Liverpool Workhouses/Orphanages/Adoptions

[robjones]

Hi there
I'm trying to find my grandfather.
I know very little for certain. He has given his DoB as different dates on WWI records, NHS register, his fathers name as different names and other info from marriage and death certificates doesn't match.
I'm coming to a conclusion he was raised in an orphanage or industrial school and didn't ever know these basic details.
We know he was raised in Liverpool.
I'm looking for some help or a few research tips.
Has anyone researched workhouse/orphanage registers in Liverpool before? Any ideas would be appreciated.
Also I've heard it was common practice for Irish women who had fallen pregnant to go to Liverpool to have their child born, leave it at an orphanage and return to Ireland.
I know that's speculation, but is it without substance?
Many thanks in advance for any ideas any more experience people may have

[Romilly]

Hi Rob,

If you give the names and dates that you have for your Grandfather, - it will make it easier for people on here to help you.

Romilly.

[robjones]

Many thanks for your reply.
Frank Horton b 1891-1892
Lived at 23, Harbord St in 1914 (according to WWI Pension Records)
Married Elisabeth McArdle St Ambrose Church, Widnes, May 15th 1915
Catholic Marriage to Elisabeth McArdle 10th Aug 1919
Met Edith Ethel Jones during 1920's & had 5 children all born in Liverpool between 1925-1936
Married Edith Ethel Jones in Slough 25 November 1939
Died Slough March 1949 (Aged 51 - making his DoB 1898?)

Its a very complicated story, this one. DoB changes regularly, names are changed (sometimes he's Frank Horton, sometimes it's Frank Jones -  it's a real challenge finding this man, that's why i think he was orphaned and didn't know the fundamental details of his life and I wonder if somneone can shed any light at all on this)

Many thanks again

[Craclyn]

Have you managed to find him in the censuses? It may be helpful to see where he was and what age was given for him then. If you can find him in 1901 then that should give a more accurate indication of his real age as he would be too young for misleading information to be accepted.

[avm228]

Hi

What details were given of his next of kin (and of his birthplace, if given) in the 1914 military records, and of his father in 1915, 1919 and 1939?

Had Elisabeth died by the time he remarried in 1939?

Who were the witnesses to the various marriages?

[KGarrad]

On his first marriage, to Elizabeth Mary McArdle, Frank is age 24.
Address 26 William Street, Widnes.
Witnesses: Joseph Wilkinson and Lilian Marsh.
Father: Walter Horton (deceased)

Marriage certificate is attached to a tree on Ancestry!

[robjones]

Hi there
I cant find a definitive census entry in 1901 or 1911, there are Frank Hortons around, but not in Liverpool with that DoB. There are some with the year of birth matching, but living in Birmingham

On WWI record, place of birth was Edge Hill, Father was a deceased labourer (walter)
In his first marriage father was Walter
In his second marriage father was William
1st Marriage witnesses Lilian Marsh and Joseph Wilkinson
2nd Marriage was a Mr Maddern and (i'll dig out the other name in a short while)

[lyn22]

On family search there is a Workhouse admission 1904 Frances Horton Lancashire. Take Care Lynette

[robjones]

Many thanks for all your assistance.

Yes Elisabeth mcArdle died in 1923. Frank then met Mrs Jones, while she was still married (to Arthur Jones). Frank fathered one or two children with Mrs Jones then Mr Jones discovered Frank and his wife together and leaves the scene.

Frank Horton pretends to be Frank Jones on my fathers birth certificate (Robert Henry Jones) in March 1929 but by my fathers baptism, he changes back to Frank Horton.

and the 1939 NHS survey came back with a DoB that didnt match his DoB on the war records?

So it's a riddle alright.