Kermode family papers
Date(s): 1880s-1970s
Creator(s): various
Scope & Content: Papers of Canon Robert Daniel Kermode, his wife Bertha nee Clucas and their daughter Margaret Kermode including copies of their wills, matters to do with their estates, financial accounts, correspondence, a visitors' book, documentation about the lead up to the birth of Margaret and baby's weight and other monitoring, agricultural show prize certificates and assorted ephemera. The family were based in later years at Woodlands, Lezayre near Lezayre Church.
Contents include paperwork regarding the ecclesiastical qualifications and appointments of Reverend Kermode. These include a letter dated 3 May 1900 from the War Office, London addressed to him at Maughold Vicarage, appointing him as an Acting Chaplain during the Second Boer War for temporary duty on a ship proceeding to Capetown and returning thence with sick and wounded troops.
Correspondence topics are varied and include the posthumous publication of Kermode's 'The Annals of Kirk Christ Lezayre: A History of a Manx Parish'; advice from John Drinkwater of Kirby about the felling of trees and selling for timber (9 December 1961) and a letter from Janet Gibb of The Grove sending love to Margaret and Nora from herself and sister Alice on 8 January 1969. Janet shares news including of poultry at the Grove and attempts to rehome a Light Sussex cock, ' ... the young cock will have to go in the pot if no one wants him. Pedro will not allow him to sleep in the hen house'.
Also present are family history notes compiled predominantly by Bertha (additional related genealogical notes at MS 15436).
Administration / Biographical History: Robert Daniel Kermode (born 22 November 1868) was the son of William and Frances Kermode of Douglas, Isle of Man. His father is recorded as a Coal Factor in his Kirk Braddan baptismal entry dated 17 January 1869.
He married Bertha Harrison Clucas (b, October 1875, Douglas; father John Thomas Clucas) at Lezayre Church on 2 September 1908. Their daughter Frances Margaret Clucas Kermode (Margaret) was born on 4 May 1911.
R D Kermode died in 1948, his wife in the 1950s and his daughter on 19 April 1997.
Language: English
Extent: 1 box
Collection: Manuscript Archive
Level: FONDS
ID number: MS 15413
Record class: Private
Access conditions: No regulations or restrictions are implemented on this material. Advance notification of a research visit is advisable by emailing library@mnh.im