Individual Details
Ada Jessett (otherwise Edith Johnson, alias "Mona Collette") [Collette]
(Poss 21 August 1901 or Abt 1889 - 10 November 1963)
Events
| Birth | Poss 21 August 1901 or Abt 1889 | [possibly Strabane, Tyrone, Ireland] |  |  | |
| Residence | 25 March 1920 | at the time of the birth of her daughter Kathleen - 10, Halford Terrace, Granville Road, Southfields, Wandsworth, London, England | | | |
| Census | 19 June 1921 | 10, Halford Terrace, Granville Road, Southfields, Wandsworth, London, England | | | |
| Residence | 12 August 1921 | at the time of the birth of her son Patrick - 10, Halford Terrace, Granville Road, Southfields, Wandsworth, London, England | | | |
| Residence | 14 December 1923 | at the time of the birth of her son Denis - 10, Halford Terrace, Granville Road, Southfields, Wandsworth, London, England | | | |
| Residence | 23 April 1926 | at the time of the birth of her daughter Margaret Sheila - 19, Granville Road, Southfields, Wandsworth, London, England | | | |
| Miscellaneous | Bet 10 June 1927 and 15 August 1929 | was admitted to the workhouse (on seven separate occasions) - Wandsworth and Clapham Union Workhouse (the Swaffield Road Institution), Swaffield Road, off Garratt Lane, Wandsworth, London, England | | | |
| Residence | 24 August 1928 | at the time of the birth of her daughter Jean - 425, Garratt Lane, Wandsworth, London, England | | | |
| Residence | 17 August 1929 | while her sons were attending school - 65, Seaward Avenue, Bournemouth, Hampshire, England | | | |
| Residence | 14 September 1929 | while her sons were in St Joseph's Orphanage for Boys - 27, Southbourne Road, West Southbourne, Bournemouth, Hampshire, England | | ||
| Residence | Aft 14 September 1929 | while her sons were in St Joseph's Orphanage for Boys - 47, Richmond Park Avenue, Bournemouth, Hampshire, England | | ||
| Residence | 29 September 1939 | at the time of the 1939 register - 71, De Beauvoir Road, Reading, Berkshire, England | | | |
| Residence | From 1945 to 1963 | according to the electoral register - 140, Hurlingham Road, Fulham, London, England | | ||
| Residence | 14 January 1946 | at the time of the death of her husband Francis Luke O'Grady otherwise Frank Collette - 140, Hurlingham Road, Fulham, London, England | | ||
| Residence | Bef 10 November 1963 | at the time of her death - 140, Hurlingham Road, Fulham, London, England | | ||
| Death | 10 November 1963 | cause of death: subarachnoic haemorrhage due to ruptured berry aneurysm; informant: D. H. Collette, son - 140, Hurlingham Road, Fulham, London, England | | ||
| Miscellaneous | 15 November 1963 | was the subject of a police appeal for information after being found dead at her home - 140, Hurlingham Road, Fulham, London, England | | ||
| Alt name | Edith Johnson | ||||
| Alt name | Mona Collette |
Families
| Spouse | Luke "Frank" Grady / O'Grady (alias "Frank Collette") (1867 - 1945) |
| Child | Kathleen Jessett (otherwise Kathleen Mary T. Collette) [Mongard] (1920 - 1996) |
| Child | Patrick Collette (1921 - 2003) |
| Child | Denis Herbert Collette (1923 - ) |
| Child | Margaret Sheila "Sheila" Collette (1926 - 1928) |
| Child | Jean M. B. Collette (1928 - 1983) |
Notes
Birth
The date of birth 21 August 1901 is given on the 1939 register (corrected from 20 August 1900), and roughly matches the age given on her death certificate. Her entry on the 1921 census implies a year of birth of 1889; however this census return contains a lot of (deliberately?) misleading information. Workhouse creed registers from the 1920s suggest a year of birth around 1895.Residence
She was named on her daughter Kathleen's birth record as "Ada Jessett".Census
She appeared on the 1921 census under the name "Mona Collette".Residence
She was named on her son Patrick's birth record as "Ada Collette formerly Johnson".Residence
She was named on her son Denis's birth record as "Edith Collette formerly Johnson".Residence
She was named on her daughter Margaret Sheila's birth record as "Edith Collette formerly Johnson".Miscellaneous
She appeared in Wandsworth Board of Guardian records as "Edith Collett" up to July 1927, and as "Ada Collett" from December 1927 onwards.Residence
She was named on her daughter Jean's birth record as "Ada Collette formerly Jessett".Residence
She appeared in all records consistently as "Ada Collette" from this point onwards.Residence
Her daughter Jean appears nearby in the same register, living at number 58 on the same road.Endnotes
1. 1921 Census: England, London, Wandsworth, enumeration district 23, schedule number 22, Frank Collette [household]; image copy, "1921 Census Of England & Wales", database with digital images, Findmypast (https://www.findmypast.co.uk/transcript?id=GBC%2F1921%2FRG15%2F02474%2F0045%2F01 : accessed 6 January 2022); citing The National Archives, Kew, archive reference RG 15, piece 2474.
2. 1939 National Registration: England and Wales, Berkshire, Reading C.B., enumeration district DSRQ, schedule number 209, Edward J. Stroud [household]; image copy, "1939 Register", database with digital images, Findmypast (https://www.findmypast.co.uk/transcript?id=TNA%2FR39%2F2037%2F2037I%2F017%2F40 : accessed 15 July 2023); citing The National Archives, Kew, archive reference RG 101, piece 2037I.
3. Birth: England and Wales, entry in a register of births (non-certified PDF copy) for Kathleen Jessett, born 24 March 1920; registered March Quarter 1920, St Marylebone registration district, volume 1a, page 1229; General Register Office, Southport.
4. 1921 Census: England, London, Wandsworth, enumeration district 23, schedule number 22, Frank Collette [household]; image copy, "1921 Census Of England & Wales", database with digital images, Findmypast (https://www.findmypast.co.uk/transcript?id=GBC%2F1921%2FRG15%2F02474%2F0045%2F01 : accessed 6 January 2022); citing The National Archives, Kew, archive reference RG 15, piece 2474.
5. Birth: England and Wales, birth certificate (certified copy) for Patrick Collette, born 10 August 1921; registered September Quarter 1921, Wandsworth registration district, volume 1d, page 1003; General Register Office, Southport.
6. Birth: England and Wales, birth certificate (certified copy) for Denis Herbert Collette, born 10 December 1923; registered December Quarter 1923, Wandsworth registration district, volume 1d, page 863; General Register Office, Southport.
7. Birth: England and Wales, birth certificate (certified copy) for Margaret Sheila Collette, born 19 April 1926; registered June Quarter 1926, Wandsworth registration district, volume 1d, page 806; General Register Office, Southport.
8. Workhouse Record: Wandsworth Board of Guardians, Swaffield Road Workhouse (Wandsworth, London, England), creed register, May 1924–June 1929, Frank, Edith, Kathleen, Patrick, Dennis, and Sheila Collette, admitted 10 June 1927, folio 140; image copy, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QHV-P3NG-H9MH-7?i=175&cat=1390391 : accessed 7 July 2023); citing London Metropolitan Archives [now the London Archives], archive reference WABG/129/08.
9. Workhouse Record: Wandsworth Board of Guardians, Swaffield Road Workhouse (Wandsworth, London, England), creed register, May 1924–June 1929, Frank, Edith, Kathleen, Patrick, Dennis, and Sheila Collett, admitted 13 June 1927, folio 141; image copy, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QHV-P3NG-HYBF?i=176&cat=1390391 : accessed 7 July 2023); citing London Metropolitan Archives [now the London Archives], archive reference WABG/129/08.
10. Workhouse Record: Wandsworth Board of Guardians, Swaffield Road Workhouse (Wandsworth, London, England), creed register, May 1924–June 1929, Edith Collett, admitted 9 July 1927, folio 145; image copy, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QHV-L3NG-HRGH?i=180&cat=1390391 : accessed 7 July 2023); citing London Metropolitan Archives [now the London Archives], archive reference WABG/129/08.
11. Workhouse Record: Wandsworth Board of Guardians, Swaffield Road Workhouse (Wandsworth, London, England), creed register, May 1924–June 1929, Frank, Edith, Kathleen, Patrick, and Sheila Collett, admitted 18/19 July 1927, folio 146; image copy, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QHV-P3NG-HR7F?i=181&cat=1390391 : accessed 7 July 2023); citing London Metropolitan Archives [now the London Archives], archive reference WABG/129/08.
12. Workhouse Record: Wandsworth Board of Guardians, Swaffield Road Workhouse (Wandsworth, London, England), creed register, May 1924–June 1929, Frank, Edith, Katherine [sic], Patrick, Dennis, and Sheila Collett, admitted 7 December 1927, folio 165; image copy, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QHV-L3NG-H5MZ?i=203&cat=1390391 : accessed 7 July 2023); citing London Metropolitan Archives [now the London Archives], archive reference WABG/129/08.
13. Workhouse Record: Wandsworth Board of Guardians, Swaffield Road Workhouse (Wandsworth, London, England), creed register, May 1924–June 1929, Ada Collett and Jean Collett, admitted 11 March 1929, folio 230; image copy, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QHV-L3NG-HGV6?i=276&cat=1390391 : accessed 7 July 2023); citing London Metropolitan Archives [now the London Archives], archive reference WABG/129/08.
14. Birth: England and Wales, birth certificate (certified copy) for Jean Collette, born 22 August 1928; registered September Quarter 1928, Wandsworth registration district, volume 1d, page 752; General Register Office, Southport.
15. School Record: Wandsworth Board of Guardians, Intermediate School, Swaffield Road (Wandsworth, London, England), creed register, July 1924–March 1930, Dennis Collett, admitted 11 April 1929; image copy, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QHV-P3N5-M9ZR-T?i=276&cat=1390391 : accessed 15 July 2023); citing London Metropolitan Archives [now the London Archives], archive reference WABG/164/08.
16. School Record: Wandsworth Board of Guardians, Intermediate School, Swaffield Road (Wandsworth, London, England), creed register, July 1924–March 1930, Patrick Collett, admitted 22 June 1929; image copy, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QHV-P3N5-M9ZR-T?i=276&cat=1390391 : accessed 15 July 2023); citing London Metropolitan Archives [now the London Archives], archive reference WABG/164/08.
17. Children's Home Record: Wandsworth Board of Guardians (Wandsworth, London, England), register of children at Metropolitan Asylum Board schools and homes, 1922–1931, Patrick Collette and Dennis Collette, admitted 14 September 1929, St Joseph's Orphanage, Orpington, Kent, folio 30, case paper number W.7733; London Metropolitan Archives [now the London Archives], archive reference WABG/156. Not available for general access. Data protection restriction.
18. Children's Home Record: Wandsworth Board of Guardians (Wandsworth, London, England), register of children at Metropolitan Asylum Board schools and homes, 1922–1931, Patrick Collette and Dennis Collette, admitted 14 September 1929, St Joseph's Orphanage, Orpington, Kent, folio 30, case paper number W.7733; London Metropolitan Archives [now the London Archives], archive reference WABG/156. Not available for general access. Data protection restriction.
19. 1939 National Registration: England and Wales, Berkshire, Reading C.B., enumeration district DSRQ, schedule number 209, Edward J. Stroud [household]; image copy, "1939 Register", database with digital images, Findmypast (https://www.findmypast.co.uk/transcript?id=TNA%2FR39%2F2037%2F2037I%2F017%2F40 : accessed 15 July 2023); citing The National Archives, Kew, archive reference RG 101, piece 2037I.
20. Electoral Register: Parliamentary Borough of Fulham, Register of Electors, 1945 (Fulham: Electoral Registration Officer, 1945), Civilian Residence Register (C), Fulham (West) Division, polling district S, page 16; image copy, "London, England, Electoral Registers, 1832-1965", digital images, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.co.uk/imageviewer/collections/1795/images/40020_214328-00169 : accessed 29 May 2025); citing the London Archives, archive reference LCC/PER/B/2254.
21. Electoral Register: Parliamentary Borough of Fulham, Register of Electors, 1946 (Fulham: Electoral Registration Officer, 1946), Civilian Residence Register (C), Fulham (West) Division, polling district S, page 19; image copy, "London, England, Electoral Registers, 1832-1965", digital images, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.co.uk/imageviewer/collections/1795/images/40020_214341-00407 : accessed 15 July 2023); citing the London Archives. Archive reference LCC/PER/B/2281.
22. Electoral Register: Parliamentary Borough of Fulham, Register of Electors, 1949 (Fulham: Electoral Registration Officer, 1949), Fulham (West) Division, polling district S, page 11; image copy, "London, England, Electoral Registers, 1832-1965", digital images, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.co.uk/imageviewer/collections/1795/images/40020_214049-00506 : accessed 15 July 2023); citing the London Archives, archive reference LCC/PER/B/2361.
23. Electoral Register: Parliamentary Borough of Fulham, Register of Electors, 1964 (Fulham: Electoral Registration Officer, 1964), Fulham constituency, polling district Sc, page 8; image copy, "London, England, Electoral Registers, 1832-1965", digital images, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.co.uk/imageviewer/collections/1795/images/40020_636672_1619-00086 : accessed 29 May 2025); citing the London Archives, archive reference LCC/PER/B/2914.
24. Death: England and Wales, entry in a register of deaths (non-certified PDF copy) for Francis Luke O'Grady otherwise Frank Collette, died 26 December 1945; registered March Quarter 1946, Fulham registration district, volume 1a, page 383; General Register Office, Southport.
25. Death: England and Wales, death certificate (certified copy) for Ada Collette, died 10 November 1963; registered December Quarter 1963, Fulham registration district, volume 5C, page 481; General Register Office, Southport.
26. Death: England and Wales, death certificate (certified copy) for Ada Collette, died 10 November 1963; registered December Quarter 1963, Fulham registration district, volume 5C, page 481; General Register Office, Southport.
27. Newspaper Article: "Police appeal for information", Fulham Chronicle, 15 November 1963, page 1.