David BILLINGHAM goes AWOL

[jennywren001]

Hi All,
This one's my hubbie's grandfather just started looking at this and would like to wrap up quickly . Promised him both sets of great grand parents...one half done stuck on this chappie...
So far:
1908 David Billingham marries Jane (Jenny) Neary in Gateshead- same year as daughter Violet is born
1911 Census Jenny (listed married) and Violet living with Jenny's mother in Gateshead- no David
Big gap to next child born 1914 then four more children ending with Roland in 1925.
I've got David on the 1901 census age 12 living in Gateshead and on the 1891 (transcribed Bellingham) age 3. I've had a look at all the  David Bellingham's (and variations) on the 1911 census but none look like being this chap. No history of merchant navy, nor of emigration - any ideas where to look next ? He was supposed to be a plasterer but can't confirm this...
Thanks
Jen

[avm228]

Hi - was he the David Billingham who died in Gateshead Jun qtr 1950 aged 62?

When was he a plasterer - is this consistent in all the records you have?

Some general thoughts:

It's always worth checking under initials (so D B) in case he was anonymised in an institution.

Also worth checking any surviving relatives (parents, siblings) in case his name has got mistranscribed whilst staying with them.

Scotland perhaps - could he have gone north of the border at the relevant time?

[t mo]

hi
as a follow on from AVM
bear in mind that passenger lists are notoriously bad in lack of details some have full initials some don,t have any so don,t discard out of hand that he didn,t pop out the country for a time , have you also checked incoming passenger lists as well ?.
also although you state that Jenny is listed as married it may not necessarily be a fact and again although she had children after 1911 do you have all birth certs to prove fathers identity
one last thing it, is always possible that david was not at anyone place on census night but travelling so missed out on being counted as it,s not where folk lived that matter but where they were on that particular night .
regards
trevor

[jennywren001]

Hi,
He died in Gateshead (Hubbie can remember him as a wee boy so 1950 sounds good).

I think I can see David's father and his brothers (the father's not Davids') - all born Quarry Bank. - Everyone seems to be a chainmaker - even the women. David's brother and father are listed as chainmakers on the 1901 census.... Plasterer is family 'story'...Basically I think I can see the extended family just not my chap.

I've tried a 'D B' search...but nothing. Jail did pass our minds...he had a 'bit' of a drink problemo.

Hubbie can remember all his aunties and uncles - FreeBMD lists the father of each of the children as David Billingham (although mother listed as Neary/Nary/Hary/Narey). Their marriage in 1908 is also listed on FreeBMD. Marriage/births all in Gateshead.
Scotland - looks like more SP credits required
I'll recheck passenger lists...

Thanks
Jen

[jennywren001]

He's with his parents and younger siblings - working at the Coatbridge Works in Scotland - occupation chain makers. Didn't think this one would involve Scotland.
Thanks
Jen

[avm228]

Good news - glad you found him