Sophia (Burman) Saunders (1851 - 1938)

Born 7 Feb 1851 in Coslany, Norfolk, England, United Kingdom

Ancestors

Died 18 Nov 1938 at age 87 in Foots Cray, Kent, England, United Kingdom

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This profile is part of the Burman Name Study.

Research Notes

She lived with Samuel James Saunders and there is no evidence that the couple actually married. She had 7 children. The first 4 children were registered at birth as 'Burman' and no father is recorded on their birth certificates. They later went by the name of Saunders.

Biography

Sophia was born in 1851.^[1] She was baptised on 9th March 1851 in Coslany, Norfolk, England as the daughter of Henry Burman and Mary Stringfellow.^[2]

Between 1851 and 1871 she lived with her parents in Coslany, Norfolk, England.^[3][4][5]

In 1873, out of wedlock, she gave birth to Mary Ann Burman in Ipswich, Suffolk, England. The certificate records Sophia's name as Mary Ann Saunders Burman suggesting that the father is possibly Samuel James Saunders. Sophia's occupation is recorded as a domestic servant residing at 26 St Margaret's Street, Ipswich, Suffolk.^[6] In 1871 Samuel James Saunders was living in Ipswich St Margaret, Suffolk, England.

In 1875, out of wedlock, she gave birth to Sophia Burman in Luton, Bedfordshire, England. The certificate records Sophia Burman's occupation as a hat sewer. No father is recorded on the certificate.^[7]

In 1877, out of wedlock, she gave birth to Ruth Burman in Norwich, Norfolk, England.

In 1880, out of wedlock, she gave birth to Maud Burman. The certificate records Sophia Burman's occupation as a boot stitcher. No father is recorded on the certificate.^[8]

In 1881 she lived with Samuel James Saunders in Marylebone, Middlesex, England as Sophia Burman. She is recorded as being his 'daughter' and a widow.^[9]

Between 1881 and 1891 she gave birth to 3 sons, all of which were recorded with the surname 'Saunders'. Their birth certificates gives the impression that Sophia and Samuel were married, but there is no evidence of any marriage.

Between 1891 and 1911 she lived in Foots Cray, Kent, England as Sophia Saunders, widow.^[10][11][12]

She passed away in 1938.^[13]

Sources

1. ↑ "England and Wales Birth Registration Index, 1837-2008," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2NSF-WXQ : 1 October 2014), Sophia Barman, 1851; from "England & Wales Births, 1837-2006," database, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : 2012); citing Birth Registration, Norwich, Norfolk, England, citing General Register Office, Southport, England
2. ↑ "England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975", database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:J9PN-195 : 5 February 2023), Sophia Burman, 1851
3. ↑ "England and Wales Census, 1851," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:SG6W-V7D : 9 November 2019), Sophia Burman in household of Henry Burman, Saint Marys Coslany, Norfolk, England; citing Saint Marys Coslany, Norfolk, England, p. 27, from "1851 England, Scotland and Wales census," database and images, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : n.d.); citing PRO HO 107, The National Archives of the UK, Kew, Surrey
4. ↑ "England and Wales Census, 1861," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M7XS-Z53 : 3 March 2021), Sophia Burman in household of Henry Burman, Coslany, Norfolk, England, United Kingdom; from "1861 England, Scotland and Wales census," database and images, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : n.d.); citing PRO RG 9, The National Archives, Kew, Surrey
5. ↑ "England and Wales Census, 1871", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VFXQ-L84 : 27 June 2022), Sophia Burnham in entry for Henry Burnham, 1871
6. ↑ Birth Certificate ref: BXCH 840642
7. ↑ Birth Certificate ref: BXCG 274442
8. ↑ Birth Certificate ref: BXCG 279235
9. ↑ "England and Wales Census, 1881," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q273-VLFH : 10 December 2017), Sofia Bunnion in household of S T Sanders, St Marylebone, London,Middlesex, England; from "1881 England, Scotland and Wales Census," database and images, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : n.d.); citing p. 4, Piece/Folio 152/5, The National Archives, Kew, Surrey; FHL microfilm 101,774,346
10. ↑ "England and Wales Census, 1891," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QJHQ-MN2 : 22 February 2021), Sophia Saunders, Chislehurst, Kent, England, United Kingdom; from "1891 England, Scotland and Wales census," database and images, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : n.d.); citing PRO RG 12, Kent county, subdistrict, The National Archives of the UK, Kew, Surrey
11. ↑ "England and Wales Census, 1901," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:X9FS-5RV : 20 May 2019), Sophia Saunders, Chislehurst, Kent, England, United Kingdom; from "1901 England, Scotland and Wales census," database and images, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : n.d.); citing Chislehurst subdistrict, PRO RG 13, The National Archives, Kew, Surrey
12. ↑ "England and Wales Census, 1911," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XWDH-D91 : 28 June 2019), Mrs Sophire Saunders, Foots Cray, Kent, England, United Kingdom; from "1911 England and Wales census," database and images, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : n.d.); citing PRO RG 14, The National Archives of the UK, Kew, Surrey
13. ↑ "England and Wales Death Registration Index 1837-2007", database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QVHT-Q7YB : 2 November 2021), Sophia Saunders, 1938