The UNSOLVED MYSTERY of Our AMERICAN HEIRESS' Nephew's TRAGIC DEATH in 1908
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- Опубликовано: 27 сен 2024
- The ALL NEW look and NEW season of American Viscountess opens with a VERY special episode - a visit to the parish church in Cambridgeshire were generations of the Montagu family have been laid to rest. Here I uncover a family tragedy which leads me to the archives and a meeting with my Father-in-law, the 11th Earl of Sandwich, to try and solve a 100 year mystery!
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The Sturgis family being so prominent in Chicago, the American newspapers from 1907 and 1908 probably printed articles and notices about all of their doings and experiences. Baby Billy's birth and death would have been in the newspapers, and probably also his parents' trip to England and his father's business. You might also contact the Chicago Public Library, the Newbery Library, the University of Chicago, and any other history museums or archives that you can, which would have the old newspapers in their collections.
She came from Chiago and it may well be easy to visit once more, or maybe has checked this out early on? Good idea if she has not though
What a sad story! As a big fan of both history & the hobby of Mudlarking, I learned about something called; "Mrs. Winslows Soothing Syrup." It was invented in America in 1849, and marketed & used in the U.S. & U.K. widely all the way up until the 1930's. This medication was available for babies to clean teeth, for constipation, and for "fussiness" & crying. It was made of a combination of Morphine & Alcohol. It is said that one teaspoon contained enough Morphine to kill the average child. Many babies given this medication went to sleep and sadly never woke up again. In 1868, the medicine sold 1.5 million bottles. These bottles are commonly found along the shores of the Thames River and in Victorian era trash dumps. The nickname for the medication became the "Baby Killer." It was not until 1906 when the U.S. started the Food & Drug administration that medication like this was investigated, and as the article stated it was still being used until the 1930's. Also around the time of Billy's death there was a very dangerous baby bottle that was supposed to be "state of the art." Unfortunately it was nearly impossible to clean thoroughly. The bottles were called Mummie's Darling or The Empire, they proved to be perfect incubators for deadly bacteria. During the Victorian era, U.K. many new Mothers hung on the advice of Mrs. Beeton who wrote a book called; "Mrs. Beeton's Household Management." Especially for the best advice on raising babies. It also had advice on hiring and firing staff, what meals to cook and so on. Mrs. Beeton told new Mothers that it was not necessary to clean the Nipple part of this new bottle for 2-3 weeks due to its design. The bottles were later nicknamed Murder Bottles, and they too can be found in the Thames, and other rivers & Victorian trash heaps. Sadly, the sale & use of these bottles continued through the 1920's despite warnings from Doctors.The bottle continued being used, because this type of bottle was shaped so a child could feed from it without much help. Of course Penicillin was not yet invented, and news about these dangerous items that were meant to feed or make baby better was often slow to get widely distributed. The years 1906-07 appear to be right in the middle of the most dangerous time to be born for any baby.
I love your short essay. I studied Child, Youth and Family studies, where we found about about horrible incidences such as lead in baby food and saw dust in children's biscuits. Despite Nestle having a horrible reputation as water thieves today, the company did babies a solid by producing one of the most reliable baby formulas and food in the pre WWI Europe. Regarding the poorly designed baby bottle, both Little House on the Prairie and Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman had episodes about these incidents on the frontiers. Not only that, lead poisoning and the spread of small pox, polio and measles where also the cause of many children's death. Indeed, when I was in kindergarten back in 1970, several children came down with polio and the school remained closed after Easter until the Labor Day.
Fascinating read, thank you for sharing.
Your father in law is such a lovely person. I could listen to him tell stories forever.
Alberta wrote such wonderful letters. The letter about Billy is happy and yet we know he dies.
If Alberta did not write anything about Billy's mother joining her husband, perhaps she was in the UK with her baby...Very sad to lose a baby with the father (and perhaps mother as well) being far away.
Such a fascinating story of Billy and who he was and how he ended up in the crypt with Alberta. I can't imagine how Alberta felt with the very young Billy dying while in her care. It must have been incredibly sad. Love this new content and look forward to your upcoming shows.
The plot thickens… extraordinary journey you are taking us on, she sounded like such a matriarch at such a young age! Julie, someday people in the future will want to study your journey, are you writing your own journals ? I hope so, you are just as fascinating and all the work you and Luke continue toward preserving his/yr family lineage.
Hi Julie,,,
I thoroughly enjoyed this video... One thing I'd like to suggest...,,
When you go back to the daffodil plot for your ancestors you should take a wire brush and some cleaning solution to clean off the top of Alberta's gravestone so people can read it. A plastic putty knife you could be a tool you can use to scrape the debris up without scratching the stone.
I think her plot would look so much nicer if it had a beautiful stone marker. Keep up the good work.
It brought tears to my eyes when your father-in-law thanked you for all the hard work you're doing to bring forth the history of his family. You can tell he truely and dearly loves you. God bless you all!
👍😍👍
What an intriguing story you followed from the graveside to letters, to unravel this mystery of Billy. It was touching to see how much your father-in-law appreciates your time in researching all of this. You’re an absolute gem, Julie in resurfacing such treasures of family history.
It fascinating to me to see you as exactly the right person at the right time to research and report this chapter of the family history. So fortunate your mother and father in law are right there to contribute to and to clarify what you find. Not to mention the pleasure they have seeing your dedication to the family history.
I love the history of the family and the homes they lived in. Just a wonderful vlog Julie👏🏻💕
The episodes with the Father In Law and also with the Aunt are fabulous and I think I could listen to them for hours. Thank you for the videos.
A note .. it was not uncommon at that time, when a son dies, to name another son after that one.
I think this is my favorite video of all. The history , people and their lives that they lived. You can just feel the sadness and heartache about William (Billy). You have brought him and his life back. As long as they are never forgotten they live on.
This is nail biting stuff Julie…..I can’t wait to hear more! My father’s eldest brother, and the first born son, died aged 13 months from meningitis. Referred to always as ‘the boy’. Every time I visited my grandparents, my grandmother took me to lay wild flowers on his grave…….so I do hope you will be able to find out more about this baby boy & his untimely death.
Hi Julie, You are a great sleuth! You found this small baby in a cemetery, opening up a new story to unfold. After my mom died, I knew I was going to look for my family. I did grow up in Brampton Ontario and my birth mother was 20 km away in Halton Hills Ontario. We have a registry in Ontario for birth moms and also their children if both agree and in my case, my mother had wanted to meet me. So, the government sent my adoption papers and I began a search with her last name. Her sister was great at making announcements in the paper. The towns or villages were not that huge so I could go to the cemetery and ask the keeper to help me locate burials. In all of this was my first look at my possible health to which I had never had any idea. I found a person with her last name and wrote him a letter. He was a cousin and would meet me at their still country church and attached cemetery. Her entire family was there. I was able to write about each of them in a journal and what happened to them. Then my cousin set up a meeting with my birth mom. I will leave that there. I will say that I learned so much in cemeteries. I drove all around this area and found all of them. It was an amazing journey. Many times archived newspapers can tell you so much. I printed the announcements out and was the first to see a picture of my mother based on a news article about her marriage. I called the library in this northern city and they were good enough to email me her photo. My heart jumped out of my chest. I sat and cried because for the first time, I saw a woman that looked like me. Love on your journey Julie!
What a lovely gentleman your father inlaw is
Very intriguing story of Billy and how he came to be in Alberta's care in England. Looking forward to hearing more in future episodes.
Julie, as always, another splendid presentation. Fascinating historical information, beautiful cemetery. You look so lovely in green, such a beautiful dress and matching shoes.
Also, you are closer to 200,000 subs, than 100,000! Congratulations!👍💕🇺🇲🇬🇧
Your conversation with your father-in-law was just incredible Julie! This is such an important story - as you say - for the Montagu/Sturgess family! I would think that maybe the Burlington and county records might also have some information about little Billy - his birth and death and perhaps the cause of death may be on record. Good luck uncovering the rest of this story - and as your FIL said, you may need a Hercule Poirot mindset to solve this!
What an interesting story about Alberta’s nephew. Sounds so tragic & sad that the baby passed away…perhaps his parents weren’t able to be there. I really enjoy learning about the Montagu family history
Hey, you have me captured with your history. What a exhausting love of what your and your husband have been granted to you. Keep being an impressive histori.
This was so good. I'm happy you have such an intriguing Father-in-Law with such a lovely relationship.
Julie, you did it again, leaving me sad the vlog is over and wanting more. Alberta is such a fascinating person. Her insight to archive everything, is truly amazing, almost as if she knew one day someone would be looking into the family history to tell her story. It had to be you, the comparisons between you two is remarkable. Until our next video. Well done. Love from N.Y.
Love your historical information on your family. It makes it so real all these years later. Can’t wait to hear the end of your journey…from PA, USA.
21:57 Julie, you can see how grateful Luke’s father is for your research. I can imagine it being possibly overwhelming to him having lived some of it. You offer an objective perspective and clarity and energy.
I loved this episode!! Thank you for putting it all together in such an interesting way and including your father in law and his sister and Hinchingbrook!
This is fascinating!
How spectacular to live in a history book that you’ll never exhaust. Blessed you are, Julie!♥️
Maybe, a newspaper article would explain about the baby
Fantastic research!! So endearing to see Julie’s interaction with the Earl!! (❤ the pink socks)
I am so glad you took us inside St. Mary Magdalene - the layout makes the interior much wider and more spacious than I expected, and I am blown away by all of the GORGEOUS stained glass windows, there are so many! I have now put this church on my bucket list... I want to go in and just sit there for a very long time. I would also love to attend a service there, and am wondering how the music and hymns would sound in that space. I am now jealous of the residents of the area for whom this is their parish church.
Absolutely beautiful x
I Love history!! This was great! Enjoyed it so much!
Dear Lady Hinchingbrooke, What a wonderful example of detective work and, by careful review of the records, putting the pieces together. A death certificate should shed more light on matters while you delve further into the family archive.
Perhaps she’ll find that death certificate within all the letters. Sounded like this aunt was very thorough. Let’s hope so.
Very interesting and quite sad. Thank you for telling the story. Best of luck on your dissertation.
A ...IS THE CHOST WALKING WITH YOU ..and she is proud x
Thank you for sharing this engrossing insight. Rather than dictating a narrative, you are stepping aside while a story tells itself. You are to be congratulated.
Awesome research you are doing.
We forget today that infant mortality was huge through all levels of society. This was before antibiotics so things such as chest infections were quite often fatal to infants. Thankfully today this is much much rarer in the western world. It’s not any less tragic but was far more common even just 100 years ago.
Love your curosity into family history.
I had the joy of finding my ancestors - questions needing answered with - Family Bibles, Letters, old address books, photos etc. My Grandmom saved ALOT and wrote things down. I need to get back into it. I love the adventure - finding clues etc. bringing family history to life. My Great-Grandmom came to America from Watford England. I have photos from the 1800's from family in England and want to do more research. Love this new platform of videos you are doing.
Thanks for sharing!
What a marvelous contribution Julie is in this family!❤
This was such a good episode! I love history! I especially the family histories. When a cousin mailed me a family tree from my mom’s maternal side it absolutely intrigued me. I read the names and the basic information of where they came from in England to the United States. They somehow made their way to Southern Illinois and settled. I wanted to know all of their stories! What they endured. I wondered how they met their spouses. What brought them to each place. Why they ultimately settled in Southern Illinois. What was their day to day family life like. Alberta’s letters and writings are providing so many of these types of details. So very interesting!
Wonderful episode! Wondering about cemetery vault “management” and the last time it was inspected (perhaps permanently sealed now). If there are laws regarding this, who is responsible, the church or family, or the firm who built it maybe with the pitch of a 100 year guarantee (if they are still in business). If the vault would need restoration, if the contents would be left to decay, not be refitted with new caskets. As was apparently not done over the centuries with royal vaults. Apologies as wondering aloud, this is a sensitive subject as is closer family ancestors rather than removed national historical figures. The death of the late Queen and her internment into the special family vault brought these older practices up again.
It just keeps going. I cannot wait to learn more.
God your energy has so supported this family. The whole Montague family from Lady Mary Wortley Montague through to the Douglas Scott Montagues Dukes of Buccleuch and Marquis of Queensbury!
I've met Lord Montegue of Beaulie, my parents did the autojumble he holds on his estate, every year, he presented a clock to my late father who had been to every single one since the start back in the late 60s.
As we were stall holders we were allowed free access to the Monestary, the grounds of the house and the National Autombile Museum! I went with my parents every year, I have so many amazing memories, I lost both parents very recently.
Love the pilot! - and the tragic research of baby Billy. XO from KS
What a wonderful compliment from your Father In-Law. I’m sure he wasn’t excited when an “American Divorcée” was joining the family, but to have him see your worth now and as a valuable asset to the family.
Oh my heart 💗Way to go on winning them over! Congratulations American Viscountess
Absolutely LOVE your history lessons! Thanks so very much!
Really love your family, the British are not expansive, emotional people but we can hear and feel the love with you and the family ❤️
Fascinating family history. Thank you for continuing to share with us.
I had to subscribe as I can't wait to see what more you have found out. Brilliant. 😊
Such an interesting research and an exciting family story about Alberta. Great job 🙌 hope you’ll find some more exciting stories.
As an Icelander I find it fascinating what you are working on. We Icelanders love to connect to our family roots 🌱
I love a good mystery!!! Let's get this one solved!!
Parents back then lost so many babies. My grandparents lost two babies, both girls. One was stillborn (their 2nd child born in 1908) and then in the mid 1910s they lost a little girl at 25 days old. She had locked bowels and there was nothing that could be done for it. Both of my grandparents were devastated both times. My dad inherited my grandmother's letters when she died (my brother has them now), and her mother wrote her the most beautiful letter. My dad was born 20 years into their marriage. Dad had 4 older sisters (he'd have had 6 sisters if they'd all survived).
Wow, such treasures for you to discover. Thank you Julie..
Loved this episode!
Perfect vlog: a bit of mystery, family history, and beautiful video - all wrapped up in one.
Looking forward to continuation of Billy and his Aunt’s stories.
That is so amazing. I think that it's so important to keep items that are important to future generations. You are doing so well with the family history.
Great channel! Love it Julie, you and Luke are lovely ❤
Loved this video log. Love the history, the wonder in every letter from Alberta. And by the way, I love seeing the love you have for your father-in-law. You are making a wonderful historic mark on this wonderful family. God Bless You!
Thank you so much!
Well done👏 these vidieos (that were very good at the start) are just getting better and better, thankyou for sharing!
Thanks so much! 😊
My goodness. This is riveting.
I have letters from my mother’s aunt. I must read them more. I have deciphered many antique letters from our families that come from one side and come from the other side. There are many still left and I am prompted to look at them. Thank you.
This type of history is so fascinating. I truly enjoy your videos and the information you share. It would be so much fun to fly over to help you explore and research.
Please inquire from knowledgeable archivists how best to handle these papers, letters and documents. Should anyone who touches them wear gloves? Are they kept in the metal trunk when not in use? How about repair of ripped papers? Your inquiry into this child captivates my interest and your trip to gravestones and church is so personal. Well done.
Looks like England is having an early spring as well.
Across the pond, we have beeb enjoying an early spring as well.
I grew up in Bucks County, PA in the US, settled by the Englishman William Penn. There was a town "Chalfont" that I always wondered, why was there this French-sounding town in the middle of the county? When you mentioned "Chalfont Lodge" in Buckinghamshire the penny dropped.
CongradulTionsinthis new find.
So lovely! ❤
So interesting, great video. Can't wait to hear more.
Riveting! Really looking forward to future installments!
I just so enjoy your presentations.
Julie, I love all the the things you do!
Amazing episode
Julie I like how to explain about history of your family and the Cstle.
Absolutely fascinating!
Going on the hunt through her letters to piece history together would be a dream to me❤️
Regarding the question of the 2 Williams ... when studying my husbands family tree he had 2 Thomas's in the same family.. same generation. We were very confused.!! We asked a genealogist about this and she said that it was at one time usual that if a child died and the family wanted to carry on the family name the next child was given the name in the hope they survived to carry it on in the future.
You may not have Miss Marple, but you have Ms Montegue!🧐 With Julie on the case, all the answers will be will be revelead. 🤗
Learning about Alberta makes me want to write letters. Remember “pen pals”?
So glad you have the passion for this research ... it's so fun to hear and love John's proper input :)
Glad you enjoy it!
My dearest young lady, I do so enjoy the way you tell this story.. I enjoy seeing the passion you have to find out the whole story. I can see it in everything you do. I lay in this bed all the time (not by choice) I watch a lot of youtube channels and hear a lot of stories. But there's only a few that put the passion, excitement, and the enthusiasm into the story that they tell.
So thank you for taking the time to make this video for me to enjoy watching... Be blessed my dearest your lady in Jesus name... BBE..
I am looking forward to hearing more about this mystery, and to seeing the upcoming year’s videos.
You mention Alberta being an heiress. Do you know or have any records of the amount her inheritance/dowry was that she brought to the marriage?
This was fantastic. I can't wait of what you might find. 😉
OMG you are leaving us hanging with the rest of the story. How sad that he died.
Julie what an interesting story, you are so wonderful with your commentary.
Thank you so much!
Yay!
You may want to consider cleaning the grave markers. D/2 is an approved gravestone cleaner that does no damage. Use a tampico bristle brush for safe scrubbing and bamboo skewers to dig the dirt out of the engravings. It really is worth doing, as the lichen can stain and damage the stones over time. Alberta's marker will probably clean up amazingly well. Good luck on your Master's!
Hi Julie, Alberta brought money to England. What did her family do in order to have that money?🧐
Very cool 😊!
Every time I watch you diving into your family's history. It makes me wish I could come and help you go through it all. I have traced several branches of my family back to England. Before the Revolution. From there I have a reference to start but can't be sure without going there and finding the paper work to prove it. We think that several of my
How on earth did they heat these huge houses? I can't heat my 1885 non insulated house to where it's comfortable. It's always cold. The floor is really cold. Guess that's why a previous owner put duck tape on the floor to cover the gaps between boards.
Epic gash!
How interesting and intriguing. We just recently read of the connection of Dumbarton Oaks (near Washington D.C. I think) estate and Alberta's friend Mildred Barnes Bliss. Warm wishes from Cheryl and Lawrence in Georgia (US).
Okay. I should have watched further!!
It would have been lovely if Meghan Markle could have had your personality, intelligence & loyalty. You've acclimated to England beautifully, and your interest in their history & that of the family you married into is wonderful to see.
Will you publish your dissertation..?? Those letters!!!??? 😻😻
Perhaps Baby Billy's mother was in the UK, and only Hollister went away... that would also be a possibility. Very interesting segment. It's always a plus when Luke's father shares family history, house history, personal experiences.