Charles Harding... unlocatable before 1864

[Katie Steele]

Hello,

I've recently come across a difficult ancestor and as much as I like a challenge I really can't seem to solve this one.

Charles Harding bn1842 Middlesex he married Lucy Rowley in 1864 Dudley, Worcestershire. On his marrage certificate his father is Thomas Harding, contractor. He marries again in 1884, and states the same father & occupation.  Charles' occupation is boatman.  I have looked for baptisms with Charles father Thomas to no avail... I have searched 1861 census hoping that at aged 19 he'd be a boatman and hopefully easier to find, but nope.
I saw his children stated as nephew on the 1891 census after the death of his first wife. I almost got excited... but nope it was his wifes family.

The only census I can't find Charles on after 1861 is the 1891. All his births apart from in the 1911 census state Middlesex. One looks like it says Willesden and another one Appleton Valley.

Have I missed something? or am I looking in the wrong place altogether?

Thanks, Katie

[avm228]

1840-41 looks a more likely birthdate than 1842, from the censuses:

1871 (in Tipton, Staffs): Charles Harding, 39 b Middlesex
1881 (in Tipton, Staffs): Charles Harding, 42 b Wilsden [sic], Middlesex
1901 (in Warley, Worcs): Charles Harding, 60 b Appleton Valley, Middlesex


What birthplace does he give in 1911?

[Katie Steele]

In 1911 his birth place is Langley, Worcs... but he is boarder at a house with his son. So I'd assume this not to be accurate.

I took his birth year from the marriage certificate, he is aged 22 and married 19 Dec 1864. On his second marriage he is aged 41 on the 25th Dec 1864 (Although marrying a 28 year old so potentialy wanted to a be a little bit closer to her age).

[avm228]

Who were the witnesses to the first marriage?

[heywood]

There is this one:

1851 1700/404/4  - living Willesden

Charles Harding 13 yrs b Sudbury, Middlesex

With parents Richard and Mary plus siblings.
Richard is a Contractor and Beer house keeper

[heywood]

I can’t find the family in 1861.
However several of the children have Ray as a middle name - mother’s name as Jones so not her surname.
Rebecca Ray Harding married Charles Price Wells in 1875, St a Thomas, Stepney

Her father named as Thomas Ray Harding, Contractor.

[heywood]

Thomas Ray Harding married twice in quick succession

7th March 1837 - Harriet Jenney

GRO has  1838 birth Harding with mmn Jenney. Free BMD has this birth as Charles Harding.

Thomas then married Mary Jones 18th March 1841, Little Stanmore, Harrow
He was a Widower and Surveyor.

[Annette7]

1851 Census - Willesden, Middlesex

Richard (??) Harding      60      Contractor - Beer House Keeper       b. Chaldon (??end hard to read),
                                                                                                           Bucks.
Mary Harding  34                                                                         b. Chalfont, Bucks.
Charles Harding 13       Home Scholar                        b. Sudbury, Middlesex
Mary E. Harding  9                                                           ditto
Robert Harding  8                                                             ditto
William Harding  3                                                             ditto
Rebecca Harding 2                                                             ditto

Why Thomas Ray is shown as 'Richard' have no idea - Robert, William and Rebecca all had second name Ray, plus a John Ray Harding born Jun.qtr.1851 and a Thomas Ray Harding born Mar.qtr.1845 (died 1845 as plain Thomas) - all show mmn as Jones and all registered in Hendon.

Charles Harding's mother Harriet (nee Jenney) died Sept.qtr.1839 Hendon aged 26 years.
However, Thomas Ray Harding was a widower when he married her too in 1837.

I have found a Thomas Harding who married a Hannah Ray 6/4/1761 Whaddon, Bucks. and they had two children baptised there too: Hannah 11/4/1762 and Thomas 2/9/1764.   When Thomas Ray Harding (per census bc.1791) married his 3rd. wife his father is shown as Thomas Ray Harding, farmer so I'm guessing the latter is the Thomas born 1764 to to Thomas & Hannah.   This explains where the name 'Ray' came from.

Annette

 

[Eyesee]

Harrow on the Hill baptism
1838 Dec 23
Charles, s/o Thomas & Harriett HARDING, Appleton?, Laborer.

All Souls Cemetery, kensal Green
Harriot Jenny HARDING, Appleton?, Harrow on the Hill, Middlesex, buried 16 Jul 1839 age 26.

Ian C