Elizabeth Ellen Pascoe

[mullion cove]

Hi,
I'm trying to trace the history of Elizabeth Ellen Pascoe nee Williams, born 1947 Wendron, Cornwall.  Her parents were Elizabeth Jane and Soloman Williams. Elizabeth E. married George Pascoe (b 1867) in 1900.  I believe George Pascoe was a Miner, possibly a Diamond Miner.  He travelled back and forth to South Africa. They had 4 children George Redvers (bPercy Glyn, John., Elizabeth Isla . Family stories say that 2 of the children were born in S. Africa although in the 1911 census Elizabeth is living alone in Newlyn with the 4 children who she describes as "British subjects".Elizabeth travels to Mullion Cornwall, meets John Downing and in 1916 they have twins Kitty and Betty Downing. I can find no divorce for Elizabeth, she marries John D in 1923. Record shows that George returned to UK 1919 and dies 1925. Was there ever a divorce? And why the long wait to remarry? Help please!

[avm228]

Welcome to Rootschat

Just to get the starting information right, I think there must be a typo in the birthdate you give for Elizabeth:

I'm trying to trace the history of Elizabeth Ellen Pascoe nee Williams, born 1947 Wendron, Cornwall. 

I have had a look and I think she was actually born in 1882 - her birth registered Sep qtr 1882 Launceston.  Does that fit with what you know?

[avm228]

How unhelpful of Elizabeth not to cite birthplaces for her children in 1911!  They would have been British subjects whether born in the UK or in South Africa (a British dominion at that time).

[Milliepede]

And why the long wait to remarry?

The dates don't quite tie up - remarriage 1923 death of spouse 1925 * -  but often it was a wait until the previous spouse passed away. 

* Is the George death 1925 the spouse or the son?

[avm228]

Here they are in Wendron in 1901:

George Pascoe Head Mar 34 Living on own means Sithney Cornwall
Elizabeth E do Wife Mar 20 Mawgan Cornwall
George R do Son 5mo Wendron Cornwall

RG13/2232/7/5.

[avm228]

The son George Redvers Pascoe lived until 1979.

His birthdate of 13 November 1900 means he would already have been on the way when the couple married in Jun qtr 1900.

[mullion cove]

Sorry, Elizabeth Ellen born 1882 daughter of Elizabeth and Hannibal Williams
George Pascoe's recorded death in 1925 is the Husband.  The story goes that he deserted Elizabeth and she then met with John Downing and had the twins.  It looks as if there was 7 years between the birth of the twins and the marriage to John Downing. Would that be a time frame for declaring George dead? 
He returns to England in 1919 but I suppose not necessarily to Elizabeth.  I just find it strange that I can't find a divorce or anything.  Was bigamy commonplace, I wonder if that would have been possible in an area as tightly knit as Mullion Cove would have been.

[mullion cove]

So hope I have replied to the correct place - new to this!

[avm228]

Yes, you're doing it perfectly 

Having found George Redvers' birth details at reply #5, here are the later children:

Percy Glyn Pascoe, born 19 Dec 1902, not registered in England.
John Pascoe, born 22 Dec 1904, birth reg Mar qtr 1905 Helston, mmn Williams.
Elizabeth Isla Pascoe (married name Bosustow) born 06 Feb 1907, not registered in England.