SEFTON TERRACE

My late mother-in-law used to live in Sefton Terrace and she used to tell us how it used to flood and the funiture had to be nailed to the floor to stop it floating. Whether that was truth or fiction, I have never been able to work out.

Yes, I too have heard this told by my Mother whose Grandmother (Daisy Claribell Mitchell) also lived on the island. My Mother recalls hearing that the wash from large ships would flood the island frequently. She also remembers "hearing" that Daisys' own Mother died of a heart attack and fell in the bucket whilst on her hands and knees mopping up said waters!

My mother Daisy Christabel Moore (nee Staniforth) also told me this and that during the floods they moved upstairs. She was born on the island in 1913, had 1 sister (Elsie) & 3 brothers (John George [Jack] Ernest {Nobby} & Joseph. Daisy Claribel was my mothers aunt who was married to Jim Eldred and they lived at 202 Holmesdale Road, South Norwood in the 1950's. Thay had a daughter also called Daisy (little Dais) who must be Tracy's mother. My grandmother was Mabel Charlotte Staniforth & lived at 1 Reeds Cottages until her death in about 1951. Daisy Claribels mother must have been Lucy Mitchell.

Hi Graham. This is amazing. I'm hoping your mother told you about her aunt Elsie Maud Mitchell, Mabel Charlotte's sister (or maybe half sister?). I have been trying to find out about her for years. Her son, my father, never knew about his origins as he was raised by the Thomas Coram Foundation in London. I recently made contact with Daisy Claribel's granddaughter Sandra and great granddaughter Tracy through ancestry.com and together with the photos and stories on this wonderful website I now have some sense of how Elsie and her four sisters and brother grew up on Denton Island. How tough life must have been for my great grandparents, George and Lucy Mitchell. I'm hanging out for more stories and please, a photo of my granny! I haven't been able to trace her after 1911 census. Hope to hear from you. 

We don't publish email addresses, Joan. If Graham wishes to contact you, we can pass on your details. Andy-editor.

Hi Joan,Tracy and Sandra I would very much like to get in touch with you all.

I've sent you both your respective email addresses. Andy-Editor

Hi Graham how nice it is to hear from you! Daisy (little Dais as you called her!) was my Grandmother who married Herbert (Bert) and had a Daughter Sandra who is my Mum. I'm guessing that you and her would be about the same age(?), she was born in 1946 and has fond memories of her Grandmother Daisy Claribell. She says that her Nan always held onto her affection for "the Island" and that she remembers family outings to Newhaven. I wonder if you have any memories of your Grandmother that you could share?

My nan lived in Sefton Terrace, she was a Saunders  (Kate) had brothers Dick and Char, also a sister Bet. Mother of Oboe Hill, my nan lived in Gibbon Road.

One of my ancestors Harriet FRASER nee PAGE lived at Sefton Terrace in 1908 with her husband Charles and children Dorothy born 1898, Sydney born 1900, John born 1905 and Rupert born 1906.  I would love to get in touch with anyone who knows of them or who might be related to them - Chris Page.