Joseph Smith, New Invention, Willenhall, Staffs?

[Smudge.Smith]

Hello
Probably a long shot being a Smith but I need some help making sure I have the right Smith in my family
It seems like Joseph appeared out of nowhere and disappeared just as easily. The first record I can find of him is his christening 14 June 1812 at St. Giles, Willenhall, Stafford, England with reference to his Mother Mary and father listed as G Smith.
I've traced what I think to be him through the various census (1851 was almost indecipherable and poorly transcripted but pretty confidant that the family is his based on later census transcription. Married to Catharine (Tarbuck) also known as Caroline down the family line Henry, Uriah, Harry, Anthony and me.
The only Joseph Smith I can find in 1841 Census was in Shorth Heath (near New Invention) but was married to Emma and had two kids (different names that don't appear in later New Invention census).
How do I know which is 'my' Joseph Smith? How can I find out when /  where he was born (assuming 1812 as christenings seemed to be performed shortly after the birth? Assuming was born in Willenhall as christened there. Also no death details although 1861 census show Catharine / Caroline as head of the family so he's either dead by the time of 1861 census or moved on and abandoned the family.

Any info around Joseph and his Mother / Father greatly appreciated.

Many thanks

[Jool]

Hi, where did you find the baptism record?  I looked on the Wolverhampton Archives website and it shows Joseph as illegitimate son of Mary, no mention of the father. 

Willenhall St Giles's Baptisms 1642-1812 A-Y
SMITH Joseph son of Mary - illegitimate 14 Jun 1812

http://www.wolverhamptonhistory.org.uk/resources/indexes

Added:  FreeREG also shows the same information - illegitimate son of Mary
https://www.freereg.org.uk/

[Jool]

How can you be so sure the 1812 baptism you found is your Joseph.  The 1851 census has his age as 39 (about 1812) but ages are not always reliable on the census.

There is also this baptism at St. Giles Willenhall 17 Feb 1811, Joseph, son of Benjamin and Ann Smith.

[rosie99]

Welcome to rootschat 

Are these your Smith family in 1911/1901/1891

1911
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XW71-2YC

1901
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XS71-M33
Henry age 57 - Sarah 59 - Rose Hannah 21 - Uriah 15

1891
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:WS5L-5MM

[Willow 4873]

Thought we were looking for Joseph not Henry 

Willow x

[rosie99]

Thought we were looking for Joseph not Henry 

Willow x

Just making sure we are looking at the right family by tracking backwards.  Mistakes are so easily made especially with Smith's 

[Willow 4873]

and don't forget the Jones lol

Willow x

[rosie99]

Uriah & Rosanna's Birth reg give mmn Butler
Marriage to Sarah Butler gives Henry's occ as Engine Tenter age 31 -father Joseph (Dead)

Joseph's marriage to Catherine Tarbuck gives father as G. Smith (decd).  Is this where you got the information about his father and not the baptism as you have mentioned 

[Willow 4873]

right

Joseph buried 31.1.1854 Union Street Wesleyan Methodist Chapel Willenhall aged 52 of Lane Head Engineer

marriage certificate lists his father as G Smith which I think is fictitious so it looks like the illegitimate baptism fits

Willow x

(Snap  )