Baby Girl Hyde has a sad story.
She was born 7 November 1884 in Golden, British Columbia, Canada. Her parents are William Henry Hyde and Ann Whiteley, my 3rd great grandparents. Her mother Ann died three days after her birth while her father was away for work. Ann’s cause of death is listed as ‘childbirth’. The birth record above is the only record that I know for certain is about Baby Girl Hyde. It was registered by the doctor who attended her birth and her mother’s death.
Here’s a little of what I know about her family:
- Her parents were both born in Sheffield, York, England and were married 17 February 1873 in Pitsmoor, York, England.
- She has an older sister named Alice Hyde, my 2nd great grandmother. Alice was born 29 July 1880 in Muskoka, Ontario, Canada. I’ve mentioned her here and here.
- Henry & Ann have another daughter named Rosey Hyde who was born 14 October 1883 in Golden, British Columbia, Canada {this date has not been proven}. After Ann’s death, Henry took Rosey back to England to live with his parents. She is found living with them on the 1891 Census of England. She later marries twice and lives out her adult life in British Columbia and Washington State.
- After Ann’s death, Henry marries Ann’s younger sister Alice Whiteley in England. He and Alice settle in Alaska where he dies.
- Family notes include information about everything I have listed here. I have been able to find records to support each of these items – with the notable exception of Rosey’s birth date.
Baby Girl Hyde is not mentioned in any family notes even though her mother’s death and cause of death is mentioned. I have so many questions about this family including these:
- Is it possible that Baby Girl Hyde and Rosey Hyde are actually the same person? I have many records about Rosey’s life, none of which include an exact birth date. What if the birth date from the family notes is wrong? I haven’t found evidence of a birth record for Rosey to prove or disprove this possibility.
- IF Baby Girl Hyde & Rosey Hyde ARE two different people, what happened to Baby Girl Hyde?
- Did she die? I haven’t found a death record that matches her birth date and place.
- Was she taken to England? She isn’t listed with her grandparents and Rosey on the census.
- Did the doctor take her home because Henry was gone at the time of her birth? I can’t find the doctor on the next census.
- Did Henry & Ann have other children before Alice? Seven childless years is a long time for newlyweds.
I have a lot more stones to turn over in my quest for answers. I hope one day to know the name Henry chose for Baby Girl Hyde. I hope to know what became of this little girl, my 2nd great grand Aunt.