Back in May of 2022, I had been trying to have a break from buying any more old photos as I still hadn’t scanned all the ones I did have. But sometimes I just spot one that I cannot resist! As with these two photos I saw on eBay, they are stuck on one old album page, both are connected and all the people are named except ’self’ who wrote the names.

I started by writing all the names down from the first photo and thought I’d work my way through them trying to find a likely match for the Kaye family in the records. After starting with females, first Gertrude then Elsie, Ethel and Louisa so many choices and none were very helpful and I couldn’t match the whole or even three names together on any records. Also with females, they may have been married to a Kaye, so that’s always tricky.

So next I turned to the males Elliott, Cecil, Aleck and A V Kaye another female. Firstly I noticed some India-based records came up when I searched for an Elliot Kaye and that instantly got me thinking that maybe the father was in the Army in India and if the family were living in India then that was why I couldn’t find a family match in the UK.

I started a tree on Ancestry with Elliot Kaye and added the father William and mother Jane Margaret mentioned on the Baptism record from India, just to see if anything else popped up as a clue.

I also added Cecil Kaye as a brother to Elliott on my speculative tree and was really pleased when I saw a couple of India-based records come up as hints for him, one military record giving his birth as 1868, and 1889 for the Indian military connection. So after putting in his birth as 1868 on my tree I also had pop up a Baptism record for Cecil Kaye with a spouse, Margaret, and Sarah for their child, again this was India based. It just felt right, with the right connections and it was just a case now of fitting them all together.

Now I went back to William Kaye to see what hints had appeared and I noticed a photo hint from someone’s public family tree of the writing on the back of an old photo frame where M M Kaye (21 Aug 1908-29 Jan 2004) had written a little about her family history.

“William Kaye b September 29 1795 (Barrister at law) married Cecilia Mary daughter of Sir John Gibson-Craig. Bart of Riccaton-Co (near Edinburgh) his 8th child was William Kaye of the Bengal Civil Service, born at Tetworth Hall 1836, who was my Grandfather, his elder son was named Cecil after his Grandmother Cecilia Mary…M M Kaye”

What amazing information. I added all this to my family tree and I was really hoping that this was my Kaye family as it looked so interesting, but I had lots more to add before I could confirm a match with my photos. The mention of Tetworth Hall also was brilliant as I hoped I would be able to find out more information from that line of research.

Biography of Author. M.M. Kaye was most known for authoring “The Far Pavilions”, which has been described as the “Gone With The Wind” of India. Born Mary Margaret Kaye, she was the oldest daughter of a British intelligence officer in the Indian Army, Sir Cecil Kaye and his wife Margaret Sarah Bryson, a watercolour artist. She was sent to an English boarding school as a child learning art illustration for children’s books and Christmas cards. She returned to India in 1926. She was unhappy there, especially after her father’s death, thus she returned to England where she continue to be an illustrator for children’s books and eventually wrote books of her own. In 1940, she wrote her first adult book, “Six Bars at Seven”. In 1945, she married Godfrey John Hamilton, a British Indian army officer. In 1947, the British Indian army was resolved, and to continue his career, her husband was transferred to the British Army; she and her children followed his military career to twenty-seven locations in nineteen years. She utilized several of these locations in a series of crime novels. It was at that point that she used the pen name M. M. Kaye instead of the “Mollie Kaye” from the earlier period of her career. In 1957, she wrote, after a trip to India, her first historical novel, “Shadow of the Moon”; she complained that most of the romance was edited by the publisher without her prior knowledge. Her second novel “The Sun In the Morning” was published in 1963; it too was about India.
It was after her husband’s retirement in 1967 that she started her masterpiece, “The Far Pavilions”; it was published in 1978 as a bout with cancer and chemotherapy delayed her finishing the book as planned. The novel was a worldwide success. With this great success, she republished “Shadow of the Moon” as she originally wrote it. “Trade Winds”, one of her crime novels was also republished, and later she wrote a half-a-dozen new ones with titles starting with the word “Death”.
She wrote and illustrated another children’s book, “The Ordinary Princess”. Her three-volume autobiography was published as “Share of Summer: The Sun in the Morning, Golden Afternoon and Enchanted Evening”. In 1984, “The Far Pavilions” was made into a TV mini-series which is still available today on DVD. In March of 2003, she was awarded the Colonel James Tod International Award for showing the spirit of the people of India in her writings She lived to be 95 years old. Her ashes were scattered by Michael Ward and his wife Elaine; he produced the West End musical version of “The Far Pavilions”. Bio by: Linda Davis (Find A Grave) She was Commander, Order of the British Empire (C.B.E.) issue.1 She was Companion, Order of the Indian Empire (C.I.E.)1 Her married name became Hamilton. She was Companion, Order of the Star of India (C.S.I.)

This information from British History Online was invaluable to me and was my first find of a connection between the two families of Astell and Kaye: There are the following monuments in TETWORTH.

“Parish Church of St Mary :
In the chancel, to the Astell family, William, d. 1741; Frances his daughter, d. 1764; Sarah wife of William, d. 1841; and Richard William her son, d. 1864; Richard, d. 1777, and two wives, Sarah (Bagnall), d. 1767, and Hannah (Kennett), d. 1807; William Thornton (who assumed the name of Astell in 1807), d. 1847, and Sarah (Harvey) his wife, d. 1841; John Harvey, d. 1887, and Anne Emelia (Nisbet), d. 1907; William Harvey, d. 1896; and also to Sarah (Astell) widow of Sir Henry Fairfax, d. 1879; the Rev. T. H. Shaw, Vicar, d. 1903; Alice Caroline (Astell), wife of the 6th Baron Ellenborough, d. 1916; Somerset Charles Godfrey Fairfax Astell, d. 1917; floor slab to Richard William Astell, d. 1864; and window to Sir Henry Fairfax, Bart, d. 1860.
In the north aisle, window to William Kaye, d. 1864.“

So now after adding many family groups to my family tree, I have been able to identify most of the faces in these photos. I was also able to join up the two family trees! As I had also started a separate one for the Astell Family. As these two families had been linked throughout the years by so many things it was inevitable that I would come across a marriage joining the two families, as I did in 1870 between Joseph Kaye 1828-1901 and Mary St Quinton Astell 1844-1913. Mary was Joseph’s second wife he was first married to Charlotte Alice Prescott (born 1845) on 25 Jul 1864, Charlotte sadly died just a year later very likely during or after the birth of their daughter Alice Mary Kaye 1865-21 June 1938.

Kaye and Astell Marriage.

Kaye Family Group:

Information I’ve found on the people in this first photo.

1. Sir Cecil Kaye CBE. Was born on 27 May 1868 in Penzance, Cornwall, England. Cecil was named after his Grandmother Cecilia. He married Margaret Sarah Bryson 1886-1983, in Tientsin, Northern China in 1905, they had one son and two daughters. William 1906-1986, Mary Margaret (Mollie) (a famous Author) 1908-2004 (Biography above), Elizabeth Dorothy 1910-2003. Sir Cecil has a fascinating history. (see notes on my public family tree) He died of a heart attack in New Delhi on 5 March 1935.

2. Mr A Kaye. He was I believe Rev Arthur Kaye, born 1843 in Gloucestershire, married to Maria Louisa Chapman (born 1839) on 15 Jan 1875 in London. The couple had no children. In later life, on the 1911 census, they were living at 12 Angel Hill, Bury St Edmunds, Arthur aged 67 was still a ‘Clerk in Holy Orders’ Arthur died on 7 September 1911. Maria continued to live in Bury St Edmunds and died there on 4 May 1915.

3. Mr Hamlyn. I have found no matches or cross over’s with the Kaye or Astell family so far with anyone of this name, and there are too many possibilities without a first name in the records.

4. Self. More later.

5. Mr W Kaye. Most likely to be William Kaye born in 1838 at Tetworth Hall, Huntingdonshire. A son of William Kaye Snr 1795-1864 and Mary Cecilia Gibson Craig 1799-1889. William married Jane Margaret Beckett (born 1837) on 23 August 1862 in Mynpoorie, Bengal, India. The couple had seven children, Sir Cecil Kaye(1) being one of them. Most of their children were born in India and once again he is an interesting man. In later life, they were living at Rope Hill, Boldre, near the New Forest. William died on the 7 November 1926 in Keynsham, Somerset, and his wife Jane died in 1922 in Headington, Oxfordshire.

6. Ethel Kaye. The most likely match is Elizabeth Isabella Ethel Kaye 1868-1936. One of eight children born to James Kaye 1832-1886 and Elizabeth Thoroton 1828-1871. At the time of this photo, her parents had both died and she is standing next to her uncle, her father’s brother William. Maybe he looked out for her and her siblings after their parents’ deaths. She never married and died aged 68 at Rokeby Lodge, Bathford, Bath, Somerset, leaving her estate to a sister and niece.

7. Elliot Kaye. Elliot was born in Almora, Uttaranchal, India on 1 October 1874, the youngest child of William Kaye (5) and his wife Jane Mary Beckett. Elliot married Amy Lila Bicknell (born 1881) on 7 October 1909 in Lymington, Hampshire (New Forest) I have found three possible daughters of the couple so far, two looking more likely. Elliot’s wife Amy died in 1924, and Elliot died in Surrey on 7 Mar 1951.

8. Elsie Kaye. A puzzle I haven’t yet solved! Any ideas would be very welcome as I just cannot seem to find a match even after adding almost 300 people to the family tree!

9. A.V. Kaye. I think has got to be Alice Vivian Kaye 1841-1927. A daughter of William Kaye Snr 1795-1864 and sister of William Kaye (5)Alice never married and died on 13 February 1927 at Moorcroft, Broadstone, Dorset.

10. Gertrude Kaye. Margaret Alice Gertrude Kaye 11 January 1871-1960. Another daughter of James Kaye 1832-1886 and Elizabeth Thoroton 1828-1871. She was one of the Twins born to Elizabeth and tragically Elizabeth died and so did one of her Twins just after the birth. KAYE, ELIZABETH 41 GRO Ref: 1871 M Quarter in BARNET Vol 03A Page 104 Death registration is the same Vol 7 and Page number as Daughter Mary Isabella Beatrice Kaye, one of the Twins. Gertrude never married and died aged 89 in Hildenborough, Kent, she was buried with her sister Ethel (6) at St Swithun Churchyard, Bathford, Bath, Somerset.

11. Louisa Kaye. This lady is most likely to be Annie Louisa Kaye 1870-1905. She was born in Bareilly, Bengal, India on 30 August 1870, daughter of William Kaye (5) and his wife Jane Mary Beckett. Sister to Cecil, Elliot and Aleck. She married John Archibald Polwhele in Ghazepur, Bengal, India on 30 August 1898, the couple had two sons, Thomas born 1899 and Reginald born 1903, sadly she died in India in 1905 aged just 34 years old. Her husband John was an Engineer on the Indian Railways.

12. H.S. Astell. Henrietta Sarah Astell 1855-1892, was born at Woodbury Hall, Gamlingay, Cambridgeshire, daughter of John Harvey Astell 1806-1887 and Annie Emelia Nisbet she never married and died at just 37 years old in St Leonards on Sea on 24 January 1892.

13. Edith Astell. Edith Jane Astell was born on 7 December 1858, another daughter of John Harvey Astell 1806-1887 and Annie Emelia Nisbet 1829-1907. She married the Rev Atherton Ernest Wauton (More of him later) in the summer of 1890 in Caxton, Cambridgeshire. They had one son Eric Astell Wauton 1891-1963. Edith died on 23 Nov 1922 in Bath, and her husband Atherton died in 1929.

14. Annie Astell. She is Annie Louisa Astell born on 1 April 1854 in London, another daughter of John Harvey Astell 1806-1887 and Annie Emelia Nisbet. Annie never married and died on 30 Jan 1939 at Duncroft, Moor Lane, Staines, Middlesex, she lived in Sunningdale, Berkshire. She left £12,996 12s 9d to her brother John Henry St Quinton Astell, her last surviving sibling. John died in 1945 aged 82 in Hove, Sussex.

15. Aleck Kaye. Alexander Kaye was born in Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, India on 2 October 1873, the last but one son of William Kaye (5) and his wife Jane Mary Beckett. Born a year before brother Elliot Kaye (7). Alexander attended the famous Repton School, Repton, Derbyshire (1891 census) as a Boarder. In 1900 he emigrated to Canada and there he met his future wife Gertrude Mary Macfarlane, born in 1881 in Scotland, she was a Teacher, she had emigrated to Canada in 1889. The couple married on 31 July 1909 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. I’ve not found any children of the couple. In the 1921 census of Canada Alexander’s Occupation is a Ranger, Employment: Type 2 Wage Earner, Nature of Work: Dan Govt. Income: 1800. They lived at no 1670 Alberni St, Vancouver, in a house of wooden construction, now the street is all highrise blocks of flats. Alexander died on Christmas Day 1951 and Gertrude died on the 21 Aug 1968, they were both buried at Mountain View Cemetery, Vancouver, Canada.

Now to identify the faces in this second photograph. The difference here is that apart from Ida and Mrs Gascoigne there are no surnames mentioned so it’s very likely that these could all be siblings but who?

Saving number 1 till last, I will start with numbers 4 and 5, Ida and Mrs Gascoigne. The best match for these two ladies I found was Ida Frances Orby Gascoigne b1866 Warwick Square, London, never married, and died on 26 Feb 1929 at Oakwood, Belmont, Surrey. Ida was one of seven children born to father Clifton Gascoigne b1836 at Dale Park, he was a Lieutenant Colonel late of the Grenadier Guards (1891)c 27 Sep 1903 at Bletchworth House, Bletchworth, Surrey. Ida‘s mother was Frances Charlotte Orby Wombwell b1841 at Grosvenor Place, London, she married Clifton in 1864. She died on 6 Mar 1920 at 27 St George’s Road, Middlesex. Ida left £14,736 12s 4d, they were a very wealthy family.

2. Clara. I believe to be Clara Harriett Astell 1856-1933 daughter of John Harvey Astell 1806-1887 and Annie Emelia Nisbet. Clara never married and died on 17 November 1933 at Dale Lodge, Sunningdale, Berkshire.

3. LouLou. Most likely to be Louisa Wynyard Astell born on 7 Oct 1846 in Futtehghur, Bengal, India, she had married George Lukas Lang born in 1837, and they had several children, one of their sons Henry Astell Lang was killed in 1915 during WW1. Louisa died on 13 April 1905, and her husband George died in 1898.

6. Annie. Annie Louisa Astell. Who I have written about above number 14 on the first photo.

7. Carry. Caroline Astell. Born on 19 Oct 1852 in Futtehghur, Bengal, India to parents Henry Godfrey Astell 1815-1903 and Louisa Maria Wynyard 1822-1882. LouLou was her sister (3) Carry was never married and died aged on 27 May 1937 in London, she left £28, 756 10s 10d.

8. Edie. Edith Jane Astell. Number 13 in the first photo. Again a daughter of John Harvey Astell 1806-1887 and Annie Emelia Nisbet.

9. Haha. This is my best guess as it’s a nickname, but I think this could be Henrietta Sarah Astell, number 12 in the first photo, although not too clear in the first photo there is a definite similarity between the two images for the shape of the face and nose.

10. Mama. This lady has got to be Annie Emelia Nisbet, born in India in 1828 Mama to eight children and the widow of John Harvey Astell. Her parents were Robert Parry Nisbet 1793-1882 and Clara Amelia Harriott 1794-1843. Annie had married John on 7 June 1853 at St James, Southbroom, Devizes, Wiltshire. They had six daughters and two sons. Annie died on 13 August 1907. This is a transcript of her funeral notice in the paper, great to read about all the family information, although it always tells you more about the men in the family rather than Annie herself: Everton. The Late Mrs Astell. From the Bedfordshire Mercury on Friday 23 August 1907: Our last issue briefly notified the death, after a long illness, of Mrs Astell, of Woodbury Hall, in her 80th year. The deceased lady was well known and highly esteemed in this neighbourhood and for miles beyond among the county families of Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire & Huntingdonshire. Born in 1828, she was Annie Emelia, daughter of Mr. Robert Parry Nisbet, of Southbromme House, Wiltshire, M.P. for Chippenham. On the 7th of June 1853, she was married to Mr John Harvey Astell, of Woodbury Hall, who was born on the 20th of March 1806 and died on the 17th of January 1887. This gentleman (deceased’s husband) was formerly M.P. for Cambridge and for Ashburton, and the family of which he was an honoured scion–dating back from 1630–has close domestic associations with such distinguished families as those bearing the names of Thornton, Harvey, Payne and St. Quintin. He was magistrate for the counties of Bedford, Cambridge and Huntingdon, and a Deputy-Lieuteant for this County and for the City of London. He also held the commission of Captain in the Bds Militia and was one of the last Directors of the Hon. East India Co. The family became possessed of the Everton estate in 1713 when it was purchased from Mr Walter Carey, whose name is still remembered in the parish as a local benefactor of a certain Charity.
When Mr. Astell died he left his widow with a family of sons and daughters. The elder of his two sons was Mr William Harvey Astell, D.L. for Cambridgeshire, J.P. for the same three counties as was his father, some time a Lieutenant in the Grenadier Guards, and formerly attached to the Beds, Militia. He was born on Nov 26th 1860, and, on Dec 7th, 1886, he married the Hon. Elizabeth Maria Vereker, 4th daughter of Standish Prendergast, 4th Viscount Gort.

He only survived his father about nine years, as he died on the 20th of April 1896, leaving the Hon. Mrs Astell (his widow) with a son, Richard John Bereker, born Sept. 7, 1890, and two daughters, Laline Annette, born Oct. 1, 1888, and Cynthia Elizabeth Violet, born Aug. 10, 1893. The Hon. Mrs Astell, has in more recent years, become the wife of Lord De L’Isle and Duocley, and her elder daughter, Miss Laline Astell, was presented to the King and Queen at one of the Courts held by their Majesties during this lately ended London season.
The funeral of Mrs Astell took place at Everton Church early on Saturday afternoon, when, practically the whole of the village turned out to pay a last tribute of respect to the memory of the esteemed and lamented lady. The sacred edifice was crowded and the burial service was conducted by the Vicar (Rev. J. A. Panter), assisted by the Rev. W. Crouch, vicar of Gamlingay. These clergymen also officiated at the family vault in the parish churchyard, when the deceased’s remains were deposited within it, to rest with those of dear ones who had died before her. The Vicar was away on holiday when Mrs Astell died but returned for the obsequies. Messrs Daulby, of Biggleswade, were the undertakers, and the coffin they supplied was constructed of English oak, with handsome brass fittings, the nameplate bearing this simple inscription, “Annie Emelia Astell, born 1828; died August 13th, 1907.” The cortege from Woodbury Hall comprised about fifteen carriages, and amongst the chief mourners were the Lady De L’Isle and Dudley, Mr Richard Astell, Colonel the Hon. Cecil H. Law, C.B., and the Hon. Mrs Law, Mr Henry Astell Law, Mr John Astell, Miss Astell, Miss Clara Astell, Rev. Atherton Wauton, Mrs Wauton, Mr Eric Wauton, Miss Nisbet, Mr Arthur Thornton, Colonel Gregson, Colonel St. Quintin, Captain & Mrs E. St. Quintin, Miss Marten, Mrs Gosselin, Mr Edward Pearson, Captain Godfrey Astell (D.S.O.), Mr and Mrs W. Astell, Sir Henry & Lady Mance, Captain H. Lang, Mrs Bury Paliser, Colonel R. Hadow (D.S.O.), Miss S. St. Quintin, Nurse Skerman, Nurse Abbiss, Mr Preedy, Mr Fuller, Mr & Mrs Claydon. The floral tributes were most beautiful and included a very fine wreath from the villagers“.

11. Atherton. Up until I had read this list above of mourners I had not been able to find a match for Atherton among the family. So now I was almost sure it was Rev Atherton Ernest Wauton, so looking him up I realised that he had married Edith Jane Astell, one of Mama‘s daughters. Atherton was born in 1855 in Tonbridge, Kent to parents Rev Joseph Atherton Wauton 1805-1859 and wife Mary Anne Denton 1821-1911, he had four sisters and four brothers that I have found so far.

12. Alice. Alice Caroline Astell. Born in 1858 in London to parents John Harvey Astell 1806-1887 and Annie Emelia Nisbet. Alice married Captain Cecil Henry Law on 22 July 1884 at St Mary’s Church, Everton cum Tetworth. Cecil later became the 6th Baron of Ellenborough making Alice a Baroness. This is the newspaper report on the Wedding, a splendid affair and so detailed in the newspaper report! Herts & Cambs Reporter & Royston Crow , Friday 25 July 1884. Fashionable Marriage.
On Tuesday last was celebrated the marriage of Miss Alice Astell, fourth daughter of Mr John Harvey Astell, of Woodbury Hall, Gamlingay, to Captain C. H. Law, of the 2nd Dorset Regiment, son of Mr H. Spencer Law, and nephew of the present Earl of Ellenborough. For some time past the neighbourhood has been greatly interested in the coming event, as Mr. Astell and his family are widely known, and this is the first marriage that has taken place in the family. Early in the morning, the approaches to Woodbury Hall and Everton became alive with groups of pedestrians, wending their way towards the picturesque little church of Everton, The church was tastefully and prettily decorated with a choice collection of water lilies, moss and ferns, and presented a striking and luxuriant appearance. Outside the church was an arched way composed of flowers. Two other imposing arches of rhododendron sprays, ferns, evergreens, and flowers, spanned the road between the church and the mansion. On the previous day the following ladies and gentlemen arrived at Woodbury Hall, in readiness for the approaching nuptials:–Canon and Mrs Nisbet, Captain and Miss Law, Captain, Mrs. and Miss Armstrong, Miss Martin, and Captain C. H. Law, while on the wedding morning, the arrivals were many and frequent. The roads and entrance to the church were lined with a large contingent of visitors from neighbouring places, and ringing cheers were given as the bride stepped out of her carriage. the bride was attired in a handsome white satin costume, with rich Honiton lace, and a magnificent train. The bridesmaids were attired in pretty white silk costumes, adorned with white muslin and lace, and handsome veils with pale blue ostrich feathers. They were Miss Astell, Miss Henrietta Astell, Miss Clara Astell, Miss Edith Astell, Miss Armstrong, Miss Minnie Martin, Miss Margaret Astell, and Miss Law (sister to the bridegroom). The church was crowded with a fashionable assemblage of visitors and spectators, but owing to its smallness, a great many visitors were denied a peep at the interesting and pretty scene. The nuptial ceremony was performed by Canon Nisbet, a cousin of Mrs Astell’s, assisted by the Rev. T. Shaw, Vicar of Everton. At the conclusion the scene was a very animated one, the church bells were ringing merry peals, and the Everton Brass Band struck up a merry tune, while the holiday crowd cheered to their heart’s content as the wedding party emerged from the sacred edifice.
The Bride looked very beautiful and happy as she passed towards the carriage on the Bridgegroom’s arm, being greeted by the showers of rice which were freely scattered over her. The brass band followed the bridal party to the Mansion and played a selection of music during the wedding breakfast and for the remainder of the day, and the church bells rang out peal upon peal until a late hour. A handsome flag waved from the Woodbury Hall mansion, and another from the Everton church tower. About 100 ladies and gentlemen sat down in the dining room to the wedding breakfast, which was got up in the highly artistic style by Gunter, the well-known caterer at such gatherings, and those who were favoured with a view before the company sat down, were much charmed at the pretty and effective appearance of the tables. The wedding cake, a large and massive one, trimmed with maidenhair fern, and surmounted with a tasteful ornament, was provided by Messrs. Walker, of Piccadilly, and was much admired. Photographer Mr Hills, of the firm of Hills and Saunders, Cambridge, attended and took a photograph of the bride and bridegroom, another of the bridesmaids, and a third of the whole party. At the departure of Captain and Mrs Law for their honeymoon, at Saxelby Hall, in Lincolnshire, the brass band struck up a merry strain, the spectators cheered, and showers of rice again filled the air. The outdoor arrangements during the day were under the able superintendence of Mr Bennet, the steward, and were most admirably carried out, both inside the house and out, not the slightest hitch occurring in any department, and great satisfaction was given to all concerned” I would love to have seen the photos! The couple had one son Henry Astell Law,  born 11 Jul 1889 and died 19 Mar 1945, who later in life became the 7th Baron of Ellenborough. He in turn married Helen Dorothy Lovatt 1901-2002 and the couple had two sons, Richard Edward Cecil Law, 8th Baron Ellenborough born 14 Jan 1926, died 7 Jun 2013.
Hon. Cecil Towry Henry Law born 17 Oct 1931, died 26 Mar 2005.

Alice died on 3 Nov 1916 and Cecil died on 22 Jan 1931, both in Warmwell, Dorset.

13. Cato. Well, what can I say, beautiful dog!

1. Self. (Number 4 in the first photo) Now I come to the writer of all these names and the most likely person to be the owner of the original Photo Album they came from, and I am as sure as I can be that I am correct. At first very frustrating, but now as a result of gradually adding more branches to the family tree, and studying the family, I do believe that ‘Self‘ was Margaret Julia Agnes Fairfax Astell, the youngest of eight children born to John Harvey Astell 1806-1887 and Annie Emelia Nisbet who married on 7 June 1853 in Wiltshire. Margaret was born at Woodbury Hall, Cambridgeshire, England in the first quarter of 1869, she married Montagu Everton Loftus on 2 Sep 1897 in Huntingdonshire. In the newspapers: “Margaret Astell, the youngest daughter of the late Mr John Astell, was united in holy matrimony with Mr Montague E. Loftus, third son of Lord Augustus Loftus. The bridegroom is Her Majesty’s Consul for Corsica. The marriage was solemnised in the pretty parish of Everton at St Mary’s Church.”

She died on the 3 Jun 1900 at 40 Brunswick Terrace, Brighton, Sussex aged just 31.

Here is the Astell family group below. Showing all the sisters and their two brothers.

The more I read about these families, the more I was totally fascinated by them and during my research, I came across this absolutely amazing account of the history of the Astell and Thornton families of Everton and Woodbury Hall, well worth a read if you love history or are descended from them. This splendid blog site is the work of Author Nicholas Kingsley, a wonderful Historian of Country Houses and Landed Families. Direct link here: Astell and Thornton Family All the complexities of name changes due to inheritance are explained also in full detail with the family history of the families and much much more.

There are also lots of super photos of the family homes.

I am rather glad to have completed this large puzzle, almost solved but not quite and I would be very happy if anyone has any suggestions about ‘Elsie’ and ‘Mr Hamlyn’

Here’s the link to the larger-than-usual family tree I have compiled on Ancestry: Astell Kaye Family Tree

Till next time then………