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Dear all,

I'm looking for any parish records relating to my 3rd great-grandfather Edward Barnes.

He married Mary Frances Stocks on 09 Nov 1872 at St. David's Church, Liverpool. On the marriage certificate he was described as a Coach Maker, father named as Thomas Barnes, Smith. At the time of his daughter, Bertha's, birth in 16 Jul 1875 he is described as a Coach Builder living in Almonds Green, West Derby, Lancashire.

Here's the rub though... I can't find him on any census.

In 1881 his wife Mary Frances is living at 20 Grove Park, Toxteth Park, Liverpool as a servant (noticeably noted as unmarried), his three youngest children were living Mary's parents at 18 Gladstone Road, West Derby, Lancashire and Bertha MAY have been staying with her other grandparents Thomas Barnes, blacksmith and Hannah, at 1 Back Road, Welshpool, Montgomeryshire. No sign of Edward anywhere.

In 1891 his wife Mary Frances and all four children were living at 27 Nuttall Street, West Derby. Mary is described as a widow living on her own means BUT no sign of any death or burial for Edward Barnes.

Not too sure where Mary Frances was in 1901 but by 1911 she is living at 71 Gainsborough Road, Wavertree, West Derby, described as a widow living on her own means. On her death certificate on 21 Sep 1928 Edward is described as a ship's carpenter.

Now.... having found Thomas Barnes, smith, in the 1881 census I looked to the same Thomas and Hannah in the 1861 census where you find a 17 year old son named Edward - birth year abt 1844 in Eastham, Cheshire.

Working on those details on the 1871 census there is an Edward Barnes, born in Eastham, Chesham in 1843, a coach maker - who seems to be married to a Mary, 10 years his senior, with three young children, Lillie (3), Emily (1) and George Thomas (9months). They lived at 66 Canterbury Street, Everton, Liverpool.

In 1881 this Mary and her three children are still living at 66 Canterbury Street, Everton... but no Edward Barnes from Eastham, Cheshire. Mary is still described as married.

More questions than answers... any help finding a baptism or (more likely) a burial for Edward Barnes would be much appreciated.

All the best,

Dave

Hi Annette! Thank you for all that information... lots of food for thought.

I had seen what others had said about Joseph Merrett's provenance but some of the dates just didn't make sense to me.

Hopefully I can get down to the Wiltshire Records Office at some point to scour the Dauntsey baptisms.

Now to peruse familysearch for the Hardings

I did consider the possibility that he may have used a false name and might have been illegitimate.

I thought maybe his choice of the name Paul Vandy might have been taken from a real name.

I also thought that as by the age of 18 he was in the national papers issuing challenges to anyone of his age to match his juggling skill for the sum of £100, he must have been established as a juggler from at least the age of 16-17, which he would have been by 1891 census.

He definitely seems to have been born in Nottingham and as he was being managed by an established Nottingham business man in 1892 I reckon he probably was raised there as well.

What do you think? How do you go about trying to find a person who might have unofficially changed his name?

Dear all,

I hope that someone can help me locate my 2nd great grandfather Charles Edward Maynard, believed to be born between 1873-1876 in Nottingham according to several different sources. His father is identified on Charles' marriage certificate as being John Frederick Maynard, a photographer.

By 1894 Charles was a professional juggler and magician, travelling the country and abroad under the pseudonym Paul Vandy. Charles lived a long and successful life until 1950 when he passed away at his home, Wentworth House, The Green, Richmond.

In his early career he was managed by Tom Coleno, who also owned the Crown and Cushion theatre, aka Colenos Varieties. In many reviews of performances in Nottinghamshire, Nottingham is described as Vandy's hometown.

The problem is, after 7 years of searching, I have never been able to find Charles and his father on the census or in any baptism records.

Any help is much appreciated.

All the best,

Dave

Dear All,

Can anyone help me to find a baptism/birth and/or burial record for Alfred Birch?

I have been researching this couple for months and have got absolutely nowhere with it!

I believe that Alfred was born sometime between 1855-1858 in either Marylebone or Chelsea working from the census records of his confirmed relations.

His daughter Lillian Mary Birch was born 15th May 1866 in 3 Absalom Road, Kensington - I've obtained the birth certificate - mother was Mary Ann Owers and Alfred's occupation is labourer.

Working from this I located his marriage certificate to Mary Ann Owers which occured on 15th May 1881 at St. Paul's Church in Paddington. At that time he was living at 32 Desborough Terrace, Paddington and working as a labourer. His father is identified as James Birch, a shoemaker.

On 12 Jan 1890 he was living at 92 Southam Street, Kensington according to the baptism records of his daughters Lillian Mary and Emily Elizabeth. Their baptisms took place at St Andrews and St Phillips in Kensal Green, Kensington.  In 1891 he was living at 147 Southam Street, Kensington and in 1901 he lived at 137 Southam Street, Kensington and is described as a bricklayer's labourer.

At the time of his daughter Lillian Mary's marriage on 13th January 1907 he had died but I cannot find any record of his death.

Any help with this one would be much appreciated.

All the best,

Dave