Shephard/ Edwards - missing

[Indigogirl]

Hi

I am looking for Mary (nee Shephard) b1842 Fairburn  and Edward Edwards b1842 b Matlock
Married 1864
Last seen Census 1871 in Castleford with their 5 children.
Edward was a engine driver and looks to have worked around Mexborough/Doncaster/Barnsley/ Castleford area

By 1881 the children were living with other relatives

Children   
Lewis (1861–1915)
Harriet Ann (1865–)
Edward (1866–1920)
Emma (1868–1912)
James (1869–1945)

I think Ive searched all the obvious places and some of the less obvious. A common surname isn't helping . I wondered if anyone had any suggestions please?

[CaroleW]

Have you already eliminated the 1873 death for Edward Edwards in Wakefield aged 30 & the Mary Edwards death in Barnsley 1872 aged 29

In 1871 they were in the Pontefract RD but neither of the above deaths are in that RD

[Indigogirl]

Hi Carol,

Thank you  Both of those are possible avenues and give me something else to look at.

 I had a different possible death for Mary in Pontefract in 1900 instead.

I have a note ( which I can't find the evidence for now) that says Edward was father of the bride at daughter Emma's wedding in 1889... without the paper trail I wonder if he had just been named and I assumed he was alive. That had thrown me off looking earlier

It would mean both parents died before they were 30 though but none of the children did? Not impossible of course. Does that seem likely though to you?

Thanks again

[Milliepede]

By 1881 the children were living with other relatives

I don't envy you this family, they are very tricky to pin down   

Fathers on marriage certificates are a problem if they aren't noted as deceased, often they were but just the name was given.

Sadly yes both parents could have died young. 

Have you found marriages for all the children? 

[Indigogirl]

They have been a bit tricky! They are my Gggparents

Edward Edwards being my ggfather and also a bit elusive

Yes, I have marriages for all the children except Harriett . Edward being in my direct line. And followed their families down too

Eldest son Lewis came as part of the package with Mary when she married Edward. Lewis later dropped the Edwards and reverted to his mother's name Shepherd so there's a story there ...

There's not a lot of other people researching this line as far as I know. Nothing much come up DNA wise either