Tim D. suggests that Katherine's maiden name could be 'Belwood'. (21.9.96)

The only record I can find on FMP in the England & Wales Birth Reg Index is Catherine Alice Strickland Apr/Jun 1861 Thorne, Yorkshire, mother’s maiden name Belton, V9C, P513

1881 Census Field House, Amcotts, Lincolnshire - Francis Strickland, head married 49, farm bailiff born Yorkshire Camblesforth, Eliza wife 46 born Amcott Lincolnshire, Annie daughter unmarried 21 born Levells, Lincolnshire, Kate daughter 19 born Levells, Lincolnshire, Frank son 16 farm lad born Levells, Lincolnshire, William son 12 scholar born Levells, Lincolnshire, Eliza Agnes daughter 11 scholar born Levells, Lincolnshire, Sarah Lizzied daughter 10 scholar born Amcott, Lincolnshire, Eleanor daughter 3 scholar born Amcott, Ada Bramhill servant 18 Domestic, Robert Kemp servant 21 farm servant, James Arrand servant 19 farm and Charles phillipson servant 15 farm.

Probate: ’Duckering, Katherine Alice of The Poplars, Kirton in Lindsey, Lincolnshire widow died 2nd January 1939. Probate Lincoln 28th Febraury to Eva Annie Duckering spinster. Effects £414 19s 2d.'

'This is the last Will and Testament of me Katherine Alice Duckering of The Poplars Kirton in Lindsey in the County of Lincolnshire. I hereby revoke all wills and testamentary instruments heretofore by me made. I appoint Eva Annie Duckering of Slepe Hall, Saint Ives, Huntingdonshire to be my sole Executor of this my Will. I direct my Executor to pay my just debts and funeral and testamentary expenses. I give and bequeath the whole of my estate both real and personal to my daughter Eva Annie Duckering. Witness my hand this Twenty ninth day of May 1931 KATHERINE ALICE DUCKERING
Signed by the above-named Testator as her last Will in the presence of us both being present at the same time who in her presence and in the presence of each other have here unto subscribed our names as witnesses.
Rose Ellen Marshall, The Limes, St Ives, Hunts.
Sidney Shuter, The Limes, St Ives, Hunts.'
'On the 28th day of February 1939 Probate of this Will was granted at Lincoln to the Sole Executrix.
I do hereby certify this to be a correct copy, Lincoln 6th March 1939, A. M. Harris, District Registrar.' (Michael 26.4.97)

There is a reference in a history book of Lincolnshire, p.131 that refers to a coal merchant in Kirton in Lindsey, 1872, with the name of Frederick. (Quentin D. letter Jan '96)

The 1876 Kellys Directory under Kirton-in-Lindsey lists two entries for Frederick. The first with his brother, Albert, giving their trade as 'malsters, coal and seed merchants. The second is for Frederick and his trade is given as 'coal merchant'. See file. (Michael 26.4.97)

1877 or later. Article from a local newspaper. Northorpe., A family of cricketers - The family of the late Mr R E Duckering, of Northorpe, Lincolnshire, have long been famous for their celebrated pig breeding and have beem successful exibitors at nearly all the shows in the kingdom; but it is not so generally known that they are a family of cricketers of more than ordinary repute. Yet of the late Mr Duckering’s sons are considered above the average of “all round” men in the cricket field. Four of them - Charles, Fred, Arthur, and Will - are each possessors of prize bats gained in the Kirton district for the best batting averages, whilst Fred is also pretty well known in North Lincolnshire as a successful bowler. He has performed the “hat trick” by taking three wickets with the same number of consecutive balls on several occasions during the present season. On Monday a match of more than ordinary interest was played in Northorpe Park, the country residence of Mr Wm. Embleton-Fox, when no fewer than thirteen of the Duckering family, including scorer and umpire, took part in the game. Mr Fox kindly provided an excellent luncheon in the Hall, to which nearly thrity sat down. At the close of the day’s play Mr Fred Duckering, on behalf of himself, brothers, etc., thanked the squire for his hospitality and kindness. In reply, Mr Embleton-Fox assured Mr Duckering and his friends that the meeting had been a source of great pleasure to him, and expresses the hope that all might meet on a similar occasion another year. The score will be found amongst our cricket news.

The 1881 Census (Kirton in Lindsey) records that Frederick and Elizabeth employed a 'general servant' called M Laurman, aged 16 from Grayingham. (Daniels/Jill Dyson - 22.4.96)

Frederick DUCKERING of Kirton Lindsey, corn & coal merchant served as a school governor for the Kirton-in-Lindsey Endowed School from 1890 - 1918. (Mark 1.6.98)

Frederick lived at The Poplars, Kirton in Lindsey. (Bet Watkinson 29.11.95) During the 1891 Census Frederick's sister was visiting, Amelia, born 1859 at Northorpe. (Jean D. letter 11.3.96)

'Frederic of The Poplars, Kirton in Lindsey, died 17th May 1927. Probate to Edward Elmhirst D. coal merchant and Frank Strickland, farmer. Effects £7034 12s.' Will. (Michael)

'This is the last Will of me Frederick Duckering of "the Poplars" Kirton-in-Lindsey in the County of Lincoln retired coal merchant. 1. I revoke all other Wills and testamentary dispositions by me heretofore made. 2 I appoint my son Edward Elmhirst Duckering and Frank Norwood Strickland of Kirton-in-Lindsey aforesaid Farmer (here after called "my Trustees") executors and trustees of this my Will and trustees thereof for the purposes of the Settled Land Act 1925. 3. I bequest the following legacies (free of duty) namely:- To my said son all my shares in the Midland Bank Limited together with any dividends or apportioned part of dividends thereon that may be due to me at my death subject never the less to the payment by him of such sums of money or calls there on as shall become payable after my death. But I declare that any call or calls which may be in arrear and unpaid at my death with all interest thereon shall be paid out of my personal estate andthat my said son shall be entitled to the benefit of any calls or sums of money which I may at my death have paid upon the said shares in advance. To my daughter Kate Duckering the sum of one thousand pounds, to my daughter Eva Annie Duckering the sum of one thousand pounds and to my said son the sum of Three hundred pounds with a request (but no so as to impose an obligation or to create a trust) that he will give the said sum of Three hundred pounds to his son Robert Elmhirst Duckering if and whenmy said grandson shall attain the age of twenty one years. But my Trustees shall not be concerned to see if my said grandson has received the said sum of Three hundred pounds or liable if he has not so received it. 4. I devise my dwelling house "the Poplars" Kirton-in-Lindsey afore said in which I now reside together with the garden out buildings and premises there to And I bequeath all my furniture and effects there in unto my Trustees upon trust that in the first place my trustees shall by mortgaging or charging the same or any part or parts there of raise in aid of my residuary estate (if insufficient) so much money as shall be requisite to satistfy my debts and funeral testamentary expenses and the pecuneary legacies here in before bequested together with the expenses of executing this trust and apply the money to be so raised accordingly And subject there to hold the same in trust for my wife Katherine Alice Duckering and my daughters Kate Duckering and Eva Annie Duckering until the death or remarraige of my said wife and until the marriage of either of my said two daughters. But I direct that on the death or marraige of any of them her interest in the said property and effects shall belong absolutely to the other of them. And if none of them, my said wife and two daughters shall marry then I direct that the said property and effects shall become the absolute property of the survivor. And further direct that my trustees shall not be responsible for causing an inventory to be taken of my said household furniture andeffects, nor for the preservation or insurance or repair of my said house and premises and household furniture and effects and the cultivation of the garden nor shall they be liable in thecase of the loss or depreciation or damage of all or any of them whether by fire or otherwise in any way whatever. 5. As to all the rest of my estate and effects, both real and personal I devise and bequeath the same unto my Trustees Upon trust thatmy Trustees shall sell, call in and convert into money such parts thereof as shall not consist of money. And out of the moneys arising therefrom and all other moneys arising from or forming part of my estate to pay my debts and funeral and testamentary expenses and death duties and the pecuniary legacies herein before bequeathed together with the expenses of executing this trust and in the next place to pay to my daughter Kate the sum of Eight hundred pounds unconditionally. But Irequest my said daughter (but not so as to impose an obligation or to create a trust) to employ the income of the said sum of Eight hundred pounds in cultivating the garden of my said dwelling house "the Poplars" Kirton-in-Lindsey and keeping thesame in good condition and in keeping in repair both inside and outside of my said dwelling house and premises and in paying all rates and taxes and outgoings assesses from time to time uponthe said house garden and premises. But I expressly ditect that my Trustees shall be under no obligation to see to the expenditure of the said sum of Eight hundred pounds or the income there from by my siad daughter, nor shall they be underaby liability if my request to my said daughter shall not becarried out by her. And in the next place my trustees shall invest the net moneys arising as aforesaid or forming part ofmy estate (herein after called "my trust fund") Upon trust to pay to my said wife Katherine Alice Duckering until her death or remarriage the annual sum of one hundred pounds (free of duty) and to divide the residue of the annual income of my trust fund (if any) equally between such of my said two daughters as shall then be living . And if only one shall be living then to that one. And if neither of them shall be living then to my said son Edward Elmhirst Duckering. 6. Upon the remarraige of my saidwife my trustees shall hold my trust fund as to both capital and income upon trust to pay my wife the legacy of Five hundred pounds (free of duty). And subject thereto and also upon the death of my said wife without having remarried. Upon trust topay each of my said two daughters (if they shall then be living) the legacy of one thousand pounds (free of duty) which three legacies I hereby bequeat has aforesaid. And subject hereto my Trustees shall hold my trust fund as to both capital and income upon trust for such of my said two daughters Kate and Eva Annie as shall then be living absolutely. 7. I declare thatmy Trustees shall have a discretionary power to postpone for such a period as to them shall seem expedient the sale, calling in and conversion of any parts of my estate referred to in clause five hereof In witness whereof I have to this my Will contained in two sheets of paper set my hand this twenty eighth day of January one thousand nine hundred and twenty seven F. Duckering
Signed by the above named testator as his last Will in the presence of us present at the same time who in his presence andin the presence of each other sunscribe our names as witnesses
Eric Dyson, Solicitor, Kirton-in-Lindsey, Lincs
E. M. Hawes, The Manse, Kirton-in-Lindsey, wife of Revd. J.H.Hawes.'
'On the 14th June 1927 Probate of this Will was granted at Lincoln to the Executors. I do hereby certify this to be a correct copy. Lincoln 22nd June1927, Bernard S. Walter, District Registrar, Lincoln.' (Michael26.4.97)

Stamford Mercury, 20 June 1890. Marriages. Kirton-in-Lindsey. June 12, Frederick Duckering, merchant, to Catherine Alice Strickland.

Methodist Times, 26 June 1890. Marriages. Duckering-Strickland. JUne 19, at the Wesleyan Chapel, Kirton-in-Lindsey, by Rev W Ellis, Frederic Duckering, The Poplars, Kirton, to Kate Alice, eldest surviving daughter of Francis Strickland, Whitehoe.