Does anyone enjoy a puzzle?!

[kittenkat]

Hello everyone,
I'm looking for some help with an awkward line where I can't quite work out what's going on and would appreciate any assistance (even guesses)!
Matthew Henry Wardle b.1841 married Jane Bayles b.1844 in Sunderland in 1862.
I have tried to track tem through the census records and this is what I have so far...
1871 Jane in Sunderland as "Tailor's Wife" with daughter Sarah, but no Matthew (and I don't know if Matthew was ever a Tailor - he seems to have worked with engines and suchlike).
1881 Jane in Sunderland as Widow, with daughters Sarah & Louisa, but no Matthew
1891 Jane and Matthew in Sunderland, with daughters Louisa and Ruth (Matthew working as Engineer Fitter)
1901 Jane and Matthew in Sunderland with daughter's Louisa and Ruth (Matthew working as Shop Keeper)

So where did Matthew go?  To complicate the issue, the daughter Ruth was named Ruth 'Chicken' Wardle (b.1884) and I'm wondering where this additional surname has come from, as Jane's family were Bayles, so I can't see why the name Chicken has been added.  Unless...p'haps that explains Matthew's absence?
If anyone is able to shed light on this, I would really appreciate it.
Thanks.

[janinez]

hi Kittenkat

Not sure but I would assume that Matthew had died if Jane was a widow. Maybe a mistranscibed as I cannot even find her on the 1881 census 

I have found a death for him in the England & Wales National probate calendar, may give us a lead or to to help with the puzzle.

Matthew Henry Wardle of 29 Hylton Street, Sunderland died 27 May 1903 administration (with will) Durham 14 March to Jane Wardle widow Effects L(my pound sign) L302 10s 

will keep searching to see what else comes up

Janine

[davidft]

A possible explanation of the Chicken name.

Was Matthew's uncle Joseph Wardle ? If so there is a possible marriage in 1842 to Ruth Chicken

Marriages Dec 1842  
Arnott  Elizabeth    Sunderland  24 247    
CHICKEN  Ruth     Sunderland  24 247    <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
GRAHAM  Margaret     Sunderland  24 247    
SHORT  George     Sunderland  24 247    
Usher  William     Sunderland  24 247    
Wardle  Joseph     Sunderland  24 247    <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
Willis  Margaret     Sunderland  24 247    
Woodcock  Joseph     Sunderland  24 247    

[davidft]

If this is the reference for the Jane Wardle you have for the 1881 census

RG11/4989/26 p 9

then I wonder if its the right Jane Wardle as this one says she is born Yorkshire - that is different to what the 1891 and 1901 ones say

EDIT: Ok looked at the 1911 and that says she was born Yorkshire too so I guess its the 91 and 01 censuses that have her place of birth wrong

[janinez]

Hi Davidft

Yes you are right - great job.

found on the 1861 census

Joseph Wardle 48, stoke in an Iron Factory
Ruth Wardle 43
Thomas 17 son stoker in a steam boat
Joseph son 14 Engine fitter (ap)
George son 11 Scholar
Michael son 9 do.
Henry son 9 months
Matthew nephew 20 Gas fitter (ap) - take it this means apprentice
Dorothy niece 18

Living in 3 West Wear?? street,  sunderland

Janine

[janinez]

wonder if this could be her in 1871 with parents - not found matthew yet and no children either
(oh this will be cause they aren't born yet) silly me!!!
1871

James Wardle 72 butcher
ann wardle 54
James Wardle 29 son married, bottlemaker
Jane wardle 29 married

both kids born sunderland, parents born S Shields

Janine

[davidft]

Having no joy finding them in 81 or 71.

I see they are at the same address in 1901 and 1891, unfortunately an address search on 1881 reveals they were not there then.

Guess you could get Ruth's birth certificate and see where she was born and try searching that address in 1881 albeit that was before she was born

[Roobarb]

I haven't looked at any of the details of this but it seems to me that the 'Tailor' reference is probably 'Sailor'

[davidft]

I haven't looked at any of the details of this but it seems to me that the 'Tailor' reference is probably 'Sailor'

Looking at the original it could be either Tailor or Sailor 

The first letter of the word does not look like the S in scholar elsewhere on the page but does look like the S in Sunderland.

As Matthew was an engineer fitter in 1891 this is a job he could easily do on ships ie be away at the time of the census. Also Louise's birth does not appear to be registered either under Wardle or Wardell (the spelling used for the registration of Matthew himself) so perhaps she was born on board a ship and not back in England by the time of the 1881 census