Beatrice May was born at Clenchwarton, one of at least nine children (six daughters and three sons) of James O OLLETT (1831 - 1912) and Susan, later to be known as Susannah, nee WILSON (1840 - 1924). Both parents came from families of agricultural labourers.

In 1851 James was aged 20, an agricultural labourer, living with his parents at Clenchwarton. His father, William, was an agricultural labourer born at Shouldham; his mother was Mary born at St Mary's. Also at home were his sister Eliza (1840 - ) and brother William (1844 - ), both born at Clenchwarton.

Susan's family were living at Stow near Downham Market in 1851. Her father was John WILSON, an agricultural labourer, a widower aged 39. Susan's brothers Thomas (15) and James (13) were agricultural labourers; sisters Susan (11) and Frances (9) were working on the farm; and brother Daniel (6) was at home. The family were looked after by a 38 year old general servant, Rhoda GAMBLE, who lived in with her two children: Mary Ann (11) and Henry (3).

James and Susan married at Clenchwarton in December 1860. Susan signed her name while James made his mark; James' sister Eliza was one of the witnesses. In 1861 James was an agricultural labourer living with Susan and their daughter Sarah Ann in a cottage at Clenchwarton. By 1871 they were living at the Victory Inn, Clenchwarton with four daughters: Frances Sarah (10) born Stow and Hannah (8), Ann Eliza (4) and Alice Esther (1) all born Clenchwarton.

James, recorded as a labourer, and Susannah were living in the Prince of Wales at Clenchwarton in 1881, with their children: Frances (21) a dressmaker, Alice (11), James H (7), George W (4), Beatrice May (2), and Lillie V (1). Later that year Bernard T was born and Lilie died. They had one more child in 1883 and named her Lillie Victoria. Ten children all told and eight were still living in 1911.

The family's fortunes improved between 1881 and 1888. By 1888 James and Susannah had moved into Kings Lynn to No. 19 Guannock Terrace where they kept the Salisbury Arms. They lived at Guannock Terrace for the next twenty years or so.

In 1891 James was listed as a licensed victualler and Susannah as a publican. Their children living with them were: Sarah CARPENTER 29 year old married daughter and her son Edwin (1); Anna (24) dressmaker; James (19) telegraph messenger; George (14) chemist's errand boy; Bernard (9) and Lilly (7) scholars. Beatrice May, now aged 12, was staying with her widowed sister Hannah FORDHAM (26) and her children Thomas (4) and Alice (2) at 17 Thomas street South Lynn.

In 1901 James OLLETT (71) publican born Clenchwarton and Susannah (59) born Stow were living with unmarried children all born Clenchwarton - James H (27) postman, George W (24) pawnbroker's assistant, Beatrice M (21), Bernard T (18) apprentice outfitter and Lily Victoria (16) music teacher and boarder Violet MITCHELL (19) single stationer's assistant born Lynn. Two years later Beatrice married Thomas Fiddaman BLOMFIELD.