My Auntie Lily (my Gran's adopted sister) was born at 24 Livingstone Road, Tranmere, Birkenhead on 6th April 1904. I ordered her BC and discovered that her mother was Mary Ellen Boswell (residence the same), and no father listed. She was taken on by Walter & Mary Jane (neé Poole) Lyon of Barnton (1911 Census). There is no occupation for Mary Ellen on the BC.
I have a letter from Mary Ellen Boswell to the Lyon family shortly after the 'adoption', which is attached, (in two parts). The letter states (presumably) that Mary Ellen resided in Beth, Llanfairfechan, Wales, as she puts this address at the top of the letter and we know the Lyon family were living in Cheshire.
Mary Ellen Boswell could have been one of three possibilities that I have found so far.
These three are:
#1: Mary Ellen Boswell b. abt. Oct 1874, Chester. m. Joseph Berrington abt. 1906 d. abt. Sep 1944, Runcorn
1901 Census: Servant to the Carter family in Frodsham Lordship
1911 Census:
Joseph Berrington - 47 - Head - Married - (Occupation) Millwright - (Industry) Flower Mills - Worker - (Born in) Frodsham, Cheshire
Mary Ellen Berrington - 35 - Wife - Married for 5yrs - 3 Children born alive, 2 still alive, 1 dead - No Occupation - (Born in) Chester, Cheshire
John Sidwell Berrington [not Mary Ellen's Child] - Son - 15 - Single - (Occupation) Grocer's Assisstant - Worker - (Born in) Frodsham, Cheshire
Joseph Boswell Berrington - 3 - Son - (Born in) Frodsham, Cheshire
Thomas Arthur Berrington - 2 - Son - (Born in) Frodsham, Cheshire
#2: Mary Ellen Boswell b. abt. Jul 1878, Chorlton, Lancashire
1881 Census: Residence: 10 Mark Lane, Chorlton-upon-Medlock
1891 Census: Residence: 5 Lawrence Street, Gorton, Manchester, Lancashire
1901 Census: Residence: 188 Queens Road, Gorton, Manchester, Lancashire
1911 Census: (Same as 1901 Census)
Family: (Combined censuses)
Father: John Boswell b. 1851-52, Liverpool, Lancashire; m. abt. 1876; occ. Iron Turner, Engine Fitter
Mother: Jane F Boswell (neé
) b. 1853-55, Manchester, Lancashire; m. abt. 1876; occ. Housekeeper
Uncle: Hugh Boswell b. abt. 1855, Liverpool, Lancashire; occ. General Labourer
Brother: William J Boswell b. abt. 1877, Manchester, Lancashire
Sister: Agnes Boswell b. abt. 1880, Manchester, Lancashire
Sister: Teresa Boswell b. abt. 1883, Manchester, Lancashire; occ. Scholar, Men's Tailoress
Brother: John J or S Boswell b. abt. 1885, Manchester, Lancashire; occ. Scholar, Baker
Sister: Jane F Boswell b. abt. 1887, Bradford or Manchester, Lancashire; occ. Infant's Milliner
Sister: Elizabeth Boswell b. 1893-94, Gorton, Manchester, Lancashire; occ. Scholar, Mantle Maker
Brother: Augustine Boswell b. abt. 1897, Gorton, Manchester, Lancashire; occ. Scholar, Railway Clark
Sister: Winifred(e) Boswell b. abt. 1899, Gorton, Manchester, Lancashire; occ. Scholar
#3: Mary Ellen Boswell b. 20 Jun 1881, Liverpool, Lancashire; bapt. 5 Jul 1881, Liverpool, Lancashire
Unable to find any definite censuses for #3.
I haven't explored the possibility that Mary Ellen Boswell was married when she had Lilian because, after reading the letter, I got the feeling she was in service in Wales at the time of writing, as she refers to her mistress.
Any help would be much appreciated!