A great research update January 2025

My nephew,Dr Dashiel Lawrence has managed,through the services of a UK genealogist, to obtain the marriage certificate of Jessies brother Isaac. such an important document as it confirms the 212 Euston Road,St Pancras address once again,as the family home. More importantly it gives us the original Polish surname for himself, his father and Jessie and her sisters. His father was Barnett Solka. Solka is a Yiddish name that is a variant of Solomon in Hebrew.

With access available at last to the 1921 UK Census through FMP, i paid to check to see who remained at 212 Euston Road, St. Pancras. The payment was worthwile. I have attached a screen capture. Isaac Solomons seems to be calling himself Percy Lawrence and is living with his mother Rachel, stepfather Simon and sisters Betty Barnett and Phyllis Barnett.

A new look at Jessie Barnett

I found a UK based photo restorer who I paid to colourise my image of Jessie taking during World War 1. I think she did a good job. The use of the Red Cross badge may not be accurate as I have never been sure of the uniform, although Jessie was a typist with the British Red Cross Stores office.

The death certificate of Jessie Sheba Barnett's mother, Rachel

The death certificate for Rachel see attached, gives her name as Rachel Simmons, widow of Simon Simmons. He was originally at the time of their marriage in 1908, Simon Koshobrodski. He was said to be a dealer in china and glass. Rachel had been a hawker. Simon had earlier been a tailor/cutter. Rachel died in the University College Hospital, London. Her address was the key one we have for the family of 212 Euston Road. The informant was Percy Barnett, son, of 11 City of Westminster Flats, Marshall Street, W! I can only assume he was the man previously known as Isaac Solomons, son of Barnett Barnett?

A Grave site visit

Along with London friend, Malcolm Lauder and  London Jewish genealogy contact  Stanley Kaye  I visited the Federation of Synagogues Edmonton cemetery on June 17th to see the graves of Jessie Barnett, her mother Rachel Solomons and her sister Betty Barnett.

Jessie

Sometime after her marriage to James Evans, this relationship must have broken down and on commencing work with the British Red Cross, along with her sister Betty Barnett, Jessie is on record as being typist with them/

Staff record card for Jessie Barnett, showing home address of 212 Euston Road, NW London

Jessie Barnett circa 1917-1919?

The loss of baby Eugene

Jessie Sheba Evans, nee Barnett has a child in September, Eugene, but he fails to thrive and is dead within 6 weeks.

Eugene John Leonard Frances Evans Birth certificate

Eugene John Leonard Frances Evans death certificate