Fresh eyes for a Cooley family in Kent early 1900's?

[IgorStrav]

I wonder whether anyone can help me with this one.

I have Arthur Friend (or Frend) Cooley, born 25th February 1873 in Chatham.  He was christened with the surname Cork, but the family changed their name to Cooley and appear as such in Chatham in 1881 and 1891 censuses.

In 1901, Arthur is in Chatham, 30 Caroline Street, with his wife Mary A Cooley (born 1878 in Plumstead, Kent.

Also there is their son, Arthur David Cooley, born 3 1/2 (apologies, corrected) months ahead of the census in Chatham, and Arthur snr's brother, David R T Cooley (at this point Arthur snr's father was dead, and his mother was in hospital).

I have tracked down all of Arthur Friend Cooley's siblings through the 20th century, but I cannot find him, or his wife, or son Arthur David.

I'm not looking for an 1911 lookup - think I've tried most of the versions I can think of (and not allowed to do so, here, anyway  ) - but would greatly appreciate any other suggestions.

It would be good to track down the family, as I have just received a contact from someone connected to an Arthur Cooley born at about the same time as the young Arthur David, and it would be great to be able to prove they are connected. 

Any thoughts?

[CaroleW]

Have you already ruled out Arthur Cooby on the 1911 index aged 38 and living in Medway.  His birthplace matches to Chatham

[IgorStrav]

Interesting, Carole! That didn't pop up under Cooley variants. But this man is a skin dresser, when mine was a dock labourer. Will have another look tomorrow when I can see the image itself.

And, of course, if it's him, where's the family?

Thanks so much for looking!

[maidmarianoops]

Arthur Frend Cork
England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975
 residence  Kent,​ England
 parents Richard Cork,  Charlotte Jane

 Arthur Frend Cork 
 
Bap/Christening Date 12 Mar 1873 
Baptism/Christening Place SAINT PAUL,CHATHAM,KENT,ENGLAND 


is this him


sylvia
 

[IgorStrav]

Yes, thank you Sylvia, I have his details right up to the 1901, (though not his marriage - if he did actually marry Mary A), it's after the 1901 where I lose sight.

Thanks for looking.

[scintilla]

I have tried all the surname variations and just searching on the first names of all 3, Arthur Friend, Mary Ann and Arthur David, but can't find them anywhere in 1911, nor a marriage for the couple. Very much a puzzle, the obvious suggestion is that they emigrated, but I couldn't see any likely candidates on passenger lists, US census etc. There were a couple of possibilities for deaths of Arthur COOLEY, born 1901 in the US Indexes, do you have an exact date of birth for him?

[CaroleW]

Hi Scintilla

do you have an exact date of birth for him?

This is the closest it gets - nothing exact

Births March qtr 1873   
Arthur Friend Cork    Medway  2a 501

and from Sylvia's reply above

Arthur Frend Cork 
 
Bap/Christening Date 12 Mar 1873 
Baptism/Christening Place SAINT PAUL,CHATHAM,KENT,ENGLAND 

[scintilla]

Sorry, I should have been more specific, for Arthur David. I know you said 3 1/2 months before the 1901 census, but I wondered if you had an exact date. I found an Arthur COOLEY death registered in New York State with a dob of 17th Jan 1901.

[CaroleW]

This is from freebmd although he could have been born in the December of 1900

Births March qtr 1901 
Arthur David Cooley   Medway  2a 656

There is only one other Arthur Cooley birth around that time but it was in the December qtr 1900 so doesn't link to a January 1901 birth

That death looks a good possibility