The mystery of Annie Badger

[Vicki Morley]

Hi guys, Im a bit stuck with this lady.

The story as much as I know :

Annie Badger was born in Walsall in abt 1887.  She ran away from home and ended up in Hay on Wye, Wales, in 1906 where she met Harry Campion.  Harry was in the army, and in 1907 he came back to Hay to find Annie was in the Hay workhouse with a baby boy.  On admittance to the workhouse Annie had changed her name to Polly Johnson.  She did so because she didnt want her parents to be found.  A marriage was arranged in 1909, and further children were born, including my grandfather in 1919 (who I cant name as he is still alive).  She was in the 1911 census living in Hay with Harry and children.

The above information came from Harry Campion's WW1 army records, it was quite fascinating as I knew nothing about my gt grandparents.

Im trying to trace Annie back but seem to be struggling.  There are a few Annie Badgers born around 1887, none in Walsall, but one in Wolverhampton seems to be the most promising. 

I have discounted these (all info from the 1911 census):

Annie Badger b 1888 Wolverhampton.  In 1911 she was living with her parents.
Annie Badger b 1885 Gnosall.  1911 seems to be a nurse in London.
Annie Badger b 1890 Wolverhamption.  Also known as Ann, living with parents in 1911.

So, the one I think is my Annie :
1891 census b 1887 Wednesfield
1901 census b 1887 Wolverhampton
Mother - Martha Badger

However, in 1911 census (when we know she was living with Harry Campion), Martha's census has Martha living with her son in law Charles Tomlinson and daughter Ann (not Annie).  The ages of Ann and Annie match.

So is my Annie not in fact Martha's daughter?  And how do I find my Annie.  The marriage certificate is no use as she called herself Polly Johnson and father's name was John Johnson, and I cant order a birth certificate until I know which Annie she really is!

I know you may say ask my grandfather, but he is 94, hard of hearing and has selective memory loss.  He has always thought he was Welsh through and through but Ive since discovered his father Harry is in fact from Birmingham, so I dont think he knows much about his past.

Can anyone offer any guidance as to where I go from here please. 

Thanks

[avm228]

So, the one I think is my Annie :
1891 census b 1887 Wednesfield
1901 census b 1887 Wolverhampton
Mother - Martha Badger

However, in 1911 census (when we know she was living with Harry Campion), Martha's census has Martha living with her son in law Charles Tomlinson and daughter Ann (not Annie).  The ages of Ann and Annie match.

Hi

There's a marriage Mar qtr 1905  - Charles Tomlinson & Annie Badger on the same page, Wolverhampton 6b 707.

Given that Martha's daughter is Ann(ie) Tomlinson in 1911 it does rather seem to rule her out from also being Annie Campion at the same time

[Milliepede]

That's quite a story isn't it. 

What proof is there that Polly Johnson is the same person who was born Annie Badger?

I think I see her with Harry in 1911 and she is back to Annie (not Polly) so did she just use Polly when she got married?  How confusing!

[avm228]

The letters and statements explaining the Annie Badger/Polly Johnson dichotomy are indeed on Harry's WW1 Army file - extraordinary!

[Milliepede]

There's an Ann Badger born Wolverhampton in Sep 1886. 

What about the little boy George Henry born in 1908 - would his birth certificate give any clues?

[ciderdrinker]

Good Afternoon
There are two baptisms for an Ann Badger
Ann Badger 14.7.1886 George and Martha  Graisley Lane trapmaker Wednesfield
Ann Badger 12.12.1888 to Thomas and Mary Ann Wood End miner at Wednesfield
So if she's not the daughter of George and Martha maybe Thomas and Mary.
1891 Wood end
Thomas Badger 43 coal miner Perry Hall Staffordshire
Mary A 44 Bilston
Samuel 13 coal miner Wood End
John 10
Mary A 6
Albert 4
Annie 2
Ciderdrinker

[Willow 4873]

I noticed she married in the name Polly Johnson. What does she give as her fathers name on the marriage certificate?

Willow x

[Millmoor]

The marriage of Harry Campion and Polly Johnson and the banns are in the Brecknockshire parish records on Family Search and indicates that the actual images are available on Find My Past.

William

[avm228]

Banns were called for Harry Campion (bachelor of the parish of Hay Mills Birmingham) and Polly Johnson (spinster of this parish) at St Mary's Hay, Brecknock on 20 & 27 Dec 1908 and 3 Jan 1909.

When they married in the same parish on 6 Feb 1909 Polly Johnson was said to be 22, a spinster, of Bear St (same address as Harry).  Her father John Johnson, labourer.

Witnesses: Joseph Jay (signed); Sarah Ann Hopkins (made her mark).