#long liz

[victorianwhitechapel]

Elizabeth Stride's clothes and possessions

At the time of her murder, Elizabeth was wearing:

- A long black cloth jacket, fur trimmed around the bottom with a red rose and white maiden hair fern pinned to it.

- A black skirt.

- A black crepe bonnet.

- A checked neck scarf knotted on left side.

- A dark brown velveteen bodice.

- 2 light serge petticoats.

- A white chemise; 

- White stockings; 

- Spring sided boots.

She also had:

2 handkerchiefs (one, the larger, is noticed at the post-mortem to have fruit stains on it.)

A thimble.

A piece of wool wound around a card.

In the pocket in her underskirt:

A key (as of a padlock).

A small piece of lead pencil.

Six large and one small button.

A comb.

A broken piece of comb.

A metal spoon.

A hook (as from a dress).

A piece of muslin.

One or two small pieces of paper.

She was found clutching a packet of Cachous in her hand. Cachous was a pill used by smokers to sweeten their breath.

Gone but not forgotten. May she rest in peace. 🌺

[victorianwhitechapel]

Elizabeth Stride timeline

1843 – Elisabeth Gustafsdotter is born at Stora Stumlehed farm in Torslanda parish, north of Gothenburg, Sweden (November 27).

1843 – She is baptized in the Torslanda church in Gothenburg (December 5).

1859 – She is confirmed in the Torslanda church (August 14).

1860 – Elisabeth moves to the Gothenburg parish of Carl Johan to stay with her sister Anna Christin, who found work for Elisabeth as a domestic for Lars Frederick Olofsson (October 14).

1862 – Elisabeth moves to the Cathedral parish in Gothenburg, still working as a domestic servant.

1864 – Elisabeth's mother dies (August 25).

1865 – Because she is a pregnant single woman, she is registered by the Gothenburg police as “Female Prostitute #97” (March).

1865 – Elisabeth gives birth to a stillborn daughter result of her 7 month pregnancy (April 21).

1865 – She moves to Philgaten in Ostra Haga, a suburb of Gothenburg, and supports herself through prostitution (October).

1865 – Elisabeth is treated for venereal disease at the Kuuset hospital (October 17 to November 3).

1865 – She is registered healthy in the following visits at the hospital and doesn't have to report to the police after her last visit (November 7, 10 and 14).

1865 – Elisabeth works as a maid for Mrs Maria Wijsner in Husargatan, another suburb of Gothenburg (November 10, to July 1866).

1866 – She applies to move to London, England (February 7).

1866 – Elisabeth Gustafsdotter arrives to London to work as a domestic. She is 23 (July 10).

1869 – Elizabeth marries carpenter John Thomas Stride at St. Giles in the Fields, in the London Borough of Camden (March 7).

Ca. 1869 – Elizabeth and John keep a coffee shop at Chrisp Street, Poplar (Tower and Hamlets).

1870 – Elizabeth and John keep a coffee shop at Upper North Street, Poplar.

1871 – Elizabeth and John move themselves and the coffee shop at 178 Poplar High Street (April 2).

1875 – John Dale buys Elizabeth and John's coffee shop.

1877 – Elizabeth is admitted to the Poplar workhouse, suggesting that she and John may have separated (March).

1881 – Elizabeth and John had reunited by 1881, but separated permanently at the end of the year.

1881 – Elizabeth is treated at the Whitechapel Infirmary for bronchitis (December 28 to January 4, 1882).

1882 – She lodges on and of at the common lodging house at 32 Flower and Dean Street (January 4 to 1885).

1885 – Elizabeth lives on and of with waterside laborer Michael Kidney at Devonshire Street, Marylebone, City of Westminster.

1886 – She begs for money and food at the Swedish Church (May 20 and May 23).

1887 – Elizabeth is admitted to the Poplar workhouse suggesting that she and Michael may have split (March 21).

1887 – She accused him of assault, but failed to turn up at the hearing against him at Thames Magistrate’s Court (April 6).

1888 – Elizabeth Stride receives again financial assistance from the Swedish Church (September 15 and 20).

1888 – Elizabeth leaves Michael for the last time. She goes to stay in a lodging house after a quarrel with him (September 25).

1888 – Dr Michael Barnado, a leading social reformer, meets Elizabeth at the lodging house at 32 Flower and Dean Street (September 26).

1888 – Elizabeth still lodges at 32 Flower and Dean Street lodging house (September 27 and 28).

1888 – Elizabeth spends the evening cleaning 2 rooms at the lodging house and she is paid 6d for that (September 29).

1888 – She and Elizabeth Tanner have some drinks at the Queen's Head public house and go back to the lodging house together (September 29).

1888 – Elizabeth leaves the lodging house, but before she gives a piece of green velvet to fellow lodger Catherine Lane, and asks her to keep it until her return. Watchman Thomas Bates says she showed him the 6d she had earned before (September 29).

1888 – Liz is seen with a short young man by two labourers at Berner Street, later another labourer sees her with the man too (September 29).

1888 – Matthew Packer claims he has sold some grapes to Liz and the man (September 30).

1888 – PC William Smith sees Elizabeth and the man at Berner Street, opposite the International Working Men's Educational Club (September 30).

1888 – Israel Schwartz sees Elizabeth and two men having a fight (September 30).

1888 – Elizabeth is seen with a man (September 30).

1888 – Louis Diemschutz finds the murdered body of Elizabeth at Dutfield's yard. She was 44 (September 30).

Your life was difficult and cut short. You were free at last... 🌼

[victorianwhitechapel]

The Five. 

The Untold Lives of the Women killed by Jack the Ripper/The Lives of Jack The Ripper's Women

By Hallie Rubenhold (2019)

Five devastating human stories and a dark and moving portrait of Victorian London—the untold lives of the women killed by Jack the Ripper. Polly, Annie, Elizabeth, Catherine and Mary-Jane are famous for the same thing, though they never met. They came from Fleet Street, Knightsbridge, Wolverhampton, Sweden, and Wales. They wrote ballads, ran coffee houses, lived on country estates, they breathed ink-dust from printing presses and escaped people-traffickers. What they had in common was the year of their murders: 1888. The person responsible was never identified, but the character created by the press to fill that gap has become far more famous than any of these five women. For more than a century, newspapers have been keen to tell us that "the Ripper" preyed on prostitutes. Not only is this untrue, as historian Hallie Rubenhold has discovered, it has prevented the real stories of these fascinating women from being told. Now, in this devastating narrative of five lives, Rubenhold finally sets the record straight, revealing a world not just of Dickens and Queen Victoria, but of poverty, homelessness and rampant misogyny. They died because they were in the wrong place at the wrong time—but their greatest misfortune was to be born a woman.

Get your copy here

[victorianwhitechapel]

Jack the Ripper. Blood Lines

By Anthony J. Randall (2013)

Anthony J Randall looks at the canonical victims of Jack the Ripper (Mary Ann Nichols, Annie Chapman, Elizabeth Stride, Catherine Eddowes and Mary Kelly) and investigates the family background of their paternal and maternal lines. Perhaps their histories reveal the origins of their destiny. Perhaps their family backgrounds hold the seeds to the paths they trod. In this searching investigation many birth, marriage and death certificates, and over two hundred census returns, have been transcribed and presented. 

This book examines the history and genealogy of the 'canonical' victims to guide the reader from the industrial centres of Staffordshire, the wide marshes of Sussex and the woodlands of the Forest of Dean to the east end of London and the deprivation of Whitechapel.

[victorianwhitechapel]

The Hidden Lives of Jack The Ripper's Victims

By Robert Hume (2019)

Mary Ann Nichols, Annie Chapman, Elizabeth Stride, Catherine Eddowes and Mary Jane Kelly are inextricably linked in history. Their names might not be instantly recognisable, and the identity of their murderer may have eluded detectives and historians throughout the years, but there is no mistaking the infamy of Jack the Ripper. For nine weeks during the autumn of 1888, the Whitechapel Murderer brought terror to London’s East End, slashing women’s throats and disembowelling them. 

London’s most famous serial killer has been pored over time and again, yet his victims have been sorely neglected, reduced to the simple label: prostitute. The lives of these five women are rags-to-riches-to-rags stories of the most tragic kind. There was a time in each of their lives when these poor women had a job, money, a home and a family. Hardworking, determined and fiercely independent individuals, it was bad luck, or a wrong turn here or there, that left them wretched and destitute. Ignored by the press and overlooked by historians, it is time their stories were told.

[victorianwhitechapel]

The Victims of Jack the Ripper

By Neal Stubbings Shelden (2007)

The Victims of Jack the Ripper focuses on five of the women murdered by the infamous London serial killer (Mary Ann Nichols, Annie Chapman, Elizabeth Stride, Catherine Eddowes and Mary Kelly). The book explores their lives and not just their murders, leading to a fuller understanding of them as individuals. 

The author is the first to have contacted the descendants of these women to learn information that previously was only known to their families. Neal Stubbings Shelden is known in the field of Ripperology as an expert on this topic, having produced several limited edition booklets that have long been sought after by collectors. 

This highly anticipated volume combines twenty one years of research into one book and includes his most recent findings along with more than forty pages of photographs. 

Buy your copy

[victorianwhitechapel]

East End attacked women (fall XIX century)

Rainham Mystery

Birth date: ? Attacked: ? Murdered (age): ? Found: May/June 1887

Complexion: ? Eyes colour: ? Hair colour: ? Height: ? Ocupation: ?

Clothes at the time of murder: ?

Resting place: ?

~ ~ ~ 

Emily Atkins Horsnell

Birth date: Ca 1860/61 Attacked: November 5, 1887 Death (age): November 10, 1887 (26 or 27)

Complexion: ?  Eyes colour: ?  Hair colour: ? Height: ? Occupation: charwoman

Clothes at the time of attack: ?

Resting place: ?

~ ~ ~

Margaret Hames

Birth date: 1833 Attacked: December 8, 1887 (ca. 54, survived) & April 3, 1888 (ca. 55, survived) Death (age): ?

Complexion: ?  Eyes colour: ?  Hair colour: ? Height: ? Occupation: ?

Clothes at the time of attack: ?

Resting place: ?

~ ~ ~

Annie Millwood

Birth date: Ca. 1850 Attacked: February 25, 1888 Death (age): March 31, 1888 (38)

Complexion: ? Eyes colour: ? Hair colour: ? Height: ? Ocupation: ?

Clothes at the time of attack: ?

Resting place: ?

~ ~ ~

Ada Elbury Wilson

Birth date: 1868 Attacked: March 28th 1888 (ca. 25, survived) & June 25th 1891 (ca. 28, survived) Death (age): August 24th 1952 (aged 89)

Complexion: ? Eyes colour: ? Hair colour: ? Height: ? Ocupation: Seamstress

Clothes at the time of attack: ?

Resting place: ?

~ ~ ~

Emma Elizabeth Smith

Birth date: 1843 Attacked: April 3, 1888 Death (age): April 4, 1888 (45)

Complexion: Fair Eyes colour: ? Hair colour: Light brown Height: 5’ 2" (157 cm) Ocupation: Occasional casual prostitution (?)

Clothes at the time of attack: ?

Resting place: City of London Cemetery & Crematorium.

~ ~ ~

Martha White Tabram

Birth date: May 10, 1849 Attacked and murdered (age): August 7, 1888 (39)

Complexion: Dark Eyes colour: ? Hair colour: Dark Height: 5' 3" (160 cm) Ocupation: Cheap trinkets seller, occasional casual prostitution

Clothes at the time of murder: A black bonnet, long black jacket, a dark green skirt, brown petticoat and stockings, spring-sided boots showing considerable age.

Resting place: City of London Cemetery & Crematorium.

~ ~ ~

Mary Ann “Polly” Walker Nichols

Birth date: August 26, 1845 Attacked and murdered (age): August 31, 1888 (43)

Complexion: Dark Eyes colour: Dark brown Hair colour: Light brown Height: 5' 2" (157 cm) Ocupation: domestic servant, occasional casual prostitution

Clothes at the time of murder: A black Straw bonnet trimmed with black velvet, a reddish brown ulster with seven large brass buttons bearing the pattern of a woman on horseback accompanied by a man; a brown linsey frock (apparently new); a white flannel chest cloth; black ribbed wool stockings; two petticoats, one gray wool, one flannel, both stenciled on bands "Lambeth Workhouse"; brown stays (short); flannel drawers; men's elastic (spring) sided boots with the uppers cut and steel tips on the heels.

Resting place: City of London Cemetery & Crematorium.

~ ~ ~

Annie Smith Chapman

Birth date: September 1841 Attacked and murdered (age): September 8, 1888 (47)

Complexion: Pallid Eyes colour: Blue Hair colour: Dark Brown Height: 5′ (152 cm) Ocupation: crochet work, flower seller, occasional casual prostitution

Clothes at the time of murder: A long black figured coat that came down to her knees; a black skirt; a brown bodice; another bodice; 2 petticoats; a large pocket worn under the skirt and tied about the waist with strings (empty when found); lace up boots; red and white striped woolen stockings; neckerchief, white with a wide red border (folded tri-corner and knotted at the front of her neck. she is wearing the scarf in this manner when she leaves Crossingham's).

Resting place: Manor Park Cemetery & Crematorium, Forest Gate.

~ ~ ~

Whitehall Mystery

Birth date: ? Attacked: ? Murdered (age): ca. 24/25 Found: September 11/October 2 1888

Complexion: Fair skin Eyes colour: ? Hair colour: Dark Height: ? Ocupation: ?

Clothes at the time of murder: A broché satin dress; a black petticoat, ?

Resting place: ?

~ ~ ~

Elizabeth Gustafsdotter Stride

Birth date: November 27, 1843 Attacked and murdered (age): September 30, 1888 (44)

Complexion: Pale Eyes colour: Light grey Hair colour: Brown dark Height: 5' 5" (165 cm) Ocupation: Sewing and charring, occasional prostitute

Clothes at the time of murder: A long black cloth jacket, fur trimmed around the bottom with a red rose and white maiden hair fern pinned to it; a black skirt; a black crepe bonnet; a checked neck scarf knotted on left side; a dark brown velveteen bodice; 2 light serge petticoats; 1 white chemise; white stockings; spring sided boots.

Resting place: East London Crematorium & Cemetery, Plaistow.

~ ~ ~

Catherine Eddowes

Birth date: April 14, 1842 Attacked and murdered (age): September 30, 1888 (46)

Complexion: ? Eyes colour: Hazel Hair colour: Dark auburn Height: 5' (152 cm) Ocupation: tinplate industry employee, Penny Dreadfuls seller, hop picker

Clothes at the time of murder: A black straw bonnet trimmed in green and black velvet with black beads, with black strings, worn tied to the head; a black cloth jacket trimmed around the collar and cuffs with imitation fur and around the pockets in black silk braid and fur. Large metal buttons; a dark green chintz skirt, 3 flounces, brown button on waistband. The skirt is patterned with Michaelmas daisies and golden lilies; a man's white vest, matching buttons down front; a brown linsey bodice, black velvet collar with brown buttons down front; a grey stuff petticoat with white waistband; a very old green alpaca skirt (worn as undergarment); a very old ragged blue skirt with red flounces, light twill lining (worn as undergarment); a white calico chemise; a pair of men's lace up boots, mohair laces. Right boot repaired with red thread; 1 piece of red gauze silk worn as a neckerchief; 1 large white pocket handkerchief; 1 large white cotton handkerchief with red and white bird's eye border; 2 unbleached calico pockets, tape strings; 1 blue stripe bed ticking pocket; a brown ribbed knee stockings, darned at the feet with white cotton

Resting place: City of London Cemetery & Crematorium.

~ ~ ~

Mary Jane Kelly

Birth date: c.1863 Attacked and murdered (age): November 9, 1888 (25)

Complexion: Fair Eyes colour: Blue Hair colour: Blonde Height: 5' 7″ (170 cm) Ocupation: prostitute.

Clothes at the time of murder: Last seen wearing a linsey frock and a red shawl pulled around her shoulders; she always wore a spotlessly clean white apron.

Resting place: St Patrick's Roman Catholic Cemetery, Leytonstone.

~ ~ ~

Catherine ‘Rose’ Mylett

Birth date: December 8,1859 Attacked and murdered (age): December 20, 1888 (29)

Complexion: ? Eyes colour: ? Hair colour: ? Height: 5'2" (157 cm) Ocupation: Casual prostitute

Clothes at the time of murder: a brown and black 'outer clothes'; a dark tweed jacket; a lilac apron; a red flannel petticoat; a red and blue striped stockings.

Resting place: Bow Cemetery.

~ ~ ~

Elizabeth Jackson

Birth date: March 18, 1865  Murdered and found (age): Ca. June 3rd 1889, June 5th 1889 (24)

Complexion: Fair skin Eyes colour: ? Hair colour: Sandy, light red or auburn Height: ca. 5′ 5″ (165 cm) Ocupation: Domestic servant

Clothes at the time of murder: A long ulster coat, dark skirt, white underclothes, ?

Resting place: ?

---

Alice Pitts McKenzie

Birth date: c. 1849 Attacked and murdered (age): July 17, 1889 (39)

Complexion: Freckle-faced Eyes colour: Brown Hair colour: Brown Height: 5′4″ (163 cm) Ocupation: Washerwoman and charwoman

Clothes at the time of murder: A black coat; a black skirt; ?

Resting place: Plaistow Cemetery, Bromley.

~ ~ ~

Lydia Hart (?, Pinchin Srteet Murder)

Birth date: ? Attacked: ?  Murdered (age): ? Found: September 10, 1889

Complexion: ? Eyes colour: ? Hair colour: ? Height: ? Ocupation: Factory worker, prostitute

Clothes at the time of murder: ?

Resting place: East London Crematorium & Cemetery, Plaistow.

~ ~ ~

Frances ‘Carroty Nell’ Coles

Birth date: September 17,1859 Attacked and murdered (age): February 13, 1891 (32)

Complexion: Fair Eyes colour: Brown  Hair colour: Dark Brown  Height: 5′ (152 cm) Ocupation: trainee in the packing department of a soap and toiletries manufacturer, forewoman; powder packer; prostitute

Clothes at the time of murder: A second-hand black diagonal jacket, a black dress given by her sister that reached to her ankles, a black velvet ribbon around her neck, a new black bonnet trimmed with black velvet beads, her old bonnet pinned beneath her dress.

Resting place: East London Crematorium & Cemetery, Plaistow.

~ ~ ~

Check out our Victims page for more information.

If you have further information, please, don’t hesitate to contact me. thank you very much.

[victorianwhitechapel]

In 1888, in London, a prostitute is slaughtered on the street. The Scotland Yard Chief Inspector Jim Hansen (Patrick Bergin) is in charge of the investigation and realizes that the killer is a person with skill in dissection. Hansen belongs to the lower class and aspires to socially climb. Soon there are other murders and the ex-prostitute Florry Lewis (Gabrielle Anwar) witnesses the killer killing a prostitute and is forced to go to the precinct to provide a lead to the Scotland Yard. Inspector Hansen assigns Sgt. Tommy Bell (Adam Couper) to protect Florry and he investigates the murder cases. Prince Albert Victor (Samuel West), who is the heir of the throne of England, becomes his prime suspect but his chief Sir Charles Warren (Michael York) tells that they need to have strong evidences against the prince to proceed the case. Sir Charles decides to use Florry as bait but Inspector Hansen has fallen in love with her and objects. But his chief makes clear that this is the only way to stop the ripper. What will Inspector Hansen do?

CAST (only listed the ones who really existed)

Samuel West ... Prince Albert Victor Edward Michael York ... Sir Charles Warren Karen Davitt ... Mary Kelly John Gregg ... Dr. William Gull Josephine Keen ... Lizzie

Unknown actress as Catherine Eddowes

IMDB profile

Watch the film here

Josephine Keen as Lizzie (Elizabeth Stride)

Unknown actress as Catherine Eddowes (please, if you know her name tell me! Thanks!)

Karen Davitt as Mary Kelly