I'm hoping someone can help with some suggestions on a very annoying brickwall I have been trying to get through for some time.
My ancestor Joseph Reuben Deakin was born approx 1853 in Bristol. Name is frequently spelt Deakin, Deacon, Deaken etc
He had 5 children, Charles b1878, Joseph Alexander b1880, William Ernest b1884, Harriett Amelia Elizabeth b1886 and Nellie Augusta b1889, with Elizabeth Deakin nee Taynton.
On the children's birth certificates he is variously described as a Theatrical messenger, Labourer, Painter, General Labourer, Theatrical scene shifter etc
I cannot reliably find him in the censuses prior to 1881 - in 1881 he is at Pear Tree St, Lambeth, with Elizabeth, Charles and Joseph (which ties in with birth certificate addresses).
His exact birth year and location are confusing as the different sources disagree somewhat: I believe he was born in Bristol in the 1850s based on the majority of sources, but it's a challenge! On 1891 census, aged 34, he is at 38 Burdett Chambers, Lambeth, born Gloucestershire, Bristol, 1901 census aged 53, at 52 Broadwall, Lambeth, born Bristol, Glos, and 1911 census aged 66 at Long Lane Bermondsey b Birmingham Warwick. I've not found his death but he witnessed a marriage in 1916.
I believe he may be on the 1861 census on Temple Street, Bristol aged 7, child of a Joseph Deakin aged 50, widow and Bellows Maker. Joseph senior appears to be from Warwick, whereas Joseph Junior (Joey) is from Bristol.
The final bit of evidence is the marriage certificate with Elizabeth, in 1881, aged 28, son of Joseph Deakin a bellows maker. On this Joseph is a painter.
So the evidence is annoyingly somewhat contradictory, but having checked 4/5 children's birth certificates and the marriage certificates, I believe the family group is correct.
I cannot locate his birth, and I cannot find him on the 1871 census to help solidify the links.
Thoughts / suggestions much appreciated!
Peter