George Best

[avm228]

You'll find Elizabeth "Keen" in Worcester in 1881 - Henry not with her, but I think she is the Elizabeth with whom he later settles in Wales.  She has a 10 yr old Henry Keen with her in 1881 who may be the same person as the Henry William Keen who was born to Henry and Prudence in 1871. 

Mary Ann Keen from 1871 (aged 3) seems to become Mary Ann Best, with George and Prudence, in 1881 (aged 13).  She would probably have been born before Prudence's marriage to Henry Keen so I am not sure exactly who her parents are.

[avm228]

Elizabeth Keen has two children with surname Paish with her in Worcester in 1881: Alice 8 and Ernest 5.

In 1891 they are in Wales with Henry and Elizabeth:

Alice (Rogers) as a lodger, with her husband and child

Ernest as Ernest Paish Keen, 14 b Worcs, stepson of Henry Keen.

[avm228]

I see that Prudence died as Prudence Keen in 1897 - haven't found her yet in 1891. 

[jonnybrowne1956]

I’ll have a look when I get home and see if I’ve got anything.

My apologies for originally  misleading you earlier about Prudence Keen being in the 1881 census, by the way - it was 1871 I had a note of.

It certainly looks like a family mystery is being cleared up - thank you so much again for your help!

Jonny :-)

I see that Prudence died as Prudence Keen in 1897 - haven't found her yet in 1891.

[familydar]

And I had visions of a gifted footballer ....... 

[jonnybrowne1956]

Hi

I’ve had a look and unless I’m missing something I can’t see Prudence (either Keen or Best) or George in 1891 either.

Jonny

I see that Prudence died as Prudence Keen in 1897 - haven't found her yet in 1891.

[avm228]

Mary Ann Keen was baptised at St Peter, Birmingham on 4 July 1870 (age not stated but she’d have been about 2 or 3 years old.

Parents: Henry (a sweep) and Prudence, of Rope Walk.

She married aged “19” on 1 February 1886 at Bishop Ryder, Birmingham to Herbert James Bates, 22, a hawker.

Mary Ann named her father as Henry William Keen, a sweep.  Witnesses: Thomas Danter, Elizabeth Hanson.

[avm228]

Later on Mary Ann (Bates) cites her exact birthdate as 9 April 1867.