William Henry Pearce Curtis b1875

[nannyj]

Hi
Can anyone help with this enigma?
I’m doing this tree for my friend.

I have him marrying Kathleen Lavinia Cole (born 1876 Pennington, Hants) in 1899 in Lymington, 3rd quarter, vol 2b p1360.
That bit I’m sure of. They had these children: Kathleen Mabel 1905, Henry Frederick 1909 - 1914 and Harold George 1914 (direct ancestor).

Kathleen is married but living with her parents George Cole b1852 Pennington on 1901 census. On 1911 she is with daughter Kathleen Mabel 1905. No William. She says she has had three children, one of whom has died. But on the GRO, I can only find the three I’ve mentioned.

The family have Eliza Hughes as William’s mother. On GRO there is William Henry Pearce born 1875 Southampton district. Eliza was married to Thomas Pearce. He died. I haven’t found his death yet, but she then married George Curtis. I think William must have taken his name as he’d have been small when his mother remarried. So when he married he was William Henry Pearce Curtis. There is speculation that he was known as Harry. I can’t find him on 1881 or 1891 census either, unless he is the Henry Pearce living with Eliza and his sister Elizabeth and brother Thomas. Eliza is a widow in 1881.

So … if anyone can untangle William for me, I’d be most grateful.
I’ve sent for the marriage certificate to see if Thomas Pearce is his father.

Thank you 😊

[Milliepede]

She says she has had three children, one of whom has died. But on the GRO, I can only find the three I’ve mentioned.

I read it as 1 still living and 2 who have died.  Maybe she misunderstood the question as it's wrong either way if all 3 were alive in 1911.

Perhaps she just counted the 1 living with her 

[Milliepede]

Eliza was married to Thomas Pearce

Do you know when that marriage was?  Wondering if William Henry had siblings we could find that might help with his early life.

Thomas James Pearce born Jun 1873 Southampton has MMN Hughes in case he was a brother.

Also Joseph William Pearce born Jun 1877 Southampton.  And a death Jun 1877.

Maria Sep 1874 and a death Dec 1874.

So if those births and deaths are correct (and the same family!) that leaves the two boys on the 1881 census.

[Milliepede]

Yes that leads to the 1881 you found doesn't it.  Mum and daughter born Glos.

Eliza Pearce 29
Elizabeth 10
Thomas 8
Henry 6

So can we find a birth for Elizabeth.  Mum would only be about 19 so was she married or not. 

[nannyj]

Yes that leads to the 1881 you found doesn't it.  Mum and daughter born Glos.

Eliza Pearce 29
Elizabeth 10
Thomas 8
Henry 6

So can we find a birth for Elizabeth.  Mum would only be about 19 so was she married or not.

Yes this is the census that I think might be him.

Hmmm … I haven’t found a marriage yet. The previous marriage and three Pearce children … Elizabeth, Thomas and William … are from the family’s information. The children are registered on GRO as Pearce with MMN Hughes.

[Milliepede]

I wondered if the first child - Elizabeth was Hughes as couldn't find her as a Pearce/Hughes birth.

Interesting she and mother were born Glos though.

I can't find the marriage to George Curtis either - when was that please?

[nannyj]

Oh blimey. Your questions are-making me realise that the family may have their information wrong. Rootschat is great for that. I’ll just go back to the tree and look.

[nannyj]

George Curtis and Eliza Hughes married 1882, second quarter, vol 2c p196. Phew! Thought I was right back to the starting point with this lot 🤣
That’s only the registration. Don’t know if she was a widow.

[Milliepede]

Um I was looking for a marriage under Eliza Pearce   not Eliza Hughes.  Oh dear this is a tricky one.

She can't have been a widow if she married properly under Hughes so I suspect wasn't married to Thomas Pearce?  How do we know that was his name anyway! 

Yes good luck untangling this one