Moody - Rho(a)des 1880s Hartlepool / Stockton

[Arthursgirl]

Hi
Could anyone shed some light on this puzzle?

GGGmother Elizabeth Rhoades was widowed in 1884, remarried John Edward Moody in 1887.

1881 census shows her living with first husband Benjamin and two daughters (one became my GGmother).

1901 census shows her living with new husband John Moody, and 4 sons and another daughter.  Two older daughters now in service.

The two older boys (Benjamin b 1882 and John Thomas b 1886) I had presumed to be John Moody's from a previous marriage.  BUT I have not traced birth records for these boys as Moody, but have traced births of two possible boys named Rhodes.

It could be that the two boys adopted mum's new surname, but John Thomas was born two years after the death of Benjamin Rhodes.

Does anyone have these people in their tree?
How accurate are birth certificates likely to be?  Would a widow declare the true father of a child born after her husband's death?  Elizabeth married John Moody from a separate address to his.

Any help or enlightenment would be appreciated.

Thanks

[Tati]

Welcome to RootsChat Arthursgirl 

Do you also have the 1891 census? Benjamin's name is down as Rhodes, while John is Moody:

1891
RG12/4052 96 22
Stockton, Durham
23 Union Street
John Moody, head, 32, Mar Engine Fitter, b. Hartlepool
Elizabeth, wife, 31, b. Stockton
Fanny, dau, 2, b. Stockton
John, son, 5, scholar, b. do.
Amy Rhodes, niece, 10, scholar, b. do.
Benny Rhodes, nephew, 8, scholar, b. do.

Niece and nephew - euphemisms for stepchildren?

The different status for John and Benny would suggest that John was John Moody's son indeed while Ben wasn't. 

I suppose this is the birth you have found for him:
John William M Rhodes - Jun 1886 - Hartlepool 10a 130

The birth cert will probably reveal that the M stands for Moody but it's not likely to actually show John Moody as the father.

 

[Arthursgirl]

Thanks sooo much!  I had not seen that from 1891, I had only spotted them in 1901.  There has been a huge mystery surrounding my Grandfather (Elizabeth's grandson) - even Granmother thought she would be Mrs Moody right up till the day of their wedding.

Thanks again.  I'll follow that clue.