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England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => England => Yorkshire (West Riding) => Topic started by: Stanwix England on Friday 07 June 13 22:09 BST (UK)
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I've really struggled to pin down the details of the life of my 2nd Great Grandfather, Albert Baldwin.
I did some more work tonight and either my work is wrong, or he was a bigamist!
What I have uncovered, and believe to be correct, is this.
He was born in about 1856 in Halifax in Yorkshire. His parents were Frederick Baldwin (b1832) and Sarah Ann Eastwood (b1830).
According to my records on the 1861 census he was living with his parents in Ovendon. His father Fred was working as a 'Clog and Patton maker'.
In 1871 he was still in Ovendon. For some reason on this census their name is spelt 'Bauldwin'.
I see a marriage banns record for 1877 for Halifax, St John the Baptists. His father is listed as Fred Baldwin, clogger. His bride Susan Tay was from Laith in Ireland and born roughly 1853.
They were living together on the 1881 and 1891 census, in Southowram. They had two children, John born 1881 and Walter born 1890.
Then in 1896 I have a record of an Albert Baldwin, with a father called Fred Baldwin who was a clogger, marrying an Alice Ann Hulme in Lancashire in 1896. He describes himself as a widower and knocks 5 years off what I think is his real age.
They move to Leeds and have two children Thomas Hulme Baldwin (b1897), who is my direct ancestor, and Gladys Baldwin, according to the 1901 census.
According to the 1901 census there is a Susan Baldwin living in Halifax with children called John and Walter. Their ages match up to what I have found so far. Susan Baldwin describes herself as a widower, but I can't help but wonder.
So it's possible that I have made a total and complete mess up and have two Albert Baldwins confused. I have made big mistakes in the past so this is a distinct possibility. Or he actually was a bigamist.
I'd be really grateful if anyone could confirm or deny my research.
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Interestingly Albert & Alice Ann baptise a child called Fred in May 1897 - I suspect this could actually be Thomas Hulme, as the dates match and Gladys is the only other child I can find them baptising.
remarrying when not free to do so wasn't as unusual as you might think, as divorce normally was too expensive for the working man
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I have found something , but it refers to an Alfred Baldwin with a wife named Susan who was trying to commit suicide because of her husbands intimacy with another woman.
In 1894 they are living at Lock St, Caddy Field , Halifax. One of their children is a boy aged about 12.
Does this fit in ?
Newspaper date - February 19, 1894
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Reply to Mabel
That is interesting.
I also suspect as you do, that if I do have the correct Albert, this might have been a case of him not being able to divorce from his first wife. She lists herself as a widow on a later census and unless he was able to fake his own death and pull the wool over her eyes, it would suggest it was mutual consent to some degree.
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I have found something , but it refers to an Alfred Baldwin with a wife named Susan who was trying to commit suicide because of her husbands intimacy with another woman.
In 1894 they are living at Lock St, Caddy Field , Halifax. One of their children is a boy aged about 12.
Does this fit in ?
Newspaper date - February 19, 1894
Oh my giddy aunt! Yes it would fit in.
I would be grateful if you could tell me where you found that paper.
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I've found the newspaper! That is a shocking read. What a b------d
The ironic thing is that side of the family and his son from his bigamous marriage were supposed to be really uber religious and hoyty toyty. If only they knew (or maybe they did know!).
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Oh my word it gets worse.
Basically his wife had recently been released from a small pox hospital and her husband, Albert Baldwin was treating her badly, she alleges. She was seen running towards a canal, with her son running behind her, trying to kill herself. She was stopped and said that he'd threatened to kill her the night before and she was determined to kill herself. She was sent to court for trying to commit suicide. I haven't found out yet what happened in that case, but she was sent home to a relatives care and the case was ajorned for a month.
Then a few months later her husband is charged with threatening her and he is ordered to give a £20 bond and 'keep the peace' for three months. He is quoted as saying
"I'll go to prison to plague her."
I found those words chilling! :o
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I assume that you have the birth certificate for Thomas Hulme Baldwin, from which you have worked backwards, and that has led you to look for an Albert Baldwin born in Halifax about 1862? There is no birth record that corresponds to that. As a complete aside when searching I did see a “Prince Albert Edward Baldwin” registered in Bradford in 1863!
Widening the search to bring in births back to 1850, shows that there is only one Albert Baldwin registered in Halifax, and that was in 1855.
I assume that you have his father's name from the marriage record that you have and if you search the 1871 Census for an Albert Baldwin living in Halifax (no age specified) with a father called Fred or Frederick, then there is only one result and that is the one that you found.
I am inclined to support your view that he was indeed a bigamist. By the way in 1911 Walter Baldwin could be found in Armley Prison! His brother John was married and living in Halifax, and I can’t find Susan either in the census or the death records.
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Possible death for susan?
Susan Baldwin
Date Q3 1914
Age 60
Halifax Vol 9a, p 558
she's buried 3 Nov 1914 at Mount Pellon (Halifax), Christ Church
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actually, matching the address on the burial record and the 1911 census this Susan claims to be single and b RIchmond, Surrey
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I have worked backwards from Thomas Hulmes census information and his marriage banns. I haven't obtained Thomas Hulmes birth certificate yet, but I think this is next on my list of ones to get.
I also saw Prince Albert Edward Baldwin and it gave me quiet a laugh. ;D
Well stone the crows, I am flabbergasted.
Thank you one and all for helping me with this research. I never expected to uncover such drama.
I couldn't have done it without the help of you all, I am truly very grateful.
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I'm not surprised poor Walter ended up in prison with such a wrong 'un as an absent father!
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may have found Susan on 1911 - transcribed by Ancestry as Swsan, b County Meath.
There's another possible death
Susan Baldwin
Q4 1924, age 72
Halifax Vol 9a, p543
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Did Alice Ann remarry in 1904 to William Walker?
Marriages Dec 1904
Baldwin Alice Ann Hunslet 9b 510
Walker William Hunslet 9b 510
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I know that this is not the information which you were requesting in your original post but I have found the details of Thomas Hulme Baldwin and his wife Gertrude's burials and thought that I would post the details just in case you do not already have this information.
Hunslet Cemetery, Leeds
Grave Number 842. Grave Section 3B. Grave Type Consecrated.
31st January 1951
Burial of Gertrude Baldwin aged 51 years of 8 Warehouse Hill, Leeds 2, Wife of Thomas H. Baldwin.
25th May 1961
Burial of Thomas Hulme Baldwin aged 64 years of 23 Chatsworth Road, Leeds 8, Warehouse Man.
I hope that this information is of some use to you.
Best Wishes
CJL
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SUICIDAL MANIA AT HALIFAX.
The Huddersfield Daily Chronicle February 19, 1894
In your reply it states her husband was Albert, but in the article I found he is named as Alfred. Perhaps this is a different paper and the name is a mistake.
Basically his wife had recently been released from a small pox hospital and her husband, Albert Baldwin was treating her badly, she alleges.
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Thank you one and all for your additional help, I haven't been around so I apologise it has taken me so long to get back to you.
Groom
Alice Ann did remarry, so that information is correct.
cjl
I did not have that information so thank you. I wonder if I can visit?
wilcoxon
You are right, on rechecking it does say Alfred. I believe this is a mistake however as the details, such as the other women and their sons age, fit well. Also Albert Baldwin is charged for threatening his wife just a few months later, definitely says Albert in that one.
Thank you so much for all of your help, I am getting used to having a rouge in the family!
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Dear Ms Wheldale
Whilst looking for Thomas Baldwin, I came across this post of yours. Thomas Baldwin was my grandfather, so presumably we are related. Any information would be appreciated.
Cheers Steve Ward
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Hello nice to meet you,
Are you speaking about Thomas Hulme Baldwin, born April 1897?
If so he was my Great-Grand Father. My Grandfather was his son Kenneth Baldwin.
It's lovely to meet you, what information are you looking for? You might know more then I do so it would be great to share.
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Hi Ilona
I remember Uncle Ken and Aunty Isabel.
Are you Jane,s Daughter?
Good to hear from you. Whilst researching a totally different subject I came across another Uncle, that was a family secret! Ken would have known about him but it was never discussed. I must say looking at the family we come from a strange lot. Fascinated to hear about Susan Baldwin and Albert.
I remember going regularly to visit your Agra and Grandad in the Lingfields. I also remember going to the house just of Sheepscar in Leeds. How's your Mum? Cheers Steve
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Hi, I'll send you a private message here.