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Hi Ciderdrinker

Thanks for this, I too couldn't find anything further for George Bird. My interest in George was only to establish the kind of relationship that William Nobbs and Mary Bird had, I'm fairly sure that Mary was still married to George hence she and William didn't marry, I would have thought that the children would have had William's name but I guess Mary didn't really know what to do. You will see that William and family were at 227 Park Rd East Molesey in 1901 census. I came across the baptism record for Mabel Gladys Bird in 1900, the address was given as 4 Park Rd, East Molesey, I suppose they kept the two houses on to accommodate everyone before moving in together at Linden Rd where a number of the Nobbs clan lived.

Thanks for finding the important stuff, the baptism records were invaluable. I now feel confident enough to add the Nobbs/Bird children to my family tree. The 1901 census is a mystery but I guess Mary and the children were at 4 Park Rd. Thanks again.

Regards.

Howard.

Hi

Sorry for my late response, I had to go out and returned to find some great info, Thanks to all, especially Ciderdrinker for all the Baptism finds, that is a terrific help.

Re the 1891Census George Bird was 20 (born abt 1871) and Mary Prior was 23 (born abt 1868) They were servants at Sandhurst Berks, I found the Sandhurst birth for George and this indicates it's likely to be him.

I found Mary A. Prior, born Hampshire. in 1871 she was living at Cliddesden with her family, this is about 3 miles from Basingstoke Hampshire, so very likely correct. father: James Prior, mother: Sarah Prior.

I don't have marriage cert,  I also don't know where William Nobbs was between 1901 and 1911 though in 1901 census, he was listed with some of his legitimate children at 227 Park Rd, East Molesey

I hope this is useful and am very grateful for your help.

Regards

Howard

After years of looking into my Nobbs family it came to light that my great grandfather William Nobbs, had a second family. I'm sure William was not the biological father to them all but he may be to some of them. All of the children were registered as Bird, their mother's married name but later took up the name Nobbs, I don't know if the name change was official but as they married as Nobbs's I assume it was. I have found plenty of records going forward and have been in touch with a descendant who's mother has some knowledge that Bird or Byrd was linked to them but no further info. I also found what could be the mother of the children's past, Mary A. Bird, possibly born Mary A. Prior, in Hampshire, supported by census records. In 1891 Mary is a servant at Sandhurst along with a George Bird. George Bird and Mary Ann Prior married in Kingston in 1892.

The 1911 Census shows my gt grandfather and the Bird family living together in West Molesey:

William Nobbs 59 Widower. Head.
Mary Bird 49 Married. Housekeeper.
Sidney Bird 19
Gladis Bird 11
Ella Bird 9
Irene Bird 7
Esther Bird 4
Albert Edward Bird 3

All described as son/daughter

Later they were living in Linden Rd, Hampton, close to the known Nobbs family.

Albert Edward's birth cert gives no father's name.

In 1901 gt grandfather, William Nobbs is living with his known children, he was widowed in 1898.

The Bird family have not been found in the 1901 census.

Mary Bird died in 1912 and some of the children remained with William Nobbs at Linden Rd Hampton until his death in 1930. My father lived only two doors away as a child so must have known them, sadly he's long gone.

Any help in finding out more about the family would be much appreciated. I wonder if Mary Bird was still married "as stated on census", what happened to George Bird, when did William and Mary get together, were any of Mary's children fathered by William. I thought Albert Edward Bird's birth cert would help but it didn't, conclusively, Where were the Bird family in 1901, anything.

I can't find any ref to the Bird family in 1901 census.

Thanks for reading this which only came to light last year while looking at informant of William's death, Annie Parker, daughter. It's now beyond me so hope someone can help.

TTFN

Howard

Thanks for the replies, ShaunJ  great info, now I have another quest regarding Albert Edward Nobbs etc. Florence Eleanor Nobbs was my grandmother, widowed in 1917, she later lived at No 5 Linden Rd. Did you find the Electoral Roll info through name searches on Ancestry or some other source?

Carol8353 An interesting point, I think in the case of informants they put the name of the actual informant, shame it's only an initial in this case. It's odd that there are no Parkers at No 9 Linden Rd in 1930, maybe A. Parker, lived at 50, Kingston Hill, where William died. I looked it up on Streetview, I think it's now a block of flats.

Any more thoughts or info very welcome and Thanks Again.

Howard.

I may have a breakthrough.

Regarding the marriage in Poole Dorset.

Doris Evelyn Smith was born in Poole 1907'
As we know, an Ernest William Nobbs and Doris E. Smith, married in Poole 1932. It was common for marriages to take place in the bride's home town and many girls from the provinces moved to London area to go into service or for other employment, my mother included.

Doris Evelyn Nobbs born 1907, died in Brent (possibly Brentford) Middlesex in 1986.

I reckon this is it, the hearsay info from my cousin made it difficult, as did the use of my uncle's middle name. It's amazing how mulling over with others refocusses the mind.

Thanks