Todmorden canal suicide 1929?

[Althea7]

Rounding up ages to the nearest five years isn’t typical in censuses.

Are you sure the 1891 Fred you have found is the same as the Fred in 1901/1911?  (I haven’t looked at the entries).

I will have a close check through all the censuses and my other information later today.  No I am not sure.  I remember being told that Fred Smith was a gypsy, and also that they often didn't register births.  So maybe they didn't want to register marriages either?  Otherwise there seems no reason why Fred and Mary didn't get married.

[avm228]

The both claim to be widowed in the last census, so perhaps he had been married to someone else?

[avm228]

Was this Mary’s marriage?

Mary Walker & Thomas Howarth, Jun qtr 1869 Rochdale

She still claims to be married in 1901, so there’s one reason not to marry Fred.

[avm228]

Children for Mary:

Mary Ellen Howarth 1871
John Howarth c 1874
Jesse Howarth c 1876
Ruth Ada Howarth mmn Walker Jun qtr 1879 Rochdale
James Willie Heyworth [sic] mmn Walker Sep qtr 1883 Rochdale
Arthur Howarth mmn Walker Dec qtr 1885 Rochdale
Adam Howarth mmn Walker Mar qtr 1888 Rochdale
Ada Howarth mmn Walker Dec qtr 1889 Rochdale

[avm228]

You do have the right Fred in 1891 because he is already “lodging” with Mary and her children.  She is married but head of household so it looks as though her husband has already left.  Lodging may be a cover for cohabitation between Mary and Fred.

RG12/3343/135/36.

[avm228]

Here is Mary with her husband in 1871, which seems to be the last census sighting of them:

Cheetham Hill, Spotland: RG10/4131/107/48

Thomas Howarth Head Mar 21 Cotton weaver Lancs Bridge Mills
Mary do Wife Mar 20 Cotton weaver Derbyshire Belper
Mary E do Daur 3wks Lancashire Facit