I am truly stuck with this one. In Great Ayton there were two families of Smith which I am interested in.
On the 1871 census were George Smith, his wife Elizabeth Watson (born Healeugh and aged 27) and their son John William (5). Also in Great Ayton was Robert Smith (51) born Kirby and married. No wife is shown but two sons - Russel (note spelling) aged 14 and Robert Henry (5). Robert Snr was married to Elizabeth Russel (born Ingleby Cross), presumably why they called their first son Russel.
George died and was buried in Great Ayton in May 1873.
On the 1881 census, Robert Smith is still shown as M, but no wife. Elizabeth, widow of George is shown as a servant but her son is shown as Son. Three more children appear - Thomas, Isabel and Elizabeth. Russel wasn't shown.
The obvious conclusion was that the widow Elizabeth was the mother of these three with Robert as the father. But in the 1891 census Robert is there, shown as M and Elizabeth born Ingleby Cross is also there along with Russel. Did the original wife reappear? I can't tell from the age either as it doesn't fit either Elizabeth exactly.
A further complication is Thomas, born approx 1874 was called Thomas Pedley Smith. Where does Pedley come from? Thomas Pedley Smith is my great grandfather so i am particularly interested in him.
Any help gratefully received
Stella