Arthur Mee's background

Using the census records to trace Arthur's family tree

By Alice Cave

1881

Arthur Mee was born in 1875 in Stapleford.   It's possible to trace some of his early history through the census records, available to search for free in Nottinghamshire libraries.   The 1881 census records him living at 7 Pinfold Lane in Stapleford.   His father was a railway engine driver, originally from Heanor in Derbyshire.   There were already four children in the family:  Arthur was the second.   There were to be six more children before the family was complete. 

1891 

By 1891, there were seven children.   Arthur, aged 15, had already started work, and is shown on the census as 'Reader newspaper'.   The family had moved to Nottingham, and were living at 126 Manning Street.   Arthur's job is at the offices of the Nottingham Evening Post, reading out copy while the proof reader corrects it.   It isn't long before he uses his self-taught shorthand to transcribe a contentious sermon.   Offering this to the Express newspaper journalists, he gets himself an apprenticeship to write further articles for them.

1901

By 1901, Arthur, describing himself as 'author, editor', is married to Amelia, and living in London.   A boarder shares their house in Lambeth.   Arthur married Amelia Fratson in 1897, and they had one child, Marjorie Ernestine, who was born in 1901 (after the census had been taken that year, which is why she does not appear on it).  

For suggestions for Further Reading, click here.