Henry Packer b.1863 Somerset

[Tessa Spencer]

I'm looking for friend's great grandfather. Details on his marriage certificate (1888) from St Andrews Church, Montpellier, Barton Regis, say he was born 1863 and was a baker. He married Martha Hill b.1867 Radstock.
His father was Thomas Packer, photographer, who appears to be a witness at the wedding. I can't find a Thomas Packer before 1888 who fits, or any reference to his son Henry.
I have all the census details for Henry after this but can't find him before. On the 1891 census he says he was born in Horfield, in the 1901 census he says Bristol, in 1911 he says Radstock.
There is a 1881 census entry that give someone answering his description living in Bristol, son of John and Charlotte Pipe with two brothers with different surnames. All very confusing. Can anyone help please?

[rosie99]

It really helps us if when mentioning census you give a reference number and details as to where he is living at the time.

1891 living Westbury on Trym
RG12/1987 f31 p18

1881 living Leek Lane, Bristol
RG11/2472 f132 p11

[guest189040]

There is an 1871 census record of a Thomas b1835 with Ann Sophia and a son transcribed as Henery hence be flexible with your searching

Also Thomas may well not be a Photographer is earlier census records, do remember that Photography was in its infancy at this time.

Sharing more info on what you have will help all who are trying to help you.

I have spent over 30 minutes finding the details of what you have given us to see what additional data I can gleam from the records.

[heywood]

There is an 1871 census record of a Thomas b1835 with Ann Sophia and a son transcribed as Henery hence be flexible with your searching

Colin,
I can’t find this - do you have the reference please?

[rosie99]

There is an 1871 census record of a Thomas b1835 with Ann Sophia and a son transcribed as Henery hence be flexible with your searching

Colin,
I can’t find this - do you have the reference please?

RG10/5460 f17 p6

That Thomas is a house decorator.  The enumerator has written Henery

[heywood]

Found that family - in Wales. I was searching England.

1871 5460/16/6

Henery Packer 3 yrs born Swansea

**
The Marriage witness could also be a brother 

[rosie99]

Henry son of Thomas and Ann Sophia was baptised Henry Charles Packer - born 17th June 1867.
...

[Tessa Spencer]

This is the information I found after his marriage:
1891 Henry, baker, 50 Oxford Court, Bristol, St Michael. Wife Martha, children Henry and Lilian Rose
1901 Henry, painter's labourer, 4 Oxford Buildings, Bristol St Michael. Wife Martha, children Lilian, Daisy, Albert and Alfred
1911 Henry, painter's labourer, 7 Cottage Place, Montague Hill, Bristol St James. Wife Martha, children Lilian Rose, Arthur, Daisy, Albert and Alfred
I found the 1881 entry but rejected it because John and Charlotte Pipe had 2 other 'sons' and all three boys had a different surname. Could they have been adopted?
I will go through the other the information you found.
Can you explain what the numbers after the date of the census are (the reference numbers you mention) so I can use them in future. I'm just an amateur, helping friends to find their past.

[rosie99]

Can you explain what the numbers after the date of the census are (the reference numbers you mention) so I can use them in future. I'm just an amateur, helping friends to find their past.

Explanation here 
https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/help-with-your-research/research-guides/census-records/
11. The National Archives references for censuses

Using them when requesting information makes our life easier as we can just put the numbers into the appropriate search page.