Did Alfred John go aboard? help.......

[jorose]

If they wanted a divorce they'd have to use their real names, that the 1891 record is the same as your couple seems very very unlikely to me.  The record will be that of William James Coole divorcing his wife Ellen Margaret, probably for adultery with Alfred Alma Coole. The names possibly come from the Isle of Man, which is why you can't see them on freebmd (there's a William James Coole m. Ellen Margaret Vick there in 1880 - IGI).

Divorce was quite expensive and often people just didn't bother. I think the seven-year-rule was still in effect at this time - so it wasn't necessarily bigamous if Ellen remarried in 1919, if she hadn't heard from Alfred for seven years (e.g. he ran off or went overseas meaning to send money back for her passage and then lost contact).

If this is your direct line I would be tempted to get the 1919 marriage certificate to see if it's her. Also, have you traced all the siblings of both Alfred John and Ellen Selina to see if there's any possible Coole children living with them in later censuses?

[Mort29]

Fred & Nellie were found for you on a slightly earlier thread.

[Helina]

Mort,  With reference to the earlier 1891 census, I.m 90% sure its Alfred and Ellen,  but what happened to them afterwards.  Wandered if they went aboard/separeted or one of the died.

helina

[coombs]

Hi

Jorose do you think the 1891 couple might not be Alfred and Ellen?

Ben

[jorose]

No, I would agree with that being most likely them, given the occupation. I was saying that the divorce records are a red-herring, by "1891" I meant the divorce in 1891.    Sorry, that was poor phrasing on my part.