Catharine Gutheil was born on 12 July 1864 in St Johannisberg, Rhine Province, Germany, the daughter of Freidrich Gutheil (1836-1920) and Elisabetha Gutheil née Schwenk (1842-1916).
Her brother, Phillip Gutheil (1866-1944), was born on 8 December 1866. They both came to England and on 11 May 1890 she married Peter Hartmann (1860-1944) at St George's German Lutheran Church, 55 Alie Street, Whitechapel and they went on to have at least nine children. During her life her name was recorded in a variety of ways. Her married surname changed from Hartmann to Hartman and her forename was spelt inconsistently.
The 1891 census shows her as Katherina Hartman, living with her husband, Peter Hartman, a baker, at 11 Fuller Street, Bethnal Green. Their eldest son, Philip Peter Hartman (1891-1966) was born on 29 May 1891 and when baptised at St Mathias's Church, Bethnal Green on 5 July 1891 the baptismal register confirms they were still residing at 11 Fuller Street.
Their second son, John Frederick Hartman (1893-1961), was born on 10 April 1893 and his birth was registered in the Camberwell registration district. When baptised on 18 March 1894 at St Mark's Church (now the New Peckham Mosque), Camberwell, the baptismal register shows the family living at 23 Brymer Road, Camberwell.
Their third son, Jacob William Hartman (1895-1947), was born on 4 March 1895. He was also baptised at St Mark's Church, on 19 March 1895, and the register shows the family still at 23 Brymer Road.
Their fourth son, Julius Ernest Hartman (1897-1971), was born 20 April 1897 in Soho, Westminster and their first daughter, Katherine Lily Hartman (1899-1899), was born on 23 January 1899. They were baptised together at St John the Baptist Church, Hoxton, on 8 February 1899 and the family were residing at 20 Upper John Street, Hoxton, according to the register. When Katherine Lily Hartman died aged 8 months, the burial register show the family were living at 5 Great James Street, Shoreditch.
Their fifth son, Albert Edward Hartman (1901-1960), was born on 23 March 1901 and when baptised on 15 April 1901 at St Anne's Church, Hoxton, the register confirms the family was at 5 Great James Street, Shoreditch.
In the 1901 census she is shown as Catherine Hartman and living at 5 Great James Street, with her husband, five sons and a domestic nurse.
Their sixth son, George Henry Hartman (1903-1904), was born on 29 October 1903 and baptised on 13 April 1904 at St Anne's Church, Hoxton. He died, aged 8 months in July 1904.
Their second daughter, Mary Gladys Hartman (1906-1906), was born on 20 March 1906 and baptised as Gladys Mary Hartman on 4 April 1906 at St Anne's Church. She died, aged just 1month, her death being recorded in the 2nd quarter of 1906 in the Shoreditch registration district.
Their third daughter, Eleanor Winifred Hartman (1909-1941), was born on 9 December 1909 and baptised on 14 June 1910 at St Anne's Church.
The 1911 census shows her as Katherine Hartman, living at 5 Great James Street, Hoxton, with her husband, who was still shown as a baker and their 6 surviving children. Phillip Peter Hartman was listed as a gold blocker, John Frederick Hartman as a printer's labourer, Jacob William Hartman as a junior box cutter, Julius Ernest Hartman and Albert Edward Hartman were at school whilst Eleanor Winifred Hartman was just recorded as being three years old.
Electoral registers from 1918 to 1926 confirm her as Catherine Hartman living at 5 Great James Street but from 1929 to 1937 she is listed there as Katherine Hartman.
The 1939 England and Wales Register shows her as Katherine Hartman living at 5 Purcell Street, Shoreditch, with her husband and her daughter, Eleanor Winifred Hartman.
Both she and her husband were registered as Enemy Aliens having been born in Germany but they were exempted from internment on 11 October 1939. Her Police Registration Certificate No.306443 confirms her name as Kate Hartman having been born in Johanesberg, Krenzock, and that she did not wish to be repatriated to Germany.
Both she and her daughter were killed at 5 Purcell Street as a result of a German air raid on 11 May 1941. She was aged 76 years and was buried with her daughter on 16 May 1941 at Chingford Mount Cemetery, 121 Old Church Street, London, E4 6ST. Their headstone was erected on 22 June 1942.
Both she and her daughter are also commemorated on the Civilian War Dead Roll of Honour located just outside the entrance to St George's Chapel at the west end of Westminster Abbey.
Credit for this entry to: Andrew Behan.
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