Disappearance of Caroline Starkey

[Zakerias]

Caroline Starkey was born in 1836 and was the daughter of Michael and Elizabeth Starkey of Twycross, Leicestershire. I have information on her whereabouts until 1861 (census), after that she mysteriously vanishes. She had at least one daughter (Elizabeth Starkey illegit. b. 1855 d.1904) but may have also had a son John illegit(?) (listed as grandson in 1861 when Caroline was living with her parents). John’s birthplace is listed as 1859 and birth city is Bosworth. This John Starkey may be the Boarder in the 1871 census in Trent Vale, Staffordshire (age 13 from Market Bosworth). Her parents and daughter ended their days in Atherstone, Warwickshire.

I’m not sure if Caroline died or she got married? All the searches I’ve done haven’t helped. Whatever happened, I’m guessing she moved away.. I'm quickly running out of options, my next method of attack was to research John and ascertain if he was Caroline's son and what happened to him, in an attempt to find Caroline.

• Baptism - 6 Mar 1836 Saint James, Twycross FHL Film Number 595289
• 1841 Census - Twycross Piece 603 Book 16 Folio 1 Page Number 16
• 1851 Census - Twycross Piece 2083 Folio 197 Page Number 35
• 1861 Census - Twycross Piece 2264 Folio 55 Page Number 3
• John Starkey (possible son) - 1858 Apr-May-Jun Market Bosworth Volume 7a Page 64
• Elizabeth Oldacre Starkey (daughter) - 1855 Jan-Feb-Mar Atherstone Volume 6d Page 341

There is more information on her daughter Elizabeth in this thread:
https://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=849729.0

[CaroleW]

According to a tree on Ancestry she died 1906

Caroline Starkey aged 72 June qtr 1906 Ashby de la Zouch 7a 61

However - I think that Caroline Starkey was b Kings Heath Worcs & was the wife of William & living in Leics 1901

[Comberton]

1863 marriage at Twycross of her sister Clara to Thomas Harrold, Caroline Starkey was a witness. Father for Clara is Michael, Parish clerk as on baptisms 1846-48, Other witness was Samuel Starkey.

[Comberton]

The 1871 census for John Starkey age 13 is in the household of Thomas & Clara Harrold, his uncle and aunt in Stoke upon Trent.
2870/79/34

[Comberton]

1881 John Starkey as John S Harold still with Thomas & Clara
2728/70/28

[Zakerias]

The 1871 census for John Starkey age 13 is in the household of Thomas & Clara Harrold, his uncle and aunt in Stoke upon Trent.
2870/79/34

Hi Comberton

I didn't notice he was boarding at his aunt and uncle's house in 1871/81. I had a look at John last night and found him to have lived out his life in and around Stoke upon Trent in Staffordshire. I've requested his birth certificate via GRO to confirm that he is the son of Caroline (it seems likely) and who possibly the father is.

So her daughter Elizabeth, married John Reid from Atherstone in 1871 and her residence is in Atherstone in 1871 census. Her son John is living with his aunt and uncle in Trent Vale in 1871 census. Caroline is no where to be found.

So the vanishing has happened somewhere between 19th Jan 1863 (witness at marriage of Thomas and Clara in Twycross) - 1871 census..

Oh and I have the parish records of Twycross but there is no mention of her after 1863

[Annie65115]

have you seen/discounted this one?

Marriages Dec 1864   
Adams    James        Birmingham    6d   204    
Goddard    James         Birmingham    6d   204    
Starkey    Caroline         Birmingham    6d   204   
Warren    Mary Ann         Birmingham    6d   204   

--- no, forget that. I've found the cert online and this Caroline Starkey was a widow when she married James Adams; her father was John Parker, a boat builder, and both witnesses were Parkers.

[CaroleW]

That Caroline was 24 & a widow.  Father was John Porter/Parker

[Zakerias]

Hi all

Update on John Starkey courtesy of the GRO

He was born out of wedlock and the father is not listed on the birth certificate. However, his mother is listed as Clara Starkey, so he is not Caroline's son. He was born in a union workhouse in Market Bosworth.

Unsure how a person can disappear so easily. Perhaps Caroline's name was incorrectly spelt when she died or got married? Caroline can be abbreviated to Carol, Carole or misspelt as Carolyn. Starkey seems harder to get wrong, saying that, given the handwriting, it could be misinterpreted. After all, the Starkey family are listed as the Rackey family in the 1861 census.