta. How and when he found his way to Chinsura is a mystery. One story holds that Frederick was one of two brothers who emigrated to India from Holland, probably as employees of the Dutch East India Company. Another family story tells of five Dutch brothers going to India, one of whom married an Indian princess! Yet another version was that the founder of the dynasty in India arrived via South Africa. An alternative theory is that he was one of the many employees of direct German descent who enlisted with the Dutch East India Company, and was subsequently considered as Dutch by association. From the earliest days the Company had difficulty in recruiting Dutchmen to its ranks, relying instead on "louts from the heart of Germany", and the proportion of foreign employees reached a crescendo in the second half of the 18th century.

Whichever of the theories is correct, if Frederick came directly from Europe, it was a hard voyage. V.S. Naipaul makes the following observations in connection with a (well to do) emigré from England in 1783: "There were no railways or steamers then, no short cut through Egypt; the journey to India was round the Cape of Good Hope, and could take five months." C.R. Boxer notes that, "In 1782 ten East Indiamen left the Netherlands, carrying 2,653 men, of whom 1,095, or 43 per cent, died before reaching the Cape of Good Hope, where 915 survivors were admitted to hospital. This institution, incidentally, seldom enjoyed a good reputation, being sometimes dubbed a cemetery rather than a hospital."

According to the earliest extant family tree, the family primogenitor was named Lewis and had five sons and a daughter (this possibly explains the "five brothers going to India" story). The family tree names them as Lewis, Richard, Robert, Henry, William and Constance. Only the parentage of Robert is documented elsewhere.  He names his father as Frederick in his will, and mentions that he was buried in a vault in the Catholic Cathedral in Portuguese Church Lane in Calcutta. There is no record of a Lewis senior, so either there were two brothers only one of whom survived, or possibly they were one and the same. Lewis was born in 1806, so on the basis that Frederick was at least 21 when he started his family, we can assume a latest birth date of 1785.

The three elder brothers made the move from Chinsurah to Calcutta, now part of the same sprawling conurbation, then a distance of 26 miles. They are mentioned in local directories from 1834 onwards, although it is known that the third son, Robert, had started work at the General Post Office two years previously. Lewis, who in 1834 started a family of his own, lived at 43 Chitpore Road, whilst Robert and Richard shared lodgings at 75 Doomtollah. The Calcutta Annual Directory and Register 1835 refers the three of them as "East Indians" and also lists an F. Deefholts living in Chinsurah, with no stated profession. The last mention of Frederick is in the Bengal Almanac of 1840, where he is listed as "F. Deefholt [sic]" under "List of Chinsurah Residents".

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1806 07OCT Lewis - 1.1

Parents: Frederick Deefholts

Siblings: Lewis, Richard, Robert, Henry, William, Constance

Married: Grace Robello

Children: Frederick, Felix Emmanuel, [Georgina], Henry Edmund, Philliphine

Biography

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1810 Richard - 1.2

Parents: Frederick Deefholts

Siblings: Lewis, Richard, Robert, Henry, William, Constance

Married: Elizabeth (Betty) Gomez

Children: Frederick Richard, William L, Henry Augustus, Edmond Alfred, [daughter], [daughter], [son], [daughter]

Biography

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1812 07SEP Robert - 1.3

Parents: Frederick Deefholts

Siblings: Lewis, Richard, Robert, Henry, William, Constance

Married: Rosalia Gomez

Children: Robert Horatio, Lewis Theodore, Elvira Caroline, Henrietta, Charles Frederick

“Post Office.  Married Miss Betty Gomez [in fact, married Rosalia Gomez whilst his brother Richard married Betty] - Sons: Robert (P.Office); Lewis (Engineer); Charles (Pleader).” Source: 1940s Family Tree

Robert joined the General Post Office in 1832 as an assistant, and worked his way up to Superintendent of the Stamp Office. Like his brothers, Robert is recorded at various addresses from 1834 onwards, first at 75 Doomtollah (1835), then Sukeas's Lane (1840), Loll Bazar (1843), Bow Bazar (1852), then settling at 7 Emambaug 2nd Lane from 1856 onwards. This was a cul-de-sac of some 15 dwellings off Emambaug Lane. According to the 1867 Bengal Directory and Tradesman's Guide, next door at no. 8 were "Palky Bearers' Houses", the other houses in the lane belonging to named residents, including a D'Cruz. Henry Augustus lived just around the corner at 34 Emambaug Lane (1867).

As well as raising their own considerable brood, Robert and Rosalia may well have had a hand in supporting his five neices and nephews, aged between 2 years old and 8 years old when their father, Robert's elder brother, Lewis, died in 1842. Certainly, Felix Emanuel (1.1.2) lived for a while with Robert at 7 Emambaug 2nd Lane (1856, then aged 20) and Henry Edmond (1.1.4) moved in with his fledgling family in 1866, but then so too did other nephews, Edmund Alfred (1.2.4) and Frederick (1.4.1), so possibly Robert just kept open house.

By 1850 he was Manager of the Shipping Department on 150 Rupees per month. He retired in 1862 and became manager (and later proprietor) of the Widows and Orphans Water Filtering Boat, which apparently supplied fresh water to ships at the docks. He died in 1890, leaving a detailed will, in which he requested that he be buried in with his father in the family vault in the Roman Catholic Cathedral churchyard, Lower Circular Road. Rosalia died two years later at the age of 78.

Biography

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1814 est (F) Henry - 1.4

Father: Frederick Deefholts

Siblings: Lewis, Richard, Robert, Henry, William, Constance

Children: Frederick Conrad, Annie, Olive, Theodora

Assuming a gap of two years after his brother Robert, Henry would have been born in 1816. He first appears in the Bengal Almanac of 1840 listed in two places, once as H and elsewhere as F.H. - possibly Frederick Henry - working as a 3rd Assistant, Import Department, Customs House. His address is given as Psyches's Lane, the same as his brothers Lewis and Robert. He appears again off until 1845, when he is listed as a the "Collector's Office Record Keeper, Assistant to the Collector and Registrar of Shipping" at the Calcutta Customs House. He has not been found in any subsequent directories consulted. According to Reginald, Henry had a son, Frederick, who was a Customs officer, and three daughters, Annie, Olive and Theodora, but he does not trace the line any further.

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1816 est William - 1.5

Father: Frederick Deefholts

Siblings: Lewis, Richard, Robert, Henry, William, Constance

Reginald does not record William's profession but notes that he had no issue. There is no record of him anywhere else, and possibly Reginald was referring in error to Richard's son William L. Deefholts.

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1818 est Constance - 1.6

Father: Frederick Deefholts

Siblings: Lewis, Richard, Robert, Henry, William, Constance

Married: Mr D'Souza

Children: [Caroline Rose?], [John?]

The 1940s Family Tree shows the original Frederick's sixth child as Constance, who "married Mr D'Souza; daughter married Edmond Deefholts". No direct records of her have been found since only adult men were listed in the early directories, but there is a record of the burial of Caroline Rose Deefholts, born 1845, relict (widow) of Edmund Alfred Deefholts in the Ecclesiastical Records. Her maiden name is not recorded but her will was witnessed by a John D'Souza - possibly her brother - establishing a name link.

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1831/2 Frederick Richard - 1.2.1

Parents: Richard and Elizabeth (nee Gomez)

Siblings: Frederick Richard, William L, Henry Augustus, Edmond Alfred, [daughter], [daughter], [son], [daughter]

Married: Anne McNeelance, 1851

Children: Richard

(Bengal Secretariat) - son of Richard - father of "Richard (Priest) - married Miss Nascekelly Source: Reg’s Family Tree

Biography

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1833 13Feb William L - 1.2.2

Parents: Richard and Elizabeth (nee Gomez)

Siblings: Frederick Richard, William L, Henry Augustus, Edmond Alfred, [daughter], [daughter], [son], [daughter]

Married: Claudita?

Children: Charles James

According to the 1940s Family Tree, William was the second son of Richard Deefholts and "married a Burmese (issue unknown)". His birth is listed in the East India Register for 1834 p. 274 : "Births: 13FEB1833 Mrs R.Deefholts of a son".

A W.L. Deefholts appears in Directories as a record-keeper in the assistant commissioner's court in Ngathoing Kyoung and Bassein between 1858 and 1862. There is also a W. Deefholts listed as Deputy post master, Nathounkyoung, Pegu, Bassein in 1862. He is later listed as Head Clerk and then Accountant in the Engineer's office variously at Myanoury (1866); Moulmein (1867/68) and then at the Office of Accounts, PWD, Rangoon (1869). Finally he returned to the Deputy Commissioner's Office at Prome from 1870-74. There are no further records of his movements.

The Ecclesiatical Returns have a record of the burial of a Claudita Deefoltz in the Roman Catholic Cathedral, Rangoon. She died on 30th September 1907 of an inflammation of the bowels, aged 75 years - thus born 1832. Possibly she was William's wife. The marriage certificate of Charles James Deefholts, who married in Rangoon in 1901 at the age of 26, gives his father's name as William. He would have been born in 1875, so the connection is almost undoubted.

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1834 14Apr Henry Augustus - 1.2.3

Parents: Richard and Elizabeth (nee Gomez)

Siblings: Frederick Richard, William L, Henry Augustus, Edmond Alfred, [daughter], [daughter], [son], [daughter]

Children: Henry Cecil, Frederick St Clair, Claude, Ettie, Clementine, Eva, Annie

According to the 1940s Family Tree, Henry was the third son of Richard Deefholts. The birth of a son to Mrs R. Deefholts on 14th April 1834 is listed in the East India Register for 1835. He married a Miss Myers. His three sons, Henry, Frederick and Claude all married Kennedy's, presumably sisters. He also had four daughters, Ettie, Clementine (married Mr D'Silva, followed by Mr Victor), Eva and Annie.

Henry Augustus is listed in a directory in 1856 as an assistant to Gladstone, Wyllie and Co, Merchants, living at 10 Bow Bazar Lane. In 1859 he worked as an assistant at the GPO, now resident at 13 Geree Babou's Lane. He then joined his father as a section writer in the Bengal Secretariat, living at the same address until at least 1863 and subsequently moving to 20 Chattawallah Lane (1866/7); 15 Gungadhur Baboo's Lane (1868/9); 1 Gooreeamah's Lane (1870); 10 Howe's Lane (1871/3); 14 Gungadhur Baboo's Lane (1874); 26 Shibtollah Lane (1875/9); 15 European Asylum Lane (1880); 22 Chandney Choke Street (1881); 34 Blackburn's Lane (1882); 3 Weston's Lane (1883/84); 2 Weston's Lane (1885/86); 25 North Road, Entally (1887) and finally, still working at the Bengal Secretariat, he moved to 2 Canal Road, Entally (1888), which is the last mention of him.

Henry Cecil's certificate of burial indicates his date of birth between 23Jun 1860 and 22Jun 1861. According to his marriage certificate, Frederick St Clair was born in 1866. Claude's certificate of burial indicates his date of birth between 31May 1870 and 30May 1871.

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1834 22May Frederick - 1.1.1 - 343/148

Parents: Lewis and Grace (nee Robello)

Siblings: Frederick, Felix Emmanuel, [Georgina], Henry Edmund, Philliphine

Married: Letitia Henrietta [?]

Children: Frederick, Winnifred, Ethel

The 1940s Family Tree states that Frederick, Lewis' eldest son and grandson of the original Frederick, was born in 1834 and worked on the Jetties. He had a son, also Frederick, who was a carriage inspector on the East India Railway, married Miss Marie Lepies with whom he had two sons and two daughters, one of whom was named Sophie; a daughter Winnifred who married Mr Castere; and a daughter Ethel who married Mr Arratoon. No further descendants are shown.

Frederick's birth on 22nd May 1834 is recorded in the East India Register and Directory for 1835. He first appears in the Annual Return of Uncovenanted Servants for the Bengal Presidency as "Writer to the Chief Magistrate" and again in 1859 as "Writer to the Commissioner of Police". His date of appointment was 26th December 1855. The directories show him as resident at 10 Bow Bazar Lane from 1856 to 1860. Between 1864 and 1870 he is not listed at that address but Henry Edmond (two brothers down) does appear. An F.Deefholts appears in 1875 at 5 Blackburn's Lane, and in another directory at 28 Chattawallah Gully. In 1876/7 he is listed at 39 Chattawallah Lane, as Asst. to Shed Officer, Calcutta Jetties, and from 1879 to 1882 as an Import Tallyman, Calcutta Jetties, moving to 33 Blackburn's Lane in 1881.

The Ecclesiastical Returns have a record of Letitia Henrietta Deefholts, wife of Frederick Deefholts, who "died suddenly" in 1905 in Calcutta at the age of 64; she would therefore have been born in 1841. It may or may not be the same Frederick. Her brief will shows that she left him Rs910-13.

There is also a record of the burial of Frederick Deefholts, a government pensioner who died on 29th August 1907 at the age of 74y 3m 7d of a "complication of diseases". He was buried at St John's Cemetery, Sealdah. He would thus have been born on 22nd May 1833 - one year adrift but the exact day and month, so clearly it is the same man.

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1836 Felix Emmanuel - 1.1.2

Parents: Lewis and Grace (nee Robello)

Siblings: Frederick, Felix Emmanuel, [Georgina], Henry Edmund, Philliphine

Married: (1) Bertha (2) Mary Catherine Scott nee Gordon

Children: Lewis (Source: 1940s Family Tree)

Lewis's second son, Felix Emmanuel, worked for a while in the Steam and Inland Despatch department of the GPO with his uncle Robert and cousin Robert Horatio, sharing their address at 7 Emambaug 2nd Lane (1856). This is perhaps explained by the death of his father in 1842, when Felix would have been only 6. He subsequently joined the Customs as an extra preventive officer, moving to 28 Chattawallah Lane (1862/3) where he was joined by his younger brother Henry Edmund (also working at Customs House). The Annual Directories show him as living in Midnapore between 1867 & 1869.

According to Reginald, he married Bertha, a Native Convert, and had one child, Lewis, who became a tally clerk, married a Margaret Peters, but had no issue. The Ecclesiastical Records show that by 1870 he was a widower, working with the Public Works Department at Midnapore, and that he married Mary Catherine Scott, a widow, the daughter of George William Gordon. He returned to Calcutta, working as a Jetty Officer and Tallyman for the Customs Office and living at various addresses, first sharing with his cousin Henry Augustus at 14 Gungadhur Baboo's Lane (1874). He then appears in 1875 at 200 Bow Bazar, sharing a house with M.T. Lopies, a Govt. Pensioner, and J.Jones, an assistant at the Office of Director of Public Instructions. Cone's Street Directory of 1875 suggests that the location was none too salubrious, sandwiched between a timber yard on one side and "huts and natives" on the other. He lived there until 1879 (although whether his lodgers endured throughout that period is not known). He moved to Kupaleetolla Lane in 1880, where he stayed until he died of an abscess in 1882.

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1837 est Georgina Lorenza - 1.1.3 - 88/102

Parents: Lewis and Grace (nee Robello)

Siblings: Frederick, Felix Emmanuel, [Georgina], Henry Edmund, Philliphine

Married: John Richard Alexander D'Cruz

Children: [John Richard], Henry Lewis

There is no mention of Georgina in the family tree prepared by Lewis' great grandson, but according to the tree Lewis' fourth son, Philliphine, born in 1840, married a Miss A. D'Cruze, had a son Richard and a daughter Alice who married a Mr Lapies. No trace of Philliphine or any of his descendants has been found from any other source - although his siblings do appear in various directories and records.

Georgina Lorenza Deefholts, daughter of Lewis Deefholts, is mentioned in the Ecclesiastical Returns at the Oriental & India Office Library.  She married Mr John Richard Alexander D'Cruz, a bachelor, “of age”, the son of Joseph Willoughby D'Cruz, on 5th September 1855.  She is described as "under age"- meaning at that time under 21 - but no date of birth is given. The marriage was witnessed by Rob. Deefholts (probably her uncle).

The Index to the Ecclesiastical Returns contains a transcription of the following marriage:

“Marriages solemnized within the jurisdiction of the Senior Marriage Registrar, Calcutta, during the quarter ending 30 September 1880 (ref 510864 174/168):

Sep 23 1880 John Richard D’Cruz, 26, Bachelor, and Rose E.P. Huntley, 31, divorced from C.H. White.  Engineer, Calcutta.  T.R.A. D’Cruz and William Averitt (?), by licence. Signed by both parties.  Witnesses L.Deefholts & F.W.Carpiet (?)”

The original entry has not yet been viewed, but it is reasonable to suppose that T.R.A. D’Cruz is a transcription error for J.R.A. D’Cruz.  The appearance of L.Deefholts as a witness makes the connection highly probable (this would have been his uncle, Lewis Theodore).  John Richard would have been born between 24Sep1853 and 23Sep1854, suggesting that his birth was illegitimate.

 

They had at least one other child, "Henry Lewis, s/o John Richard Alexander DeCruz & Georgina Lorenzo, born September 12 1857, baptised February 15, 1858. Vol#93, Ref: N-1-93".

 

The IGI also records JRA’s marriage in 1865 to "Virginia Constance, born 1843", transcribed from the Ecclesiastical Index as “John Richard D'Cruze to Virginia Paniotti 1865” (India-L List, 2002) [111/67] so presumably Georgina died in her mid-twenties.

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1837 20Aug Robert Horatio - 1.3.1

Parents: Robert and Rosalia (nee Gomez)

Siblings: Robert Horatio, Lewis Theodore, Elvira Caroline, Henrietta, Charles Frederick

Married: Lavinia Pulcheria Coutts

Children: "No Issue" (source: 1940s Family Tree)

Robert Horatio joined his father at the Post Office at the age of 16 in 1853. He is recorded in the List of Uncovenanted Civil Servants in 1856, working in the Shipping Department, earning a salary of Rs20, at that time still a bachelor. Three years later, now a "Preparer of Services Accounts", his salary had increased to Rs80. Note that Robert Horatio's younger brother married Lavinia's younger sister, Melenthia Rose, in 1865. The annual directories list Robert from 1857 to 1861 at 7 Emambaug 2nd Lane, the same address as his father. He then moved to 2 Goreeamah's Lane for a couple of years, and appears at 181/2 Lower Chitpore Rd from 1866 to 1869 and next door at no.17 from 1871 to 1900. He is listed as "Head Clerk, Registration Dept, Calcutta P.O. in 1881 and as a pensioner from then onwards. Lavinia died in 1903 of chronic dysentery, at the age of 63. Her will discloses that she owned 11/18ths of the house at 17 Lower Chitpore Road, the balance owned by her brother. Robert Horatio lived on until 1924, when he died of senility. His age is given as "89 years, 4 mths, 9 days", giving his birthday as 20th August: probably accurate to the day but showing a discrepancy of two years with the other records.

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1838 30Mar Edmund Alfred - 1.2.4

Parents: Richard and Elizabeth (nee Gomez)

Siblings: Frederick Richard, William L, Henry Augustus, Edmond Alfred, [daughter], [daughter], [son], [daughter]

Married: Caroline Rose (nee D'Souza)

Children: Joseph Edmund, Genevieve (Elsie), Richard Alfred, Amy, Eda, Ernest, Henry Oswald, Anne Caroline (Dotty)

According to the 1940s family tree, Edmund Alfred was the fourth son of Richard Deefholts, married his cousin, Miss D'Souza, and was a Customs Officer. His birth is recorded in the East India Register & Directory for 1839. He appears in another directory in 1858 as an assistant in the judicial department of the Calcutta Police, resident at 10 Blackburn's Lane. He is recorded in the List of Uncovenanted Civil Servants 1859 [L/F/10/75] as an assistant in the Steam Ship department, a 20 year old bachelor, earning Rs25, having joined the previous year, confirming his year of birth as 1838/9.

The local directories list him the same year (1859) as a signaller in the electric telegraph office, living at 13 Gree Baboo's Lane, and then as a clerk in the letter mail despatch department of the GPO, living with his uncle Robert at 7 Emambaug 2nd Lane, where he stayed until 1869. From 1870 onwards he is listed as a customs officer in the Preventive Service, living at 40 Gooreeamah's Lane then back at 19 Chandney Choke, then 7 Emambaug, 2nd Lane from 1871 to 1874, where his son Joseph Edmund was born in 1872. They moved from 3 to 8 Mirzapore 2nd Lane and back again between 1874 and 1884, during which time Richard Alfred, Amy, Ernest and Henry Oswald were born. He is listed as an Assistant at the GPO from 1881 onwards. His last known address was 84 South Road, Entally (1885), however he was father to Ann Caroline (Dotty) in 1886 as well as Genevieve (Elsie) and Eda (dates of birth unknown).

After 1885 he no longer features in the directories and Mrs C.R. Deefholts appears at 30a Convent Road, Entally from 1892 to 1895, suggesting that Edmund died in the intervening years since women were rarely listed in their own right whilst their husbands were alive. Caroline Rose Deefholts died on 15th April 1904 of suspected plague, aged 59 years 2 months and 1 day, the "Relict of Edmund Alf. Deefholts".  She was buried together with Edmund in a family vault at St John's Church Cemetery, Middleton Row, Sealdah.  The vault was still intact in 1992.  She left a will, which had been witnessed by a John D'Souza (possibly her brother?), in which she refers to their children.

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1838 06MAY Henry Edmond/Edmund - 1.1.4

Parents: Lewis and Grace (nee Robello)

Siblings: Frederick, Felix Emmanuel, [Georgina], Henry Edmund, Philliphine

Married: Virginia Gonsalves

Children: (Male), Elwyn, Milford, Mabel, Rodney, Blanchard, Birdie

Henry Edmund C. Deefholts was the third son of Lewis, Frederick's eldest son. Local directories show his career started as an assistant at the GPO, circa 1859, sharing lodgings with his brother Frederick at 10 Bow Bazar Lane. Calcutta at around the time of the Mutiny was perhaps at the height of its golden age. John Beames recalls that, "The first view of Calcutta impressed us very much, the long rows of shipping, the lines of stately white houses of the 'City of Palaces', and the beautiful villas with their luxuriant gardens composed an attractive picture".

In 1860, Henry joined the Customs as an acting wharf office, moving to 10 Chattawallah Gully, and then as a Customs wharf officer, res. 28 Chattawallah Lane (the same address as his elder brother Felix Emanuel) in 1862/3. At around this time he married Virginia Clarissa Gonsalves. Their first son (according to one family tree) was stillborn. He was followed by Edwin or Elwyn in 1863 and Milford Raymond in 1865. By 1866 they had moved in with his uncle Robert at 13 Emambaug, 2nd Lane. Henry is subsequently listed at 28 Chattawallah Lane (1866). They then lived at 24 Copallytollah Lane (1867 to 1870), where their daughter Mabel was born in 1869, then 7 Kenderine's Lane (1871/2), at which time he was 4th in seniority out of 65 Customs Officers, earning a salary of Rs125 on a scale of Rs40 to Rs175. Just as well, because Blanchard came along in 1874 and Birdie in 1875.

The family complete with 6 children, they moved to 34 Blackburn's Lane, where he is listed until 1875 (now promoted to Examining Appraiser), moving on to 26 Shibtollah Lane (the same address as his cousin Henry Augustus) until 1876, when he moved out to 218 Bow Bazar Lane (1876/9), next door to his brother Felix at 216, then 88 Bow Bazar Street (1880). He reappears at 34 Blackburn's Lane from 1882 to 1884, listed as a Government Pensioner in 1883/4. He is not listed from 1885 onwards but he witnessed his son Milford's second marriage in 1901.

Henry's certificate of burial has not been located, but his wife Virginia's has. She died on 05Jan1910, "aged 66 years, 8 months and 13 days. Wife of Henry Edmund Deefholts (Customs Officer Pensioner). Cause of death: General Prostration. Buried: St John's Cemetery, Sealdah". The reference to her as wife rather than widow of Henry Edmund suggests that he survived her: by this time he would have been 72.

See also Henry Edmund

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1839 18MAY [Daughter] 1.2.5

Parents: Richard and Elizabeth (nee Gomez)

Siblings: Frederick Richard, William L, Henry Augustus, Edmond Alfred, [daughter], [daughter], [son], [daughter]

Transcription from Bengal & Agra Guide & Gazetteer for 1841, in Deaths in India Vol I, by Major H.K. Percy-Smith, Society of Genealogists (1941): 1840 JUN30 Deefholts, d, Mr Ric, aged 1yr 1mo 12d (Calcutta)

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1840 Philliphine - 1.1.5

Parents: Lewis and Grace (nee Robello)

Siblings: Frederick, Felix Emmanuel, [Georgina], Henry Edmund, Philliphine

Married: Miss A. D'Cruze [source: 1940s Family Tree]

The 1940s Family Tree states that Lewis' fourth son was Philliphine, born in 1840, married a Miss A. D'Cruze, had a son Richard and a daughter Alice who married a Mr Lapies. No trace of Philliphine or any of his descendants has been found from any other source - although his siblings do appear in various directories and records. There is however an entry in the Ecclesiastical Returns at the Oriental & India Office Library of a Georgina Lorenza Deefholts, daughter of Lewis Deefholts, who married Mr John D'Cruz on 5th September 1855. She is described as "under age"- meaning at that time under 21 but no date of birth is given and no further data has been located. Curiously, there is no mention of Georgina in the family tree. The Christian name matches of John Richard Alexander D'Cruze / Miss A. D'Cruz / son named Richard &  daughter named Alice (=Alexandra?) are not close enough to indicate a transcription error but do suggest more than a simple coincidence, as do the proximity of dates; there are several other instances of a sister & brother from one family marrying a brother & sister of another.

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1840 07APR [Daughter] - 1.2.6

Parents: Richard and Elizabeth (nee Gomez)

Siblings: Frederick Richard, William L, Henry Augustus, Edmond Alfred, [daughter], [daughter], [son], [daughter]

Birth recorded in East India Register & Directory for 1941 (1st ed.): "7th April 1840, Mrs Richard Deefholts, of a daughter."

Transcription from Bengal & Agra Guide & Gazetteer for 1841, in Deaths in India Vol I, by Major H.K. Percy-Smith, Society of Genealogists (1941): 1840 JUN26 Deefholts, d, Mr Ric, aged 2mos 18d (Calcutta)

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1841 Lewis Theodore - 1.3.2 – 114/119 - 262/191

Parents: Robert and Rosalia (nee Gomez)

Siblings: Robert Horatio, Lewis Theodore, Elvira Caroline, Henrietta, Charles Frederick

Married: Melenthia Rose Coutts, 1865

Children: Louis Joseph, Beatrice Eugenie, Leonie Mary

Occupation: Engineer PWD

Lewis is first recorded in the directories in 1862 at his father's address at 7 Emambaug 2nd Lane. Lewis married Melenthia Rose Coutts (the younger sister of his brother's wife, Lavinia Pulcheria) in 1865. Their first recorded child was Lewis (Louis) Joseph, born in 1867, two years after their marriage. They also had two daughters, Beatrice Eugenie, believed born in 1868 and Leonie Mary, who was born in 1871. Lewis' profession as an engineer with the Public Works Department took him to various locations over the course of his career. Between 1865 and 1882 he is listed at Moisraka, Burhie, Kandea, Maunbhoom, Hoogly and Soory, all in the Burdwan district of Howrah. Over the next 5 years he ranged between Jessore, Chittagong and Ranee Gunge, returning to Chinsurah in 1886.

Melenthia died in 1887 and was buried at the Bandel Convent, Huglie. Her grave is transcribed in "Bengal Past and Present, Vol X, 1914: "In front of the Church, there are two inscriptions on either side of the paved pathway going up from the South gate to the portico. They are quite modern, it is true; but, my excuse for copying them is that a hundred years hence, they may be gone; if not, we shall be gone, but they will be sufficiently old by then to look venerable.West I read: [...] Kind stranger pray. (Round cross) In loving memory of Melenthia Rose the beloved wife of Lewis T. Deefholts, died on 26th December 1887 aged 43 years, 1 month and 28 days. R.I.P. (P. Swaries, Sct.)"

After Melenthia's death, Lewis stayed on the move, taking in Sahebgunge in 1890/91, Purneah in 1892 and back to Chinsurah in 1893 until his retirement at the age of 55 in 1896. The following year he succumbed to fever and was buried in the cemetery attached to the RC Cathedral, Moorgheehatta.

Photograph of Lewis Theodore, c.1865?

Photograph of Melenthia Rose Coutts, c.1865?

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1841 04MAY [Son] - 1.2.7

Parents: Richard and Elizabeth (nee Gomez)

Siblings: Frederick Richard, William L, Henry Augustus, Edmond Alfred, [daughter], [daughter], [son], [daughter]

Deaths: 23Apr42, Calcutta, the infant son of Mr & Mrs Richard Deefholts, aged 11m 19d. Bengal & Agra Gazette, 1843

 

1841/2 Frederick Conrad - 1.4.1 - 477/134

Father: Henry

Siblings: Frederick Conrad, Annie, Olive, Theodora

Married: (1) Amelia Helen (2) Anna aka Hellen aka Helen

Children: Joseph [1886], Mary Florence [1887/8], Frederick Conrad (jnr) [1890], Percival [1892], Emilie(?) Richmond & Helena Adeline [twins,1897]

The proliferation of Fredericks in the family gives rise to considerable confusion since most records only provide initials rather than full names. What is more confusing is that Frederick Conrad's wife Anna appears to vary her name in documents, changing to (Amelia) Helen, Hellen and then back to Anna, whilst Frederick Conrad uses Frederick, Frederick C., or Conrad, depending on how the mood takes him. The following biography is therefore speculative and subject to correction.

Frederick appears in the New Calcutta Directory of 1858, as an extra Custom's Preventive Officer, resident at 10 Chandney Choke (the same address as his uncle Robert). He reappears in an 1860 directory as F.C. Deefholts, extra Customs preventive officer. By 1875 he had moved to 22 Chandney Chowk (off Emambaug Lane), adjacent to "shops and natives" at nos. 23-25 and just down the road from a "Ganja Shop" at no.38. At some stage he moved to Entally, where he occupies various addresses including North Road and South Road, and continues to appear in various directories consulted up to 1900, by which time he had retired.

It appears that Frederick's full name was Frederick Conrad, born in 1841 or 1842. The burial certificate of a Joseph Deefholts is recorded in the Ecclesiastical Returns, born on 12th January 1886 and died of fever eight days later, "the infant son of Conrad Deefholts and Anna his wife". Mary Florence (daughter of Frederick C. and Helen E.) was born in 1887 or 1888. Amelia Helen died in 1899 of septicemia, at the age of 43. In 1890 the birth is recorded of Frederick Conrad, born on 25th January, the son of Frederic [sic] Deefholts, whose profession is registered as a Preventive Officer, and Anna. Percival St Clair, the son of Frederick and Hellen Deefholts, was born in 1892, followed by twins Emilie[?] Richmond and Helena Adeline, to Frederick and Helen Deefholts, of 75/1 South Road, Entally, in 1897 (in the same year the same address is attributed to F.C. Deefholts, Inspector, Preventive Service, so it must be the same Frederick).

Frederick Conrad (senior) died in 1924 at the age of 82 of "senile decay".

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1843 est Annie - 1.4.2

Father: Henry

Siblings: Frederick Conrad, Annie, Olive, Theodora

Listed in 1940s Family Tree but no mention of her located elsewhere.

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1845 25JUN [Daughter] - 1.2.8

Parents: Richard and Elizabeth (nee Gomez)

Siblings: Frederick Richard, William L, Henry Augustus, Edmond Alfred, [daughter], [daughter], [son], [daughter]

Reported in Bengal & Agra Directory & Annual Register, 1846.

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1845 01Sep Elvira Caroline - 1.3.3

Parents: Robert and Rosalia (nee Gomez)

Siblings: Robert Horatio, Lewis Theodore, Elvira Caroline, Henrietta, Charles Frederick

Married: Mr [Lewis?] St Romaine

Children: Joseph Granville St Romaine [?]

Elvira is not referred to in the 1940s Family Tree but is mentioned in her father Robert's will as "my daughter, Elvira Caroline St Romaine." Her birth was recorded in the Bengal & Agra Directory for 1846: "Births: Calcutta, the wife of Mr Robert Deefholts, of a daughter." Charles Frederick also married a St Romaine.

Joseph Granville St. Romaine  Christening: 18 NOV 1878 India Office Ecclesiastical Returns-Bengal Presidency, Misc,  Father: Lewis St Romaine & Eliza [sic] Caroline

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1845/6 Olivia Adeline - 1.4.3 - 171/192

Father: Henry

Siblings: Frederick Conrad, Annie, Olive, Theodora

Listed in 1940s Family Tree. Her marriage is recorded in the Ecclesiastical Returns in 1880, at the age of 34, to Alf. Albert Bully, 48, a widower, the son of John Bully. He was an engineer. The marriage was witnessed by an L.E. Deefholts (not identifiable from just the initials).

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1846/7 est Henrietta  - 1.3.4

Parents: Robert and Rosalia (nee Gomez)

Siblings: Robert Horatio, Lewis Theodore, Elvira Caroline, Henrietta, Charles Frederick

Elvira is not referred to in the 1940s Family Tree but is mentioned in her father Robert's will as "my daughter, Henrietta Lumsden." There is no evidence as to her date of birth: she has simply been slotted unscientifically into the gap between her sister, Elvira Caroline (born 1845), who is mentioned first in the will, and her brother Charles Frederick (born 1848), but it is also possible that she was younger than Charles.

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1847 est Theodora - 1.4.4

Father: Henry

Siblings: Frederick Conrad, Annie, Olive, Theodora

Listed in 1940s Family Tree but no mention of her located elsewhere.

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1848 17JUL Charles Frederick - 1.3.5 - 337/190

Parents: Robert and Rosalia (nee Gomez)

Siblings: Robert Horatio, Lewis Theodore, Elvira Caroline, Henrietta, Charles Frederick

Married: Anne St Romaine

Children: Etheline Marie, James Percival, Marie Blanche, Eugenie Marie, Ernest Charles Raymond, Marie, Mathilda Marie.

Charles Frederick was born in Calcutta, the third son of Robert Deefholts, in 1848. According to his father's will he also had two sisters, both assumed to be his senior. According to his great-grandson, James Ian Frederick, Charles married Anne St Romaine (born 13/1/1849, the daughter of Lewis St Romaine, who married a French moorish woman and was part-owner of the Great Eastern Hotel) in 1871. Robert's will shows that he bequeathed 10 shares in the Great Eastern Hotel to his beneficiaries and that Charles' elder sister, Elvira Caroline, also married a St Romaine.

Charles is first mentioned in local directories in 1874, living with his father at 7 Emambaug 2nd Lane, Calcutta. The following year he is listed at the same address as a Pleader in the High Court, and subsequently as a Pleader in the Small Claims Court. The family moved to Kidderpore in 1883 and to 14 Chapel Road, Hastings in 1890. One family anecdote recalls that "one of the earliest of the family in India lived at Hastings, Calcutta and because of his fastidious dress habits was called the Duke of Hastings!" This could well have been Charles Frederick.

Although there is no record of Charles and Anne's marriage in the Ecclesiastical returns, there is a record of their first daughter, Etheline Marie, born in 1874, who married Edward Joseph McGrath in 1914. Their second child, James Percival, was born in 1876, followed by Marie Blanche, who was born in 1877 and died of Bright's Disease in 1907. The fourth, Eugenie Marie, was born in 1879 and married Michael Aloysius McGrath in 1911 (as mentioned above, her elder sister married Michael's father three years later!). The fifth child was Ernest Charles Raymond, born in 1881. He married a Miss Davidson in 1909. Their sixth child was Marie, born 1883. This was possibly "Mabel, daughter of Frederick" who married a Mr Alfred Augustin in 1901 (son of Edwin Augustin and whose brother, Cecil Claude, married Anne Caroline and witnessed the marriage of Ernest Charles). Seventh was Mathilda Marie, born in 1885 and married an Edwin Stuart in 1910.

Charles Frederick died in 1906, aged 58, of Pulmonary Phthisis. Ann died in 1914 of pneumonia, at the age of 65.

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1851/2 est Richard (Priest) - 1.2.1.1

Parents: Frederick Richard and Anne (nee McNeelance)

The 1940s Family Tree records that Richard's father was Frederick Richard Deefholts (son of Richard Deefholts) and Anne Naskelly (in fact, McNeelance). Local directories record the appearance of the Rev. R. Deefholts, S.J. at St Xavier's College, Calcutta, in 1876. He stayed there until 1887, when he became the Rector of St Joseph's College School, Allahabad. In 1888 he is listed as a Military Chaplain at Sitapur, after which there is no further mention. Apart from the tree there is no evidence to establish his parentage.

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1853 est D W

D W, Overseer, PWD, Maunbhoom TBD 1873/75

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1853 est O

Deefholts, O., Preventive Officer, 7 Emambaug, 2nd Lane TBD 1873

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1853/4 Frederic 1.1.1.1 - 415/154

Parents: Frederick and [possibly] Laetitia Henrietta

Siblings: Frederick, Winnifred, Ethel

Married: [Marie Lepies?]

Children: [Frederick Austin?], [male], Sophia, [female]

The 1940s Family Tree lists Frederic as a Carriage inspector on the East India Railway; married Marie Lepies; two sons and two daughters, one of whom was called Sophie. However other records show that Frederick Austin, born 1869/70, worked on the E.I. Railway and married a Constance Marie, so there may have been some confusion in the attribution of biographical details, possibly combining two generations, since Frederick Austin would have been too young to have fathered Sophie.

The Ecclesiastical Records list "Sophia Deefholts 16 Spinster Calcutta d/Frederic Deefholts; married Clive Vincent 21 Bachelor Clerk Calcutta s/William Vincent on July 28th 1891. She would thus have been born in 1875/6. No further details have been traced.

An F.H. Deefholts is listed in a directory in 1874 at 28 Chattawallah Lane, and Cone's Street Directory of 1875 records an F. Deefholts at 28 Chattawallah Gully.

The Ecclesiastical Returns record the death on 4th August 1916 of Frederick Deefholtz [sic] aged 62 of diabetes and complications. His profession is listed as "Educational Department". He was buried at St Joseph's Cathedral, Allahabad. This Frederick would therefore have been born in 1853/4, at which time his father would have been 19 or 20, so there is a reasonable match in timing.

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1856 est J A

J A, Export Tallyman, Calcutta Jetties TBD 1877

J, Assistant to Shed Officer, Calcutta Jetties, 1 Weston's Lane TBD 1878 to 1880

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1857 est T C E

T C E, Tallyman, Calcutta Jetties TBD 1875 to 77

T C E, Examining Officer, Customs Dept, 218 Bow Bazar St TBD78/9 (sharing with Henry Edmond)

T C E, Examining Officer, Customs Dept, 88 Bow Bazar St TBD 1880 (sharing with Henry Edmond)

T C E, Examining Officer, Customs Dept, 33 Blackburn's Lane TBD81 (sharing with F.Deefholts)

T E Gate Officer, Calcutta Jetties, 216 Bow Bazar Street TBD1878 (sharing with Felix Emanuel & Lewis)

The above listings in the annual directories are the only references to TCE which have been located. After this he disappears. His date of birth is estimated on the assumption that he was 18 at his first appearance. Could he also have been Felix's son?

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1859/60 Margaret - 1.1.2.1m - 367/147

WHEN DIED 1910, August 11th. Margaret Deefolths [sic], aged 50. Cause of death not known. Buried at the Roman Catholic Cemetery, Convent Place, Entally. She would thus have been born between 12th August 1859 and 11th August 1860.

= Margaret Peters m Lewis [1.1.2.1].

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1860 est Richard - 1.1.5.1

Listed in 1940s Family Tree as "Son of Philliphine & A. Deefholts nee D'Cruze". No further details traced.

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1860/61 Henry Cecil M - 1.2.3.1 - 525/182

Parents: Henry Augustus (married Miss Myers)

Siblings: Henry Cecil, Frederick St Claire, Claude, Ettie, Clementine, Eva, Annie

Married: Ada (Matilda) Susan Kennedy

Children: Henry Egerton, Ada Millicent, Cyril John, Enid Maud, George Maurice, Claude Ashley, Eric Carl

The 1940s Family Tree lists Henry as the eldest son of Henry (Augustus) Deefholts, married Miss Kennedy. These details are correct, but the tree then confuses him with Henry Edmund, son of Lewis, stating his date of as 6th May 1838 (chronologically impossible) and attributing Henry Edmund's children to him.

Henry Cecil's first appearance in the India List is in 1882. The India List shows him as a Customs Officer in the Preventive Service from 1882 (9th Grade) up to 1895 (7th Grade). Local directories list him as a preventive officer from 1882 up to 1900 (after which no directories consulted).

HCM's marriage to Ada (Matilda) Susan Kennedy is not recorded in the Ecclesiastical Returns, but there is a record of a Henry Egerton Deefholts, born on 31st April 1889, the son of Henry Cecil and Ada Susan Deefholts. Sadly, Henry Egerton's death from paralysis of the brain is also recorded three months later (now shown as the son of Henry and Matilda Deefholts). There is also a record of the marriage of in 1917 of Ada Millicent Deefholts, aged 25, the daughter of Henry C. Deefholts. No offspring have been traced. The third child, Cyril John, was born in 1894 or 1895. The fourth, Enid Maud, died of TB at the age of 30 in 1928. There is also a record of the birth on 20th July 1900 of George Maurice, the son of Harry and Ada Deefholts, Harry being a preventive officer. Finally, there is the marriage certificate of Eric Carl Deefholts, a customs officer, to Mary Farrel Beard, in 1934 aged 28. They had at least one son, Leslie Allan, born 1935. Henry Cecil himself lived on until 1930, when he died of acute cardiac failure aged 69, situating his birth date between 23rd June 1860 and 22nd June 1861.

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1861 est Lewis - 1.1.2.1

Parents: Felix Emmanuel & Bertha

Siblings: Lewis

Married: Margaret Peters (Source: 1940s Family Tree)

Children: David Samuel

According to the 1940s Family Tree Lewis became a tally clerk, married a Margaret Peters, but had no issue. An L.A. Deefholts turns up for the first time in the directories in 1878, working as an export tallyman and living with his father at 216 Bow Bazar Lane. There is a T.E. Deefholts, also a tallyman on the Calcutta jetties, living at the same address from 1875 to 1878, after which he disappears. Could he have also been Felix’s son? L.A.’s last appearance in the directories is in 1882 but research at the IOL indicates that Lewis & Margaret had at least one child, David Samuel, born on 13Jan1898. They had now moved to 91 Bow Bazar Street, and Lewis’ occupation is merely stated as "Independent". Margaret died in 1910 aged 50 of unknown causes.

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1861 est Male - 1.1.4.1

Parents: Henry Edmund & Virginia Gonsalves

Siblings: (Male), Elwyn, Milford, Mabel, Rodney, Blanchard, Birdie

"Son, stillborn" - 1940s Family Tree

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1862 est Alice - 1.1.5.2

Listed in 1940s Family Tree as "Daughter of Philliphine & A. Deefholts, m. Mr Lapies". No further details traced.

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1863 est  Elizabeth

 

Note: cp Alice 1862 est

 

De Foltz

Elizabeth

Gomes

Henry Daniel

290

48a

1884

 

 

1863 Elwyn Camillus - 1.1.4.2 - 252/12 - 593/173

Parents: Henry Edmund & Virginia Gonsalves

Siblings: (Male), Elwyn, Milford, Mabel, Rodney, Blanchard, Birdie

Married: Mary Grace (nee Caesar/ Cesar)

Children: Irene Maria, Adrienne, Roland Elwyn, Ulric Conrad

Biography

Photograph of Elwyn with his grandaughter, Adrienne (jnr), 1930s?

Photograph of Mary Grace with her daughter, Adrienne (snr), c.1910?

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1865 21JUL Milford Raymond - 1.1.4.3 - 203/195 - 291/337 - 413/40 - 517/144

Parents: Henry Edmund & Virginia Gonsalves

Siblings: (Male), Elwyn, Milford, Mabel, Rodney, Blanchard, Birdie

Married: Elizabeth (Alice) Murray; Ethel Murray; Coral St Martin

Children: Cyril; Ronald; Eileen; Reginald; Adrianne; Henry; Millicent; Edredge; Constance; Ivy; Hellen; Arnold; Carlyle; Irene; Kathleen.

Biography

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1866 Frederick St Clair - 1.2.3.2 - 266/278 - 487/169

Parents: Henry Augustus (married Miss Myers)

Siblings: Henry Cecil, Frederick St Claire, Claude, Ettie, Clementine, Eva, Annie

Married: Maude Estelle Kennedy

Children: Aileen Clare

Frederick St Clair was the second son of Henry Augustus Deefholts and, like his two brothers he married a Miss Kennedy - Maude Estelle, the 21 year old daughter of John Kennedy. The wedding took place on 27th June 1898 and was witnessed by Frederick's younger brother Claude Deefholts and George Kennedy. Their daughter, Aileen Clare, was born in 1901. Frederick was an engineer. He died on 25th September 1925 of septicemia, aged 59. There is no record of what happened to Maude.

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1867 DEC Lewis/Louis Joseph - 1.3.2.1 - 218/260 - 321/188

Parents: Lewis Theodore and Melenthia Rose (nee Coutts)

Siblings: Louis Joseph, Beatrice Eugenie, Leonie Mary

Married: Augusta Barbara Vogel, 1891

Children: Robert Augustus (Robin), [David Daniel?], Bride (1898 est)

Louis married Augusta Barbara Vogel, the daughter of Simon Vogel, in 1891 at the age of 24 (218/260). His marriage certificate gives his profession as a teacher, but he is listed as an auditor in the Postal Accounts Office between 1897 and 1900 and as a post office clerk on his burial certificate. The marriage was witnessed by L.St Romaine. Their first son, Robert Augustus (Robin) was born in 1892/3. Also possibly the parents of David Daniel, whose marriage certificate gives his father's name as Joseph, and also of Bride, abt 1898, who married in 1915.

Louis Joseph died of diabetes and gangrene in 1904, leaving Augusta the considerable sum of Rs16,240 (see Wills). Augusta got married again two years later to John McCartney, the son of Henry McCartney. Her age is given as 31 (having lost 4 years somewhere).

Photograph of Louis Joseph and his siblings.

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1868 est Beatrice Eugenie - 1.3.2.2  258/19

Parents: Lewis Theodore and Melenthia Rose (nee Coutts)

Siblings: Louis Joseph, Beatrice Eugenie, Leonie Mary

Married: Percival Seymour Fegredo

Children: Percival Donald (1898), Denzi (1901), Esmeralda (1902), Alma Esca (1905), Ianthe Eudore (1907), Isadora Mirella (?), Rayner [phonetic] = daughter (?).

Beatrice Eugenie married Percival Seymour Fegredo on 22nd June 1897. Their eldest son was Percival Donald, born 12Jun1898, followed by 6 siblings. Source: The Indiaman, the Journal of the British Ancestors in India Society, June 1998 - Letter from Y. Fegredo, which also names Beatrice's parents and children.

Photograph of Beatrice Eugenie and her siblings (Beatrice seated)

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1868/9 Mary Winefrede - 1.1.1.1.1 - 210/192

Parents: Frederick

Siblings: Mary Winefrede, Frederick Austin, Etheline Aurora, Sophia

Married: Chas. Castere

Listed in 1940s Family Tree as "Winnifred, daugher of Frederick Deefholts (Jetties) m Mr Castere". The Ecclesiastical Returns record her marriage in 1889 at the age of 20 to Mr Chas Castere (misspelt "Caston" in the Returns but correctly spelt as "Castere" when he witnessed Ethel's marriage in 1893). He was aged 33, a bachelor working at the Home Secretariat. His father's name was John. They married at the Catholic Cathedral, Moorgheehata. The marriage was witnessed by L.A. Deefholts.

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1869 Mabel - 1.1.4.4

Parents: Henry Edmund & Virginia Gonsalves

Siblings: (Male), Elwyn, Milford, Mabel, Rodney, Blanchard, Birdie

Married: Edward O. Rooney

Note that Edward Rooney witnessed her brother Milford's marriage to Alice Murray in 1898; his marriage to Ethel Murray in 1901 (Edward O. Rooney); and that of his son, Reginald.

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1869/70 Frederick Austin - 1.1.1.1.2 - 355/217

Parents: Frederick

Siblings: Mary Winefrede, Frederick Austin, Etheline Aurora, Sophia

Married: Constance Marie [Lepies?]

Children: Dorothy Adelaide (1899), Denis Frederick (1900), Marie Isabelle (1902), Mary Gertrude (1902), Frederic Anthony (1904), Percival Allen (1905)

The proliferation of "Fredericks" again makes the link between generations subject to question and speculation. The 1940s Family Tree records that a fourth-generation Frederick married a Marie Lepies and worked on the East India Railway, and had two sons and two daughters, one of whom was called Sophie. However, Sophie was born in 1875. This may have been a confusion of biographical data across two generations. What is undoubted from the records of his children's baptisms and his own marriage and burial in the Ecclesiastical Records is that Frederick Austin was born in 1869/70 (when his imputed father would have been 16 or 17) and married Constance Marie (whose maiden name is not recorded). At that time he was working for the Carriage Deparment on the railways. They had a string of children in fast succession, most of whom died in infancy. Constance Marie died in 1906 of pulmonary consumption, at the age of 26 (Frederick Austin by this time working as a mechanic on the East India Railway in Allahabad). She was buried at St Joseph's Church. Frederick Austin died in Allahabad three years later, also of consumption, at the age of 39. Note that his imputed father, Frederick, also died in Allahabad, in 1916 (aged 62), and was buried at St Joseph's Cathedral.

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1869/70 Charles Robert - 527/140

WHEN DIED 1930, August 29th. Charles Robert Deefholts. 60. Profession unknown. Chronic nephritis. Buried: St Ignatius Church RC 527/140 - Thus born between 28Aug1869 and 29Aug1870.

Possibly son of Lewis Theodore (whose brother was Charles & whose father was Robert)?

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1870/71 Claude - 1.2.3.3 - 485/159

Parents: Henry Augustus (married Miss Myers)

Siblings: Henry Cecil, Frederick St Claire, Claude, Ettie, Clementine, Eva, Annie

Married: Miss Kennedy

Children: Beryl K

" Harwood & Co " m Miss Kennedy Source: 1940s Family Tree

Witnessed marriage Frederic St Clair 1898 (266/278)?

C Asst. Medl. Dispensary 150 Dhurrumtollah St TID96/98/1900?

CE Manager, Bristowe & Bennett 49 Dhurrumtollah Street TID96-7?

C. Asst. Traill & Co Ld, TID1917 - Lists Traill & Co as a booksellers and printers.

WHEN DIED 1925, May 30th. Claud Ernest Deefholts. 54 years. Accountant [...?...] Trail Co, Calcutta. Shock. Lower Circular Road RC. He would thus have been born between 31st May 1870 and 30th May 1871.

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1871 26JUN Leonie Mary - 1.3.2.3 - 327/45

Parents: Lewis Theodore and Melenthia Rose (nee Coutts)

Siblings: Louis Joseph, Beatrice Eugenie, Leonie Mary

Leonie Mary was the daughter of Lewis Theodore Deefholts and Melenthia Rose Coutts. She had at least one elder sister, Beatrice Eugenie, and a brother Louis Joseph. She died in 1905 at the age of 34 of Chronic Intestinal Obstruction. No further details of her have been traced.

Photograph of Leonie Mary and her siblings (Leonie believed to be standing, next to Beatrice, seated)

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1872 Rodney - 1.1.4.5

Parents: Henry Edmund & Virginia Gonsalves

Siblings: (Male), Elwyn, Milford, Mabel, Rodney, Blanchard, Birdie

"Son of Henry Edmond + Virginia Gonsalves - Jessop & Co - m Nellie Gonsalves - No issue Source: Regs Family Tree

Nellie Gonsalves any relation to Virginia?

Mariners Tickets 1897-1920: Deepholts [sic] R.E. b.1872 Calcutta, India Merchant Navy cert no 145 issued Bengal 15Nov1897 2nd Class Engineer             [Source: Family History in India website]

An R.E. Deefholts is recorded in the 1917 Thacker's Indian Director working as an assistant at "Jessop & Co Ld, 93 Clive Street", which was a large iron foundry.

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1872 Joseph Edmund - 1.2.4.1 - 339/39

Parents: Edmund Alfred and Caroline Rose (nee D'Souza)

Siblings: Joseph Edmund, Genevieve (Elsie), Richard Alfred, Amy, Eda, Ernest, Henry Oswald,  Anne Caroline (Dotty)

Married: Marie Johanna Luker

Children: Agnes, Iris Mary

Joseph was the son of Edmund Alfred and Caroline Rose Deefholts (nee D'Souza). He had at least two brothers, Richard Alfred and Henry Oswald, and five sisters: Amy, Anne, Genevieve (Elsie), Eda and Dotty. He witnessed the marriage of Richard Alfred in 1899 [278/283] and was executor of his mother's will after she died of suspected plague in 1904. He married Marie Johanna Luker, 20, the daughter of William Henry Luker, in January 1907, at the age of 35. The certificate records him as the son of Edmund Alfred Deefholts. They had a daughter, Iris Mary, born the previous October [342/48] and another daugher, Agnes.  Joseph was a head pipe-layer for the Calcutta Corporation.  Marie died as a widow of meningitis in 1936, at the age of 49 [575/151].

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1872/3 Etheline Aurora - 1.1.1.1.3 - 234/64

Parents: Frederick

Siblings: Mary Winefrede, Frederick Austin, Etheline Aurora, Sophia

Married: Alfred Arratoon

Listed in 1940s Family Tree as "Ethel, daugher of Frederick Deefholts (Jetties) m Mr Arratoon".

The Ecclesiastic Returns record her marriage in 1893 at the age of 20 to Mr Alfred Arratoon, the son of Sarkies Arratoon, from a well-known and reputedly well-to-do Armenian family. He was aged 25, a bachelor working as an engineer. They married at the Roman Catholic Cathedral, Moorgheehata. The marriage was witnessed by Chas Castere, who had married her elder sister Winefrede four years earlier.

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1873 est Ettie - 1.2.3.4

Parents: Henry Augustus (married Miss Myers)

Siblings: Henry Cecil, Frederick St Claire, Claude, Ettie, Clementine, Eva, Annie

Listed in 1940s Family Tree as the daughter of Henry (Augustus) Deefholts. No further details traced.

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1873 Wilfred - 149/339

WHEN DIED 1874, July 2nd Wilfred Deefholts 1 1/2 year - Son of writer - Consumption - Monghyr, Jamalpore, RC Church 149/339

The only "writer" known to be around at this time was Henry Augustus (1.2.3), who was producing a (reasonably extended) family at this time, but the link to Monghyr is a puzzle.

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1873 est Genevieve (Elsie) - 1.2.4.2

Parents: Edmund Alfred and Caroline Rose (nee D'Souza)

Siblings: Joseph Edmund, Genevieve (Elsie), Richard Alfred, Amy, Eda, Ernest, Henry Oswald,  Anne Caroline (Dotty)

Elsie was the daughter of Edmund Alfred and Caroline Rose Deefholts. She is mentioned in her mother's will in 1904 (at that time as yet unmarried), but no other trace has been found of her and her date of birth has been estimated by reference to her siblings. On the basis that she acted as executrix she is probably eldest daughter (next down from Joseph). She was bequeathed a square piano and a share of cash (to be returned in the event that she got married, which she didn’t!)

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1873/4 Etheline Marie - 1.3.5.1 - 395/57

Parents: Charles Frederick & Anne (nee St Romaine)

Siblings: Etheline Marie, James Percival, Marie Blanche, Eugenie Marie, Ernest Charles Raymond, Marie, Mathilda Marie.

Etheline Marie married Mr Edward McGrath (father of her younger sister's husband) in 1914, she aged 40, he 62. They lived in Hastings. The marriage was witnessed by her brother James Percival.

WHEN MARRIED 1914 March 19th Edward Joseph McGrath 62 Widower Nil Hastings s/ Edward McGrath Etheline Marie Deefholts 40 Spinster Hastings d/ C.F. Deefholts w/ J. P. Deefholts E. A. Webber St Patrick's Ft William 395/57 [Etheline thus born between 20Mar1873 & 19Mar1874].

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1874 Blanchard 1.1.4.6

Parents: Henry Edmund & Virginia Gonsalves

Siblings: (Male), Elwyn, Milford, Mabel, Rodney, Blanchard, Birdie

"Occupation: East Bengal Railway; No issue" Source: 1940s Family Tree

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1875 est Clementine - 1.2.3.5

Parents: Henry Augustus (married Miss Myers)

Siblings: Henry Cecil, Frederick St Claire, Claude, Ettie, Clementine, Eva, Annie

Listed in 1940s Family Tree as the daughter of Henry (Augustus) Deefholts, married [1] Mr D'Silva [2] Mr Victor.

No further details traced.

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1875 Birdie - 1.1.4.7

Parents: Henry Edmund & Virginia Gonsalves

Siblings: (Male), Elwyn, Milford, Mabel, Rodney, Blanchard, Birdie

"Died in Infancy" source: 1940s Family Tree

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1875 Charles James - 1.2.2.1 - 295/425

Parents: William and [Claudita?]

Siblings: Charles James

Married: Adeline Theresa Fegredo

Children: Dorothy Inez

Charles James Deefholts was born in 1875, the son of William Deefholts. Charles, a telegraph signaller, won a Royal Humane Society Bronze Medal for rescuing a woman in distress ("Ma Sein") from the Irrawaddy river in 1898! He married Adelina Theresa Fegredro at the Catholic Cathedral in Rangoon in 1901. "Madame Adeline Deefholts" apparently achieved some renown as a musician (according to one anecdote, as a singer on Bombay radio, Charles being promoted in the same anecdote to Postmaster General of Rangoon). They had a daughter, Dorothy Inez, on 15th September 1902. Thacker's Indian Directory of 1917 records a "C.J. Deefholts, tel.mr,Rangoon".

Adelina's father was Henry Arnold Fegredo (1862-1919). He married Clementina Matilda Kimbrell in Calcutta and had three sons (Albert, Harold and William) and one daughter (Adelina, born 1886 - only 15 when she married and 16 when she had her first baby). Henry's children were born in Rangoon, where he was something to do with shipping. The sons all ended up in England, arriving just after WW1. Harold had at least one son, Rudolph.

Dorothy Inez married Tom Stuart Bradley, the son of Percy Bradley, in 1924. At that time he was an assistant at Whiteaway & Laidlaw, the department store, in Rangoon. According to one Fegredo family anecdote they had three children (captured in a Fegredo family photograph dressed in 20/30s clothes, taken in Rangoon) and subsequently moved to Birmingham, where he went into sausage manufacturing.

There is another connection with a different branch of the Fegredo family, with the marriage between Beatrice Eugenie Deefholts and Percival Fegredo on 22nd June 1897.

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1875/6 Sophia - 1.1.1.1.4 - 268/251

Parents: Frederick

Siblings: Mary Winefrede, Frederick Austin, Etheline Aurora, Sophia

The Ecclesiastical Records list "Sophia Deefholts 16 Spinster Calcutta d/Frederic Deefholts; married Clive Vincent 21 Bachelor Clerk Calcutta s/William Vincent on July 28th 1891. She would thus have been born in 1875/6. No further details have been traced.

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1876 17MAY James Percival - 1.3.5.2 - 320/31

Parents: Charles Frederick & Anne (nee St Romaine)

Siblings: Etheline Marie, James Percival, Marie Blanche, Eugenie Marie, Ernest Charles Raymond, Marie, Mathilda Marie.

Married: Millicent (Minnie) Turton

Children: Mignonette, James St Clair, Dorothy, Frederick R. E., Marie Teresa, Sybil Enid, Dulcia May, Gladys Rose, Marjorie, Kenneth.

Charles and Anne's second child, James Percival, was born in 1876. He married Minnie (Millicent) Turton in 1903, at that time working for the Salt Revenue department of the Bengal Secretariat at Tundok (?) district, Midnapore. James Percival's great-grandson, James Ian Frederick, gives the following biography: "Second son of Charles and Ann Deefholts. Born 17/5/1876. Married Minnie (Millicent) Turton on 21/1/1903, the daughter of William Cecil Turton, a minister born in Birkenhead England. He was attached to the Fusilier Regiment as chaplain. [...]" James and Minnie had ten or so children. Mignonette was born in 1904 and died the same year of enteritis. James St Clair, who was born in 1905 at Funlook, also died in infancy at the age of 4 months, of convulsions. Dorothy Inez was born the following year and survived to marry a Herbert Bird in 1933. Next was Frederick Robert Edmond, in 1908. A gap of five years followed until the birth of Marie Teresa in 1913. Next was Sybil Enid in 1915 [408/62]. She married a Patrick Burns in 1935 at the Bandel Church in Hooghly. [563/36]. 1916 saw the arrival of Dulcia May. James Percival is recorded in Thacker's Indian Directory, 1917, as a Superintendent of Salt and Excise, Khulna, living at 15 Chapel Road, Hastings. Gladys Rose was born in 1919 [583/48]. She married a Kenneth McCready in 1937. JIF also refers to a youngest daughter, Marjorie, and a youngest son, Kenneth. Minnie Turton died on 25th July 1937 - her age given as 56 - James is believed to have died shortly thereafter.

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1876 MAR Richard Alfred - 1.2.4.3 - 278/283 - 587/147

Parents: Edmund Alfred and Caroline Rose (nee D'Souza)

Siblings: Joseph Edmund, Genevieve (Elsie), Richard Alfred, Amy, Eda, Ernest, Henry Oswald,  Anne Caroline (Dotty)

Married: Lilian May Rodrigues

Children: Ludovica Noreen, Ivy Henrietta, Edmund Alfred, Alfred Malcolm, Ralph

Richard Alfred married Lilian May Rodrigues at the age of 24 in 1899, Joseph acting as one of his witnesses. At that time he was working for the Government Telegraph Office in Calcutta. The next year saw the birth of their daughter Ludovica Noreen, by which time he was a Telegraph Signaller in Mandalay. Their second daughter, Ivy Henrietta, was born two years later, also in Mandalay.  In 1904 their third child, Edmund Alfred, died of inflammation of the bowels at the age of six months at the Agra Cantonment. Their next son, Alfred Malcolm, also died at Agra, of enteritis at the age of ten months, in 1905. The following year Richard witnessed the marriage of his sister, Anne Caroline, to Cecil Augustine at Moorgheehatta. Their youngest son, Ralph, was born in 1921. 

Richard Alfred died in 1938 at the age of 61 and was buried with his parents in a family vault in the churchyard of St John’s Church, Middleton Row, Sealdah.  (The vault was still intact in 1992).  Lilian May moved over to England with her son Ralph in 1955 (see Passenger Lists).

WHEN MARRIED 1899, Nov 9th Richard Alfred Deefholts 24 years Bachelor Govt. tel. office Calcutta s/ Edmund A. Deefholts Lilian May Rodrigues 19 years Spinster Calcutta William A. WITNESSES Jos. E. Deefholts [278/283]

[Note: Lilian May could have been cousin of Joseph Edmund’s wife, Johanna Luker, whose mother’s maiden name was also Rodrigues]

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1876/7 Mary Bridget - 571/158

Died at the age of 59. No further details known.

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1877 JUL Marie Blanche - 1.3.5.3 - 339/172

Parents: Charles Frederick & Anne (nee St Romaine)

Siblings: Etheline Marie, James Percival, Marie Blanche, Eugenie Marie, Ernest Charles Raymond, Marie, Mathilda Marie.

Died of Bright's disease.

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1877 est Amy - 1.2.4.4

Parents: Edmund Alfred and Caroline Rose (nee D'Souza)

Siblings: Joseph Edmund, Genevieve (Elsie), Richard Alfred, Amy, Eda, Ernest, Henry Oswald, Anne Caroline (Dotty)

Married: George Grant

Children: Mary, Sam, George, Irwin, Elsie, Emily

Amy is mentioned in her mother's will (dated August 1903) by which time she was married, but no other trace has been found of her and her date of birth has been estimated by reference to her siblings.  Her husband, George Grant, appears as witness on the marriage certificates of her brothers Joseph and Henry.

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1877 est Eva - 1.2.3.6

Parents: Henry Augustus (married Miss Myers)

Siblings: Henry Cecil, Frederick St Claire, Claude, Ettie, Clementine, Eva, Annie

Listed in 1940s Family Tree as the daughter of Henry (Augustus) Deefholts. No further details traced.

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1878 07SEP Harry F - [1.4.1.1?] – 305/20

Engineer.  Died of tetanus at the age of 22.  Buried in Calcutta.

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1879 27SEP Eugenie Marie - 1.3.5.4 – 170/84 – 371/25

Parents: Charles Frederick & Anne (nee St Romaine)

Siblings: Etheline Marie, James Percival, Marie Blanche, Eugenie Marie, Ernest Charles Raymond, Marie, Mathilda Marie.

Married: Michael Aloysius McGrath

Children: [Ivan Harold?]

Eugenie was the daughter of Charles Frederick and Anne Deefholts [170/84]. She is believed to be the mother to Ivan Harold Deefholts, who died of teething diarrhoea at the age of 10 months in 1897, when she would have been 18. [269/30]. The burial certificate gives the name of only one parent "E.M.Deefholts". Could the use of initials have been out of discretion?

On 04Feb1911 she is recorded as marrying Michael Aloysius McGrath, a Bachelor, aged 30, employed as a clerk on the East India Railway then living at Hastings, the son of Edward Joseph. She is recorded as a spinster, aged 32, living at Hastings. They married at Fort William and the marriage was witnessed by Edward Joseph McGrath and James Percival Deefholts. [371/25] No further details have been traced.

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1879 est Eda - 1.2.4.5

Parents: Edmund Alfred and Caroline Rose (nee D'Souza)

Siblings: Joseph Edmund, Genevieve (Elsie), Richard Alfred, Amy, Eda, Ernest, Henry Oswald,  Anne Caroline (Dotty)

Eda is mentioned in her mother's will (dated August 1903).  She is also mentioned (as “Eva”) in a family tree drawn by her nephew, Ralph, but no other trace has been found of her and her date of birth has been estimated by reference to her siblings.  She didn’t marry.

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1879 est Annie 1.2.3.7

Parents: Henry Augustus (married Miss Myers)

Siblings: Henry Cecil, Frederick St Claire, Claude, Ettie, Clementine, Eva, Annie

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1879/1880  Ernest Raymond  1.2.4.6

Parents: Edmund Alfred and Caroline Rose (nee D'Souza)

Siblings: Joseph Edmund, Genevieve (Elsie), Richard Alfred, Amy, Eda, Ernest, Henry Oswald,  Anne Caroline (Dotty)

Married: Amy (Amelia) Lilian Davidson

Children: Roch Edmond, Norman, Alice

Ernest Raymond married Amelia Davidson in 1909 and had three children: Roch Edmond, born 1910; Norman, and Alice N., born 1915.  He worked at Whiteaway Laidlaw with Elwyn (Milford's brother), and must have died in his late-30s to mid-40s since Amy remarried in 1924.

WHEN MARRIED: 1909 May 8th, Ernest Raymond, 29, Bachelor, Asst. Whiteaway Laidlaw Co, 19 Suri Lane, s/ Edmund Alfred Deefholts Amy Lilian Davidson, 23, Spinster, 26 European Asylum Lane, witnessed by Andrew Emma [sic] Davidson R.G. Deefholts, C.C. Augustin [357/24].  Note the witnesses: R.G. Deefholts (probably R.A. = Richard Alfred) and C.C. Augustin, probably Cecil Claude Augustine, who married Anne Caroline.

LDS Family History Centre Microfilm # 0527575 21 Jun 1924 at St. Francis Xavier Church, Calcutta. Chrysanthus Norman D'Cruze, 26, bachelor, Anglo Swiss Watch Co (Father: John D'Cruze) and Amy Lilian DEEFHOLTS, 38, widow, (Father: Jack Emmer DAVIDSON)

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1881 26JUN Oscar - 305/158

WHEN DIED 1902 JUN19 Oscar Deefholts 20 yrs 11mos 23 days Preventive Officer 1902 JUN20 Haemaplegia [?] The Roman Catholic Cemetery, Lower Circular Road, Calcutta

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1881 20NOV Ernest Charles Raymond 1.3.5.5 - 178/85

Parents: Charles Frederick & Anne (nee St Romaine)

Siblings: Etheline Marie, James Percival, Marie Blanche, Eugenie Marie, Ernest Charles Raymond, Marie, Mathilda Marie.

1881, Nov 20 Ernest Charles Raymond Male PARENTS Charles Frederick & Anne Deefolts [sic] Calcutta Pleader

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1882/3 Henry Oswald - 1.2.4.7 - 357/24

Parents: Edmund Alfred and Caroline Rose (nee D'Souza)

Siblings: Joseph Edmund, Genevieve (Elsie), Richard Alfred, Amy, Eda, Ernest, Henry Oswald, Anne Caroline (Dotty)

Married: Ethel Sylvia de Barros

Children: Beryl May

Henry Oswald married Ethel Sylvia De Barros on 11May1909 at the age of 26, at that time a signaller in the Government Telegraph Office in Chittagong. He was thus born between 12May1882 and 11May1883. The marriage was witnessed by his brother Richard. Their daughter, Beryl May, was born in 1917 and married James Barry, a policeman, in 1937.

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1883 04NOV Marie - 1.3.5.6 - 186/205

Parents: Charles Frederick & Anne (nee St Romaine)

Siblings: Etheline Marie, James Percival, Marie Blanche, Eugenie Marie, Ernest Charles Raymond, Marie, Mathilda Marie.

LDS:Marie Deefholts          Gender F               Birth 04Nov1883 Bengal, India;     Christening 18Nov1883 Father: Frederic [sic] Deefholts

WHEN BAPTISED 1883, Nov 18 SAID TO BE BORN 1883, Nov 4 CHRISTIAN NAME Marie PARENT'S NAMES Frederic [sic] & Ann [sic] [186/205]

AKA MABEL ?: WHEN MARRIED 1901, February 18th Alfred Augustin 24 Bachelor Photographer Calcutta Edwin Augustin Mabel Deefholts 17 Spinster Calcutta Frederick Deefholts [Thus born between 19Feb1883 &18Feb1884]. Note that Alfred was the brother of Cecil Augustin(e):

WHEN MARRIED 1906, Nov 20th. Anne Caroline Deefholts 19 Spinster Calcutta d/Edmund Alfred Cecil Claude Augustine 33 Bachelor Storekeeper OGA Calcutta Edwin Wm Augustine Married at Moorgheehatta wtns R.E. Deefholts

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1885 10SEP Mathilda Marie 1.3.5.7 - 193/107

Parents: Charles Frederick & Anne (nee St Romaine)

Siblings: Etheline Marie, James Percival, Marie Blanche, Eugenie Marie, Ernest Charles Raymond, Marie, Mathilda Marie.

1885 Sept 10 Mathilda Marie Female Charles F. and Anne Deefholts Middupur Pleader

WHEN MARRIED: 1910 Oct26. Edwin Ivie Stuart, 22, Bachelor, Engineer, Hastings. Father: Edwin Stuart. And Hilda Marie Deefholts, 26, Spinster, Hastings. Father: Charles Deefholts. At Fort William. [369/34] (Note inaccurate age: she would have been only 25).

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1886 12JAN Joseph - 1.4.1.1 - 195/288

Parents: Frederick Conrad (snr) & Anna aka Amelia Helen aka Hellen aka Helen E

Siblings: Joseph [1886], Mary Florence [1887/8], Frederick Conrad (jnr) [1890], Percival [1892], Emilie(?) Richmond & Helena Adeline [twins, 1897]

Died in infancy.

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1886 09MAY - Cyril - 1.1.4.3.1

Parents: Milford Raymond & Elizabeth (nee Murray)

Siblings: Cyril, Ronald, Eileen, Reginald, Adrianne, Henry, Millicent, Edredge, Constance, Ivy, Arnold, Carlyle, Irene, Kathleen

Married: Maggie Gasper

Occupation: Fitter E.B. Railway

Note that Cyril's sister Adrianne married Terence Gasper - possibly Maggie's brother?,/p.

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1886/7 Anne Caroline (Dotty) - 1.2.4.8 - 337/24

Parents: Edmund Alfred and Caroline Rose (nee D'Souza)

Siblings: Joseph Edmund, Genevieve (Elsie), Richard Alfred, Amy, Eda, Ernest, Henry Oswald, Anne Caroline (Dotty)

Dotty is mentioned in her mother's will (dated August 1903) at that time as yet unmarried.  She was bequeathed a cottage piano.  According to her nephew (Ralph), Dorothy married Cecil Augustine and had three children, Vera, Ida and Walter.  The marriage certificate shows her real name:

WHEN MARRIED 1906, Nov 20th Anne Caroline Deefholts 19 Spinster Calcutta d/Edmund Alfred Cecil Claude Augustine 33 Bachelor Storekeeper OGA Calcutta Edwin Wm Augustine Married at Moorgheehatta wtns R.E. Deefholts (probably R.A., her brother). Thus DOB 21Nov1886-20Nov1887

Note that Cecil was the brother of Alfred Augustin(e), who married Mabel Deefholts. WHEN MARRIED 1901, February 18th Alfred Augustin 24 Bachelor Photographer Calcutta Edwin Augustin Mabel Deefholts 17 Spinster Calcutta Frederick Deefholts 288/246

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1887 24APR Ronald Bertram - 1.1.4.3.2 - 441/86

Parents: Milford Raymond & Elizabeth (nee Murray)

Siblings: Cyril, Ronald, Eileen, Reginald, Adrianne, Henry, Millicent, Edredge, Constance, Ivy, Arnold, Carlyle, Irene, Kathleen

Married: Mrs L. Grieves

WHEN MARRIED: 1919 December 16th, Ronald Bertram Deefholts, 29, Bachelor E.B. Ry. Guard, Dacca, Milford Raymond Deefholts Charlotte Greve, 30, Widow, Dacca, w/ Robert Smedley, J. Gasper, W.R. Wottacombe [?] 441/86

Photograph

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1887 26AUG Mary Florence - 1.4.1.2 - 349/164

Parents: Frederick Conrad (snr) & Amelia Helen aka Helen E

Siblings: Joseph [1886], Mary Florence [1887/8], Frederick Conrad (jnr) [1890], Percival [1892], Emilie(?) Richmond & Helena Adeline [twins,1897]

WHEN DIED 1908, April 28th Mary Florence 20y 8m 2d Daughter of Fred C & Helen E Deefholts Govt. Pensioner Pulmonary Phthisis Lower Circular Road 349/164

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1887/8 Nesta - 1.2.3.1.1? - 339/34

Parents: Henry Cecil and Ada (Matilda) Susan (nee Kennedy)?

Siblings: Henry Egerton, Ada Millicent, Cyril John, Enid Maud, George Maurice, Claude Ashley, Eric Carl?

WHEN MARRIED: 1907, Jan 22nd. John Syerse Jebb. 22. Bachelor. Asst. Scott Thompson, Calcutta. John Nicholas Jebb and Nesta Deefholts, 19. Calcutta. Henry Deefholts. 339/34 Hence dob 23Jan1887-22Jan1888.

Is Henry Cecil the only feasible Henry in town at the time?

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1889 31APR Henry Egerton - 1.2.3.1.1 - 209/494

Parents: Henry Cecil and Ada (Matilda) Susan (nee Kennedy)

Siblings: Henry Egerton, Ada Millicent, Cyril John, Enid Maud, George Maurice, Claude Ashley, Eric Carl

BORN: 1889, April 31st Henry Egerton Male Henry Cecil and Ada Susan Deefholts Calcutta Custom Office

Died in infancy (paralysis of the brain).

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1889 14DEC Eileen Marie - 1.1.4.3.3 - 349/29

Parents: Milford Raymond & Elizabeth (nee Murray)

Siblings: Cyril, Ronald, Eileen, Reginald, Adrianne, Henry, Millicent, Edredge, Constance, Ivy, Arnold, Carlyle, Irene, Kathleen

Married: Edwin Bastien 28Apr1908 (349/29)

Children: Edwin 16Jan1909, Willie 13Feb1910, Joyce 1918/1919, Desmond 15Aug1920

Acted as sponsor to baptism of Esmond Lionel Deefholts, 1928.

Died: 20Aug1945

Son Edwin m Miss Bully d 24FEB1943

Photograph

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1890 25JAN Frederic Conrad - 1.4.1.3 - 410A/78 - 211/48

Parents: Frederick Conrad (snr) & Anna aka Hellen

Siblings: Joseph [1886], Mary Florence [1887/8], Frederick Conrad (jnr) [1890], Percival [1892], Emilie(?) Richmond & Helena Adeline [twins, 1897]

Married: Dorothy Isabella

Children: Henry, Denzil, Foster, Mervyn Allan, Lionel (Leo)

In 1890 the birth is recorded of Frederick Conrad, born on 25th January, the son of Frederic [sic] Deefholts, whose profession is registered as a Preventive Officer, and his wife, Anna. Frederick Conrad (junior) married in 1913 and had five sons. At the time of the birth of his second son, Foster, he was working as an assistant at a Gramophone company. By 1919, with the birth of his fourth son, Mervyn, his profession had changed to furniture contractor. In 1924, when Mervyn died at the age of at the age of 5 of Kala Azar (a tropical disease caused by the bite of certain types of sandfly) he'd become an extra assistant at the Royal Calcutta Turf Club. Mona Kranenburg, who used to live in the flat above in the Lower Circular Road, Calcutta, remembered them all as a very musical family, playing the piano and the guitar among other instruments. She also recalled the enormous turtles (Mona spread her arms to suggest a beast three feet long!) which used to roam freely around the flat. Frederick died in 1961.

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1890/1 Ada Millicent 1.2.3.1.2 - 419/362

Parents: Henry Cecil and Ada (Matilda) Susan (nee Kennedy)

Siblings: Henry Egerton, Ada Millicent, Cyril John, Enid Maud, George Maurice, Claude Ashley, Eric Carl

WHEN MARRIED 1917 February 14th Ivan Fleming 26 years Bachelor Calcutta John A. Fleming Ada Millicent Deefholts 25 Spinster Calcutta Henry C. Deefholts Geo. Stoddart Cyril Deefholts 419/362

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1891 11FEB Reginald Sidney - 1.1.4.3.4 - 449/123

Parents: Milford Raymond & Elizabeth (nee Murray)

Siblings: Cyril, Ronald, Eileen, Reginald, Adrianne, Henry, Millicent, Edredge, Constance, Ivy, Arnold, Carlyle, Irene, Kathleen

Married: (1) Eileen Rebeiro (2) Olive Gillis

Children: (1) Joan. (2) Colin, Leon, Pamela, Margaret, Keith.

Biography

Photograph

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1892 31JAN Percival St Clair - 1.4.1.4

Parents: Frederick Conrad (snr) & Hellen

Siblings: Joseph [1886], Mary Florence [1887/8], Frederick Conrad (jnr) [1890], Percival [1892], Emilie(?) Richmond & Helena Adeline [twins, 1897]

January 31st Percival St Clair Frederick & Hellen Deefholts Calcutta Inspector of Customs

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1892/3 Robert Augustus - 1.3.2.1.1 - 419/63 - 499/198

Parents: Louis Joseph & Augusta Barbara (nee Vogel)

Siblings: Robert Augustus, [David Daniel?], Bride

Married: Ida Blanche Waddel

Children: Robert Eric

R. Deefholts witnessed his sister (Bride's) wedding in 1915.

WHEN MARRIED 1917 February 1st Robin Deefholts * 24 Bachelor Licensed Measurer 27 Durrumtollah Street s/ Louis Deefholts Ida Waddel 19 Spinster 86 Elliot Road Charles Waddel *Signed R.A. Deefholts Sacred Heart, Durrumtollah 419/63

422/50 1917 September 3rd - Robert Eric - Robert A and Ida Blanche Deefholt [sic] - Calcutta - Licensed Measurer

Died of opium poisoning at the age of 34.

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1893 01JAN Adrianne Virginia- 1.1.4.3.5

Parents: Milford Raymond & Elizabeth (nee Murray)

Siblings: Cyril, Ronald, Eileen, Reginald, Adrianne, Henry, Millicent, Edredge, Constance, Ivy, Arnold, Carlyle, Irene, Kathleen

Married: Terence Gasper

Children: Oswald, Alice, Eva, Charlie, Mercia, Edgar, Shirley, Joan

Biography

Photograph

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1893/4 Cyril John - 1.2.3.1.3

Parents: Henry Cecil and Ada (Matilda) Susan (nee Kennedy)

Siblings: Henry Egerton, Ada Millicent, Cyril John, Enid Maud, George Maurice, Claude Ashley, Eric Carl

Married: Mary (Marie) Ann D'Silva

Children: Cyril Brian, Erroll, Keith, Donald

Cyril John married Mary (Marie) Ann D'Silva in 1924. At that time he was living in Calcutta, in "Government Service". Marie was born in Ranchi (now part of Bihar state) in 1903/1904. Her father was Alfred Eustace D'Silva, who first married Winnefred Larkins, the daughter of John and Isabella Larkins. When Winnefred died during childbirth, in Burma, he married her sister Millicent Regina Larkins and settled in Ranchi where he became the head of the local technical School. No details have been found about Alfred's father; his mother's maiden name was Chambers. Marie was the fifth of ten siblings.

According to Cyril Brian's son, Steven, Cyril John was in the Secret Service during the war and had four sons. Family lore held that their ancestors had once owned vast tracts in Chinsura and were heavily involved in jute plantations.

Steven's brother, Gerald, recalled that the story in their family was that his great-grandfather, Henry Cecil, built up his own shipping and forwarding business after retiring from Customs, and left a large endowment for his widow. He also said that Marie D'Silva's father was an orphan; a self-taught engineer; had 10 children and built houses for all his daughters. Marie's eldest brother Reggie (born 1896/8) was a clerk in the Indian army and fought in the trenches in France in WW1, suffering shell shock, from which he never recovered. He became an indigo planter in Bihar in the 1920s and was one of only a few Europeans/Eurasians for miles around - he had a large collection of firearms mainly for protection. He retired to UK in the 1960s and died in early 1970s. Marie's youngest brother Ashton was captured by the Japs in WW2 and was a POW on the death railway. He survived and emigrated to Australia. Cyril John was an office superintendent in the Calcutta police, working in CID, gathering intelligence on Indian terrorists. He stayed in Calcutta until his death in 1959. Marie came to the UK in 1961 and died in 1979.

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1893/4 David Daniel - 1.3.2.1.2? - 433/118

Parents: Joseph Deefholts (Lewis/Louis Joseph?)

Siblings: Robert Augustus, [David Daniel?], Bride

Married: Una Virginia Ahfing

Children: Gertrude Elizabeth, Arnold

Occupation: Storekeeper / Yard Foreman, Port Commissioners

WHEN MARRIED 1918 December 22nd David Deefholts 24 Bachelor Store Clerk Calcutta Joseph Deefholts Virginia Ahfing 16 Spinster Calcutta Alfred Ahfing R.& F. D'Rozario 433/118 - Thus born between 23Dec1893 & 22Dec1894.

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1894 27JUL Henry - 1.1.4.3.6

Parents: Milford Raymond & Elizabeth (nee Murray)

Siblings: Cyril, Ronald, Eileen, Reginald, Adrianne, Henry, Millicent, Edredge, Constance, Ivy, Arnold, Carlyle, Irene, Kathleen

Biography

Photograph

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1895/6 Beryl K - 1.2.3.3.1- 423/41

Parents: Claude E (married Miss Kennedy)

Siblings: Beryl K

Married: Joseph Stoddart (1917)

WHEN MARRIED 1917 August 23rd Joseph J. Stoddart 35 years Bachelor Mercantile Firm Calcutta Thomas G. Stoddart and Beryl K. Deefholts 21 Spinster Calcutta Claud E. Deefholts C.J. Deefholts N.S. Ravenscroft 423/41 Hence dob 24Aug1895-23Aug1896.

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1896 17MAR Geraldine Millicent - 1.1.4.3.7

Parents: Milford Raymond & Elizabeth (nee Murray)

Siblings: Cyril, Ronald, Eileen, Reginald, Adrianne, Henry, Millicent, Edredge, Constance, Ivy, Arnold, Carlyle, Irene, Kathleen

Married: Mr S. Sergent

Children: Enid, Marjorie, George, Reginald, Doreen

Biography

Photograph

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1896/7 Bride - 1.3.2.1.3 - 403/145

Parents: Louis Joseph & Augusta Barbara (nee Vogel)

Siblings: Robert Augustus, [David Daniel?], Bride

Married: James Sidney Smith

WHEN MARRIED 1915 February 16th - James Sidney Smith 23 Bachelor Guard Calcutta J.B. Smith - Bride Deefholts 18 Spinster Calcutta L.J. Deefholts - Banns w/ J. B. Smith R. Deefholts 403/145 [Hence born between 17Feb1896 and 16Feb1897]

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1897 25MAY Edredge Rodney - 1.1.4.3.8 – 501/56

Parents: Milford Raymond & Elizabeth (nee Murray)

Siblings: Cyril, Ronald, Eileen, Reginald, Adrianne, Henry, Millicent, Edredge, Constance, Ivy, Arnold, Carlyle, Irene, Kathleen

Married: Jennifer Brodie-Brown

Children: Esmond, Mervyn, Lorna

Biography

Photograph

Passenger Lists

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1897 27Jun [Emilius?] Richmond - 1.4.1.5 - 259/38

Parents: Frederick Conrad (snr) & Anna aka Amelia Helen aka Hellen aka Helen E

Siblings: Joseph [1886], Mary Florence [1887/8], Frederick Conrad (jnr) [1890], Percival [1892], Emilie(?) Richmond & Helena Adeline [twins,1897]

According to Ecclesiastical Returns, (twin) son of Frederick (Supdt. Customs) and Helen Deefholts of 75/1, South Road, Entally.

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1897 27Jun Helena Adeline - 1.4.1.6 - 259/38

Parents: Frederick Conrad (snr) & Helen

Siblings: Joseph [1886], Mary Florence [1887/8], Frederick Conrad (jnr) [1890], Percival [1892], Emilie(?) Richmond & Helena Adeline [twins, 1897]

According to Ecclesiastical Returns, (twin) son of Frederick (Supdt. Customs) and Helen Deefholts of 75/1, South Road, Entally. Note second name, Adeline, echoes the second name of her aunt, Olivia Adeline.

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1897 00Nov Ivan Harold 1.3.5.4.1? - 269/30

Parents: Eugenie Marie Deefholts?

Died at 10 months from teething & diarrhoea.

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1897/8 Enid Maud - 1.2.3.1.4 - 513/230

Parents: Henry Cecil and Ada (Matilda) Susan (nee Kennedy)

Siblings: Henry Egerton, Ada Millicent, Cyril John, Enid Maud, George Maurice, Claude Ashley, Eric Carl

Died of TB at the age of 30.

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1898 13Jan David Samuel - 1.1.2.1.1 - 273/67

Parents: Lewis & Margaret (nee Peters)

Siblings: David Samuel

1898 January 13th David Samuel- Lewis and Margaret Deefholts 91 Bow Bazar Street Independent [273/67]

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1899 11JUN Constance - 1.1.4.3.9 - 275/42

Parents: Milford Raymond & Elizabeth (nee Murray)

Siblings: Cyril, Ronald, Eileen, Reginald, Adrianne, Henry, Millicent, Edredge, Constance, Ivy, Arnold, Carlyle, Irene, Kathleen

Mother & child died 1899.

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1899 11JUN Dorothy Adelaide - 1.1.1.1.2.1

Parents: Frederick Austin and Constance Marie [Lepies?]

Siblings: Dorothy Adelaide (1899), Denis Frederick (1900), Marie Isabelle (1901), Mary Gertrude (1902), Frederic Anthony (1904), Percival Allen (1905)

June 11th Dorothy Adelaide Frederick Austin & Constance Marie Deefholts Calcutta Carriage Dept., Railway

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1900 20MAY Denis Frederick - 1.1.1.1.2.2 - 305/106

Parents: Frederick Austin and Constance Marie [Lepies?]

Siblings: Dorothy Adelaide (1899), Denis Frederick (1900), Marie Isabelle (1901), Mary Gertrude (1902), Frederic Anthony (1904), Percival Allen (1905)

Frederick Dennis Eccl.ref : 282/55 Baptism : 27MAY1900 Birth date : 20MAY1900 Where baptised : Roman Catholic Cathedral, Moorgheehatta Parents : Frederick Austin, Mechanic, E.I.Ry : Constance Marie

Died at 11 months of chronic diarrhoea.

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1900 20JUN George Maurice - 1.2.3.1.5 - 284/106 - 481/84 - 587/151

Parents: Henry Cecil and Ada (Matilda) Susan (nee Kennedy)

Siblings: Henry Egerton, Ada Millicent, Cyril John, Enid Maud, George Maurice, Claude Ashley, Eric Carl

Married: Marie Antoinette Cachart

Children: Sheila

George Maurice Deefholts was born in Calcutta in 1900, the fifth child of Henry Cecil Deefholts and Ada Susan Deefholts (nee Kennedy). He married Marie Antoinette Cachart in 1924, at that time working as a Preventive Officer with the Calcutta Customs. According to his great-nephew Stephen, Maurice was a strong sportsman, especially fond of swimming, and died of pleurisy - in his brother's arms - after a 200 mile ride in a motorbike sidecar. He was buried in Feb1938 at the Lower Circular Road (RC) Cemetery. Marie Antoinette moved to Tipton, Staffs, in 1954 (see Passenger Lists).

Biography

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1900 MAR Irene Maria - 1.1.4.2.1 - 289/33

Parents: Elwyn & Mary Grace (nee Caesar/ Cesar)

Siblings: Irene Maria, Adrienne, Roland Elwyn, Ulric Conrad

Died at the age of 11 months.

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1900 07AUG Ludovica Noreen - 1.2.4.3.1 - 284/262

Parents: Richard Alfred and Lilian May Rodrigues

Siblings: Ludovica Noreen, Ivy Henrietta, Edmund Alfred, Alfred Malcolm, Ralph

1900 August 7th Ludovica Noreen Female Richard Alfred and Lilian May Dufoelts [sic] Mandalay Telegraph Signaller

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1901 25MAR Aileen Clare - 1.2.3.2.1 - 291/150

Parents: Frederick St Claire and Maude Estelle Kennedy

Siblings: Aileen Clare

1901 March 25th Aileen Clare Frederic St Clair & Maude Estelle Deefholts Calcutta Engineer

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1901 21JUL Ivy Ellen - 1.1.4.3.10

Parents: Milford Raymond & Ethel Lena (nee Murray)

Siblings: Cyril, Ronald, Eileen, Reginald, Adrianne, Henry, Millicent, Edredge, Constance, Ivy, Arnold, Carlyle, Irene, Kathleen

Married: E. Hayman

Children: Gwendoline, Barbara, Daphne, Cynthia, Joyce

1901 JUL21 Ivy Ellen Female Milford Raymond / Ethel Lena Deefholts nee Murray Katihar E B S Ry Carriage Inspector

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1901 16SEP Marie Isabelle - 1.1.1.1.2.3 - 305/169

Parents: Frederick Austin and Constance Marie [Lepies?]

Siblings: Dorothy Adelaide (1899), Denis Frederick (1900), Marie Isabelle (1901), Mary Gertrude (1902), Frederic Anthony (1904), Percival Allen (1905)

Died of fever at the age of 10 months.

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1901 04OCT Adrienne Erica May - 1.1.4.2.2  - 295/137  - 509/37 [?]

Parents: Elwyn & Mary Grace (nee Caesar/ Cesar)

Siblings: Irene Maria, Adrienne, Roland Elwyn, Ulric Conrad

Married: Mathew “Bertie” Carvalho

Chidren: Ivan, Adrienne Eudea, Kevin

Baptism Certificate: 1901, Oct 4th Adrienne Female Elwyn/Mary Deefholts Calcutta Asst. Laidlaw & Co

Photograph of Adrienne with her mother, Mary Grace, c.1910?

Photographs of Adrienne and her husband, Mathew, c.1928?

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1902 01JUL Roland Elwyn - 1.1.4.2.3 - 319/35

Parents: Elwyn & Mary Grace (nee Caesar/ Cesar)

Siblings: Irene Maria, Adrienne, Roland Elwyn, Ulric Conrad

Died of an embolism at the age of 1 yr 10 mths.

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1902 15SEP Dorothy Inez - 1.2.2.1.1 - 303/217

Parents: Charles James and Adelina Theresa Fegredo

Married: Percy Bradley

Children: Cynthia, Denise, Ian

Dorothy Inez (Doris) was the daughter of Charles James and Adelina Theresa Deefholts. She was born in Rangoon. She married Tom Stuart Bradley, the son of Percy Bradley, in 1924. At that time he was an assistant at Whiteaway & Laidlaw, the department store, in Rangoon. According to one Fegredo family anecdote they had three children (captured in a Fegredo family photograph dressed in 20/30s clothes, taken in Rangoon) and subsequently moved to Birmingham, where he went into sausage manufacturing.

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1902 17NOV Ivy Henrietta - 1.2.4.3.2 - 303/214

Parents: Richard Alfred and Lilian May Rodrigues

Siblings: Ludovica Noreen, Ivy Henrietta, Edmund Alfred, Alfred Malcolm, Ralph

Children: Carl

1902 November 17th Ivy Henrietta Richard & Louisa Deefholts Mandalay Telegraph Dept

I am proud to say I'm a living relative on Richard's side. My Grandmother was Ivy Henrietta. Her father was Richard Alfred son of Edmund. Sadly she died quite a few years ago but her brother Ralph, who was born in, I think 1920/1, is still alive. My father, Carl, was Ivy's only son.  Anita Radley 01 March 2004 

 

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1902 21DEC Mary Gertrude - 1.1.1.1.2.4 - 309/38

Parents: Frederick Austin and Constance Marie [Lepies?]

Siblings: Dorothy Adelaide (1899), Denis Frederick (1900), Marie Isabelle (1901), Mary Gertrude (1902), Frederic Anthony (1904), Percival Allen (1905)

Died of convulsions at the age of 3 months.

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1903 08DEC Arnold Lionel - 1.1.4.3.11 - 574/84 - 600/54

Parents: Milford Raymond & Ethel Lena (nee Murray)

Siblings: Cyril, Ronald, Eileen, Reginald, Adrianne, Henry, Millicent, Edredge, Constance, Ivy, Arnold, Carlyle, Irene, Kathleen

Married: Constance Babbington

Children: Ida, Peter, Trevor, Duncan

Occupation: Crew inspector/ ticket collector, East India Railway

Emigrated to the UK in 1950 with his wife Connie, Ida, Duncan & "Miss A. Deefholts", providing an address in Glasgow.  See Passenger Lists.

Biography

Photograph

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1904 28FEB Edmond Alfred - 1.2.4.3.3 - 314/197 - 319/96

Parents: Richard Alfred and Lilian May Rodrigues

Siblings: Ludovica Noreen, Ivy Henrietta, Edmund Alfred, Alfred Malcolm, Ralph

Died of inflammation of the bowels at the age of 6 months. Buried at Agra Cantonment.

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1904 24MAY Mignonette Ann Victoria Mary - 1.3.5.2.1 - 320/31 - 321/192

Parents: James Percival and Millicent (Minnie) Turton

Siblings: Mignonette, James St Clair, Dorothy, Frederick R. E., Marie Teresa, Sybil Enid, Dulcia May, Gladys Rose, Marjorie, Kenneth.

Baptism: 1904 May 24th Mignonette Anne James + Minnie Deefholts Hastings Inspector, Govt. Salt Rev. 320/31

Died of enteritis at the age of 5 months.

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1904 15SEP Frederic Antony - 1.1.1.1.2.5

Parents: Frederick Austin and Constance Marie [Lepies?]

Siblings: Dorothy Adelaide (1899), Denis Frederick (1900), Marie Isabelle (1901), Mary Gertrude (1902), Frederic Anthony (1904), Percival Allen (1905)

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1904 23SEP Claude Ashley - 1.2.3.1.6 - 320/21 & 573/29

Parents: Henry Cecil and Ada (Matilda) Susan (nee Kennedy)

Siblings: Henry Egerton, Ada Millicent, Cyril John, Enid Maud, George Maurice, Claude Ashley, Eric Carl

573/29 Marriage : 23JUN1936 Place : St Thomas's Church, Sealdah (RC) To : Maude Eileen Collard Age & Status : 32, Customs Officer Parents : Henry Cecil

According to his great-nephew Stephen, Claude was a schoolboy boxer, and held a long-standing hurdles record. He later joined the Customs Service. The story goes that he despised bullies and once took on a large thug (also in the Customs Service) giving him such a hiding he "turned to religion".  Narrowly missed joining the first ever Hockey team to represent India, at the Olympics in 1928.  Came to England in 1954, perhaps visiting his brother Eric.

See Passenger Lists.

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1905 02JUN James St Clair - 1.3.5.2.2 - 324/59 - 329/171

Parents: James Percival and Millicent (Minnie) Turton

Siblings: Mignonette, James St Clair, Dorothy, Frederick R. E., Marie Teresa, Sybil Enid, Dulcia May, Gladys Rose, Marjorie, Kenneth.

1905 June 2nd James St Clair James Percival & Minnie Funlook Inspector of Salt Revenue 324/59

Died of convulsions at the age of 4 months.

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1905 20SEP Alfred Malcolm - 1.2.4.3.4 - 328/171 - 335/227

Parents: Richard Alfred and Lilian May Rodrigues

Siblings: Ludovica Noreen, Ivy Henrietta, Edmund Alfred, Alfred Malcolm, Ralph

1905 September 20th Alfred Malcolm Richard Alfred and Lilian May Agra Govt. Telegraph 328/171

Died of enteritis at the age of 10 months.

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1905 DEC Percival Allen - 1.1.1.1.2.6 - 328/70 - 339/187

Parents: Frederick Austin and Constance Marie [Lepies?]

Siblings: Dorothy Adelaide (1899), Denis Frederick (1900), Marie Isabelle (1901), Mary Gertrude (1902), Frederic Anthony (1904), Percival Allen (1905)

Died of fever & convulsions at the age of 1 yr 4 mths.

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1906 16FEB Ulric Conrad - 1.1.4.2.4 - 332/7 - 343/159

Parents: Elwyn & Mary Grace (nee Caesar/ Cesar)

Siblings: Irene Maria, Adrienne, Roland Elwyn, Ulric Conrad

Male Elwyn Camillus & Mary Grace Calcutta Asst. Whiteaway Laidlaw & Co 332/7

Died of double pneumonia at the age of 1 yr 5m.

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1906 15MAY Eric Carl - 1.2.3.1.7 - 332/56 - 557/21

Parents: Henry Cecil and Ada (Matilda) Susan (nee Kennedy)

Siblings: Henry Egerton, Ada Millicent, Cyril John, Enid Maud, George Maurice, Claude Ashley, Eric Carl

Married: Mary Farrell Beard

Children: Leslie Allan

Eric's birth is recorded in the Ecclesiastical Returns, as is his marriage on 4th Jan 1934 and the birth of their son, Leslie Allan, on 29th March the following year.  At the time he was working as a Customs Officer.  According his second cousin, Ralph, Eric was a scratch player at snooker.  His wife, Mary, was a teacher at St Xavier’s School in Calcutta.  They emigrated to England in December 1951.  See Passenger Lists.

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1906 06NOV Carlyle - 1.1.4.3.12  - 372/172

Parents: Milford Raymond & Ethel Lena (nee Murray)

Siblings: Cyril, Ronald, Eileen, Reginald, Adrianne, Henry, Millicent, Edredge, Constance, Ivy, Arnold, Carlyle, Irene, Kathleen

WHEN DIED 1911, May 1st Carlyle Milford Deefholts 5 yrs 1 mth 7 days Son of Mr M.R. Deefholts, Carriage Inspector Diptheria Railway Cemetery, Katihar District, Purneah, Bengal RC 372/172

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1906 23SEP Dorothy Inez - 1.3.5.2.3 - 336/72

Parents: James Percival and Millicent (Minnie) Turton

Siblings: Mignonette, James St Clair, Dorothy, Frederick R. E., Marie Teresa, Sybil Enid, Dulcia May, Gladys Rose, Marjorie, Kenneth.

1906 September 23rd Dorothy Inez James P. and Minnie Calcutta Salt dept. 336/72

Dorothy Inez Eccl.ref : 553/253 Marriage : 02DEC1933 Place : St Thomas's Church, Calcutta (RC) To : Herbert Edmund Bird, Clerk Age & Status : 27 Parents : James

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1906 OCT24 Iris Mary - 1.2.4.1.1 - 344/118

Parents: Joseph Edmund & Marie Johanna Luker

Siblings: Agnes Iris Mary

Married: Archibald Johnson Alchin

Children: Donald, [daughter], [daughter]

1906 October 24th Iris Mary Joseph Edmund and Marie Johanna Calcutta Calcutta Corporation 342/48

WHEN MARRIED 1925, April 20th Archibald Johnson Alchin 21 Bachelor Customs Officer, Dum Dum Customs Calcutta John Alchin Iris May Deefholts 18 Spinster Calcutta Joseph Edmond Deefholts w/ George Archibald Grantam (?) Charles Edgar Alchin 485/30

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1908 FEB24 Frederick Robert Edmond - 1.3.5.2.4

Parents: James Percival and Millicent (Minnie) Turton

Siblings: Mignonette, James St Clair, Dorothy, Frederick R. E., Marie Teresa, Sybil Enid, Dulcia May, Gladys Rose, Marjorie, Kenneth.

Married: Mercy Elizabeth Howe

Children: James Ian Frederick, Dorothy Ursula.

Frederick was born in Chittagong. He became a conductor on the Bengal Nagpour Railway, Karagpur and later worked at Kellner's in Chandernagore. He married Mercy Elizabeth Howe, (born 13JAN1908, the daughter of Walter Eugene Howe, of English and Welsh descent). Mercy had been brought up in Agra. They had two children, James and Dorothy, and migrated to Australia in 1959. He died in 1968.

James was born in Chandernagore in 1930, migrated to Australia in 1953 and married Helen Phillippa Braund in 1958. They had three children: Phillippa, Peter and Ian). He is a JP. Dorothy married a Mr John Martin and had five children.

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1908 18OCT Irene - 1.1.4.3.13 - 352/115

Parents: Milford Raymond & Ethel Lena (nee Murray)

Siblings: Cyril, Ronald, Eileen, Reginald, Adrianne, Henry, Millicent, Edredge, Constance, Ivy, Arnold, Carlyle, Irene, Kathleen

Married: E.C.Apcar

Irene was Milford's thirteenth child, the fourth and penultimate of his second marriage, born on 18th October 1908. Her younger sister, Kathleen, died at the age of four in 1916, leaving Irene as the baby of the family. According to Lorna, she was an excellent classical pianist, and Mervyn recalled that she had a piano in her flat in Calcutta, not to mention a set of drums on which Mervyn (who used to play in his school band) would enjoy a bash. She married a Mr E.C. Apcar. According to Lorna she died of cancer.

Biography

Photograph

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1909 22OCT Eric Robert - 581/182

Parents: James Percival?

Eccl.ref : 581/152 Buried : 29APR1929 Place : Lower Circular Road, Calcutta (RC) Age & Status : 19y 6m 7d Student, telegraph wireless dept

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1909 est  Agnes - 1.2.4.1.2

Parents: Joseph Edmund & Marie Johanna Luker

Siblings: Agnes, Iris Mary

[Mentioned in family tree drawn up by her cousin Ralph]

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1910 01FEB Roch Edmond M - 1.2.4.6.1 – 362/46

Parents: Ernest Raymond & Emelia Lilian 19 Suri Lane Asst. Whiteaway Laidlaw & Co 362/46

Siblings: Roch Edmond, Norman, Alice

Married: Dorothy Litchfield

Children: Elaine

His brother Norman recalled that Roche worked for Wireless & Cable in Bombay before emigrating to England. He died prior to 1992.

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1912 05JUL Kathleen O - 1.1.4.3.14 - 382/131

Parents: Milford Raymond & Ethel Lena (nee Murray)

Siblings: Cyril, Ronald, Eileen, Reginald, Adrianne, Henry, Millicent, Edredge, Constance, Ivy, Arnold, Carlyle, Irene, Kathleen

382/131 Purneah 1912 June 5th Kathleen Olive Milford Raymond & Ethel Lena Deefholts Katihar PWI, EBS Ry

DIED 1916, October 18th Kathleen Deefholts Daughter of Milford Raymond Deefholts, Carriage Inspector Kala Azar Lower Circular Road RC 417/293

According to a report in the Guardian [06Apr99] Kala Azar is a form of Leishmaniasis, a tropical disease Acaused by the bite of certain types of sandfly. This condition can cause serious disfigurement. Symptoms - skin lesions and ulcers - occur three to thirty days after a bite. Children with Kala Azar can be mistakenly diagnosed with leukemia.

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1913 01Dec Marie Teresa - 1.3.5.2.5 - 392/159

Parents: James Percival and Millicent (Minnie) Turton

Siblings: Mignonette, James St Clair, Dorothy, Frederick R. E., Marie Teresa, Sybil Enid, Dulcia May, Gladys Rose, Marjorie, Kenneth.

392/159 Durrumtollah 1913 December 1st M. Teresa J. Perceval & Minnie Deefholts Calcutta Suptd. Excise Dept.

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1913  Dorothy May

Died 2002.   [http://www.webfamily.org.uk/Deefholts]

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1913 est Norman - 1.2.4.6.2

Parents: Ernest Raymond & Emelia Lilian 19 Suri Lane Asst. Whiteaway Laidlaw & Co 362/46

Siblings: Roch Edmond, Norman, Alice

Norman J. Deefholts. Emigrated from India to England.

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1913 06Oct  Henry Edgar Anthony - 1.4.1.3.1 - 410A/61

Parents: Frederick Conrad (jnr)

Siblings: Henry, Denzil, Foster, Mervyn Allan (1919), Lionel (Leo)

Children: Dillon (married Jennifer)

Emigrated to England 1958. Dillon and Jennifer had at least one child (Michelle). – Source: Dillon.Sep92/David.Apr02

Henry died in Apr98 in Hounslow.

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1914 22DEC Alice Noreen - 1.2.4.6.3 - 402/154

Parents: Ernest Raymond & Emelia Lilian 19 Suri Lane Asst. Whiteaway Laidlaw & Co 362/46

Siblings: Roch Edmond, Norman, Alice

Married: Elmo Graham

Children: Jessie, Jenny

According to her brother Norman, Alice died prior to 1992.

402/154 Calcutta 1914 December 22nd Alice Noreen d/Ernest R. & Amy Deefholts Calcutta Asst. Whiteaway & Co

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1915 14JUL Sybil Enid - 1.3.5.2.6 - 408/62 + 563/36

Parents: James Percival and Millicent (Minnie) Turton

Siblings: Mignonette, James St Clair, Dorothy, Frederick R. E., Marie Teresa, Sybil Enid, Dulcia May, Gladys Rose, Marjorie, Kenneth.

Married: Patrick Joseph Burns

408/62 Kidderpore 1915 July 14th Sybil Enid James P. and Minnie Deefholts Hastings Supdt. Excise & Salt Dept.

Eccl.ref : 563/36 Marriage : 05MAR1935 Place : Bandel Church, Hooghly To : Patrick Joseph Burns, wagon builder Age 20 Parents : James Percival

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1915 est Denzil Joseph Anthony 1.4.1.3.2

Parents: Frederick Conrad (jnr)

Siblings: Henry, Denzil, Foster, Mervyn Allan (1919), Lionel (Leo)

Children: Edward, June

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1916 25SEP Charles Foster Archibald - 1.4.1.3.3 - 416/272

Parents: Frederick Conrad (jnr) & Isabella Dorothy

Siblings: Henry, Denzil, Foster, Mervyn Allan (1919), Lionel (Leo)

Married: Enid Claire nee Michael (1940) [610/20]

Children: Carol Ann (22Dec41), Norma Dorothy (21Mar43), Winston Conrad (24Apr44), Frederick Archibald (13Sep45), Derrick Foster Ralph (18Mar47), Bruce (30Apr53)

Foster was the third son to Frederick Conrad & Isabella Dorothy. He married Enid Claire Michael in 1940, at that time a foreman at Jessop & Co, Dum Dum, India, where he worked for approximately 38 years. He was also employed by the Royal Calcutta Turf Club on a part time basis during the racing season. During his time in India he played Spanish guitar for Garney Nyss & his Aloha Boys [*] and double bass for Angie D'Souza (Marine Club) & Lance O'Neill (Calcutta Swimming Club). He was the last of his siblings to leave India, migrating to Australia in August 1971 with his wife, Enid, eldest daughter Carole (Thornber) and her son Roger, and his youngest son Bruce. Once in Australia he worked for a company called Braemar Valves. The company relocated, and he found employment at Hume Doors, where he worked till his retirement in 1981. He was fascinated by the family history, particularly the story that one of his forebears had married an Indian princess! He died on 18May2001 at the age of 85. [Source: Derek Deefholts, Apr02]

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1916 08NOV Dulcia May - 1.3.5.2.7 - 416/276

Parents: James Percival and Millicent (Minnie) Turton

Siblings: Mignonette, James St Clair, Dorothy, Frederick R. E., Marie Teresa, Sybil Enid, Dulcia May, Gladys Rose, Marjorie, Kenneth.

416/276 1916 November 8th Dulcia May James and Minnie Deepholts [sic] Khulna Salt Revenue

Nothing further traced of Dulcia May, however possibly mistranscribed as "Duler M. Deefholts" in Ecclesiastical Returns, Bengal Burials: 1919 vol.439 folio 203 (details not consulted).

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1917 03SEP Robert Eric - 1.3.2.1.1.1 - 422/50

Parents: Robert Augustus & Ida Blanche (nee Waddel)

Siblings: Robert Eric

422/50 1917 September 3rd, Robert Eric, Robert A and Ida Blanche Deefholt [sic], Calcutta, Licensed Measurer

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1917/8 Beryl May - 1.2.4.7.1 – 424/20 - 579/112

Parents: Henry Oswald and Ethel Sylvia de Barros

Siblings: Beryl May

Married: James Barry

Children: [Daughter]

424/205 1917 October 11th Beryl, May Henry Oswald & Ethel Sylvia Deefholts Calcutta Government Telegraph Dept St Teresa's

Eccl.ref : 579/112 Marriage : 07JAN1937 Place : St Patrick's Church, Cawnpore (RC) To : James BARRY, Police Sergeant Age & Status : 19 Parents : Henry

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1918 08Oct Gladys Rose - 1.3.5.2.8 - 432/181+583/48

Parents: James Percival and Millicent (Minnie) Turton

Siblings: Mignonette, James St Clair, Dorothy, Frederick R. E., Marie Teresa, Sybil Enid, Dulcia May, Gladys Rose, Marjorie, Kenneth.

432/181 1918 October 8th Gladys Rose Ada James Percival and Minnie Deefholts Khulna Suptd Excise & Salt Saidpur

Eccl.ref : 583/48 Marriage : 05SEP1937 Place : St Thomas' Church, Calcutta (RC) To : Kenneth Charles McCready Chargeman, Dunlop Rubber Co Age & Status : 18 Parents : James Percival

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1919 11APR Mervin Allen Ignatius - 1.4.1.3.4 - 436/67- 332/7 - 475/202

Parents: Frederick Conrad (jnr) & Dorothy Isabella

Siblings: Henry, Denzil, Foster, Mervyn Allan (1919), Lionel (Leo)

436/67 1919 April 11th Mervyn Allen I Frederick C. & Dorothy I Deefolts [sic] Calcutta Furniture Contractor

Died of Kala Azar at the age of 5.

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1919 19Jun Gertrude Elizabeth Rita - 1.3.2.1.2?1 - 440/40

Parents: David Daniel and Una Virginia (nee Ahfing)

Siblings: Gertrude, Arnold

Married: Edgar Clarence James

440/40 1919 June 19th Gertrude Elizabeth David Daniel - Una Virginia Deefholts Calcutta Storekeeper

Eccl.ref : 565/31 Marriage : 06MAY1935 Place : RC Cathedral, Calcutta To : Edgar Clarence James Age & Status : 16 Parents :David

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1920 est Marjorie - 1.3.5.2.9

Parents: James Percival and Millicent (Minnie) Turton

Siblings: Mignonette, James St Clair, Dorothy, Frederick R. E., Marie Teresa, Sybil Enid, Dulcia May, Gladys Rose, Marjorie, Kenneth.

Source: James Ian Frederick (1.3.5.2.4.1)

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1921 02Jan  Ralph Charles -1.2.4.3.5. -  450/26

Parents: Richard Alfred and Lilian May Rodrigues

Siblings: Ludovica Noreen, Ivy Henrietta, Edmund Alfred, Alfred Malcolm, Ralph

Married: Christine Aspinall

Children: Raymond Clive

Ralph was a teacher at St Xavier’s College, Calcutta, for 12 years.  In his spare time he worked as a sports reporter for the Calcutta Statesman, and as social secretary at the Grail Social Club, for which he and his wife Christine raised substantial funds organising and performing Hawaian-style shows, both at the club and at other venues in and around Calcutta.  He emigrated to England with Christine, their son Raymond Clive, and his mother in 1955 (see Passenger Lists), and took up a post as a maths teacher at Tottenham Grammar School in White Hart Lane, before moving to St Wilfrid’s School, Crawley, where he retired as Acting Head in 1986.

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1921 Joan A A - 1.1.4.3.4.1 - 454/194

Parents: Reginald John & Elieen (nee Robeiro)

Siblings: Joan, Colin, Leon, Pamela, Margaret, Keith

Married: J. Warman

Children: Gordon

Emigrated to England in 1953 (name mispelt on passenger list as "Jean").

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1922 Louis M - 462/96

Parents: David Daniel and Una Virginia (nee Ahfing) ? - certificate of baptism not checked.

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1922 est Kenneth - 1.3.5.2.10

Parents: James Percival and Millicent (Minnie) Turton

Siblings: Mignonette, James St Clair, Dorothy, Frederick R. E., Marie Teresa, Sybil Enid, Dulcia May, Gladys Rose, Marjorie, Kenneth.

Married Marie. 2 sons + 1 daughter: Mike; Barbara; Lesley

KENNETH DEEFHOLTS "Youngest son of James Percival Deefholts. Migrated to England and retired to Spain."Source: James Ian Frederick (1.3.5.2.4.1)

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1923 15Nov Lionel Dillon F - 1.4.1.3.5 - 472/64

Parents: Frederick Conrad (jnr) & Dorothy Isabella

Siblings: Henry, Denzil, Foster, Mervyn Allan (1919), Lionel (Leo)

Lionel came to England in 1961 when his father died. Mona Kranenberg lived in a flat above Henry, Foster and Leo in the Lower Circular Road, Calcutta. They shared their flat with enormous turtles (Mona spread her arms to suggest a beast three feet long!). They were a musical family, playing the piano and the guitar, among other instruments. MK.06SEP92 

He died in May 1997 in Lewisham (SE London). [http://www.webfamily.org.uk/Deepholts]

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1924 Cyril Brian - 1.2.3.1.3.1 - 480/36

Parents: Cyril John and Mary (Marie) Ann (nee D'Silva)

Siblings: Cyril Brian, Erroll, Keith, Donald

Children: Steven, James, Gerald

According to his son Steven, Cyril Brian at one time worked for MI6.

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1925 Erroll H - 1.2.3.1.3.2 - 488/59

Parents: Cyril John and Mary (Marie) Ann (nee D'Silva)

Siblings: Cyril Brian, Erroll, Keith, Donald

Erroll died when his ship, the Indian Enterprise, which was carrying High Explosives, blew up in the Red Sea on 19th June 1950 (at 25.31N 35.27E). [1]   Another site (no longer operating) put the number of casualties at 73. [2]  His death was listed in The Times, August 2nd, 1950:

“On Monday, June 19th, 1950, at sea, ERROL, second son of CYRIL and MARIE DEEFHOLTS, of Calcutta,

and fourth engineer, ss. Indian Enterprise, aged 24 years.”

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1926 00JUN Arnold S - 1.3.2.1.2?2 - 332/7 - 497/214

Parents: David Daniel and Una Virginia (nee Ahfing)

Siblings: Gertrude, Arnold

Died of tetanus and diarrhoea at the age of 4 months.

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1928 17FEB Esmond Lionel Murray - 1.1.4.3.8.1

Baptism Certificate: Edredge Rodney (Asst. Ellerman & Co) & Jane Agnes Deefholts (nee Brodie-Brown), Calcutta

Siblings: Esmond, Mervyn, Lorna

Married: Toni

Children: Christine, Luke, Benedict, Simon

Biography

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1928 15JUL Sheila - 1.2.3.1.5.1

Parents : George Maurice and Marie Antoinette ("May")

Siblings: Sheila

Married: George Vaclar Fajtek

Sheila was born 15th July 1928 at Dooaps, India and adopted by George Maurice and Marie Antoinette Deefholts. Sheila married George Vaclar Fajtek on 19th Feb 1963 at St Mary's Cathedral, Sydney, NSW and lived at Yatta, South Coast, just a little way down from Sydney. George died about 1996 and Sheila in 2001.

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1928 Keith C J - 1.2.3.1.3.3 - 510/49

Parents: Cyril John and Mary (Marie) Ann (nee D'Silva)

Siblings: Cyril Brian, Erroll, Keith, Donald

Children: Simon, Suzanne

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1928 Colin Edward M - 1.1.4.3.4.2 - 510/52

Parents: Reginald John & Olive (nee Gillis)

Siblings: Joan, Colin, Leon, Pamela, Margaret, Keith

Married: Eva Grosvenor

Children: Sylvia, Jeanne, Donna, Fay, Sally, John, Terence

[Colin Edward Deefholts; died 27Jul1988 age 59; late of Kingsgrove; Death Notice Published 29Jul1988 Sydney Morning Herald]. http://www.sumgenius.com.au/deefholts_family_tree.htm

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1929 Mervyn G F - 1.1.4.3.8.2 - 516/94

Parents: Edredge Rodney (Asst. Ellerman & Co) & Jane Agnes Deefholts (nee Brodie-Brown)

Siblings: Esmond, Mervyn, Lorna

Married: Sheila

Daughters: Emma & Deborah

Biography and photos

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1929 22SEP Leon N C - 1.1.4.3.4.3 - 520/54

Parents: Reginald John & Olive (nee Gillis)

Siblings: Joan, Colin, Leon, Pamela, Margaret, Keith

Married: (1) Colleen Gambin (2) Margaret Penn-Anthony

Children: (1) Christopher (2) Glenn, Susan

Leon stayed on until the mid-1970s, working in Chittagong, East Pakistan for a few years with Gladstone Lyall & Co, and then moving to Madras to take over the management of the new office set up there by his uncle Edredge. He later moved to Bombay. Leon married Colleen Gambin and they had a son, Christopher. He then married Margaret Penn-Anthony. Their two children, Glenn and Susan, were born in 1971 and 1973. They now live in Canada.

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1930 25JUL James Ian Frederick - 1.3.5.2.4.1 - 526/42

Parents: Frederick Robert Edmond & Mercy Elizabeth (nee Howe)

Siblings: James Ian Frederick, Dorothy Ursula.

Married: Helen Phillippa Braund

Children: Phillippa, Peter, Ian

JAMES IAN FREDERICK DEEFHOLTS "Son of Frederick R.E. Born 25/7/1930 in Chandernagore India. Educated in Karagpur High School. Occupation Her Majesty's Customs in Calcutta. Migrated to Australia 1953. Occupation Administrative Personnel Officer Telecom. Married Helen Phillippa Braund 12/7/58 (born Australia 17/3/35; Cornish background). Had one daughter and two sons, Phillippa, Peter and Ian. In retirement sits at the Adelaide Magistrate Court as an honorary Magistrate twice a month."JIF

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1931 19NOV Pamela E C - 1.1.4.3.4.4 - 536/49

Parents: Reginald John & Olive (nee Gillis)

Siblings: Joan, Colin, Leon, Pamela, Margaret, Keith

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1931 13DEC Lorna P - 1.1.4.3.8.3 - 538/53

Parents: Edredge Rodney (Asst. Ellerman & Co) & Jane Agnes Deefholts (nee Brodie-Brown), Calcutta

Siblings: Esmond, Mervyn, Lorna

Married: Leonard Alsford

See Passenger Lists

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1932 Ida E - 1.1.4.3.11.1 - 554/66

Parents : Arnold Lionel & Constance Isobel (nee Babbington)

Siblings Ida,  Ashley (Peter), Trevor, Duncan

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1932 est Dorothy Ursula - 1.3.5.2.4.2

Parents: Frederick Robert Edmond & Mercy Elizabeth (nee Howe)

Siblings: James Ian Frederick, Dorothy Ursula.

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1933 Ashley Lionel Milford - 1.1.4.3.11.2 - 554/293

Parents : Arnold Lionel & Constance Isobel (nee Babbington)

Siblings: Ida,  Ashley (Peter), Trevor, Duncan

Daughter: Lynn

Baptised Ashley but always known as Peter.  Married Williamina Clark and has at least one granddaughter (Lorraine). Lives in Peterhead (Jun04).

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1934 Margaret G P - 1.1.4.3.4.5 - 556/219 BIOG

Parents: Reginald John & Olive (nee Gillis)

Siblings: Joan, Colin, Leon, Pamela, Margaret, Keith

Married: John Hildreth

Children: Sue, Cathy, Gill, [J], Norman, Pamela

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1935 Donald C - 1.2.3.1.3.4 - 562/38

Parents: Cyril John and Mary (Marie) Ann (nee D'Silva)

Siblings: Cyril Brian, Erroll, Keith, Donald

According to his nephew (Gerald) Donald shared his time between UK and India, where he was the general manager for the Maharana of Udaipur, famous for his lake palace.  His cousin Ralph and Christina Deefholts visited him there in 1992 and were invited to the Maharana’s birthday party!  Donald was a heavy smoker and died of a heart attack in 1993.

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1935 29MAR Leslie Allan - 1.2.3.1.7.1 - 564/38 BIOG 37

Parents: Eric Carl & Mary Farrell Beard

Siblings: Leslie Allan

Eccl.ref : 564/37 Baptism : 07APR1935 Birth date : 29MAR1935 Where baptised : St Thomas's Church, Calcutta (RC) Parents : Eric Carl, HM Customs: Mary Farrel.

Attended St Joseph's College, Darjeeling (SJ) from 1942-1950. Emigrated from Calcutta to the UK in August 1951 at the age of 16 and was joined by his parents later the same year. See Passenger Lists.

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1936 18JUN Trevor Frederick - 1.1.4.3.11.3 - 574/84

Parents : Arnold Lionel & Constance Isobel (nee Babbington)

Siblings Ida,  Ashley (Peter), Trevor, Duncan

Eccl.ref : 574/84 Baptism : 02JUL1936 Birth date : 18JUN1936 Where baptised : Tinpahar (RC) Parents : Arnold Lionel, Crew Inspector, EI Ry: Constance Isobel

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1939 23JUL Keith Reginald - 1.1.4.3.4.6 - 598/39

Parents: Reginald John & Olive (nee Gillis)

Siblings: Joan, Colin, Leon, Pamela, Margaret, Keith

Married: Doreen Mary Jones

Children: Eugene, Leanne, James

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1939 19AUG Duncan Arnold - 1.1.4.3.11.4 - 600/54

Parents : Arnold Lionel & Constance Isobel (nee Babbington)

Siblings: Ida,  Ashley (Peter), Trevor, Duncan

Eccl.ref : 600/54 Baptism : 04OCT1939 Birth date : 19AUG1939 Where baptised : Church of Our Lady of Dolours, Calcutta (RC) Parents : Arnold, Head Ticket Collector : Constance

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1941 22DEC Carol Ann - 1.4.1.3.3.1 - 614/27

Parents: Foster Archibald & Enid Clare (1940) [610/20]

Siblings: Carol Ann (22Dec41), Norma Dorothy (21Mar43), Winston Conrad (24Apr44), Frederick Archibald (13Sep45), Derrick Foster Ralph (18Mar47), Bruce (30Apr53)

Married: Mr Thornber

Children: Roger

Eccl.ref : 614/27 Baptism : 11JAN1942 Birth date : 22DEC1941 Where baptised : St Thomas' Church, Calcutta (RC) Parents : Foster Archibald Charles, Asst Jessop & Co : Enid Claire.

Emigrated to Australia with her father and son in 1971.[Source: Derek]

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1943 18FEB Norma Dorothy - 1.4.1.3.3.2 - 618/24

Parents: Foster Archibald & Enid Clare (1940) [610/20]

Siblings: Carol Ann (22Dec41), Norma Dorothy (21Mar43), Winston Conrad (24Apr44), Frederick Archibald (13Sep45), Derrick Foster Ralph (18Mar47), Bruce (30Apr53)

Eccl.ref : 618/24 Baptism : 21MAR1943 Birth date : 18FEB1943 Where baptised : St Thomas's Church, Calcutta Parents : Foster Archibald, Asst.Jessop & Co : Enid Claire

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1944 24APR Winston Conrad - 1.4.1.3.3.3 - 623/37

Parents: Foster Archibald & Enid Clare (1940) [610/20]

Siblings: Carol Ann (22Dec41), Norma Dorothy (21Mar43), Winston Conrad (24Apr44), Frederick Archibald (13Sep45), Derrick Foster Ralph (18Mar47), Bruce (30Apr53)

Winston married his second cousin June. They had a son named David who is now living in Winnipeg. [Source: Winston, Feb03]

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1945 18May Dillon Anthony - 1.4.1.3.1.1

Parents: Henry Edgar

Siblings: Dillon

Married: Jennifer

Children: Michelle

Emigrated to England 1958. Dillon and Jennifer had at least one child (Michelle). – Source:  Dillon.Sep92/David.Apr02

Dillon died in Oct96 at Westminster. http://www.webfamily.org.uk/11948435

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1945 13SEP Frederick Archibald - 1.4.1.3.3.4 - 629/235

Parents: Foster Archibald & Enid Clare (1940) [610/20]

Siblings: Carol Ann (22Dec41), Norma Dorothy (21Mar43), Winston Conrad (24Apr44), Frederick Archibald (13Sep45), Derrick Foster Ralph (18Mar47), Bruce (30Apr53)

Listed in Index but entry not located. According to Biographical Index, son of Foster Archibald & Enid Clare.

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1947 18MAR Derrick Foster Ralph (Derek) - 1.4.1.3.3.5

Parents: Foster Archibald & Enid Clare (1940) [610/20]

Siblings: Carol Ann (22Dec41), Norma Dorothy (21Mar43), Winston Conrad (24Apr44), Frederick Archibald (13Sep45), Derrick Foster Ralph (18Mar47), Bruce (30Apr53)

Known as Derek.

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1953 30APR Bruce - 1.4.1.3.3.6

Parents: Foster Archibald & Enid Clare (1940) [610/20]

Siblings: Carol Ann (22Dec41), Norma Dorothy (21Mar43), Winston Conrad (24Apr44), Frederick Archibald (13Sep45), Derrick Foster Ralph (18Mar47), Bruce (30Apr53)

Emigrated to Australia with his parents in 1971. [Source: Derek, Apr02]

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Last updated 14Feb04