Mary Jane Lloyd Kettley was born in Simons Town, Cape of Good Hope in South Africa in 1844 and was baptised in St Francis of Assisi Church in Simonstown on 19th December 1844.

She met and married Joseph Smart, an English Marine who was based in Simons Bay, a important Victorian naval dockyard in South Africa.

They had two children; Mary Jane was born on  22nd December 1864 and baptised at St Francis of Assisi Church in Simonstown on 8th January 1865 and their son, George Charles Smart was born, 24^th October 1866 and baptised on the 18th November of that year.

The family returned to England where Joseph was given his discharge from the Navy at Portsmouth on 9^th September 1869.

The family returned to Joseph's family in Bedfordshire where a third child, Lucy Leaticia, was born in Milton Bryant on December 7th 1869. 

The family then moved to 3 Sheep Lane, Pottsgrove, Bedfordshire. The 1871 Census details  Mary's occupation is given as a Straw platter.

The family had moved to London and were living at 19 Priory Street, Camden Town, London, when their third child, Ellen Maria, was born in 18th January 1875

The family appear together in the 1881 UK census, living at 81 Weedington Road, just off Queens Crescent, Camden Town, London. Mary Jane is shown as being 37 but no occupation is recorded.

On 24th December 1882 they had a third daughter, Jessica. The family were living at 13 Grafton Cresent, St Pancras, London. Joseph's occupation is given as a labourer.

In the 1891 Census the family were living at 4 Lamble Street, St Pancras, London. Mary J L is shown as being 46 but no occupation is recorded. (*reference to the name Lloyd in her name appears again.)

Their children; George C. is listed as being 24 years old and a Naval Seaman RN whilst Ellen M is 17 and recorded as being a cook. Jessica E is 8 years old and a new son, Alexander is shown as just 9 months old.

In the 1901 Census the family were living at 31 York Rise, St Pancras. Joseph was a bricklayer; his age was recorded as being 63. Mary Jane is now 56 years old and her occupation is listed as a laundress. Their daughter Jessica is 18 years old and listed as a Wash Laundress. (To date Alexander has not been found on the 1901 census)