Richard Jones Plate Layer

[Redroger]

Platelayer to Engine Foreman is a big leap in railway terms. The labourer at Birkenhead seems more likely to me.

[JollyMe]

In the 1901 England Census John Jones is born Wolverhampton, Staffordshire,
1891 says Walkhampton, Staffordshire, 1881 Bilston Staffordshire. 

The family you have in 1861 does look like the same one as in 1871.
I have found marriage records in the records of St Paul in the Parish of Walkden for:
Eliza Jane Jones father occupation labourer 17/5/1884. Witness William Jones & Phoebe Jones.
Alfred Jones grooms father occupation plate layer 1/8/1885.  Witness Pheobe (sic) Jones.
Does anyone know what (sic) refers to?
Phoebe Jones father occupation Navvy 17/10/1885.   (Navvy was a term also applied to the workmen employed on building rail tracks, their tunnels, etc.)
Emma Lavinia Jones father occupation labourer 20/4/1889. Eitness Harriet Ann Jones
Richard was deceased by the time Phoebe and Emma were married.
It appears Richard's occupation (or name thereof) frequently changed.
If I could find John's birth record but it seems to be alluding me!!!

[JollyMe]

Does anyone have the same thought as me that Chealy is Richard's first wife then he married Phoebe?

[dotty]

I think that if you enlarge "Cleary" it reads Pheobe  a differnt spelling.There is a marriage in Wolverhampton in 1844 between  aRichard Jones and Phoebe Small. 

Dotty

[Redroger]

Yes Jolly me (sic) means as recorded, Latin for "thus" and is used to show readers that the error has not been made by the current writer.

[JollyMe]

Hi Dotty
Thanks for your welcomed comments.
I have been really trying to make out a Phoebe from the Chealy in the 1861 census but are having a little difficulty in doing so.  Is this what you are referring to to enlarge?
The marriage between Richard and Phoebe in 1844.  John wasn't born until 1853.  There is a gap of 9 years before they would have had any children.  Is this likely back in the 1800's do you think?

[Redroger]

Quite likely, they could have had difficulty in conceiving, and even more likely they could have lost several children through miscarriage or still births.

[JollyMe]

Further thought on the 1844 marriage.  If in the 1871 census Phoebe is 38 then that would make her birth year around 1833 and only 11 when married.
Under what web site did you find this marriage as the only one I can find is the 1871 marriage taken place way after most of the chidren were born.

[Redroger]

Further thought on the 1844 marriage.  If in the 1871 census Phoebe is 38 then that would make her birth year around 1833 and only 11 when married.
Under what web site did you find this marriage as the only one I can find is the 1871 marriage taken place way after most of the chidren were born.

Given the uncertainty over ages to within a year or so prior to 1837 and the fact that marriage was legal for a girl at age 12 with parents' consent, it is perhaps not the time to remove her from the search.