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Can anyone help me to trace my wife's 2 great-uncles?

They are William Arthur Whittles born 15th May 1876 in Hibaldstow, Lincolnshire and Ernest Albert Whittles born 12th September 1877 in Hibaldstow, Lincolnshire

Alongside my wife's grandmother Edith Annie Whittles they were raised by their grandparents James and Ann Wheatley in Panton and Hatton, Lincolnshire.


In the early 1880's their mother, Harriet Whittles, "eloped" to Kent then later Essex, with a neighbouring Blacksmith and went on to have a further 10 children.

In 1888 their grandfather died followed by their grandmother in 1894.

In June 1900, I believe it may have been their father William Whittles, who died in Lincoln Prison. He did not appear on the 1881 or 1891 census, and no prison records appear to exist to confirm anything.

We have been unable to trace the brothers in England on the 1901 census nor the 1911 (and only Ernest appears  in 1891), and as both their 2 forenames were interchangeable on earlier census, I've tried every combination.

If their was some disgrace attached to their family name, it's possible that they elected to go by new identities.

Any pointers would be appreciated. With many thanks.

Twojags

Hi Talmage

I have been looking for a definite birthplace for my great-great grandfather William Whitmore for the last 10 years or so when my Sister-in-Law came to an impasse in her genealogical research on my behalf. This was long before internet searching was available as a tool and she had to rely on source material such as Parish Registers, Poor Records, Census Returns, and Family Records Centres. 

He was recorded on the Censuses as being born in 1816 in a place called "Care" in Ireland which as you know does not exist and we came to the conclusion that it must have been mis- recorded and that we would have to leave it on the back-burner due to the paucity of Irish Records. We were quite expecting having to look for Irish ancestry when everyone was in Reigate all along.

Well - you've guessed it. I was absolutely gobsmacked when on again Googling the Surname and Place of Birth yesterday, just in case, the first result that came up was your Baptism in Cahir enquiry from 2008! In your one paragraph it explained the whole Ireland / Reigate connection. I have always thought that it might involve army service.

My wife, who has now taken over genealogical matters, immediately set about expanding the data and making sure that your great-great grandfather (and indeed our great-great-great grandfathers) are one and the same. She has come up with a town that appears to have more than its fair share of Whitmores so the task could prove exhausting!

Did your subsequent research reveal where he was baptised?  I am the great-grandson of Edwin Whitmore whose grand-daughter Edna Winifred Whitmore had me in 1946.

Thanks for your post which has removed a major stumbling block.