My GG Grandfather, George Coote, married Lucy Laurie Clarke on 8 November 1896 at St Mark's Walworth, Newington, London. George was 37 and a wharf labourer; his father James was deceased but had been a horse-keeper.
I have plenty of records about him afterwards from his 3 sons baptism records (George Francis, William Henry & Albert Charles); the 1901 census where the family was transcribed as 'Coster' which gives his year of birth as about 1859 and birthplace as 'St James, London, England'; and various electoral registers. I think that he was the George Coote who died in Apr-Jun 1903 in Camberwell as Lucy remarried in 1905.
I'm really struggling to find any records of his life before his marriage. I have found a possible in the 1881 census living at 15 Snowsfields, Bermondsey:
James Coote Head 44 Butcher Essex, Shalford
Ann Coote Wife 30 Wales, Aberyswith
George Coote Son 23 Carman London
Edward W. Coote Son 15 Butcher London
Mary Evans Visitor 23 Dressmaker Wales, Aberyswith
but I've been looking at it for many years and I'm still unsure whether it is the family. It also doesn't help as I can't find any records for the family on the 1861/71/91 censuses to try and dismiss them as a possibility. I do realise that if it is the family then Ann can't be George's mother as she is only 7 years older than him.
Any help would be most appreciated, even to narrowing down which parish records I should search for a birth in 'St James, London'.
Thanks for reading.