A scribbled address in an old prayer book led to me finding brothers Arthur & Ernest ROBINS aged 6 & 4 lodging at Gothic Cottage White Lion Street Castle Church Stafford in 1871. I have managed to trace their lives through many trials and tribulations until death. However I have found no trace of their birth.
Arthurs marriage certificate has a penciled note " Fathers christian name not known , William ? ". Ernests first marriage certificate has father " Thomas ROBINS" occupation grocer. His second marriage has father named Arthur William.Back to the 1871 census and Arthur is given, born 1865 Richmond Surrey.Ernest born 1867 Birmingham. Other names in the house are DEACON,SHARGOOL ?,SHELLY and THOMPSON. Considering the age of Arthur and Ernest I suspect one of these names knew the boys history and put it on the census. Any demolition experts want a crack at this wall ?