Henry Stafford and Mary Ann Pearson

[hgs46]

Trying to find more information of daughter Clara who I think was born and baptised in 1873 (St John the Baptist, Coventry) to Henry Stafford and Mary Ann Pearson. She appears in 1891 Census described as Stepdaughter to Robert Henry Joines, head, 47, watch jeweller, at Sherborne Street, Coventry. In 1911 Census she is an Inmate at Church Stretton, Shropshire with Charles Smith, 41, mar, born Robertsbridge, Sussex, dau. Marie Smith, 3, and son Charles Arthur Smith, 1, born Sittingbourne. This Census states she was married 20 years, had 11 children, 7 living. I have found only 5 and trying to help a daughter of child Ada born 1905. Few facts appear to have been passed on. A son emigrated to Canada in 1924, aged 15, under auspices of Catholic Emigration Society

[rosie99]

SMITH, CHARLES  ARTHUR     mmn STAFFORD 
GRO Reference: 1909  Sept Quarter in MILTON  Volume 02A  Page 1007

ADDED
Marriage Dec qtr 1891   
Smith    Ambrose       
Stafford    Clara       
Coventry    6d   990

Who are the children that you have located

[hgs46]

I’m glad you think that’s possibly him. I gather Milton is close to Sittingbourne. A family story, alas, had me looking in Maidstone, Kent, and his passenger notes said he was from Oxford. Many thanks.

[hgs46]

Sorry. Clara (1897), Eveline/Eva (1902), Ada (1905), Marie (1907) and Charles Arthur.  There might be sad stories attached to family, so I’m proceeding with care.

[osprey]

so they seem to move around a bit

birth reg
Eva May jun qtr 1901 Maidstone mmn Stafford
Ada Smith march qtr 1905 Sevenoaks mmn Stafford

1911 census has Marie's place of birth as Ebbw Vale, Glamorgan. It's in Monmouthshire, but no birth reg in Glam or Mon for a female Smith with mmn Stafford
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:X72H-J4H

Also Clara born 1897 not showing up in GRO index. Do you know where she was born?

1911 census for Ambrose Smith with son Ambrose
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XWZV-6FL

Catholic baptism 29 April 1892 Ambrose son of Ambrose Smith and Clara formerly Stafford

CoE baptism 6 Dec 1893 Mary Ann daughter of Ambrose, machinist, & Clara Smith
Catholic baptism(conditional) 14 June 1896 Mary Ann born 13 Nov 1893 daughter of Ambrose Smith and Clara formerly Stafford

So Charles Smith from 1911 census doesn't appear to be the man Clara married in 1891.

[osprey]

notice in the Coventry Evening Telegraph 29 Sept 1896
"I, Ambrose Smith, of 45 Spon Street, Coventry will not be responsible for any debts contracted by my wife, Clara, after this date."

same paper 23 Oct 1896
"Alleged Assault by a Wife - Clara Smith, lodging at 45 Spon St was summoned for assaulting her husband... She appeared to be under the influence of liquor... she then struck him in the face and he left her. His wife followed him and struck him again... He then left her and had not since lived with her. - The bench dismissed the case

same paper 14 Feb 1898
"Late on Sunday night, Ambrose Smith of 2, 16 court, Gosford Street, informed them (the police) that his wife, Clara Smith, left home about 12.30 Saturday afternoon, and despite the inquiries he had made he had not been able to find any trace of her whereabouts. The woman's relatives are at a loss to account for her disappearance"

same paper 19 Feb 1898
"Clara Smith summoned her husband, Ambrose, for assault... he had assaulted her before and they had been separated - the case was dismissed with a few words of advice to both people"

[osprey]

forgot the birth regs

Ambrose Smith june qtr 1892 Foleshill vol 6d pg 502 mmn Stafford

Mary Ann Smith dec qtr 1893 Coventry vol 6d pg 496 mmn Stafford

[hgs46]

Your help is much appreciated. I have just sent a personal message in answer to your earlier prompt information.. A dispiriting family life is emerging, isn’t it.

[Dundee]

I gather Milton is close to Sittingbourne.

Sittingbourne was in the registration district of Milton.

Debra