Family
editAda Smith's background can be put together substantially because a report of her funeral[1] mentions five sisters (Beatrice, Edith, Mabel, Mary, and Olive who turns out to be Olive Smith (masseuse)), and three brothers (Frank or Francis, Norman, and Harold). Some 1881 and 1891 census information at [2] is obviously not RS, but provides ten good tests of the hypothesis that Ada's father was Robert Smith, son of John Smith of South Vale who founded the varnish factory. Olive is much better documented than Ada. Ada E Smith aged 16 in 1891 was at an address in St Cuthbert's Terrace in Haltwhistle, with sisters Mabel, Mary and Olive, and brother Norman, if we accept that link. All that is heavy circumstantial evidence, at least. Charles Matthews (talk) 16:18, 19 August 2024 (UTC)
The clearest actual connection is that Edwin Wilcox's correspondence online contains letters of the 1940s, both relating to the poetry of Ada Elizabeth Smith, and to the will of Mary Haggie Smith. John Smith married in 1830 Mary Hood Haggie (died 1894)[3], daughter of David Haggie of Gateshead 1782-1851, a ropemaker in Grace's Guide. Mary Haggie Smith (1881 census, aged 3), as Mary H (1891, 13), is in the census lists mentioned above, with Ada E and Olivie in 1891. Charles Matthews (talk) 04:55, 25 August 2024 (UTC)
Confirmation of the parentage is in [4], Newcastle Chronicle - Saturday 17 December 1898. Charles Matthews (talk) 05:17, 25 August 2024 (UTC)
A loose end is Robert Smith of Rose Villa, Haltwhistle, at the same period (to 1868). He appears to be an unconnected farmer. Charles Matthews (talk) 10:04, 25 August 2024 (UTC)