William Harris of Deal

[gracol]

He was born 25 Aug 1881 (1939 Register),and the 1911 Deal census seems he was born in Eastry (Eastry written over Deal ?).I cannot find him in any earlier census or indeed his birth record.The earliest record I have found is his marriage in Deal to Millie Riley in 1906.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[Ashtone]

There's an 1889 School Admissions record for a William Harris in Deal.
DOB: 30 Aug 1881. Address: Portobello Alley. School: St George's School, Deal
No name(s) in the Parent or Guardian column.

[QueenoftheWest]

For clarification, the 1939 register that gives him a birthdate of 25th August 1881 has him as residing with a Cecilia J. Harris.

William Harris, widower, aged 27, married Cecilia Jane Thomsett on 7th November 1908 in Deal. His father is given as William Harris, tailor, deceased.

Are you saying that William Harris was previously married to Millie Riley or are these 2 separate Williams? Have you got a copy of the 1906 marriage certificate? EDIT: The only marriage registration I can find matching your details is to a Nellie Riley. EDIT 2: William was indeed married before, and had one child with her.

Queenie 

[QueenoftheWest]

Okay, I see now that William had a daughter with his first wife:

HARRIS, MABEL       RILEY 
GRO Reference: 1907  J Quarter in EASTRY  Volume 02A  Page 1134

Who is with him on later censuses.

Always good to include all information, otherwise it can lead to unnecessary research.

Queenie 

[gracol]

Many thanks for your replies.Apologies for my lack of information,it would seem she died in childbirth.

[QueenoftheWest]

Many thanks for your replies.Apologies for my lack of information,it would seem she died in childbirth.

Do you have her death certificate/registration? Cannot see an obvious one. I'm also, like you, not having much luck researching William. Although, it is helpful to have a father (William Harris, tailor), provided he was being honest on the certificate!

Queenie 

[QueenoftheWest]

There's an 1889 School Admissions record for a William Harris in Deal.
DOB: 30 Aug 1881. Address: Portobello Alley. School: St George's School, Deal
No name(s) in the Parent or Guardian column.

At 4 Portobello Alley in 1891 is the Crickett family. With them is William H Lill born c.1882 in Eastry, Kent:
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q2WK-13Z

William Harris Lill, baptised 18th September 1881 in Alkham to Charlotte Lill. Amendment: No father named.

Seems like this is your man. You could always order his birth certificate for further confirmation.

Queenie 

[QueenoftheWest]

Charlotte Lill, widow, daughter of John Luxton, gardener, married Richard Wraight Crickett on February 27th 1882 in Deal.

Queenie 

[QueenoftheWest]

Charlotte was born in Kingston upon Thames in 1843 and married John George Lill in 1863 in Norbiton.

Queenie