I'm wondering whether anyone can shed any light on a little mystery.
The surname Dawbarn is unusual, to the point that virtually all people carrying it are related to me through my GG grandmother. They settled in Wisbech, Cambs, in the early 18th century and 100 years later a branch of the family moved to Liverpool; there were extensive contacts between the two branches, including first- and second-cousin marriages, throughout the 19th century.
However, I've found one family of Liverpudlian Dawbarns who I really can't tie in to my lot. Not only is there no obvious connection to my family, but they are several steps down the social pecking order compared to 'my' Dawbarns (both Lancashire and Cambridgeshire). Given the relative wealth of the Dawbarn family, it would seem odd that they should have allowed William to die at an advanced age in Abercromby Workhouse in Liverpool.
Anyway, the mystery hinges around William Dawbarn, born 1820/21 in Liverpool according to his stated age in censuses and on his death certificate. He died on 12 March 1907 aged 86 in Abercromby Workhouse of senility. He lived with a woman called Alice, whom he called his wife in the 1871 and 1881 censuses, but I've found no evidence that they ever got married. The birth certificates of some of the children name her as Alice Ann Dawbarn formerly Halsworth. An Alice Dawbarn died Q3 1890 in West Derby and William is a widower in 1891 and 1901. I also can't tie this Alice in to anyone else in my extended Dawbarn family.
William and Alice had six children that I know of, between 1862 and 1876.
So far I've drawn a blank on William's origins. I haven't found him in 1841 (and if I do, he'll probably not be living with his family, being a 20-year-old) and I haven't found a baptismal record. I'm wondering whether he's an illegitimate child of one of 'my' Dawbarns -- this might explain the disparity in social status.
Any suggestions, information etc. gratefully received!
