Hello, This is my first posting to this mailing list as I am in the early stages of researching Robert REEVE born Lowestoft who may prove to be an ancestor of my husband. I am hoping that someone on this list may be able to help me prove that he is the father of Ada REEVES who appears orphaned in London in 1891. Robert REEVES, Seaman, Merchant Service, deceased is the father named on her marriage certificate. Her father may have been the Robert REEVE, Mate on a vessel called 'Unrivalled' which was lost on or about 24th October 1882 and all the crew drowned. This Robert REEVE may be the same Robert REEVE, a fisherman who appears in the 1881 census at 20 North Raglan Street, Lowestoft (RG11/1904 Folio 129) with his wife, son and in-laws. According to FreeBMD the couple had a son Robert William whose birth was registered in the Sep 1/4 1879 and a daughter called Ada Maud M whose birth was registered in the Jun 1/4 1882. The death of the mother, Alice was registered in the Sep 1/4 of 1890 Is it possible that a charitable organisation such as the Lowestoft Fishermens' and Seafarers' Benevolent Society, in existence from 1879 I believe, could have provided the widow Alice with assistance and following her death have arranged for Ada to enter the certified training home at 24 Argyle Road, Castle Hill, Ealing where my husband's ancestor was an inmate in 1891? If so would there be any records in existence to show this? To quote from the information I have gleaned about this home the object was: "To give a happy home-life and a thoroughly good training in domestic service to orphans whose parents did not belong to the pauper class, but who would otherwise be brought up in workhouse schools." The proprietor, Mary E Mayo, single and of independent means was the daughter of Herbert Mayo, in 1861 described as "Retired Colonial Broker, Fundholder, Proprietor of houses and shares in public companies". He had an estate in Antigua too apparently. Any help or advice with this would be much appreciated. Regards, Margaret North Preston, Lancashire.