Humphreys

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Humphreys

Casebook Message Boards: Witnesses: Specific Witnesses: Humphreys

Author: Stuart Humphryes Sunday, 03 June 2001 - 07:01 pm
Does anyone have information on the woman called "Humphreys" who witnessed Dr John Holt emerge from George Yard on 11th November 1888? The oral history of my family records my great-great-aunt Harriet Alice Humphryes (nick-named "Lau") (1880-1927) encountered the Ripper in Whitechapel when she was a girl. I was wondering whether any documentation exists to show whether these two females were one in the same person?
Author: Robeer Sunday, 05 August 2001 - 02:12 am
Stuart, Given your name you must be of Scottish ancestry. I have seen your surname spelled Humphreys and Humphries but Humphryes is somewhat unusual. Does your Humphryes family come from Scotland? The onomastic history of your surname is fascinating. I once thought of it primarily as a Scottish name but it is found spread all over the British Isles as a result of the Norman occupation. In actuality Humphreys, etc., is an ancient Germanic name that was probably introduced by the Anglo-Saxons and the Vikings prior to 1066. The Norse version of the name is Homfrid. The Norman spelling was Onfroi. Scholars have various opinions as to the etymology of the name. What an interesting family oral history. Did the story handed down have a discription of JTR and what were the circumstances that led your aunt to believe it was the notorious criminal? Robeer

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