Serff Family History

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e-mail: g.f.lane-serff@umist.ac.uk

Members of the Serff family came to England from Kreuznach, Germany at various times during the 19^th and 20^th century. Kreuznach was ruled by the French at the start of the 19^th century and passed to Prussia after the Congress of Vienna, 1815. Saline springs had been known about for several hundred years, but the first spa dates from 1817, leading to the town eventually being known as Bad Kreuznach.

Some Serffs (possibly related) moved to the USA a bit earlier (e.g. there are references on the web to Abraham Serff/Sarff ~1782-1876, York County, Pennsylvania, and also his father, Philip and son J H Serff). There are also people with the name Serff still living in Germany (I would be very grateful for help researching my German ancestors).

While I have concentrated on my direct relations, I have also found information on other members of the Serff family. I also give some information about some of the Lane family, who give the first part of my surname. Below I list names and the details I have found out so far (together with some guesses). If you want more information (for example, I have copies of some of the birth, marriage and death certificates, and the references needed to obtain some of the others) or if you have any related information, please get in touch.

Theodore Serff

My great-great grandfather. A (building) contractor, listed on his son's (Christopher 1) marriage certificate as being dead by the time of the marriage (1892). I guess born in Kreuznach, and it is not clear whether he came to England. Sons include Charles (1) and Christopher (1).

Charles Serff (1)

Born ~1845 in Prussia. Brother of Christopher (1), and thus son of Theodore, according to Christopher's death certificate. A master baker, living at 11 Arnolds Terrace, Fulham, London at the time of the 1881 Census, with wife Lisette and children Charles F. (2), Lena, Christopher (2), William B. and Rudolph. After the death of Lisette in 1888 he married Maria (or Marie) Serff (presumably a sufficiently distant relation) in 1892 (28 April) at which time he was living at 49 Purcell Crescent, Fulham. In the 1901 Census (and also in 1906) he is living at 75 Claxton Grove, Fulham, with Maria, Christopher (2) and Rudolph, and still there at time of his brother's death in 1906. Just Charles and Mary together in 1911 Census. Died probably 1926 (age 82, Fulham)

Christopher Serff (1)

My great grandfather. Born ~1856/1851 (ages given at 1901 Census and death in 1906 don't match) in Kreuznach, Prussia. Son of Theodore. A builder, living at 6 Godolphin Road, Shepherd's Bush, London at the time of his marriage to Maud Hatton Lane on 31 October 1892. Children include Gladys Maud Hatton and Archibald Christopher Lane. Living at 7 Godolphin Road in 1893, 6 Warbeck Road in 1900 and 1901, 60 St Stephen's Avenue (all Shepherd's Bush) in 1906. Died 11 February 1906 in the West London Hospital.

Peter Serff

Born ~1863 Kreuznach (spelt Crewznach), son of a Phillip Serff (licensed victualler). In 1881 Census an assistant to Peter Rieger (baker) living at 44 Bingfield St North Side, Islington, London. Married Bertha Rieger (daughter of a Jacob Rieger, decd), 23 Feb 1890 (Chelsea) by which time they lived at 134 Kings Road, Chelsea. Died (Wandsworth) in 1890. Not clear how he is related to the other Serffs.

George Hatton Lane

My great great grandfather. Born ~1840, Iver, Buckinghamshire. A ship broker's clerk, married Helen Fruchard in 1866, London. In 1868 living at 1 Ash Villa, Denman Road, Peckham, Camberwell, and in 1881 Census living in Goldsmith Road, Acton, London with wife and daughters Helen Seaton, Maud Hatton and Georgina Kate. Died 9 June 1891 at 12 Spencer Square, Ramsgate. I guess his home address at this time was 15 Abdale Road.

Helen Fruchard

My great great grandmother. Born ~1839, Clifton, Somerset. Married George Hatton Lane in 1866, London. In 1868 living at 1 Ash Villa, Denman Road, Peckham, Camberwell, and in 1881 Census living in Goldsmith Road, Acton, London with husband and daughters Helen Seaton, Maud Hatton and Georgina Kate. I guess later (1891/1892) living at 15 Abdale Road.

Helen Seaton Lane

Born ~1867 Brixton, Surrey. Daughter of George Hatton Lane and Helen Fruchard, and older sister of Maud Hatton and Georgina Kate. Thus in 1868 living at 1 Ash Villa, Denman Road, Peckham, Camberwell, and in 1881 Census living in Goldsmith Road, Acton, London with the rest of the family. In attendance at her father's death (1891) and witness to Maud's wedding (1892) (Helen not married at this time).

Maud Hatton Lane

My great grandmother. Born 16 May 1868 at 1 Ash Villa, Denman Road, Peckham, Camberwell, daughter of George Hatton Lane and Helen Fruchard, and sister of Helen Seaton and Georgina Kate. In 1881 Census living in Goldsmith Road, Acton, London with the rest of the family. Married Christopher Serff (1) on 31 October 1892 at St Stephen's Church, Hammersmith, by which time she was living at 15 Abdale Road, Shepherd's Bush. Daughter Gladys Maud Hatton born at 7 Godolphin Road, Shepherd's Bush in 1893 and son Archibald Christopher Lane at 6 Warbeck Road, Shepherd's Bush in 1900. Living at 6 Warbeck Road at the time of the 1901 Census with husband and children. Presumably living at 60 St Stephen's Avenue, Shepherd's Bush when her husband died in 1906. She had lost her British citizenship by marrying a German, but there were provisions for British born woman reclaiming their citizenship if they had lost it by marrying a foreigner, and Maud reclaimed her British citizenship in 1915, by which time she was living at 17 Westwick Gardens, West Kensington, London. A hand-written note on her re-naturalization documents notes that her mother's maiden name (Fruchard) "doesn't sound very English"!

Georgina Kate Lane

Born ~1875 London. Daughter of George Hatton Lane and Helen Fruchard, and sister of Helen Seaton and Maud Hatton. In 1881 Census living in Goldsmith Road, Acton, London with the rest of the family.

Lisette (Serff)

(Haven't checked maiden name). Born ~1849 in Prussia. Wife of Charles, living at 11 Arnolds Terrace, Fulham, London at the time of the 1881 Census, with her husband and children Charles F. (2), Lena, Christopher (2), William B. and Rudolph. Died in 1888 (Fulham).

Charles F(rederick) Serff (2)

Born probably 1868, Fulham (Kensington). Son of Charles (1) and Lisette, living with parents and siblings at 11 Arnolds Terrace, Fulham at the time of the 1881 Census. Possibly the Charles Serff marrying Elizabeth Robbins (?or Laura Callow?) in 1896, Fulham, and dying age 60 in 1929, Guildford.

Lena (Lina) Katrine Serff

Born 1874, Fulham (Kensington). Daughter of Charles and Lisette, living with parents and siblings at 11 Arnolds Terrace, Fulham at the time of the 1881 Census. Died 1888 Fulham, a few months after her mother.

Christopher (Theodore) Serff (2)

Born 1878, Fulham. Son of Charles (1) and Lisette, living with parents and siblings at 11 Arnolds Terrace, Fulham at the time of the 1881 Census. Living with father, stepmother (Maria) and brother Rudolph at 75 Claxton Grove, Fulham at the time of the 1901 Census. Married Jessie Morris Hall, 1902, Fulham. In 1911 living in Edmonton Middlesex with wife and daughters Kathleen Ellen (b 1904) and Stella Violet (b 1907).

William Bertie Serff

Born 1880, Fulham. Son of Charles (1) and Lisette, living with parents and siblings at 11 Arnolds Terrace, Fulham at the time of the 1881 Census. Not found in the 1901 Census, but married Florence Seymour, 1908, Fulham.

Rudolph Serff

Born 1884, Fulham. Son of Charles (1) and Lisette, living with father, stepmother (Maria) and brother Christopher (2) at 75 Claxton Grove, Fulham at the time of the 1901 Census. [This could be a Rudolph Serff mentioned in some web pages as being born in 1881, marrying Ethel Rose Pinnock (born ~1890) presumably before 1913 and having three daughters, including Kathleen Dorothy born 14 November 1923, died 20 May 1980, but the dates don't quite match.]

Maria (or Marie) Serff

Born ~1859 in Germany, daughter of a Frederick Serff (taylor) who had died by 1892. In 1881 Census a servant to Alexander G Joseph (also German) a diamond dealer, living at 67 Warrington Crescent, Paddington. Married Charles Serff (1) in 1892, Fulham (living at 47 Purcell Crescent at the time). In 1901 Census living at 75 Claxton Grove, Fulham, with husband and stepchildren Christopher (2) and Rudolph. Possibly the Mary Serff dying in 1930 (age 70) in Hammersmith.

Frederick W(illiam) Serff

Born ~1839 Germany (Cungnal BS?). In 1862 (at time of birth of son Frederick William Theodore, 30 Oct) a Master Baker, living in Parsons Green Lane, Fulham, with wife Catherine (1) (married 1862). A builder/contractor in 1881 Census living at Star House, Star Lane, Fulham, with wife and brother Christopher (3) (also a niece Elvira Dam(m)e). By the 1901 Census boarding at 49a Wharton Road, Hammersmith (separated from his wife?). Neighbours in 1881 Census lived in "Serffs Place, Star Lane", presumably built by Frederick.

Catherine (or Katherine) (1) Damme

Born ~1837 Germany (Shomberg?), living in England since 1854 (according to 1901 Census). In 1881 Census living at Star House, Star Lane, Fulham, with husband Frederick W and brother-in-law Christopher (3) (also a niece Elvira Dam(m)e). Married and had a son in 1862 (see above). By the 1901 Census living "on her own means" at 19 Abdale Road, Hammersmith (separated from her husband?). (Same road as the Lanes lived at one point.)

Catherine Caroline Serff (2)

Born 1863. Probably daughter of Frederick W and Catherine (1). Married Charles Hoile 13 March 1886 in Fulham (address 18 Devonshire Street), a Christopher Serff was a witness, while a Charles Hoile was a witness to the marriage of Christopher (1) and Maud.

Christopher Serff (3)

Born ~1847 Germany (Bumghall?). A master baker, in 1881 Census living at Star House, Star Lane, Fulham, with brother Frederick W and his wife Catherine.

Philip(p) Serff

Born ~ 1860, Germany. A baker, I guess the Philip Serff listed in directories as being at 160 Prince of Wales Road (1895 and 1899) and Old Kent Road (1910). Married Christine (also German) presumably by 1885. At 1891 Census had children Elizabeth (1885), Anna Marie (1887), Philipp Bernard (1888), Antonie/Antoinette (1889), Philipp Jacob (1891). By 1901 Census living at 17 Lambeth Walk, Lambeth with above children except Philipp Jacob (d 1892), plus Bernhard (1892), Christine/a Philippine (1894), Melita Veronica (1898) and Peter (1900). More possible children given in "other Serff data" below: a total of perhaps twelve children! [Information from a Serff descended from Philip suggests 18 children! The 1911 Census shows 11 children living with Phillip and Christine in Southwark]

Gladys Maud Hatton Serff

Born 7 December 1893, 7 Godolphin Road, Shepherd's Bush. Daughter of Christopher (1) and Maud Hatton. In 1900, and in 1901 Census living with parents and brother Archibald Christopher Lane at 6 Warbeck Road, Shepherd's Bush. Presumably living at 60 St Stephen's Avenue, Shepherd's Bush when her father died in 1906. In 1915 living at 17 Westwick Gardens, West Kensington, London. Marries Alfred Colwell, 1927 Greenwich.

Archibald Christopher Lane Serff

My grandfather. Born 23 October 1900, 6 Warbeck Road, Shepherd's Bush. Son of Christopher (1) and Maud Hatton. In 1901 Census living with parents and sister Gladys Maud Hatton at 6 Warbeck Road, Shepherd's Bush. Presumably living at 60 St Stephen's Avenue, Shepherd's Bush when his father died in 1906. In 1915 living at 17 Westwick Gardens, West Kensington, London. Some time in the Second World War appears to have started to use Lane-Serff as a surname, perhaps through a combination of wanting to make the name less German sounding and snobbishness! Married Cecilia Dorothy Bird (1903-1978) in 1924, and had children Norman (1925), Pamela (1928), Martin (my father, 1936) and Frances. Separated from his wife (I never met Archibald). Died 1974.

Other Serff data

Below are various other references to Serffs I have found (England, late 19^th to early 20^th century). In some cases I've given some guesses as to the relationships of the individuals (e.g. based on date and place of birth), but these would need checking by getting the relevant certificates.

1862 Frederick William Theodore born Kensington, son of Frederick W and Catherine (1), died 1862.

1870 Jacobine died (age 30) Hackney

1885 Christina born and died Islington (daughter of Charles (1) and Lisette?)

1895 George Theodore born and died Fulham (daughter of Charles (1) and Maria, or Christopher (1) and Maud, or...?)

1895 Bertha Francisca born and died Pancras (daughter of Philip and Christine?)

1896 Queenie born and died Fulham (various possibilities)

1897 Aloysius born and died Pancras (son of Philip and Christine?)

1897 Charles Walter born and 1898 died Fulham (various possibilities)

1899 Queen Elizabeth born Fulham

1901 Franz Joseph born Lambeth (son of Philip and Christine?)

1903 James Christopher born Guildford

1904 Barbara born Fulham

1906 Josephine Rosalie born Fulham (daughter of Philip and Christine?)

1908 Herbert Philip married Rose Tanner, Fulham (same time as William Bertie?)

1910 Theresa Maria born Southwark (daughter of Philip and Christine?)

1910 Doris R born Fulham (daughter of Herbert and Rose?)

1911 Doris R died Kensington, age 1.

1912 Marjorie S (mother's name Seymour) born Fulham (daughter of William and Florence?)

1912 Rose E (mothers name Tanner) born and died, Kensington (daughter of Herbert and Rose?)

1913 Ethel R (mother's name Pinnock) born Croydon (see Rudolph)

1915 Doris M (mother's name Pinnock) born Edmonton (see Rudolph)

1917 Doris M died, St Olave

1918 Frederick C (mother's name Pinnock) born Barnet (see Rudolph)

1919 Albert J (mother's name Pinnock) born Edmonton (see Rudolph)

1923 Kathleen D (mother's name Pinnock) born Camberwell (see Rudolph)

1925 May Y (mother's name Seymour) born Fulham (daughter of William and Florence?)

1925 May Y (age 20) died Holborn (? A relation the baby was named after, or mother, or misentry for the baby?)

1926 Rose marries James T Airs, Hammersmith (? Herbert Philip's wife remarrying?)

1927 Kathleen E (?Ellen) marries Frederick L Tester, Fulham

1930 Bernard marries Jessie E Cole, Paddington