LF James Dickson (Dixon) Clewes - York, 1921

[skb]

Sorry to butt in here. Is there any possibility that James spent some time in England?

I have a distant relative in my tree - Blanche Elizabeth Lewis who married a James Dickson Clewes in 1902 in Fulham. There is also a marriage between a James Dickson Clewes and Ada Sabina Boorman in 1898 in Chelsea, but Ada seems to have died in Liverpool later in 1898.

I haven't found James Dickson Clewes on any other British census or BMD records, but as you've noted it's not always an easy name to track down.

[lorrainec]

Hello!
Thank you for your interest.  I don't think your JD Clewes is mine ... he was married to Helen in 1902 in Canada ...

[skb]

Thanks anyway.

Back to the drawing board I think.

[skb]

Hello again.

I've just got a copy of the marriage certificate of my James Dickson Clewes to Blanche Elizabeth Lewis.

Marriage was 3 July 1902 at Fulham Register Office. James gives his details as widower, aged 28, occupation plumber(master), father John Clewes also plumber(master).

I notice from familysearch that the Canadian marriage of James Dickson Clewes to Ellen/Helen was in December 1911.

Might they be the same person after all?

[lorrainec]

oh my word!  Maybe so!  Can you tell me what else is on the marriage cert?
I know that my James married Ellen in 1911, had 3 children and then Ellen died in 1919.

If he went to England early in the 1900's and married your lady, did they have any family?
When did Blanche die?

That would mean he was married at least 3 times if he states he was a widower in 1902!.
That might also explain why I can't find him on the 1891 Canada census - perhaps he was in England then.  Is Blanche from England?

hmmm

[skb]

The only other information relating to James on the marriage certificate is his address: Vera Road, Fulham (House number not very clear, possibly 11B).

Blanche is Blanche Elizabeth Lewis, aged 21, same address, father Osmund Lewis (deceased), father's occupation Lawyer's Clerk.

Witnesses were Amy Randall and M Durrant.

Blanche was born in Battersea and the family lived at various addresses in Battersea, Pimlico and Chelsea.

I don't think there were any children from the marriage, but I can't find Blanche on the 1911 British census, and I can't find James on any British census.

As for Blanche's death -hmmm. Well there is a Blanche Elizabeth Clewes of the right sort of age who died in Lambeth Hospital in 1927. The entry in the National Probate Calendar says she was the wife of James. Can't say for certain it's the same Blanche but what would the implications of that be?

[lorrainec]

Could be lots of implications .... may also not be the same people!
If I could only find him on the 1921 Canada census, or any 1921 census for that matter!

I do love genealogical mysteries!

[lorrainec]

There are 2 James Clewes on the Canada 1921 census but neither is mine.  Perhaps one is yours?

[skb]

Yes I like a mystery too.

I think this one may take a while to solve.