1891 Census Look Up - William Godley

[JDT61]

Hi,
Can anyone with access to the 1891 census help to find a William Godley (not William Henry Godley, b.1878 Up Beeding), Sussex perhaps Brighton or surrounding villages - I have asked before (years ago) but I have reason to believe his DOB may be 1880 or 1881, I think his father was also William, but he died some time before 1906 so he may not be showing in 1891.

Appreciate if someone could help.

[irret]

1891
There is a William Godley b 1880 London Sussex a visitor in the household of Dan Goddard  address 77 Lincoln St Brighton.
Also showing
William Godley parents George,
Margaret   born 1881 Findon, Sussex, England living   Findon Sussex plus your one from Bleeding

[JDT61]

Hi,

Thanks for the quick response, I've never been able to find his birth details for 1878 and my guess is he lied about his age, hence my request.

I know he joined the 1st Royal Sussex Reg. and served in the Boer War. 

Guess I've drawn a blank, unless his father did die before 1891 and he was adopted - perhaps by Dan Goddard?

I'll have to keep investigating this one. If anyones got any ideas appreciate their advice.

[sillgen]

Have you got his marriage certificate?    That usually helps a lot as it will prove his age and father's name and the witnesses are also usually relatives.
Andrea

[irret]

Yes I was just thinking that Andrea - His marr. cert would give fathers name and occupation.Do you have his mothers name surely we can find them on census and probably siblings.

[JDT61]

Yes,

I have his marriage certificate - he married Marian Prevett, St Nicholas, Brighton 1906, his age says 28 and his father was William (deceased).

But as I've said there are no records for a William Godley, born 1878 with father William in Brighton. His 1904 discharge papers say born 1878, Brighton.

Hence my thought that maybe he lied about his age - his death cert. says age 71 - he died in 1951 therefore 1880?

I have not record of his mother - only an old relative who said she was known as 'Miss Winder', but she re-married several times, I guess after William's (Snr) death.

The only William Godley born 1878, Nr Brighton (Up Beeding) I can trace is a William Henry Godley, but his father wasn't William and he and my William both appear in the 1901 census. Mine at Dover in 1st Royal Sussex Reg. again confirming his DOB and place as 1878, Brighton.

Appreciate any help.

[sillgen]

Who were the witnesses on the marriage certificate?  If his mother remarried it is possible he has been transcribed under the name of her new husband in the census so it might be worth looking for her marriage.
Andrea

[JDT61]

Hi,

Good point, sorry you did suggest that earlier.

No luck - the witnesses were Aaron Prevett and Kate Prevett, Marian's (William's wife) father and sister.

Regards