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FLATAU, Leavesden, circa 1900

May, 2012

  

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Alison Demarco (alison-demarco1 @t virginmedia.com) wrote: I am trying to trace my Great Grandfather Louis Flatau.  He was born in 1853 he was married to Theresa Newstadt, she remarried Albert Waddell in 1892.  Yet my Great Grandfather seems to be at the Asylum and died in 1906.  He is named deceased on his daughter Caroline Flatau marriage certificate to William Lascelles on the 25th May 1898.  Yet I found a record of his death at Leavesden in 1906.  I just wondered if you could help.

You don't tell me what the marriage certificate between Theresa and Albert Waddell actually says - but it would seem from the indexes that she gave both her married and maiden names. As divorce was virtually impossible unless you were very rich she must have said she was a widow, and as her husband-to-be was (from the 1901 census) a police inspector he would not have been happy to knowingly enter a bigamous marriage.
 
When Carrie/Caroline Flatau married you say she also recorded that her father was dead - so there would appear to be two official records that claim that he was dead. Theresa is recorded as married in the 1891 census - but living with her parents - so perhaps he died late in 1890 or early in 1891, but the census record is perhaps less reliable than the marriage certificates.
 
So why do you think a death in Leavesden  Hospital in 1906 could possibly be the Louis/Lewis Flatau who married Theresa? Read Right Name, Wrong Body.
 
Of course the name is rare and as his father was born in Prussia it might even be that it was properly written in a Russian type script. Whatever the reason there are ample opportunities of such a foreign surname to be misspelt, mis-indexed  and perhaps even translated if it is a "meaningful" Prussian name which can be translated to an English meaning with a completely differed spelling.  Even without this difficulty the indexes are full of errors (see A Comedy of Errors) so he could very easily have died before 1892 but the death registration is virtually unfindable.
 
On the other hand if he had been declared a lunatic and placed in Leavesden the family may have lied about it and simply abandoned him there and told everyone he was dead. For this to happen there may have been a violent incident (possibly involving his wife)which took him before the courts, and there might also be records relating to his detention in Leavesden. Because Leavesden was run by London parishes for London patients, you should direct any enquiries to the London Metropolitan Archives.
 
However I should tell you that there was no-one with a similar name in Leavesden Asylum in either the 1891 or 1901 censuses.

Alison responded with further queries which were not linked to Hertfordshire, but I decided to have another look at my original notes, and extend them slightly as it it turns out that either one of Louis Flatau's relatives was in Leavesden Hospital in 1901 - or, less likely, Louis was there after his wife remarried but using his mother's maiden name. For this reason I give a tidied up version of my notes below to place what could be an unusual coincidence on record.

Notes on FLATAU, Leavesden, circa 1900

FLATAU - Looks foreign and prone to variation and indexing errors - Found: FLATAU, FLATAN

NEWSTADT - Looks foreign and prone to variation and indexing errors - Found: NEUSTADT, NEWSHANT, NEWSTEAD

Sources Used: FindMy Past, FreeBMD, unindexed images for Leavesden Patients

 1841 Census and Notes

WOOLF, Frances F 55 1786 General Dealer Middlesex
WOOLF, Ann F 15 1826   Middlesex
GILL, Mary F 40 1801 Servant Ireland
FAELK, James M 25 1816 Traveller  
FAELK, Isabella F 20 1821   Middlesex
FAELK, Barnitt M 1 (20 months) 1840   Middlesex
WOOLF, Esther F 13 1828   Middlesex
NATHEN, Isaac M 20 1821   Middlesex
Piece:
710		 Book/Folio: 
13/40		 Page:
8     		 Registration District:
Whitechapel
Civil Parish:
Christchurch		 Municipal Borough:
Tower Hamlets		 Address:
Petticoat Lane Or Sandy's Row, Christchurch, Tower Hamlets		 County:
Middlesex

A check showed that an Isabelle Woolf married James Falcke in 1838

Baby's name probably "Barnett"

Ann, Isabella and Esther are probably Frances's daughters (not certain in 1841 census)

Petticoat Lane now is, and probably was then, a major street market

Morris Flatau not found - but limitations of census/index may mean he was already in England

Ann Woolf married Morris "Flatan"  - Certificate reference: Dec 1842, London, 2 164

Summary of their children

Name   Born   Place   Birth Certificate Reference   Census
Rosella (Rosetta)   1844   Spitalfields, Middx   FLATAU Dec 1844, Whitechapel 2 536   1851, 1861
Barnet (Barnett)   1846   Spitalfields, Middx   FLATAU Sep 1846 Whitechapel 2 535   1851, 1861
Joseph   1848   Spitalfields, Middx   FLATAN Mar 1848 Whitechapel 2 588   1851, 1861, 1871
Lewis   1852   Spitalfields, Middx    FLATAN Sep 1852, Whitechapel 1c 300   1861, 1871
Frances (Fanny)   1854   Spitalfields, Middx   FLATAN Sep 1854 Whitechapel 1c 311   1861, 1871, 1881
Henry   1856   Spitalfields, Middx   FLATAN Jun 1856 Whitechapel 1c 308   1861, 1871
Benjamin Morris   1859   City of London, Middx   FLATAU Dec 1858 E. London 1c 18   1861, 1871
Jacob (Jack)   1861   City of London, Middx   FLATAN Mar 1861 E. London 1c 15   1861, 1871, 1881
Michael   1863   City of London, Middx   FLATAU Sept 1863 E. London 1c 1   1871, 1881, 1891
Montague M   1866   City of London, Middx   FLATAN Jun 1866 E. London 1c 13   1871, 1881

 1851 Census and Notes

WOOLF, Frances Head Widow F 69 1782 Dealer In Ladies Wardroby London Bishopgate
FLATAN, Morris Son In Law Married M 33 1818 Dealer In Plate Prussia
FLATAN, Nancy Daughter Married F 28 1823   Spitalfields, Middlesex
FLATAN, Rosetta Grand Daughter   F 6 1845 Scholar Spitalfields, Middlesex
FLATAN, Barnett Grand Son   M 4 1847   Spitalfields, Middlesex
FLATAN, Joseph Grand Son   M 3 1848   Spitalfields, Middlesex
WOOFE, Isabella Daughter Unmarried F 30 1821   Spitalfields, Middlesex
HALE, Betsy Servant Unmarried F 23 1828 Servant Ireland
Piece:
1543		 Folio: 
164		 Page:
12     		 Registration District:
Whitechapel
Civil Parish:
Christchurch		 Municipal Borough:
Tower Hamlets		 Address:
30, Sandys Row, Christchurch, Tower Hamlets		 County:
Middlesex

Undoubtedly living in same house as in 1841

"Dealer in Plate" undoubtedly means dealer in silver plated goods

Is the unmarried Isabella Woolf the Isabella Falcke in the 1841 census ?????

 1861 Census and Notes

FLATAU, Morris Head Married M 42 1819 Traveller Fancy Goods Prussia
FLATAU, Anne Wife Married F 38 1823   Spitalfields, Middlesex
FLATAU, Rosetta Daughter Unmarried F 16 1845 Dressmaker Spitalfields, Middlesex
FLATAU, Barnett Son   M 14 1847   Spitalfields, Middlesex
FLATAU, Joseph Son   M 13 1848   Spitalfields, Middlesex
FLATAU, Lewis Son   M 8 1853 Scholar Spitalfields, Middlesex
FLATAU, Fanny Daughter   F 6 1855 Scholar Spitalfields, Middlesex
FLATAU, Henry Son   M 4 1857 Scholar Spitalfields, Middlesex
FLATAU, Benjamin Son   M 2 1859   City of London, Middlesex
FLATAU, Jacob Son   M 0 (2M) 1861   City of London, Middlesex
WOOLF, Frances Mother In Law Widow F 79 1782   Spitalfields, Middlesex
MC DONALD, Anne Scholar Unmarried F 21 1840 General Servant Ireland
Piece:
212		 Folio: 
127		 Page:
6     		 Registration District:
East London
Civil Parish:
St Boltolph Bishopsgate		 Municipal Borough:
London		 Address:
3, New Street, St Boltolph Bishopsgate, London		 County:
London

Family moved to new address and Morris is now head of household

"Traveller in Fancy Goods" could well include selling silver plate

NEUSTADT, Jacob Head Married M 34 1827 Tailoress Germany
NEUSTADT, Jane Wife Married F ?     Germany
NEUSTADT, Adolpha Son Unmarried M 13 1848   Germany
NEUSTADT, Caroline Daughter Unmarried F 11 1850   Germany
NEUSTADT, Bernard Son Unmarried M 9 1852   Germany
NEUSTADT, Theresa Daughter Unmarried F 7 1854   London
NEUSTADT, Jane Daughter Unmarried F 4 1857   London
Piece:
230		 Folio: 
179		 Page:
16     		 Registration District:
Shoreditch
   
Civil Parish:
Shoreditch		 Municipal Borough:
 		 Address:
19, Eldon Street, Shoreditch		 County:
London

Is "Jane" correct - or should it be Ann?? 

Theresa's birth certificate will need checking for her mothers name 

Birth certificate reference:  Neustadt Theresa  Sep 1855  London 1c 80

Perhaps look for death of Jane and remarriege???

 1871 Census and Notes

FLATAN, Mooris Head   M 52 1819 Jeweller traveling Scotland
FLATAN, Ann Wife   F 48 1823   London
FLATAN, Joseph Son   M 22 1849 Outfitter London
FLATAN, Lewis Son   M 18 1853 Tailor London
FLATAN, Francis Daughter   F 16 1855 Dressmaker London
FLATAN, Henry Son   M 14 1857 Bootmaker (apprentice) London
FLATAN, Benjamin Son   M 13 1858 Scholar London
FLATAN, Jacob Son   M 11 1860 Scholar London
FLATAN, Michael Son   M 7 1864 Scholar London
CRAWLEY, Ann Servant   F 49 1822   Ireland
FLATAN, Montague Son   M 5 1866   London
Piece:
416		 Folio: 
67		 Page:
4     		 Registration District:
London City
Civil Parish:
St Botolph Bishopsgate		 Municipal Borough:
London		 Address:
New Street, St Botolph Bishopsgate, London		 County:
London, Middlesex

For some reason Morris now returning his place of birth as Scotland ???

"Jeweller Traveller" - fits previous occupations

Frances no longer living with them - probably the Frances Woolf (89): Deaths: Mar 1868 E. London 1c 8

NEWSHANT, Jacob Head   M 49 1822 Tailor Germany
NEWSHANT, Annie Wife   F 48 1823   Germany
NEWSHANT, Tresia Daughter   F 16 1855   London
NEWSHANT, Adolfus Son   M 24 1847 Shopman Germany
NEWSHANT, Barnard Son   M 19 1852 Shopman Germany
CASEY, Thersea Daughter   F 33 1838 Vest make London
CALDWELL, Matilda Wife   F 37 1834 Vest maker London
CALDWELL, Ellen Daughter   F 16 1855 Vest maker London
CALDWELL, Emma Daughter   F 10 1861   London
Piece:
431		 Folio: 
59		 Page:
12     		 Registration District:
London City
Civil Parish:
St Mildred		 Municipal Borough:
London		 Address:
Poultry, St Mildred, London		 County:
London, Middlesex

Entry looks a little odd - form obviously incorrectly filled in as names in wrong order -

 perhaps two families merged ?? Perhaps original form in very difficult writing

 1881 Census and Notes

FLATAN, Morris Head Married M 65 1816 Traveler In Jewelry (?) Scotland
FLATAN, Ann Wife Married F 61 1820 Traveler In Jewelry (?) Wife London
FLATAN, Fanny Daughter Single F 25 1856 Traveler In Jewelry (?) Daur London
FLATAN, Jack Son Single M 21 1860 Watchmaker London
FLATAN, Michael Son Single M 18 1863 Watchmaker London
FLATAN, Montague Son Single M 16 1865 Watchmaker London
THOMPSON, Mary A Servant Single F 21 1860 Domestic Servant Rotherhithe, Surrey
Piece:
384		 Folio: 
6		 Page:
6     		 Registration District:
Shoreditch
Civil Parish:
Shoreditch		 Municipal Borough:
 		 Address:
21, King St, Shoreditch		 County:
London, Middlesex
FLATON, Lewis Head Married M 28 1853 Clothiers Cutter Bishopsgate
FLATON, Theresa Wife Married F 24 1857   Eastcheap
Piece:
362		 Folio: 
5		 Page:
4     		 Registration District:
Holborn
Civil Parish:
St Luke		 Municipal Borough:
 		 Address:
244, City Road, St Luke		 County:
London, Middlesex
NEUSTADT, Jacob Head Married M 58 1823 Tailor Germany
NEUSTADT, Annie Wife Married F 56 1825   Germany
MCKENZIE, Donald M Lodger Single M 20 1861 Commercial Clerk Scotland
COOK, Lizzie Servant Single F 20 1861 Domestic Servant London
Piece:
261		 Folio: 
121		 Page:
43     		 Registration District:
Islington
   
Civil Parish:
Islington		 Municipal Borough:
 		 Address:
33, St Pauls Rd, Islington		 County:
London, Middlesex

 1891 Census and Notes

NEWSTEAD, Jacob Head Married M 69 1822 Tailor Germany
NEWSTEAD, Hannah Wife Married F 65 1826   Germany
FLATSAN, Theresa Daughter Married F 30 1861   Walworth, London
FLATSAN, Carrie Granddaughter   F 10 1881 Scholar Walworth, London
SCHWAR, Lambert Lodger Married M 35 1856 Housekeeper Germany
SCHWAR, Maria Lodger Married F 37 1854   Germany
Piece:
355		 Folio:
13		 Page:
19     		 Registration District:
St Saviour Southwark
   
Civil Parish:
Newington		 Municipal Borough:
Newington		 Address:
248, Walworth Road, Newington, London		 County:
London
FLATAU, Morris Head Married M 72 1819 Retired Traveller Scotland
FLATAU, Ann Wife Married F 69 1822   London
FLATAU, Michael Son Single M 27 1864   London
WOODS, Caroline Servant Widow F 39 1852 Domestic Servant Shoreditch, London
Piece:
242		 Folio: 
107		 Page:
9     		 Registration District:
Shoreditch
Civil Parish:
Shoreditch		 Municipal Borough:
Shoreditch		 Address:
44, Clifton Street, Shoreditch		 County:
London

Morris Flatau - Death Reference  Dec 1894 London 1c 38  (age 75)

 1901 Census and Notes

WADDELL, Albert Head Married M 50 1851 Retired Police Insp Parish Constable Brickinge, Kent
WADDELL, Theresa Wife Married F 46 1855   Eastcheap, London
NEWSTEAD, Jacob Father-In-Law Married M 78 1823 Retired Tailor Germany German Subject
NEWSTEAD, Annie Mother-In-Law Married F 87 1814   Germany German Subject
Piece:
375		 Folio: 
67		 Page:
57     		 Registration District:
St Saviour Southwark
Civil Parish:
Newington		 Municipal Borough:
 		 Address:
35, Lorrimore Road, Newington		 County:
London

Scan of Leavesden patients in 1901

I scanned through for all surnames which could have been a corruption of Flatau and also checked all patients who were called Lewis or Louis

One of the lunatic patients at Leavedsen Hospital in 1901 was Lewis Woolf, 52, a tailor born in Spittlefields single.

But if he was still alive Lewis Flatau would have been 48, was a tailor, was born in Spittlefields, and his mother's name was Woolf - At first sight this look interesting.

However a quick check shows there were several people called Lewis Woolf born in London at about the right date, who would have ended up in Leavesden if they became seriously mentally ill.

It may well be that Woolf is a German name (perhaps Ann Woolf's father was German, perhap even called Lewis Woolf) and she had several brothers who stayed in the area and had sons of similar ages which they called Lewis. (Such naming patterns are not uncommon)  This could mean that the Lewis Woolf in Leavesdon was a first or second cousin of Lewis Flatau

May 2012   Page created