Lookup Request: William James Cowin, born circa 1844

[History Lives]

Hi there, I'm looking for some assistance tracing the parents of William James Cowin, who was born circa 1844 (according to later census records). He moved from the IOM to Birkenhead, Wirral and married Isabella Cubbon. Census records state he was born in Douglas, IOM. Unsure whether they married on IOM or mainland though she was also Manx.

I think I have found earlier census records from when he was living on the island with his grandparents, here is the one for 1861, though there is also one for 1851 and 1871 too. However, none of these records list William's father or mother, and I am struggling to bridge this gap and find the generation between James Cowin and William James.

Any help would be greatly appreciated as I have been stuck on this for quite a while.

James
Cowin
Head
Married
Male
70
1791
Gardener
Isle of Man, Isle of Man

Catharine
Cowin
Wife
Married
Female
69
1792
Gardeners Wife
Isle of Man, Isle of Man

Eleanor
Cowin
Daughter
Unmarried
Female
30
1831
Sempstress
Isle of Man, Isle of Man

Jane
Craine
Daughter
Married
Female
25
1836
Stone Masons Wife
Isle of Man, Isle of Man

William Jas
Cowin
Grandson
Unmarried
Male
17
1844
Plasterer
Isle of Man, Isle of Man

[Milliepede]

Could this be their marriage

Sep 1878 Birkenhead 8a 375

William Cowin
Isabella Cubbin
James McCrink
Mary Ann McLeavy

[Milliepede]

Bit of info online

William Cowin age 34 labourer Wood St Birkenhead
son of John Cowin engine driver

married 9 Jul 1878 Methodist Chapel

Isabella age 32 Oxton Rd Birkenhead
daughter of William Cubbin joiner deceased

[History Lives]

Thanks Millipede, I will see what more I can dig out with this info.

It seems that some of William's children were born several years before 1878, so I think Isabella was his second wife. Looks like a William Cowin also married a Mary Cowell (possible first wife)

I'll see if I can find any info about John Cowin (engine driver)

[KGarrad]

Catherine (1875), John James (1876), Mary A (1878) all have Mother's Maiden Name of Cowell.
William (1880) has a mmn of Cubbin.

Mary Ann Cowin died in Birkenhead Registration District in March qtr 1878, age 38.

So, it was a very quick marriage?

[History Lives]

It seems Mary Ann Cowell and William Cowin married in 1872 in Birkenhead.

Yes, it seems he remarried very soon (6 months) after Mary Ann's death; not very romantic :/

As for William's father John, who his marriage record states is an engine driver, I'm having trouble locating him

[Milliepede]

Is it possible Elinor Cowin 49 unmarried in 1871 was his mother 

It could be William gave his grandfather James as father but I can't see where the engine driver bit comes in. 

Would be helpful to know what father he put for his first marriage.

[History Lives]

William also put down "John Cowin, Engine Driver" as his father on his first marriage on 23rd of November 1872, also in Birkenhead.

Did a keyword search on Findmypast and not having any luck so far

[rosie99]

Is it possible Elinor Cowin 49 unmarried in 1871 was his mother 

This is worth looking at

James & Catherine (nee Collister) baptised the following daughters, do you have any evidence of them having sons and when did these daughters marry
Mary 11 Jun 1815
Eleanor 11 Mar 1821
Cath 18 Jan 1824
Jane 10 Apr 1831