Tracing Joseph Lofts – b1857 Marylebone, Middlesex (unconfirmed) - d1902 Wantage, Berks (confirmed)
Joseph Lofts (snr) - claims to have been born in Marylebone, Middlesex in 1857 (states this in his military papers and 1891 census and London in the 1901 census)
Military papers for him joining the 12th Lancers as a groom (to horses) in September 1877 (aged 20 years 6m – making his birth around Feb) in Canterbury and serving in India until 1885 where he returns and leaves the army apparently with TB. (points to note: He states he is going to live in Kensington, London. He apparently leaves the army 2 inches taller. His papers state next of kin mother.)
Marries Mary Ann Green (nee Garnett) in Chelsea in 1890 (marriage certificate states father as Thomas Lofts, occupation builder. Witnesses Mary’s sister and a man called Harry Butler)
1891 Census - living in Chelsea with Mary Ann and step daughter Frederica Green. Occupation Coachman/Groom
Between 1891 and 1901 Mary Ann Lofts immigrates to Canada.
Marries Sophia Pillow (nee Lovegrove) in Wantage in 1897 (marriage certificate states father as Thomas Lofts, occupation builder - deceased. Witnesses Sophia’s sister and husband)
1901 Census - living in Wantage with (step)son Walter Pillow and daughter Esther Pillow (b1895 illegitimate). Occupation Groom. Sophia is a temporary housemaid staying at a school in Wantage.
1902 Joseph Lofts (jnr) born in Wantage.
1902 Joseph Lofts (snr) dies.
I’ve hit a brick wall as to Joseph Lofts (snr) birth record and his 1861, 1871 census records plus ultimately who his parents were.
The only Thomas Lofts that I have found who fits the age, name and profession is a Thomas Lofts born near, Bury St Edmunds (occupation Bricklayers labourer) who marries a Maria Sparke (b1822 Bury) in 1852. They have a daughter, Fanny b1852-d1874). The problem with this is Maria I believe dies in 1855 in Bury (this is unconfirmed but there is a death record and nobody else in Bury who could fit this person). Thomas is then recorded as a widower living in Bury until he dies in 1902 (so he would have been alive when Joseph got married in Wantage). There is no sign of Joseph or a child who would fit the profile. Thomas indeed may be Joseph’s dad assuming he had an affair with Joseph’s mum who then went on to live in London possibly registering Joseph with her name or another! Maybe Joseph isn’t even his given name!
Does anybody have any ideas how I can continue to trace this? I have tried all sorts of combinations trying to look for either Joseph, Thomas or his mum with no joy.
