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England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => England => Durham => Topic started by: kittenkat on Tuesday 09 November 10 21:54 GMT (UK)

Title: Does anyone enjoy a puzzle?!
Post by: kittenkat on Tuesday 09 November 10 21:54 GMT (UK)
Hello everyone,
I'm looking for some help with an awkward line where I can't quite work out what's going on and would appreciate any assistance (even guesses)!
Matthew Henry Wardle b.1841 married Jane Bayles b.1844 in Sunderland in 1862.
I have tried to track tem through the census records and this is what I have so far...
1871 Jane in Sunderland as "Tailor's Wife" with daughter Sarah, but no Matthew (and I don't know if Matthew was ever a Tailor - he seems to have worked with engines and suchlike).
1881 Jane in Sunderland as Widow, with daughters Sarah & Louisa, but no Matthew
1891 Jane and Matthew in Sunderland, with daughters Louisa and Ruth (Matthew working as Engineer Fitter)
1901 Jane and Matthew in Sunderland with daughter's Louisa and Ruth (Matthew working as Shop Keeper)

So where did Matthew go?  To complicate the issue, the daughter Ruth was named Ruth 'Chicken' Wardle (b.1884) and I'm wondering where this additional surname has come from, as Jane's family were Bayles, so I can't see why the name Chicken has been added.  Unless...p'haps that explains Matthew's absence?
If anyone is able to shed light on this, I would really appreciate it.
Thanks.
Title: Re: Does anyone enjoy a puzzle?!
Post by: janinez on Tuesday 09 November 10 22:41 GMT (UK)
hi Kittenkat

Not sure but I would assume that Matthew had died if Jane was a widow. Maybe a mistranscibed as I cannot even find her on the 1881 census  :)

I have found a death for him in the England & Wales National probate calendar, may give us a lead or to to help with the puzzle.

Matthew Henry Wardle of 29 Hylton Street, Sunderland died 27 May 1903 administration (with will) Durham 14 March to Jane Wardle widow Effects L(my pound sign) L302 10s  :)

will keep searching to see what else comes up

Janine
Title: Re: Does anyone enjoy a puzzle?!
Post by: davidft on Tuesday 09 November 10 22:41 GMT (UK)
A possible explanation of the Chicken name.

Was Matthew's uncle Joseph Wardle ? If so there is a possible marriage in 1842 to Ruth Chicken

Marriages Dec 1842  
Arnott  Elizabeth    Sunderland  24 247    
CHICKEN  Ruth     Sunderland  24 247    <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
GRAHAM  Margaret     Sunderland  24 247    
SHORT  George     Sunderland  24 247    
Usher  William     Sunderland  24 247    
Wardle  Joseph     Sunderland  24 247    <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
Willis  Margaret     Sunderland  24 247    
Woodcock  Joseph     Sunderland  24 247    

Title: Re: Does anyone enjoy a puzzle?!
Post by: davidft on Tuesday 09 November 10 22:51 GMT (UK)
If this is the reference for the Jane Wardle you have for the 1881 census

RG11/4989/26 p 9

then I wonder if its the right Jane Wardle as this one says she is born Yorkshire - that is different to what the 1891 and 1901 ones say

EDIT: Ok looked at the 1911 and that says she was born Yorkshire too so I guess its the 91 and 01 censuses that have her place of birth wrong
Title: Re: Does anyone enjoy a puzzle?!
Post by: janinez on Tuesday 09 November 10 22:56 GMT (UK)
Hi Davidft

Yes you are right - great job.

found on the 1861 census

Joseph Wardle 48, stoke in an Iron Factory
Ruth Wardle 43
Thomas 17 son stoker in a steam boat
Joseph son 14 Engine fitter (ap)
George son 11 Scholar
Michael son 9 do.
Henry son 9 months
Matthew nephew 20 Gas fitter (ap) - take it this means apprentice
Dorothy niece 18

Living in 3 West Wear?? street,  sunderland

Janine
Title: Re: Does anyone enjoy a puzzle?!
Post by: janinez on Tuesday 09 November 10 23:19 GMT (UK)
wonder if this could be her in 1871 with parents - not found matthew yet and no children either
(oh this will be cause they aren't born yet) silly me!!!
1871

James Wardle 72 butcher
ann wardle 54
James Wardle 29 son married, bottlemaker
Jane wardle 29 married

both kids born sunderland, parents born S Shields

Janine
Title: Re: Does anyone enjoy a puzzle?!
Post by: davidft on Tuesday 09 November 10 23:26 GMT (UK)
Having no joy finding them in 81 or 71.

I see they are at the same address in 1901 and 1891, unfortunately an address search on 1881 reveals they were not there then.

Guess you could get Ruth's birth certificate and see where she was born and try searching that address in 1881 albeit that was before she was born
Title: Re: Does anyone enjoy a puzzle?!
Post by: Roobarb on Tuesday 09 November 10 23:28 GMT (UK)
I haven't looked at any of the details of this but it seems to me that the 'Tailor' reference is probably 'Sailor'
Title: Re: Does anyone enjoy a puzzle?!
Post by: davidft on Tuesday 09 November 10 23:52 GMT (UK)
I haven't looked at any of the details of this but it seems to me that the 'Tailor' reference is probably 'Sailor'

Looking at the original it could be either Tailor or Sailor  ???

The first letter of the word does not look like the S in scholar elsewhere on the page but does look like the S in Sunderland.

As Matthew was an engineer fitter in 1891 this is a job he could easily do on ships ie be away at the time of the census. Also Louise's birth does not appear to be registered either under Wardle or Wardell (the spelling used for the registration of Matthew himself) so perhaps she was born on board a ship and not back in England by the time of the 1881 census
Title: Re: Does anyone enjoy a puzzle?!
Post by: janinez on Tuesday 09 November 10 23:59 GMT (UK)
Yes you could well be right and it could explain why Jane is with her parents in 1871 too.  :) :)

Man you should be a detective  ;D ;D

Janine
Title: Re: Does anyone enjoy a puzzle?!
Post by: davidft on Wednesday 10 November 10 14:26 GMT (UK)

Man you should be a detective  ;D ;D


No I don't think so I had to watch Murder on the Orient Express several times before I found out who did it  ::) (Mind that was because people kept distracting me when it was coming to the end of the film. Well that's my excuse and I am sticking to it  ;))
Title: Re: Does anyone enjoy a puzzle?!
Post by: Roobarb on Wednesday 10 November 10 16:32 GMT (UK)
I haven't looked at any of the details of this but it seems to me that the 'Tailor' reference is probably 'Sailor'


As Matthew was an engineer fitter in 1891 this is a job he could easily do on ships ie be away at the time of the census.

That's why I suggested it! I didn't have time to write a full reply but hoped my suggestion would lead you on the right path. I'm pleased it has.  :)
Title: Re: Does anyone enjoy a puzzle?!
Post by: esdel on Wednesday 10 November 10 16:39 GMT (UK)
I agree 100%
Sailor.
That is why he was seldom there on census days!

Sunderland was a major shipping and shipbuilding centre then and many engineers neded to be sailors
esdel
Title: Re: Does anyone enjoy a puzzle?!
Post by: kittenkat on Saturday 13 November 10 13:39 GMT (UK)
Thank you everyone for your time, effort and help.  I still don't have a definite answer, but you have all helped to clarify this.  I think Matthew & Jane named their daughter Ruth Chicken after the Aunt that Matthew lived with, which sorts that puzzle, and I agree that Matthew was probably a Sailor. 
Once again, thanks to all for your input :)