Hello All,
I'm currently looking at a James Ellerby, sometimes spelt Ellarby.
I know that he was born in approximately 1806, around Keyingham in Yorkshire.
On the 30th October 1830, he married Rachel Bonfrey (although the record I have has been transcribed to Ponfrey)
He appears on the census with his family, in 1841, living in Keyingham. Working as a 'smith' it doesn't specify what as.
Piece 1222
Book 21
Folio 5
Page number 4
The couple appear to have had at least 4 children, George (b 1832), John (b 1837), Ann (b 1838), Elizabeth (b 1842).
I've lost track of him after that, he doesn't appear on any census with his family ever again.
What's strange to me, is that his wife Rachel appears on another 4 census, each time claiming that she is married, even though James is nowhere to be seen.
1851 - says married, working as grocer, living with her mum and her two daughters - Household schedule number 65
Piece 2364
Folio 71
Page number 21
1861, says married, working as grocer, living with two daughters and a lodger
Household schedule number 69
Piece 3598
Folio 59
Page number 13
1871, says married, working as dressmaker, living with a boarder and 4 year old grandson
Household schedule number 87
Piece 4798
Folio 60
Page number 17
1881, says married, on pension, living with the same grandson from above
Neighbors View others on page
Piece 4785
Folio 54
Page number 9
I suppose James could have been somewhere else, but I can't find anyone on the census that matches up.
There is a death record for a James Ellerby, for September 1851, which is in that area which could be him.
But if he was dead, why did Rachel keep saying she was married? Maybe she misunderstood?
Another family tree on Ancestry says that he died in the Crimea in 1854, but they don't offer any sources to support that - and even if that was him, it doesn't really explain why Rachel kept saying she was married.
I'd appreciate your thoughts, is there something I have missed. Thank you
