This particular family in my Collis tree are a little marginal (more of a twig than a branch), so it's hardly vital to my research, but it's annoying that I can't find them, so I thought maybe some of you kind folk might like a challenge. I have them on the 1841 census and the 1871 census, but can't find them in 1851, 1861, 1881 or later.
Here's what I know:
John Collis born 1824 (according to the 1871 [RG10/289; Folio: 11; p. 15]) Standon, Hertfordshire. On the 1841 census (HO107/434; Folio: 38; Page: 18) he still in Standon, Herts and is an Ag Lab. He dies Q1 1878
Eliza Clark born 1828, Standon, Herts, and bapt there 24 Aug 1828. On the 1841 census she is resident at Wade's Mill, Standon, Herts. (Class: HO107/434; Folio: 36; Page: 14). She dies Q1 1880.
On 20 June 1852 he marries Eliza Clark at St Leonard's in Shoreditch. Married after banns, witnessed by William Clark & Eliza Buck. He's a labourer, resident in Rose Street, Shoreditch. She's a servant, also resident in Rose Street, Shoreditch.
Their children (known mainly from the 1871 census cited above; resident 20 Marton Road, Islington) were:
+David Collis, b. c. 1856 Shoreditch. If he is the David Redan Collis born Q4 1855 Shoreditch, then he's on the 1881 and 1891 census in Islington, married to a Caroline Eliza. Marriage is Q2 1879 Islington, 1b, p. 531 - to a Caroline Eliza Collis (sic). I think I'm going to have to send for the two certificates to check that. I have a Caroline Eliza Collis on my tree (closer than David too), so it's not money entirely down the pan.
+John Collis, b. c. 1860 Shoreditch
+William Collis, b. c. 1860 Shoreditch
+George Collis, b. c. 1862 Islington
+Henry James Collis, b. December 1864 Islington, died 10 Aug 1936 Hackney
As I say, they're fairly distant to me, so this is really just curiosity.