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I'm hoping someone can help with some suggestions on a very annoying brickwall I have been trying to get through for some time.

My ancestor Joseph Reuben Deakin was born approx 1853 in Bristol.  Name is frequently spelt Deakin, Deacon, Deaken etc

He had 5 children, Charles b1878, Joseph Alexander b1880, William Ernest b1884, Harriett Amelia Elizabeth b1886 and Nellie Augusta b1889, with Elizabeth Deakin nee Taynton.

On the children's birth certificates he is variously described as a Theatrical messenger, Labourer, Painter, General Labourer, Theatrical scene shifter etc

I cannot reliably find him in the censuses prior to 1881 - in 1881 he is at Pear Tree St, Lambeth, with Elizabeth, Charles and Joseph (which ties in with birth certificate addresses).

His exact birth year and location are confusing as the different sources disagree somewhat: I believe he was born in Bristol in the 1850s based on the majority of sources, but it's a challenge! On 1891 census, aged 34, he is at 38 Burdett Chambers, Lambeth, born Gloucestershire, Bristol, 1901 census aged 53, at 52 Broadwall, Lambeth, born Bristol, Glos, and 1911 census aged 66 at Long Lane Bermondsey b Birmingham Warwick.  I've not found his death but he witnessed a marriage in 1916.

I believe he may be on the 1861 census on Temple Street, Bristol aged 7, child of a Joseph Deakin aged 50, widow and Bellows Maker.  Joseph senior appears to be from Warwick, whereas Joseph Junior (Joey) is from Bristol.

The final bit of evidence is the marriage certificate with Elizabeth, in 1881, aged 28, son of Joseph Deakin a bellows maker.  On this Joseph is a painter.

So the evidence is annoyingly somewhat contradictory, but having checked 4/5 children's birth certificates and the marriage certificates, I believe the family group is correct.

I cannot locate his birth, and I cannot find him on the 1871 census to help solidify the links.

Thoughts / suggestions much appreciated!

Peter

Hi Kimbrey,

Many thanks for that very interesting post.  We are indeed connected I believe.  James Bendell and Mary Ann were my 4xgt grandparents I think via my maternal grandmother.  I am descended from James and Mary Ann's son Thomas (b1838 in Newbury).  Thomas appears to have had a curious life in terms of marriages/partners as you may know.  V happy to share what I found of them and their descendents.

May I ask a question about Ann Neate?  I found what I thought might be her and James on the 1851 census in Newtown aged 45, married to James aged 64.  On there is says she is born in 'Little Hungerford' and James Newtown, but I could well be wrong.  Do you think that's the right census entry for them?

Peter

Hi, Keyboard88,

I was trying to look more into your suggestion with the marriage of Robert Mennie and Grace Ware.

I found a burial record for a Grace Mennie on An****** which is dated 16 Mar 1803 at St John the Baptist Parish, Clerkenwell.

So it may be that Robert married Grace then married Christiana (very) shortly thereafter.

Peter

Hello, I am totally stuck looking for my ancestor Robert Mennie and I was wondering if anyone has any ideas on how to proceed.

I have found his son James Mennie in the 1841,1851,1861,1871,1881 censuses, at Roebuck Terrace, Newington (1841), 50 Brunswick Street (1851), 57 Trinity Street Lambeth (1861), 24 Falmouth Road Newington (thereafter), and I also got a copy of his Will. 

James Mennie married Caroline Levell on 27 Nov 1838 and the certificate gives his father as Robert Mennie, a Clerk in the India House.  My guess is that means someone who worked in the UK, rather than India...?

My theory is the attached is a christening record of James and (I assume sister) Maria Husbands Mennie, living at Bray Court in Islington, on 13 Apr 1808.  James is shown as born on 17 Oct 1805.

However, I cannot find Robert Mennie anywhere, I've tried the censuses, and I've tried the transcriptions I'm aware of in Parish registers.

Would be really greatful for any points on how to proceed!

Many thanks

Peter