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Emma Mary Rhodes (b. 1869) née Hitchcock

According to Hitchcock biographer Patrick McGilligan:

When she was just twenty years old, Emma left in 1899[1] for South Africa to marry James Arthur Rhodes. Taken off the boat in Durban harbor in a large wicker basket (like the kind that figures into the climax of Torn Curtain), Emma was then carried to safe ground on the backs of Zulu warriors. Like other Hitchcocks, Aunt Emma was a devout Catholic; she attended Mass for much of her life via rickshaw. The longest-lived and the farthest-flung, intrepid Aunt Emma became a favorite of young Alfred Hitchcock.

The couple had four children, who were all born in Durban, South Africa.

At the time of the 1939 Register, she was staying with her brother John Sylvester Hitchcock in Wandsworth, London.

During the pre-production phase of the Flamingo Feather project, Alfred and Alma paid a visit to Emma Mary whilst scouting locations in South Africa during July 1956.

Emma Mary died in September 1956, aged 87.

Genealogy

Siblings

Birth

  • born 08/Jan/1869[2]

Marriages

James Arthur Rhodes (b. 1865)

  • born 11/Sep/1865
  • married 29/Apr/1889 to Emma Mary Hitchcock[3]
  • died 14/May/1910 in Durban, South Africa

Children

Anne Maude Rhodes (b. 1891)

Arthur Charles Rhodes (b. 1892)

Dorothy Natalie Rhodes (b. 1901)

Cecil John Rhodes (b. 1907)

Death

  • died 01/Sep/1956 in Durban, South Africa

Family Tree

25

Census Data

1871

  • address: 80 Windmill Lane, Stratford
  • Joseph Hitchcock (aged 42) — head, occupation: greengrocer (employing 2 men)
  • Ann Hitchcock (aged 44) — wife
  • Alfred Hitchcock (aged 10) — son
  • Charles Hitchcock (aged 18) — son
  • Ellen Hitchcock (aged 4) — daughter
  • Emma M. Hitchcock (aged 2) — daughter
  • John Hitchcock (aged 6) — son
  • Joseph Hitchcock (aged 14) — son
  • Mary Hitchcock (aged 17) — daughter
  • William Hitchcock (aged 8) — son

1881

  • address: 46 Manbey Grove, Stratford
  • Joseph Hitchcock (aged 52) — head, occupation: green grocer
  • Annie Hitchcock (aged 54) — wife
  • Ellen Hitchcock (aged 14) — daughter
  • Emma Hitchcock (aged 12) — daughter
  • Kate Hitchcock (aged 9) — daughter
  • Mary Hitchcock (aged 26) — daughter

1939 Register

11 Campion Road, Wandsworth, London

Research Notes

  • Many thanks to Louise Rhodes and her father Terry for making available details of their family tree.
  • No 1891 Census entry found for Emma Mary.

Notes & References

  1. The correct year is 1889.
  2. Birth of Emma Mary Hitchcock registered Q1 1869 West Ham. Date of birth given on 1939 Register.
  3. Donald Spoto incorrectly names the husband as "Cecil J. Rhodes", who was in fact the couples' son.
  4. Died 1950.
  5. Died 1984.
  6. Died 1991.
  7. Died 1971.
  8. Died 1934.
  9. Died 1995