One Life in two Countries
George was first discovered in the Foreigners’ files held at the Belgian State Archives – Dossier reference number 427296[i] and the aliens’ files of the city (now district) of Antwerp (for the period 1840-1990), Dossier reference number 481#55.203[ii].
George North’s story begins on 6th May 1863, in Eastrop, Hampshire, England, where he was born as the second son and third child of twelve to John North, a miller, and his wife Mary Alice (née Vidler), known as Alice. He was baptized in Eastrop parish church on 14th May 1863[iii]. The family lived at Eastrop Mill House, a brick-built corn mill on the River Loddon. (The house would have stood on the narrow part of Eastrop boating lake, Eastrop park) The mill, later demolished during Basingstoke’s redevelopment in the 1960s.
Early Life and Career
By the 1871 England Census, the North family had moved to Providence Cottage, Goodworth Clatford, near Andover, where George is a 7-year-old scholar [iv]. Ten years later, the 1881 England Census finds him lodging at a boarding house at 71 West Street, Harwich, Essex and working as a Railway Clerk.
George’s life took a significant turn, when on the 29th November 1884, he married Ada Maria Bull, daughter of George Bull, a baker, and his wife Maria (née Sansum) . Ada was born on 18th August 1860, in Ramsey, Essex, and baptized on the 21st October 1860 at St. Mary the Virgin Church in Little Oakley, Essex [v]. On the evening of their marriage, George and Ada left England for Belgium, where George continued as an Accountant (later Chief Accountant) for the Continental Department of the Great Eastern Railway (GER), based in Liverpool Street, London.
The Great Eastern Railway
The Great Eastern Railway (GER) was granted the authority to operate steamship services in 1862, marking a significant expansion of its transportation network. The following year, it began providing connecting steamship services to the Continent. To facilitate these operations, the GER constructed a new Continental Pier at the terminus of its railway tracks at Harwich. By 1865, the railway company commenced using its own fleet of steamships to establish regular sailings between Harwich, Rotterdam and Antwerp.
A service to Antwerp began in July 1882, the GER enhanced its offerings with a seamless daily overnight service. Passengers departing from London’s Liverpool Street Station aboard the Continental Express at 7:10 p.m. would arrive at Harwich. From there, GER steamships sailed promptly at 9:10 p.m, reaching Rotterdam by 8:10 a.m. and Antwerp by 9:00 a.m. the following morning. This efficient integration of rail and steamship services underscored the GER’s role in connecting Britain with mainland Europe.[vi]
Life in Belgium
George’s work took him frequently across the Channel. His first documented arrival in Belgium was on 9thJune 1884. By 6th December 1884, the newlyweds were settled at Montebellostraat 34, sect 8, Antwerp.
The couple’s first child, Alice Maria North, was born on 3rd January 1886, in Harwich, Essex, as Ada returned to England for the birth. Back in Antwerp, George and Ada’s family grew with the birth of George North Jr. on the 2nd November 1887, while the family resided at Paleisstraat 4 sect 8.[vii] On the 15th February 1888 George’s younger brother John also a clerk arrives in Antwerp and lives with the family.[viii] The Norths move to Lange Koepoortstraat 32, sect 8.
In 1895, the family temporarily returned to England, where their third child, Elsie Emma North, was born on the 2nd March in Overton, Hampshire[ix]. However, happiness was short-lived. After returning to Belgium, Ada tragically passed away on 7th March 1896, at just 34 years old, while living at Valkenburg 64 sect 8, Antwerp.[x] The cause of death will remain unknown as in general Belgian death certificates don’t record causes.
John moves to Steenhouwersvest 64, sect 8 on the 11th April 1896[xi].
It seems that George’s younger sister Eliza made her way to Antwerp, arriving on the 13th September 1896, following a period of residence in Nice, France. The reason for her move remains a matter of speculation, but it’s possible she arrived to assist in caring for the young children. George and his young family join Eliza living at Mozart 32, sect 8 from the 24th September 1896.[xii] On the 1st October 1897 George moves his family to Coburg 11, sect 8.
More heartbreak followed when young Elsie died on 3rd March 1899, the day after her 4th birthday[xiii]. George’s brother John rejoins the family at Coburg 11 on the 21st February 1901. [xiv]
New Beginnings
When George’s surviving children, Alice and George Jr. were older, the family returned to England and on the 11th June 1906, George and the North family attended a double wedding at All Hallows Church in Whitchurch, Hampshire [xv]. Firstly, his sister Mabel Annie North married John Miles, a 26-year-old wafer maker for Huntley & Palmers Ltd. Then George, a 43-year-old widower, married Harriett Miles, John’s older sister, who was 28. Harriett was born on the 27th March 1878. Both John and Harriett were born in Reading, Berkshire.
George and Harriett made their way back to Belgium, arriving on the 22nd June 1906, resettling at Coburg 11. Their return marked the beginning of a new chapter in their lives, one soon filled with both joy and sorrow. On the 14th July 1907, they welcomed their first child together, a son named Cyril Thomas North [xvi]. Tragically, their happiness was short-lived. Little Cyril passed away on the 23rd October 1908, at just one year, three months, and nine days old [xvii].
George’s eldest daughter Alice married Herbert Wallis Page, an engineer, on the 8th September 1909, before the British Consul in Antwerp. Herbert had arrived in Antwerp on the 15th December 1904, 28 year old Engineer. (His aliens’ file is dossier number 481#112361 [xviii]).
Shortly after Alice’s wedding, George and Harriett welcomed their only daughter, Marguerite Agnes North, on the 24th November 1909[xix], and their second son, Laurence John North, on 15th October 1911 [xx].
Moving on
Alice and Herberts family first three children were born in Antwerp starting in 1910. Their family emigrated back to England at the start of World War I, where their last 3 children were born.
George North Jr becomes a Marine Engineer and emigrates to Philadelphia City, USA where he enlists into the US Military.[xxi]
As World War I loomed, it’s presumed that George Snr and his second family returned to England for safety, though details remain unclear. George’s parents both passed away during this time: Mary Alice on 30thDecember 1913[xxii], and John on the 14th April 1916[xxiii], both at Lower Mills, Whitchurch, Hampshire.
Meanwhile, George Jr survives the War and returns to Philadelphia where on the 8th April 1920 in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA, he married Sarah Elizabeth Mumma[xxiv]. This marriage was not to last as on the 13thApril 1926 George sues for divorced. The news reports on the case states that he left for Chicago in search of work and he wrote to her several times asking her to join him and she refused. He claims she abandoned him on the 10th October 1921 (6months and 2 days after the wedding day). She declares him a deserter of the British Navy, worthless and a financial drain [xxv].
George Snr Foreigners’ file records that on the 6th December 1921 George and Harriett have moved to the town of Hove in the province of Antwerp. They officially register in the town there on the 27th December 1921. Their final recorded move was to the town of Boechout in the province of Antwerp on the 25th March 1924.
Returning home
The historical records do not specify the exact date when the family left Belgium, but by 1939 they had returned to England. George, now a retired Railway Chief Clerk, had settled in Exmouth with his wife Harriett and their daughter Marguerite. They resided at Berkhampstead, 225 Exeter Road, Withycombe Raleigh [xxvi].
Meanwhile, George’s siblings, John and Eliza, were living together at 18/20 West Street, Marlow, Buckinghamshire. Eliza, a toy dealer and John a retired shop assistant. Eliza’s passes away in 1940 at the age of 72 [xxvii]. Following her death, John, then 67 marries, taking Nellie Mabel Drye as his wife [xxviii]. However, John’s new chapter was brief; he passed away on June 5, 1949, at the age of 75[xxix].
George lived a long and full life, passing away on the 26th December 1953, at the remarkable age of 90. His youngest son Laurence acted as the informant for his death [xxx]. Harriett, George’s wife, outlived him by many years, passing away on the 18th October 1969 at the age of 91 [xxxi].
Throughout this research the records are linked by George’s unique signature.
(c) Emma Devroey – Three Surnames Genealogy
Sources
[i] Georges North – Foreigners’ files 427296 – National Archives of Belgium (NAB) – accessed 13 Mar 2024
[ii] Georges North – Aliens’ files 481#55.203 – FelixArchive – https://felixarchief.antwerpen.be – Migration – accessed 13 Mar 2024
[iii] George North – Hampshire, England, Church of England Baptisms, 1813-1921 – www.ancestry.co.uk – original data: Ref 21M65/F8/78/4 – Hampshire Archives and Local Studies – Anglican Parish Registers – accessed 14 March 2024
[iv] George North – 1871 England, Wales & Scotland Census – www.findmypast.co.uk – original data: Ref RG10/1236/102/23 – The National Archives – accessed 14 March 2024.
[v] Ada Maria Bull Baptism – Essex, England, Church of England Births and Baptisms, 1813-1921 – www.ancestry.co.uk – original data: Ref D/P 388/1/8 – Essex Record Office – Essex Church of England Parish Registers – accessed 14 March 2024.
[vi] Daily Service Antwerp via Hardwich – The Illustrated London News – 8 July 1882 Page 51 column 1 – www.findmypast.co.uk – Newspaper collections – original data: British Library’s Newspaper Archive – accessed 15 Mar 2024
[vii] George North – Register der Geboorteakten der stad Antwerpen 1887 – Agatha – www.agatha.arch.be original data: Ref North 1887/6544 – Page 660 – accessed – 14 March 2024
[viii] John North – Aliens’ files 481#63.912 – FelixArchive – https://felixarchief.antwerpen.be – Migration – accessed 13 Mar 2024
[ix] Elsie Emma North – Hampshire, England, Church of England Baptisms, 1813-1921 – www.ancestry.co.uk – original data: Ref 81M72/PR9 – Hampshire Archives and Local Studies – Anglican Parish Registers – accessed 14 March 2024
[x] Ada Maria Bull – Register der Overlijdensakten der stad Antwerpen 1896 – Agatha – www.agatha.arch.be original data: Ref North 1896/979 – accessed – 14 March 2024
[xi] John North – Population Register 1890 – 1900 – FelixArchive – https://felixarchief.antwerpen.be – bevolkingsregisters – Keistraat 1 – Lange Koepoortstraat 74 – 1890 -1900 – Ref MA-BZA-B#474
[xii] George North – Population Register 1890 – 1900 – FelixArchive – https://felixarchief.antwerpen.be – bevolkingsregisters – Keistraat 1 – Lange Koepoortstraat 74 – 1890 -1900 – Ref MA-BZA-B#474
[xiii] Elsie Emma North – Register der Overlijdensakten der stad Antwerpen 1899 – Agatha – www.agatha.arch.be Ref North 1899/1011 – accessed – 14 March 2024
[xiv] John North – Population Register 1890 – 1900 – FelixArchive – https://felixarchief.antwerpen.be – bevolkingsregisters – Capucinessenstraat 42/1 – Coburgstraat 52 – 1890 -1900 – Ref MA-BZA-B#657
[xv] George North – Hampshire, England, Church of England Marriages and Banns 1884 – 1906 – www.ancestry.co.uk – original data: Ref 76083/1/15 – Hampshire Archives and Local Studies – Anglican Parish Registers – accessed 14 March 2024
[xvi] Cyril Thomas North – Register der Geboorteakten der stad Antwerpen 1907 – Agatha – www.agatha.arch.be Ref North 1907/3877 – Page 257 – accessed – 14 March 2024
[xvii] Cyril Thomas North – Register der Overlijdensakten der stad Antwerpen 1908 – Agatha – www.agatha.arch.be original data: Ref North 1908/3818 – Page 186 – accessed – 14 March 2024
[xviii] Herbert Wallis Page – Foreigners’ files 481#112361 – FelixArchive – https://felixarchief.antwerpen.be – Migration – accessed 14 Mar 2024
[xix] Marguerite Agnes North – Register der Geboorteakten der stad Antwerpen 1909 – Agatha – www.agatha.arch.be Ref North 1909/5425 – Page 186 – accessed – 14 March 2024
[xx] Georges North – Foreigners’ files 427296 – National Archives of Belgium (NAB) – original data: Laurentius Joannes North – Register der Geboorteakten der stad Antwerpen 1911 – Ref North 1911/4939 – accessed 13 Mar 2024
[xxi] George North Jr. – Draft Card N – U.S., World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918 – www.ancestry.co.uk – original data: United States, Selective Service System. World War I Selective Service System Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration. – accessed 15 Mar 2024
[xxii] Mary Alice North – England & Wales, National Probate Calendar – www.ancestry.co.uk original data: Ref Alice North Winchester 11th February 1914 Page 290 – Principal Probate Registry. Calendar of the Grants of Probate and Letters of Administration made in the Probate Registries of the High Court of Justice in England. © Crown copyright – accessed 15 March 2004
[xxiii] John North – England & Wales, National Probate Calendar – www.ancestry.co.uk original data: Ref John North Winchester 1stJuly 1916 Page 345 – Principal Probate Registry. Calendar of the Grants of Probate and Letters of Administration made in the Probate Registries of the High Court of Justice in England. © Crown copyright – accessed 15 March 2004
[xxiv] George North – Pennsylvania, U.S., Marriages, 1852-1968 – Image 325 – www.ancestry.co.uk – original data: Marriage licence docket v· 3T-3U 1919-1920 – Pennsylvania Marriages. Register of Wills Offices, Pennsylvania.
[xxv] Sued for Divorce Wife Declares Mate ‘Worthless’ – Harrisburg Telegraph – 13 April 1926 Page 1 column 4 -newspapers.com by ancestry – www.newspapers.com original data: Harrisburg Telegraph Archive – accessed 15 Mar 2024
[xxvi] George North – 1939 England and Wales Register – www.findmypast.co.uk – original data: 1939 Register – The National Archive – Ref RG101/6819F/010/18
[xxvii] Death Certificate – General Register Office (GRO) – Ref Eliza North 1940 M Quarter in WYCOMBE Volume 03A Page 2961 – www.gro.gov.uk – accessed 1 Nov 2024
[xxviii] Marriage Certificate – General Register Office (GRO) – Ref John North 1940 D Quarter in WYCOMBE Volume 03A Page 4795 – www.gro.gov.uk – accessed 1 Nov 2024
[xxix] John North – England & Wales, National Probate Calendar – www.ancestry.co.uk original data: Ref John North Oxford 26 July 1949 Page 101 – Principal Probate Registry. Calendar of the Grants of Probate and Letters of Administration made in the Probate Registries of the High Court of Justice in England. © Crown copyright – accessed 15 March 2004
[xxx] Death Certificate – General Register Office (GRO) – Ref George North 1953 D Quarter in DEVON CENTRAL Volume 07A Page 292 – www.gro.gov.uk – accessed 1 Nov 2024
[xxxi] Harriett North – England & Wales, National Probate Calendar – www.ancestry.co.uk original data: Ref 1969NOP – Harriett North Bristol 25 November 1969 Page 98 – Principal Probate Registry. Calendar of the Grants of Probate and Letters of Administration made in the Probate Registries of the High Court of Justice in England. © Crown copyright – accessed 15 March 2004