Hi Claire
First you are correct- Thomas did marry Mary Ann Finney late in life. And their children's names don't follow Goodwin patterns. I was told he had married in 1865- which is not correct!
Ellen Hopcroft had Beatrice Ellen in 1864 she used GOODWIN as Beatrice Ellen's family name and ROGERS as hers. Seems John Rogers knew she was pregnant when he married her in 1863. The same thing with Alice - surname Goodwin - Rogers mother's last name in 1868. (Sorry got year mixed up!)
(Here is the twisted part- a ROGERS had an Alice in 1869! If that is ELLEN's child that's just bizarre! )
On the 1871 census the girls are both using Rogers
while in exile with Ellen Hopcroft's mother Ann ( Richard's wife) in Macclesfield! Richard Hopcroft was visiting Ellen and John Rogers at the time.
BEAELLEN was with her mom and Mr Rogers in 1881 Alice is not with them. So I have to find her in 1881. Oops You just did! Many thanks!
Beatrice Ellen (Ellen GOODWIN- she did not use Rogers when she moved to Liverpool; probably needed a new start) married my great-grandfather in 1889 and on her marriage certificate she named her father as Thomas Goodwin Book Keeper) Then on subsequent censuses she first put she was born in Burslem, then Henley, OXON, then Oulton. She clearly was confused and little wonder. She picked places that all sounded like the actual ones she was born at / or lived in. (Bilston / Alton/ Longton)
The same month BEAELLEN was born, Thomas Goodwin snr, the Accountant, made his will in June 1864. Perhaps to add her to the will...
I also have a note about a Mr. Hopcroft at the Goodwin Potteries referring to two men as his 'sons-in-law', one being Thomas Goodwin!
There was a family story about a 'grandmother' having two children out of wedlock. It was my grandfather telling the story to one of my aunts. It was his grandmother Ellen Hopcroft. Unfortunately, she misinterpreted as
my grandmother being the one in question! ( So my granddad's wife-obviously! )
Does that make more sense?
Thanks for everything Claire- I could not have untangled this mess without you! Finally, I can close this 8 year brick wall.
PS I see there is a Lilly as well on the 1881 census with Alice and Grandad Hopcroft. Wonder who fathered her?!