Your Thoughts on Census, no sign of husband or first child

[avm228]

A relative of mine, Joseph Steele was born in 1863 to Jonathan Steele and Elizabeth Kennedy. He was born in Carlisle, Cumberland, but went to Lancashire and married a Alice Thompson around 1891 and had children, Jonathan 1892, Bessie Alice 1893 and Ethel 1899. Jonathan was born in Cumberland, but the others were born in Lancashire.

Married Jun qtr 1891 Salford, by the looks of it.

Children:

Jonathan Steele, mmn Thompson, Dec qtr 1891 Carlisle
Bessie Alice Steele, mmn Thompson, Dec qtr 1893 Lichfield
Arthur Steele, mmn Thompson, Jun qtr 1895 Carlisle (possibly)
Ethel Steele, mmn Thompson, Sep qtr 1899 Barton upon Irwell
Joseph Steele, mmn Thompson, Jun qtr 1901 Barton upon Irwell (possibly). Died same quarter

[avm228]

Alice is listed as housekeeper. Why do you think the illegitimate children are Mr Walton's?

Thye are listed as illegitimate son and daughters of the head of household - so it seems a fair inference.

[avm228]

Peter Walton, born 3 Apr 1859 at Bowden, Cheshire and baptised at Lymm (Primitive Methodist) had married Mary Ann Allen Hewitt at Bowden in 1879.  She’s down as Margaret in 1901 but a match in every other way to his wife Mary A in 1881 & 1891 - b abt 1855 Dunham Massey, Cheshire - so likely an enumerator error.

They had lots of children but she was husbandless (still “married”) in the last census.

Her possible death as Mary A Walton is Mar qtr 1919 Barton upon Irwell.

[BumbleB]

There is an anomaly related to the children, image not easy to read either:

Peter Walton - 12 years 5 total, 3 alive, 2 died
Alice Steele -  19, 10, 7, 3     12, 5, 7, 3

6 children individually named, all with surname Steele - the eldest two are said to be "daughters of Alice Steele by her husband". 

[avm228]

I think they couldn’t decide whether to put Alice’s fertility numbers down as 10/7/3 (presumably her total children) or 5/3/2 (to match Peter’s).

[avm228]

Birth registrations for the latter children:

Alice Steele, mmn Thompson, Mar qtr 1904 Chorlton
Peter Steele, mmn Thompson, Mar qtr 1905 Chorlton.  Death reg as Peter Walton Steele, Sep qtr 1905
Leonard Steele, mmn Thompson, Jun qtr 1908 Chorlton
Edith Steele, mmn Thompson, Sep qtr 1909 Chorlton
Ivy Walton Steele, no mmn, Dec qtr 1910 Chorlton

[avm228]

A later child: Peter Walton Steele, mmn Thompson, registered Mar qtr 1915 Chorlton.

Born 25 November 1914, died 21 February 1991 Salford.

[sirsimon]

The numbers crossed out 19 10 7 3 seem to be correct if you count all the Steele children and Joseph and Alice did marry 19 years by 1911.

Perhaps by getting most of the certificates, this might clarify everything.
 
Alice seems to be alive in 1939, but widowed. She is living with Peter Walton Steele. I think he married Maude M Gearey

Son Leonard died in Sept quarter 1915 aged 7

[BumbleB]

Alice is still alive in 1939.