Amelia Waller was born on 25 May 1897, her birth being registered in Q3 1897. She was baptised at Birkenhead St. Anne on 27 October 1897, parents recorded as John and Mary Jane Waller, father’s occupation Labourer, abode 242 Beckwith Street.

She is living in the family home at 267 Brook Street and is at school in the 1911 census, aged 13.

In the 1939 register Amelia’s marital status is single. She is still living at 267 Brook Street with brother James Colby Waller (1889-1968) and sister Lily (1899-1979). Here Amelia gives her birth date as 8 May 1897 and occupation Mineral Water Factory Worker.

Living with them is Amelia Morris, born 23 April 1920 and incapacitated. Her birth index entry gives her mother’s maiden name as Waller – I think she was Amelia’s daughter. No father is listed. Amelia Morris died in Q3 1979 in Birkenhead, and her birth date matches, i.e. 23 April 1920.

Amelia’s death was registered in Q3 1976 in Birkenhead. Her birth date is recorded as 25 May 1897, so there is no doubt that this is she.

This one was potentially quite confusing! Another Amelia Waller was born on 25 August 1897 and baptised in October within two weeks of this Amelia, but her parents were James Colby and Mary Waller. She married a Robert Rowland in 1919, and her father was recorded as James Waller. In 1891 James Colby and Mary had a son, Edward Ansell, and at that time were living two doors down from George and Amelia (my great-great grandparents, who lived at 11 Arrow Place) at 7 Arrow Place. Just to add to the complexity, Robert Rowland’s sister Margaret had married “our” Amelia’s uncle, Christopher George Waller, in 1897.

A Robert Rowland died in Q4 1943 in Birkenhead. An Amelia Rowland married a Thomas Morrow in Birkenhead in Q3 1949. An Amelia Morrow died in Q4 1991 in Birkenhead, and her birth date was 25 August 1897, so this was James Colby and Mary’s Amelia.