september 17th 1912 Florence to beryl joan tasker thomlinson
Carlisle, cumbria to heads nook, Carlisle, cumbria
7 miles
the message
"I did miss my little friend this morning. How are all your children. I hope quite well and behaving themselves very nicely. What a lovely day it has been. Am sure it would delight (?) at Head's Nook. This wee girlie has come to say "How do you do".
Love
Florence
the sender
The identity of Florence is not known. At first glance it looked as if it was Beryl Thomlinson's mother who is also called Florence, but the records show that at the time that the card was sent, Beryl's mother had just arrived by boat in Canada.
the recipient
Beryl Joan Tasker Thomlinson (1903-1990) was the youngest child of James Arthur Thomlinson (1869-1912) and Florence Ada Cotter (1879-1944). James was a member of a family who owned a cement manufacturing business in Cumbria. Florence was from Leytonstone, London.
At the time that the card was sent, Beryl was staying was 9 years old and she was staying with a solicitor called Herbert Fothergill Leavers (aka Leivers) (1855-1939) in Head's Nook near Carlisle in Cumbria. Beryl is also at that address in the 1911 census.
1912 is a big year for Beryl. In the first half of the year her father, James died. Following his death, Beryl's mother sailed to Canada with Beryl's three elder brothers Brian Cotter T Thomlinson (1899-1964), John Thomlinson (1901-?), and Lawrence Tasker Cotter Thomlinson (1902-1948). Brian and Lawrence both settled and married in Canada. Florence also did not return.
Meanwhile Beryl appears to have remained in England, In 1939 she was again living in Head's Nook with Herbert Leavers' widow, Lucy Adelaide Leavers nee Howard (1869-1945).
In 1944, Beryl married Richard S Ellwood (1914-1958) in Cumbria. Beryl died in Cumbria in 1990. They did not have any children.
the places
Head's Nook and Carlisle, Cumbria
what the card says to us
The picture can only be described as creepy.
The message has some unexplained references. What is meant by "my little friend"? Who are "all your children"?
The story behind the situation of Beryl living with Herbert Leavers is fascinating. Beryl's father died in London in early 1912. Beryl was living in Cumbria in 1911. Was he ill for some time? Was Beryl sent away while he was ill? What caused the emigration to Canada and why did Beryl remain behind?
Always more questions.