Hi Sue
Hope your doggie is doing alright - and you too - and you both had a better sleep the night
Just to clarify, on the WW1 record in the section where it records "Particulars of Marriage" for George EDKINS, it records his bride as Nellie DAVIS, spinster? Is that right? That makes sense now, as I guess before we were wondering why he would call his wife Nellie EDKINS by her maiden name. And it also gives a clear indication, to me, that Nellie was legally BROOKES but was always known as DAVIS, which in turn points to her being illigitimate (when coupled with the fact her marriage cert named no father).
The fact she used BROOKES as her marriying name, and as the mms for all (poss. bar one) of her children either points to her honesty/fear of the authorities catching a lie - it may also be part to do with the possibility her "parents" were never legally married.....
Because I think I've found Nellie on the Census
It will be interesting to see what the marriage of William & Jessie Ann says - I'm hoping it says his father is Joseph DAVIS , occupation Pearl Turner or similar:
1881: 3 Frankford St, Birmingham St GeorgeRG11/ Piece: 3002 / Folio: 98 / Page: 45
Head: Charles BROOKES 52, Candle Stick Maker, b Birmingham
Wife: Harriet 49, b Atherstone Wark,
Son: John H 21, unm, General Labourer, b Birmingham
Son: Francis E 19, unm, Stoker, b Birmingham
Son: George H 15, Scholar, b Birmingham
Dau: Phoebe J 13, Scholar, b BirminghamDau: Ada 10, Scholar, b Birmingham
Dau: Catherine M 3. Scholar, b Birmingham
Lodger: John H HARRIS 17, unm, General Labourer, b Birmingham
BIRTH: Phoebe Jane BROOKES - Mar Qtr 1868 - Birmingham
1891: 5c 4 Moorsom Street - Birmingham St StephenRG12 / Piece: 2389 /Folio 29 / Page 3
Head: Harriet BROOKES 59, widow, Charwoman, b Birmingham
Dau: Kate BROOKES 14, Pearl Worker Bone b Birmingham
Gran-dau: Ellen BROOKES 3, b Birmingham
1891: 2c 1 Moorsom Street - Birmingham St StephenRG12 / Piece: 2389 / Folio 36 / Page 18
Head: Joe DAVIS 23, Pearl Turner,
Wife: Phoebe DAVIS 25, Pearl Turner, Dau: Nelly DAVIS 3,
Son: William DAVIS 1, ALL Born Birmingham
I would hazard a quess Ellen with granny Harriet may be the same girl/dau Nelly with with Joe & Phoebe, ie: enumerated twice. But also very possible, Ellen is the daughter of another of Harriet's children.
1901: 2ct, 8h Moorsom Street, Birmingham St StephenRG13 / Piece: 2842 / Folio: 118 / Page: 2
Head: Joseph DAVIS 30, Bricklayers Labourer
Wife: Phoebe J DAVIS 32Dau: Nellie DAVIS 13,
Son: William DAVIS 11, Son: George DAVIS 9,
Son: Harry DAVIS 4,
Son: Edwin DAVIS 2
ALL born Birmingham
Cheers
AMBLY