Who was Richard Willis?

[LizzieL]

Richard Willis married Eva Constance Coxhead in 1919 in Swindon district. On 1921 census, they are living in Swindon with 3 children. The oldest was born before their marriage and is registered as a Coxhead and may not be Richard's child. Richard says he was born in Faringdon Berks and age is given as 51 (b abt 1870).
In 1939 he is a widower, at the same address, two of the three children are still with him. He says his dob is 13 Dec 1866.
Can anyone find his birth registration and any sign of him on earlier censuses please.

I have eliminated the Richard Willis mmn Fisher, he married Jessie Bennett and died in 1938. Probate granted to Jessie, his widow.

[QueenoftheWest]

Have you ruled out Richard Willis mmn Purbrick born 1869 in Faringdon?

In 1871, he is living with his father, George Willis, and his mother Ann (née Pubrick).

Queenie 

[Little Nell]

Do you have Richard's father's name on the marriage certificate?

Nell

[LizzieL]

Have you ruled out Richard Willis mmn Purbrick born 1869 in Faringdon?

Queenie 

He seems to disappear after 1881 census. He is s/o of George and Ann

[QueenoftheWest]

Have you ruled out Richard Willis mmn Purbrick born 1869 in Faringdon?

Queenie 

He seems to disappear after 1881 census. He is s/o of George and Ann

There is a Richard Willis boarding with a Charles Willis in Swindon in 1891. He is b.1869 in Faringdon. Looks like this is when he made the move to Swindon.

Queenie 

EDIT - In 1891, the Richard Willis who married Jessie is living with her (also in Swindon), so it is looking like this is your Richard.

[LizzieL]

Do you have Richard's father's name on the marriage certificate?

Nell

I was trying to find a bit more about him if possible before  sending for marriage cert.
I have a DNA match with a descendant of an earlier son of Eva Coxhead (b 1912). The Match's tree shows Richard as the father, but I am dubious due to the time gap, location and the fact that the son is with Eva's parents (his grandparents)  in 1921  and not with his birth family.

[Kloumann]

A Richard Willis on 1911 census, Reading Union Workhouse, born Farringdon 1871, formerly a Baker.

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:X7LX-9V8

[LizzieL]

Have you ruled out Richard Willis mmn Purbrick born 1869 in Faringdon?

Queenie 

He seems to disappear after 1881 census. He is s/o of George and Ann

There is a Richard Willis boarding with a Charles Willis in Swindon in 1891. He is b.1869 in Faringdon. Looks like this is when he made the move to Swindon.

Queenie 

Thanks, that looks like him. I wonder who Charles is, Richard had a younger brother Charles b 1877, can't be him, maybe an uncle

[Little Nell]

Another possible:

Richard Willis b abt 1865  in Littleworth (close to Faringdon) son of Thomas & Jane.

In 1881 he was a carpenter's apprentice, so maybe not him if baker was definitely his occupation.

Nell