Whitford and Tracey, Tipperary

[big g]

This is my first foray into Irish family history, so be gentle please!!!

William Whitford born 1838 Liverpool, married Dorothea Stewart born 1839 Liverpool, 1859 Liverpool (details obtained).  Have found him1841/51/61 census Liverpool, last one includes their firstborn; between 1860 and 1867 they had 5 children.
My problem is I cannot find him or Dorothea 1871.  Dorothea appears in 1881 and 1901 in Liverpool again; 1881 states her to be "MARRIED", 1901 "WIDOW". She died 1903 in a Liverpool workhouse.  Can't find 1891 for her.

William appears in 1881 in Swansea, Glamorgan, with 2nd "WIFE" Sarah Jane born 1844 Kingston upon Hull, Yorkshire, and 6 children, first two born Clonmel, Tipperary,  middle two Shropshire, last two Swansea, Glamorgan. Found William and Sarah Jane 1891 and 1901 - he died 1906.

I cannot find a marriage in U.K. for William and Sarah Jane. Not found a divorce either.

William was for certain in Liverpool with Dorothea c 1866, then in Clonmel 1870 when his first child with Sarah Jane was born.

Would like to find a marriage, census, or any information for his missing years 1866 to 1870 if possible please

[Sinann]

There isn't a Census for those years
Is this their child
https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FPYV-4HW
https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FYYR-RPX

[Sinann]

Have you looked for a marriage for William and Sarah Jane after Dorothey died?

[big g]

Sinann,

Yes it is the first child of William and Sarah Jane, and yes I have looked for a marriage, anywhere in the U.K. after before and after Dorothea died.

[Sinann]

Looks like you need to consider the possibility they came to Ireland to pass themselves off as married. What was William's occupation? Just wondering if he had a job that was likely to bring him to Ireland, like the military for example.

[big g]

Sinann,

Watch finisher/watch maker.

G

[Sinann]

Sinann,

Watch finisher/watch maker.

G

Not an obvious reason to come to Ireland than, it might be worth getting Elizabeth Ellen's birth cert to see what he was working at when he was here.
There are other Whitford births in the Clonmel district so he may have relations in the area, apart from the two children's births it's unlikely you will find any other trace of the family in Ireland.
Possibly a mention in a newspaper, if he was working freelance he may have advertised!
Church records may be worth a look for a marriage but you would expect to find them in the Civil Reg if they did marry in Ireland.
At the moment I think RootsIreland would be the only place available at the moment but there would be a cost and they only have transcripts, later this year the NLI should be putting their parish records online free but they will not be searchable by name.
Unless some one has another suggestion.

[big g]

Thanks Sinann.