Friedericke (Freda) Dorothee Westphal (Westpfahl) 
Birth Notes
It was originally believed by the family that Henry and Freda were both from Hanover, but in Henry's nationalisation application, he records Freda was born in 1870 in the "Free" town of Bremen, and came to England in or about 1881.
She is believed to be the daughter of Christian Westpfhal. The burial headstone reveals her full name as Freda Dorothy, and this full name ties in with an IGI record with DoB and Baptism.
Cant find on 1891 census (but came to England 1881)
Aged 22 on Marriage Cert of 28-2-1892
Aged 31 on 1901 census
Aged 41 on 1911 census
If ages when married and died are correct, then Freda was born between 21 October 1869 and 27 Feb 1870
Name: Friederike Dorothee Westpfahl
Sex: Female
Birth: 15 Feb 1870 Bremen, Bremen, Germany
Christening: 29 June 1868 Bremen, Bremen, Germany
Death: Deceased
DOB confirmed on 1939 Register
Death Notes
Lived in Idle, Bradford till the 1920's where she died of cancer about 1939. Her body was returned to the Wirral. She was buried in Landican cemetray in Birkenhead.
Freda died at home of cancer of the Womb, while they were living in Bradford. Her daughter Elsie stayed in Bradford to look after her until she died. They also had a helper (Mrs Jenson).
Harry had her body returned to Landican Cemetery where she was buried. Mum had to organise the funeral buffet in Upton on her own.
Burial Record 976
Buried 23 Oct 1939, age 69
Address: 6 Doctor Lane, Idle, Bradford
Grave in CoE Section 8, number 820
In Treasured Memory of
FREDA DOROTHY,
The beloved wife of
HENRY DITTMER
Passed away 20th October 1939
Aged 69
Peacefully sleeping, resting at last.
Life’s weary trials and troubles are past.
Also Henry, beloved Husband of above
Died 25th January 1950
Aged 82 years
General Notes
Before Friedericke Dorothee Westphal (Freda) arrived in Liverpool, Henry Dittmer was lodging with Christian and Sophie Westphal in Everton, Liverpool in 1891. She came to England about 1881.
Her father is recorded as Christian Westphal, a sugar refiner on her marriage certificate of 1892. However, the lack of a DNA connection to WESTPAHL from Bremen, it is possible she was adopted or otherwise taken in by her father for an arranged marriage to Henry Dittmer. This would also help explain my lack of "German DNA".
When Freda’s father married in 1888 he was already 41, a sugar refiner and a “bachelor”, not a widower, so Freda may be “Friederike Wilhelmine Dorothee Siegener Klein”, christened 21 Dec 1875 at Bremen, the illegitimate daughter of Louise Elise Marie Siegener Klein. There are three other Bremen birth records with parents Friederike Louise Kleine (or Friederike Keine) and Christian Friedrich Westphahl, but none for Friedericke.
Freda arrived in the UK about 1881-82 but wasn't on the 1891 census, so may have returned with Henry to introduce her to his sister in Germany that year, before they were married, but I cant find any Immigration record on Ancestry.co.uk. Her father however was in Liverpool in 1891.
Married Henry (28-Feb-1892) in Liverpool, Lancashire while living a 2 Gt Nelson Street. Freda used to work in service in a Big House in Liverpool when she was first married.
Fred also worked part-time as a carer for Mrs Lindley, a cripple in a wheel-chair, at Cottingly Cliff, Bingley. She was a smart, thin lady. Her husband was some form of business man.
She (and Henry) were recorded as German subjects on the 1901 census, and later, during WW2, there was concern in the family that they may be interned for the duration of the war.
In 1911, "Fridericka" and Henry (42 & 41) had been married 19 years and were living at 56 Mossman Street, Windhill, Shipley with son Harry (18), born Liverpool.
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Whereabouts
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Freda lived at 2 Great Nelson Street from February 28th, 1892.5
Occupancy/Contact Notes
Home of Freda Westphal when she merried Harry
She lived at 104 Opic Street from March 1893.6Occupancy/Contact Notes
Harry Dittmer was born at 104 Opic Street, which was also their registered address (born 28-Jan, registeded 13 March).
She lived at 4 Brunswick Road from 1901.7She lived at 56 Mossman Street from 1911.8Occupancy/Contact Notes
Home of Henry, Friedericke and young Harry (aged 18) in 1911
She lived at 6 Doctor Lane for twenty-three years from April 20th, 1916 to 1939.1Occupancy/Contact Notes
1939 Register also shows 6 Doctor Lane, so must have moved to Upton after register taker, or only as a temporary stay.
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Connections & Relationships
Relationship Notes
Bertha and her son Charles Heinz were witnesses at Freda's wedding to Henry Dittmer in 1892
Bertha Jane Westpfahl was a representative of Freda.
Freda and Henry were married in a religious ceremony on February 28th, 1892 at All Saints (Liverpool) by Curate C H E Croffer (?) and witnessed by Charles and Bertha Heinz.5
Marriage/Union Notes
"Friedericke Westphal" married "Henry Dittmer" in 1892 at All Saints Church, Liverpool in the presence of Charles and Bertha Heinz.
Note: Claus Heinz married Anna Dittmar in 1855, so were the witnesses related to Anna?
The 1911 census show than Henry and Fridericka had been married 19 years, and had only had the one child, Harry.
Family Notes
No: 181
When Married: Feb 28th 1892
Names: Henry Dittmer (24) & Feiederike Westphal (22)
Condition: Bachelor & Spinster
Occupation: Sugar Refiner
Grooms father: Henry Dittmer, Farmer
Brides father: Christian Westpfhal, Sugar refiner
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Children
Birth Notes
Born: West Derby, Lancashire.
Civil Registration List 2a p35_
Harry was born on 28-Jan-1893 at 104 Opic Street, North Everton in the district of West Derby. His father was Peter Henry Dittmer (known as Henry), a sugar house labourer, and his mother was Frederica Dittmer, formerly Westpfhal.
The birth was registered on 13-March-1893 by Geo. Hleaver (registrar). The 1939 register confirms the DOB.
The 1911 censis confirms he was born in Liverpool.
Name: Harry Dittmer
Gender: Male
Baptism/Christening Date: 12 Apr 1893
Baptism/Christening Place: Holy Trinity, Liverpool, Lancashire
Father's Name: Henry Dittmer
Mother's Name: Fredericka
Indexing Project (Batch) Number: I03147-6
System Origin: England-EASy
Source Film Number: 1656018
Reference Number: item 5 p 68
Death Notes
Harry retired early due to ill health.
He died, aged 73 at St. Catherine's Hospital Annex, Birkenhead.
Occupation on death certificate was "Fitter and Turner".
The death was registered on 18th March 1966.
The death was recorded by his eldest son Harry, of 7 Woodcoate Bank, Birkenhead.
He had a thrombosis in the leg and was in great pain. The doctor wanted to amputate, but he wouldn’t sign the consent form, so he was prescribed whisky instead. What a result! He survived many years after the thrombosis. Cause of death is unknown (Mum doesn't remember).
DITTMER – March 17 peacefully in hospital of 37 Devonshire Road, Upton aged 73 years. Harry dear husband of Elsie, beloved father of Harry, Joan and Cliff. Service St Marys Church, Upton on Tuesday next at 11am,: Cremation at Landican 11:30am.
Probate:
DITTMER Harry of 37 Devonshire Road Upton Birkenhead died 17 March 1966 at St Catherines Hospital Annex Birkenhead. Probate Chester 11 May to Elsie Dittmer widow £3,493.
Harry (Harold) Dittmer
Harry, known as Harold, was born on January 28th, 1893 in Everton and his baptism took place there on April 12th, 1893.6 9
1 Nationalisation Application
2 FamilySearch.org
3 Headstone - Freda & Harry Dittmer
4 Individual - Mum & Dad
5 Certificate - Marriage
6 Certificate - Birth
7 1901 UK Census
8 1911 UK Census
9 Liverpool CoE Baptisms 1813-1919
10 Newspaper - Harry Dittmer Snr
Further source/citation:
1891 UK Census
2 FamilySearch.org
3 Headstone - Freda & Harry Dittmer
4 Individual - Mum & Dad
5 Certificate - Marriage
6 Certificate - Birth
7 1901 UK Census
8 1911 UK Census
9 Liverpool CoE Baptisms 1813-1919
10 Newspaper - Harry Dittmer Snr
Further source/citation:
1891 UK Census
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