Van Baars

The 1911 Census shows at least one residents who would have been classed as Enemy Aliens in the Great War. 

• • Bernard Van Baars (Grocer and Draper) aged 74 from Germany

It was quite unusual for someone of German origin to continue living a normal life in England during WW1. Many people of German descent were classified as "enemy aliens" and faced significant restrictions and scrutiny. They were often subject to internment, property confiscation, and other forms of discrimination. Bernard Van Baars' ability to continue his life as a grocer suggests he was considered too elderly (well beyond military age) to be seen a threat. Other factors :-

• It is likely his parents were from the Netherlands, so he may not have been considered German. 

• his marriage to a British resident and their British children

• Integration into Weston Turville society (publican, Grocer, Weston Turville cricket team founding member etc)

John Bernard (Bernard) Van Baars (with Thanks to Weston Turville U3A Family History Group)

       Born 26 Jun 1836 (Johann Bernhard Van Barrs) Cleve, Gütersloh, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. (Father Willem, mother Maria Petronella Heures) 

      His father (Willem/ Wilhelm) was probably born 1799 in Tiel, Gelderland, Netherlands (Netherlands, Archival Indexes, Vital Records)

Married Mary Ann Francis Dowling in London 19th July 1863.

1861 census shows living in Holborn born Holland aged 24 and a Cabinet Maker

1864 A son Bernard F. Christened Saint Pancras, London.

1869 A Daughter Mary Ann Frances (Married Charles Frederick Hankin 1891)

1870 A Daughter Gertrude Johanna (Died Aylebury 1938)

1871 census shows living in Cleveland Street Marylebone with Bernard F aged 6 (died 1884), Mary Ann F aged 4 born 1867 (poss got married and then divorced in 1891!) Gertrude Johanna aged 1 born 1870 ( in 1911 census was servant/housemaid to family in London, still single aged 37) Also living at house in 1871 was Mary Ann’s Mother Francis Dowling

1873 A Daughter Catherine Fanny  (Married Jacob Umschlag 1899, Died 1944 Chesham, Buckinghamshire)

1881 all living in Islington with children Bernard, mary ann, Gertrude, fanny  and Mother in law. Surname spelt Bruer

1891 census shows (b 1837, a Fruiterer from Germany) living in High St Islington with wife, daughter mary ann 23 yrs, daughter Gertrude 22 yrs, daughter fanny (b 1874 aged 17yrs)

1901 census shows Bernard (b 1837, a Florist from Germany) living with wife and Gertrude in Cornwell Grove Chiswick.

1901 became the landlord of The Plough Inn, Weston Turville

1903 Electoral Register and Kellys directory shows at Plough Inn Weston Turville

1904 on the committee of the newly formed Weston Turville Cricket Club.

1904 Vegetables won prizes at the Weston Turville Cottage Garden Society

1905 Attended the Unionist Meeting at the Schoolroom, Weston Turville to hear Hon. Walter Rothschild MP.

1907 kellys directory shows grocer WT

1911 census shows (b 1837, a Grocer and draper from Germany) in Weston Turville with wide Mary Ann Frances

1911 Kellys directory shows grocer

1915 Kellys directory shows grocer

Died 14 July 1916 Bernard Van Baars, of Weston Turville, aged 80 years (Bucks Herald 22 July 1916), (was Aylesbury Reg District)

1916 Miss Gertrude Van Baars seeking employment in Weston Turville

Mary Ann died 1926 aged 90 in WT or Aylesbury District