Looking for direction / Opinions Needed Please

[atth2o]

Hello Fellow Researcher,

I'm looking for opinions and help in what direction I should go next.  I will fill you in about what I know about my ancestor.

Richard Marshall ATTWATER was born in Sittingbourne, Kent on April 9, 1845.

Richard is found with his parents on the 1851 and 1861 census with his parents William Attwater and Effield Attwater (nee Chambers)  1851 in Hackney, Middlesex and 1861 in South Shoebury, Essex.

Richard married Mary Ann WILLS on December 26, 1864 in Strood St. Nicholas of Myra.  She was recorded as 17 years old.  Mary's birth was recorded as Mary Collingham WILLS, daughter of Charles & Sarah WILLS.  Mary's sister Charlotte and her husband were recorded as the Witnesses.

In 1871, Mary is recorded as Mary Ann WILLS with her 5 year old son William WILLS.  I cannot find Richard anywhere despite hours of searching.  William is recorded as William C.M. ATTWATER on the 1881 census, living with Mary's brother John in Rainham.  I is unknown if Mary Ann died or remarried.

Here's where the mystery with Hertfordshire comes in. 

In 1881 Richard shows up with his wife Mary Ann born in Ware, Hertfordshire in Milton in Milton, Kent.  In 1891 and 1901 they are living in Hoo St. Werburgh, Kent.  This Mary Ann is listed as being born in Hertfordshire each time.  I have found Richard Marshall ATTWATER's death there in 1923 but was unable to find Mary Ann.  This Mary Ann was recorded as 10 years younger than Richard on the 1891 and 1901 Census and 5 years younger on the 1881 census.  It is suspected that she was born about 1855.

One child this couple had was Effield Hart ATTWATER born Q3 Milton 1886.  I noticed another child born with the middle name of Hart.  Albert Hart ATTWATER born Q3 Milton 1877.  This child died in Ware District, Hertfordshire - Q3, 1879.

Conclusions:

- Richard is suspected to have remarried to a second women named Mary Ann who was born in Ware, Hertfordshire?

- Richard was somewhere in Milton district, Kent in 1877 and in Ware District, Hertfordshire in 1879.

I know I can order the certificate for the child Albert but is there anywhere I can look to avoid this other than the census data to prove that this is indeed a second wife?

Any Help is greatly appreciated.

Nancy

[janan]

Hi
In 1871 is Mary Ann recorded as married eventhough she has reverted to her maidenname?

Maybe if you post the census details you have in full it would make this easier to think through.

I shall go away and think

Jan

[atth2o]

Hi Jan,

Thanks for taking a look.  Yes Mary Ann #1 is listed as below:

Mary Ann Wills, Head, Mar, 22, Laundress, Rainham, Kent
William Wills, Son, 5, Rainham Kent

She is living with other individuals of no family connection, only boarders and a person that looks like they own the house.

Nancy 

[janan]

Hi again
Whereabouts was Mary Ann in 1871?
You've probably done all this but
Have you looked for Richard as a prisoner - he'll be listed as only RA?
When looking for a death of first Mary Ann have you looked under Wills and Attwater?
Have you looked for a remarriage for her/ looked for her in later censuses?
Have you got many candidates for the second Mary Ann before marriage?

Jan

[janan]

What was Richard's occupation?
Jan

[atth2o]

Hi Jan,

Richard was a Brickfield Labourer in 1881, 1891 and 1901.  Prior to his marriage in 1851 he was a scholar and 1861, nothing is noted.  His father worked in the brickfield and it is suspected that he worked as a brickyard labourer all his life.

In 1871, Mary Ann (#1) was at 6 Woollett Street, Maidstone, Kent.

I've never looked for Richard as a prisoner.  They were listed with no surname?  I can give that a try.

As for Mary Ann's death and possible remarriage, yes I have looked under WILL's and ATTWATER.  I cannot seem to locate any remarriage via the census.

Without a Surname, I have no candidates for the second Mary Ann born in Ware.  Nothing has shown up on the Free BMD and this was a possible question for people with access to Marriage registries in Hertfordshire.  Mary Ann born in Ware is just too broad a search.

Medway District in Kent is a little difficult as they are separate records from the other areas of Kent.  Other than the Free BMD, there is no way to cross check records such as on the Kent Registration Services.  Unless you know what Parish to look in, you can be searching for years.  There is no central Index that I know of.

Thanks for your input.  I appreciate your time.

Nancy

[kintree]

Nancy

Note that Mary Wills was only 16 at the time of her marriage - I agree with you that her name was Mary Cottingham Wills, though FreeBMD transcribe it as Mary Collingham Wills in their birth indexes.

Everyone should look at the 1861 Census for Mary C Wills, and admire the artistry of the enumerator in the Where Born column!

Adrian

[atth2o]

Hi Adrian,

Thanks for your input.  I really appreciate your time.   

Nancy