Ellis in Yorkshire, 1880's

[caza]

Hello all, this is my brick wall that l have just about given up on, but will try one more time. l have a Rebecca Ellis 1881 census was (w) 36 yrs old with 3 sons. my problem is the father. l have obtained copies of thier birth certificates and death cert of one child 10 months old when died, but with no luck. can anyone suggest another way of finding out the fathers name. The births all took place at Armley.
I cant find any marriage details for her.
any help will be greatfully appreciated
Carol.

[moiramount]

Hi carol, it seems rebecca was never married, Ellis is her maiden name, i think its her in the march qtr 1845 born hunslet 23 353. Hunslet covers armley and holbeck where it said she was born. I think she put widow down on the census just to save face, as it was a sin in those days to have 3 kids and not be married. Happy hunting.

                                   moira

[caza]

Hi Ladies, thanks for replying. Even on the 1871 census it says "unmarried ". So l think thats it, she is a mystery, or more to the point the father(s) are a mystery. None of the certificates were of use, none stated the fathers details. l wish it was that easy.
thanks again
Carol.

[KathyM]

Have you tried looking for the children's baptisms.....even though you have their birth certificates...it is possible they were baptised in Armley...and sometimes (with luck) the 'alleged father's' are noted in the baptism entries...

I found one last week with a man's name crossed through...then the mother's name & single woman written in....  this is quite common in the Yorkshire records....although less so towards the end of the century

[caza]

Hi Kathy, can you tell me where l can find the baptism details, is there anything on the net, as l am in Australia.
thanks
Carol.

[KathyM]

If you would like to give me the children's names & dates of birth, I will try to look in the Armley records for you when I get chance........it could be a couple of weeks......I've started a book for other people's look ups at the Leeds archives.....but only go once a week .......on Monday they are only open in the morning....so it may be the following week before I get down the list !

[caza]

Hi Kathy, l would really appreciate that, thanks heaps. The names are : Arthur Ellis 25th July 1869, Darcy Ellis 13th March 1873 and Sydney Herbert Ellis 28th May 1880.
thanks again and l look forward to hearing from you.
Carol.

[KathyM]

I have just arrived home from the local LEEDS Aechives and as promised...had a look for your Ellis'

With no luck on the names you have me .... but this is what I found .... which you can add to your (i am sure - bulging) file...

Checked Armley baptisms Sept 1868- 1881

All Ellis' :-

5th September 1869

Mary Jane ELLIS  born 1864
John William ELLIS  born 1866
Edward ELLIS  born 1869

all three children of James & Elizabeth
  (Mason of Armley)


November 24th 1869
Annie  ELLIS  born 18th Nov 1869
dau of  William & Ann (Blacksmith - Armley)

31st December 1879
Amy Ann ELLIS  born  Nov 24th 1879
dau of Edward & Sarah Jane
(Labourer - Armley)

Sept 20th 1880
Elisa ELLIS  b. 17 August 1872
Emma ELLIS  b. 9 Mar? 1875
Arthur ELLIS  b. 14 Aug 1877
all children of Edward & Sarah Jane (Lab. Armley)

Also on 20th September 1880
Clara ELLIS  b. 28 May 1880
dau of John & Ann  (Railway Inspector - Armley)

29 Marxh 1881
Charles Colman ELLIS  b. 7 March 1881
son of James & Charlotte  (Rivitter = Armley)

I am sorry I didn't solve your mystery......but they may turn up one day !

[caza]

Hi Kathy, that was quick service. Thanks very much for checking for me. Maybe she was a rebel and did everything she was not meant to do in those days !! According to one census she was a maid. One cousin suggested to me that maybe she was a maid to royalty, had an affair with the master, and we all have royal blood in us ? Thanks again, l will give up now.
Carol.