Two wives & families at the same time?

[littleem1906]

Hi all

I have in my tree an ELIZABETH ELLEN HARBIDGE (1882-?). She was born in Birmingham to William Harbidge & Sarah Smith.

I know that in 1901 she was living with her brothers and her daughter BEATRICE HARBIDGE (17 months old). She was listed as single on that census.

In 1911, she lives with her 'husband' THOMAS DODD and their children - Beatrice (10), Alfred (2) and Thomas Charles (8mths). On this census it is claimed they had 4 children but one had died. Also states they had been married for 11 years.

I looked for a marriage for them in around 1900 but could only find a marriage for them in 1928. Also in 1901, Thomas Dodd was a patient at Jaffreys hospital and listed as married. This meant he must have been married to someone else at that time.

I looked into Thomas Dodd and discovered he had married a SELINA DODD in 1900 (A cousin?). They don't appear in the 1901 census together as Thomas is a patient in hospital.

In 1911, Selina Dodd is listed as married (but she hasn't written how many years of completed marriage). There is no husband with her - just children. These are - William B (9), Edgar (6), Ivy (4), Ada (3) and Willy (10mths). There is also a William Linall (32 year old lodger).

My puzzle here is that the who wives seem to have children of similar ages. Is it possible Thomas Dodd was having children with both women at the same time? 

[osprey]

so this family in 1911, Thomas is an iron dresser gas stoves

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XWZ4-KNB

The 1901 Thomas Dodd is a glass blower
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XS87-WTW

parish register marriage Birmingham 11 March 1900 for Thomas Dodd & Selina Dodd shows Thomas as porter and his father as Alfred a polisher. Selina's father is John a glass blower.

1891 census for Thomas, glass blower
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:W2D7-72M

same family in 1881, father Alfred
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q27N-S68L

[osprey]

forgot to ask if you have the 1928 marriage cert to confirm father's name for Thomas?

[osprey]

I take it this is Selina & family in 1911

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XWCP-CN4

I think William Linall is a mistranscription for William Small.

marriage reg Selina Dodd dec qtr 1914 Birmingham vol 6d pg 476 to William H Small

parish marriage 15 Nov 1914 St Stephens, Birmingham
William Henry Small 34 bach moulder 8 bk 40 Cowper St father William Henry Small deceased
Selina Dodd 33 widow 8 bk 40 Cowper St father John Dodd deceased

 

1921 census has Selina Small in the same household as Winnie Small born 1910, Earnest Small born 1915, William Dodd b. 1901, Edgar Dodd b. 1904 and Ivy Dodd b. 1906.

[Ladyhawk]

1921 census has Selina Small in the same household as Winnie Small born 1910, Earnest Small born 1915, William Dodd b. 1901, Edgar Dodd b. 1904 and Ivy Dodd b. 1906.

SMALL, WINIFRED  HILDA     mmn DODD 
GRO Reference: 1910  S Quarter in BIRMINGHAM  Volume 06D  Page 14

SMALL, ERNEST  LAWRENCE  mmn   DODD 
GRO Reference: 1915  D Quarter in BIRMINGHAM  Volume 06D  Page 426

Year 1921 Selina Small address 42 Cowper Street, Birmingham
Year 1926 same address with Edgar Small
Year 1929 same address with Thomas Henry & Ivy Doris Caine
Record set England & Wales, Electoral Registers 1910-1932
1939 register Selina, Thomas & Ivy are together  in Birmingham

1921 census has Thomas Dodd 1875, Elizabeth 1881, Alfred   1909   ,Thomas Charles 1910,
Elsie May 1912, Walter 1915, Frederick 1920   

DODD, ELSIE  MAY     mmn HARVIDGE 
GRO Reference: 1912  D Quarter in ASTON  Volume 06D  Page 653

DODD, WALTER    mmn   HARBIDGE 
GRO Reference: 1915  D Quarter in ASTON  Volume 06D  Page 852

DODD, FREDERICK    mmn   HARBIDGE 
GRO Reference: 1920  D Quarter in ASTON  Volume 06D  Page 966

In 1911, she lives with her 'husband' THOMAS DODD and their children - Beatrice (10), Alfred (2) and Thomas Charles (8mths). On this census it is claimed they had 4 children but one had died. Also states they had been married for 11 years.

I think this is the child that died

DODD, EMMA  IVY  mmn   HARBIDGE 
GRO Reference: 1908  M Quarter in ASTON  Volume 06D  Page 311

DODD, EMMA  IVY     age 0 
GRO Reference: 1908  J Quarter in ASTON  Volume 06D  Page 158

[littleem1906]

Thank you so much!