possible illegitimate child??

[danuslave]

Perhaps she left her husband and went home to Mother!  She may have had all sorts of reasons for changing their names - most of which probably don't bear thinking about!

...or perhaps Mother disapproved of Thomas and, as she filled in the census return, she changed their names

...or....

that tea sounds like a really good idea  

Linda

JenB beat me to it - again!

[pudden]

thank you everyone for all your help (and it has helped) . Elizabeth Ann and Dorothy kept the name Richardson so you must be right and either the marriage was not a happy one and husband/wife left or even bigamous 

I have just traced my Dad's long lost sister (after 60 years) as she was 'farmed' out shortly after birth as my Granny couldn't cope after a long,very difficult labour & illness after; I've gained a cousin I (and she, I ) didn't know existed. What an emotional roller coaster!

thank you and 'happy hunting'