James Henry Steele of Brampton, Cumberland

[sirsimon]

Hello

My ancestor James Henry Steele was born in 1855 in Brampton, Cumberland to James and Sarah Steel. He married a woman named Alice and had a child named Alice M Steele, born 1879.

He appears in the 1871 and 1881 census, but he vanishes until 1911, living in Durham with another woman named Mary Agnes and has been married for 24 years with children James Joseph Steele and Annie Lizzie Steele.

I was wondering if someone could help me find out what happened to Alice, did they divorce? did she die between 1881 and 1911? Also I would like to know what the maiden name of Mary Agnes is and what happened to his daughter Alice M? Did she marry or die?

PS James married in Gateshead and died there in 1834

Edit: Apparently James married Alice in 1877 in Gateshead, however that does not explain why she is absent in the 1911 census and why they are living in Brampton in 1881

my thanks

[JenB]

In 1911 his wife is Mary Jane, not Mary Agnes 

1891 census

RG12/4286/53/12
61, Oswald Street, Carlisle

James H. Steele, head, m, 34, Railway Ticket Collector, Cumberland Hayton
Mary J do, wife, m, 27, do do
James J do, son, 7, scholar, do Wetheral
Thos Hy. Robson, bro in law, s, 14, Carter, do Hayton
Annie L Steele, daur, 2, do Wetheral

[sirsimon]

Thank you

I notice some things odd about this census

I could not find it online, his wife is stated as Mary Jane, however he married Alice in 1877 and she appears on the 1881 census. On the 1911 census she is stated as Mary Agnes, not Mary Jane

Sorry for the confusion, this is very strange indeed

[JenB]

On the 1911 census she is stated as Mary Agnes, not Mary Jane

His wife is definitely Mary Jane in 1911. have you looked at the original?

[JenB]

In 1891 he had a brother in law called Robson living with him.

Marriage in 2nd quarter 1886, James Steele + on the same page Mary Jane Robson, Brampton 10b, 659

This fits with the '24 years married' which you mentioned in your original posting.

[JenB]

I was wondering if someone could help me find out what happened to Alice, did they divorce? did she die between 1881 and 1911?

Possible death:

 Alice Steele, aged 29, 4th quarter 1883, Carlisle 10b, 287.

[JenB]

this is very strange indeed

Not really 

It looks like he married Alice, who died in 1883.

Then he married Mary Jane, and they are still together in 1911.

[JenB]

They are in Carlisle in 1901.

RG 13/ 4864/188/37

76 Oswald Street, Carlisle

James H. Steele, head, m, 45, Railway Passenger Guard, Cumb, Hayton
Mary J. do, wife, m, 37, do do
James J. do son, 17, Railway Signal Labourer, do Wetheral
Annie L. do, daur, 12, do, Wetheral

[JenB]

Edit: Apparently James married Alice in 1877 in Gateshead, however that does not explain why she is absent in the 1911 census and why they are living in Brampton in 1881

James, Alice and daughter Alice are not living in Brampton in 1881, they are living in Maryport