Hi everyone,
I think I've written here about this relative before, but I've had an update as I just received a marriage certificate that I applied for. I would appreciate other pairs of eyes looking over this.
I am trying to work out the puzzle of Robert Grayton. (Sometimes written as Graton or Graden). He is my 3x Great Grandfather.
I have found him across 4 census records.
1861
Living in Sunderland. Aged 23, living with his wife Maria A. Working as a mariner ____ (word I can't read). Says his birthplace was Sunderland.
Household schedule number118 Piece3778 Folio13 Page number 19
1871
He is absent, possibly at sea. However his wife Maria A is there, living in Sunderland with their two children and is listed as 'seamans wife'. Here, the family name is given as Graden.
Household schedule number376 Piece5008 Folio93 Page number69
1881
Absent again, possibly at sea. His wife Maria A is there, living in Sunderland, again described as a seaman's wife. This time with 4 children.
Piece4994 Folio89 Page number58
1891
This time he is at home, with Maria A, two of their children and a grandchild. He is described as a 'mariner'. Again gives his birthplace as Sunderland.
Piece4134 Folio123
1901
Living with his wife Maria A and no one else. Birthplace given as Sunderland.
Piece4713Folio28Page number47Household schedule number316
1911
Living in Sunderland with his wife Maria A. Described as mariner on old age pension. Birthplace given as Notts Nottingham.
Registration District Number555Sub-registration districtSunderland EastED, institution, or vessel25Piece30206
Other Details
Some years ago, I found a marriage record that I believed fit. It was for the 26th August 1860, in Sunderland.
I have just received the certificate today and it says that Robert Grayton married a Maria Ann Turner. His father was Charles Grayton (deceased) and he has the occupation of Seaman. His deceased father was a joiner.
I tried to use this information to look for a birth record for Robert, but the only one that turns up is one in St George, Hulme, Lancashire, which is apparently near Manchester. I looked at the record and it has Charles Grayton being a joiner - which would fit.
But that's over 100 miles away. So it can't be right, can it?
But why did Robert say he was born in Sunderland and then decide he was born in Nottingham?
Have I got entirely the wrong marriage record? Is that what the problem is?