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Elizabeth Michel

M. Roberts

Mrs Elizabeth Michel 1842-1925)was born Elizabeth Harris, in Oxford in 1842 to Jewish parents born in England. Her father was Wolf Harris, a new and second hand clothes dealer, at 54 St Ebbe's, in Oxford. Her mother Esther (nee Barnet), was related to Isaac Nathan (her great-uncle), who was a famous composer and friend of the poet Byron. She was also related to Barney Barnato (1852-1897), who became a diamond millionaire when he moved to South Africa, as well as to Esther Rantzen.

The Harris were one of only three Jewish families living in Oxford at that time. Before Elizabeth married she worked as a dress-maker in her father's business in Oxford. She married George Leopold Michel at the West London Synagogue in 1862 and then moved to Northampton. She had seven children and died aged 82 years.