Possible second family?

[mulberry-rose]

I recently got a hold of a 1921 census, but some of the details are throwing me a bit.

Jane Ford married Lewis Dixon in 1909 at Morpeth Registry Office. In 1911, they were living at Richardson’s Buildings in Choppington. They had three children; Peter, Mary & Elizabeth. Lewis was killed in action 4 May 1917 in Arras (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/124958409/lewis-dixon). Jane then had two illegitimate daughters Jane Jr. (registered as Dixon, born 1919 in Market Place, Blyth) and Rachel Ann (registered surname Davison, 1921).

1921 Census has this; Market Place, Blyth
Jane Dixon, 32yr 1mth, widower, born Choppington. Children: 2, 6, 9, 11
Peter Dixon, 11yr 7mths, father dead, born Choppington
Mary Dixon, 9yr 9mth, father dead, born Choppington
Elizabeth Dixon, 6yr 11mth, father dead, born Choppington
Jane Dixon, 2yr 6mth, father dead, born Blyth
John Davison, boarder, 38yr 4mth, married, born New Delaval, coal miner (out of work). Children: under one, 5, 11, 13, 14
Rachel Ann Davison, 2mth, daughter, both parents alive, born Blyth

John is clearly Rachel’s father (“under one”) & Jane is her mother, however both of them never married. Is it possibly that he lied or does actually have a previous family? Given that Jane does not directly mark down Rachel as her own daughter implies there could be some covering up.

Same with Jane Jr’s father, she can’t be Lewis’ daughter as he died too early before her birth. I wonder if she is being posed as Lewis’ daughter in this census or if her actual father was deceased?

Any help to make sense of this would be greatly appreciated 

[CaroleW]

As John Davison has children born before 1911 - have you looked for him on the 1911 to get his wife's details?  Then check the 1921 for her

Did you look at Rachel Ann's birth reg?  mmn was Ford so she was Jane's daughter

[CaroleW]

Have you looked up the births of the Davison children to find their mmn?

[mulberry-rose]

I reckon this could be John in the 1911 census? 

1st Street Netherton, Bedlington
John Davison, 28, b Blyth, hewer
Martha Davison, 26, b Blyth, wife
Margaret Jane Ellison Davison, 4, b Bedlington, dau
Polly Davison, 2, b Bedlington, dau
Rhoda Davison, 3mths, b Bedlington, dau

Marriage is in Dec 1906, John Davison to Martha Ellison 10b 649

Looks like they have a son Richard in 1916.

Ages in 1921 would then be 14, 12, 10 and 5 which is quite close.

[CaroleW]

Are they the names of the children with him on the 1921 census - you don’t give any names in your post?

If so - have you looked up their births to get mmn?

Where is Martha in 1921?

[mulberry-rose]

 

I am trying to find John’s previous family—I don’t know what his previous wife and children were called. I think he possibly separated from a past wife (or abandoned) and then moved on to Jane Dixon.

John is boarded with Jane Dixon at Market Street Blyth in 1921 census, his column of
“number and ages of all living children under 16 years of age”  under one, 5, 11, 13, and 14 are marked with (x). The only child with him is Rachel (3mths old). https://imgur.com/a/bEfx6T4 (Census)

Martha Davison in 1921 is listed as  married (but then this has been crossed out and replaced with widow in red writing) living at 1 Mill Cottages Bedlington with her children Margaret (14), Polly (13), Rhoda (10), Richard (6). Their parentage status is listed as “both alive” but then “father dead” is written in green.

[JenB]

Jane Dixon, 2yr 6mth, father dead, born Blyth

On the original it is clear that she had originally written 'father alive' or 'father living' (it's not absolutely clear which). This has been overwritten in green with the word 'dead' which will have been added at a later date by a census official.

[mulberry-rose]

Jane Dixon, 2yr 6mth, father dead, born Blyth

On the original it is clear that she had originally written 'father alive' or 'father living' (it's not absolutely clear which). This has been overwritten in green with the word 'dead' which will have been added at a later date by a census official.

Good catch!  I wonder if she was John Davison’s daughter then, or a different man.

[CaroleW]

Jane Dixon snr & junior are on the 1939 register