I appreciate this is a long shot but I’m looking for any advice or ideas to help solve a long-standing family mystery. I’m helping a friend trying to find any information about her grandfather Edward Taylor who “disappeared” in the early 1930s in the Manchester area. Until recently all she knew about Edward Taylor was his name, that he married her grandmother in 1921, they had 3 children (born from 1924 to 1931), and Edward had worked in the rubber industry.
Recently, from lots of research and DNA matching, we’ve discovered where/when he was born, his parents and found him on 1881 census. However, we can’t find any definite sign of Edward between 1881 census and his 1921 marriage, and also nothing definite about him after his 1930s disappearance.
The family story is that Edward left home when his children were very young (in early 1930s) and “was never seen or heard of again”. My friend says that her mum never mentioned him as far as she can remember, and there are no known photographs of Edward. There are numerous family tales/rumours (without any evidence) that Edward was a forger and played the violin. That he was “a bit of a musician” going round the local pubs earning extra money. Also, that he was well known in the Longsight area if anyone wanted letters writing or anything “copying” then Edward (or “Ted”) Taylor would do it. It’s also claimed that he used to go away for long spells at a time, and that he went to America a lot and could speak several languages. Also that he had worked for the Royal Mint.
The information we have relating to Edward is:-
Birth (GRO Index). Edward Taylor, mother’s maiden name HOYLAND, 1873 March Qtr., Chorlton.
Baptism. 11 Mar 1875 St Stephen, Hulme. Edward Taylor, parents John Taylor & Sydonia. Edward noted as being “about 2years old”. (John & Sydonia had 2 other children, Alice born 1871 & Elizabeth born 1874, died 1875. They were all baptised at same time as Edward).
1881 Census. 104, Lower Broughton Rd Salford. Head is Edward’s father John Taylor, 32, Doctor Maker (apparently this is a scraper tool used in printing machines). Edward shown as son, age 8, born Salford. John is with his 2nd wife Ellen (Metcalfe) plus 3 Metcalfe children and 2 other Taylor children (from John & Ellen marriage). Edward was from John’s first marriage in 1870 to Sydonia Hoyland who died in 1874.
Marriage Certificate. 5 Sept 1921 Chorlton Register Office. Edward Taylor married Catherine Rochford, widow, age 27. Edward shown as age 46, bachelor, Rubber Worker of 19 Broom Street, Ardwick. (His wife’s maiden name was Catherine/Kate Barrett, previously married to Martin Rochford who died 1919).
During 1920s, Edward with his wife and children lived at various Manchester addresses - Brunswick Street, Ardwick and Egerton Terrace, Fallowfield. Edward was a Rubber Mixer. Information from children’s birth certificates.
Marriage certificate of Edward’s daughter, Sept. 1940. This shows her father Edward Taylor, Rubber Worker, as “deceased” but there’s some doubt whether this was true.
I can provide more information about Edward’s parents, and ancestors further back, if that would help. His father John Taylor is on 1891, 1901 & 1911 census in various addresses in Broughton, Salford. He’s with daughter Alice in 1891, living with boarders in 1901 & 1911. There’s no sign of Edward.
To summarise, what we’re trying to find out is:-
- any information about Edward after 1881 census until his marriage in 1921
- what happened to Edward after 1931
We’ve searched census records, electoral rolls, passenger lists, BMDs etc but can’t find anything that fits Edward.
Any advice or suggestions would be most welcome … or if any of this rings a bell with someone!!
Thanks …… Malcolm
