William Samuel FILDEW of Exeter

[Rossi327]

I am struggling to find any trace of William Samuel FILDEW born 1879 in Exeter.

I have the birth registration details, marriage certificate, 1911 census and WW1 pension records but I cannot find him in the 1881, 1891 or 1901 census.

The marriage certificate states his father has the same name and was occupied as a general labourer. Father was deceased prior to the marriage in 1907.

One clue I found points to prior military service with the Devonshire Regiment, which might explain the lack of results in 1901 however it does not explain the absences in 1881 and 1891. I cannot find any record of him in the on-line military records prior to WW1 though.

Can anyone help?

[trish1120]

Left of field answer!
Is it possible William was illeg and lied on his M/C?

Found this a bit of a coincidence;
Marriage FreeBMD;
Sarah FILDEW, Dec 1878, Exeter, 5b 155
Posible Spouses for Sarah;
Robert ARCHER
William Samuel TESTER**

1881 Census has;
WM Tester, 1878, Son of Sarah Tester, born c 1852, Exeter, Occp Laundress, Widow, living in Exeter, Devon
(Wm has been mistranscribed as an Unm, 3yr old Labourer!, prob what the Lodger is)
RG11/2151/113/33

Death Reg;
William TESTER, March 1879, Exter, 5b 67, age 30

Trish

[trish1120]

There is also a Death Reg for a Sarah Tester, birth c 1852, age 43, Jan/Feb/Mar Qtr 1893, Exeter, 5b 76

[Rossi327]

Left of field answer!
Is it possible William was illeg and lied on his M/C?

Hi Trish,

thanks for your time and efforts.

This has crossed my mind before but I was just expecting to see FILDEW as opposed to any other adopted names.

This fits especially as there is no trace of a William TESTER being born in Devon 2 years either side of 1878!

Time for more digging.

Thank you again.

[trish1120]

I would not be surprised if William Samuel Tester was WSF's Father and they Married soon after his Birth.

[Rossi327]

That is what I thought and they just reverted back to FILDEW a few years after the Father died.

I suppose I will have to get the birth certificate to prove one way or the other.

[trish1120]

Yes, that is what I would do.
Sarah may have even been married before and Cert will show all

[Rossi327]

Trish,

not sure if you will keep up with this post.

The birth certificate is quite interesting.

No Father listed but Mother is Sarah FILDEW formerly HOLE a Laundress.

I can find a Sarah FILDEW marrying a William Samuel TESTER the year after the birth but it I can only find a  Sarah HALL who married Thomas FILDEW in 1872. I cannot find a death for Thomas though. HOLE and HALL could be mistaken!

I wonder if William Samuel TESTER is his real Father but as it was before wedlock he was illegitimate and later when he declared his Father on his marriage certificate the surnames were confused.

[trish1120]

Mmm very interesting re Birth Cert!

This is just an assumption on my part.

1861 Census
Lower St,
Cullumpton, Devon
RG9/1477/14/21
John VOISEY, 59, Head, Mar,  Ag Lab, born Cullumpton
Sarah HOLE, 37, Mar, Daug, Lab at Paper Mill, born Cullumpton
SARAH A Hole, 10, Grand/Daug, Scholar, born Cullumpton
Emma VOISEY, 3, Grand/Daug, born London
Mary HARRIS, 77, Lodger, Widow, born Kent

1851 Census Sarah is age 1 mth and living with Grand Parents JOHN/MARY and her Parents;
John HOLE c 1822, Cullumpton and Sarah Hole c 1823 nee Voisey

1871 Census
West Side of Higher St,
Cullumpton, Devon
RG10/2167/16/29
Sarah HALL, 50, Head, Mar, Paper Mill Lab, born Cullumpton
Sarah Hall, 20, Daug, Unm, Dressmaker,  born Cullumpton
Charlotte BERRY, 89, Lodger, Widow, Blacksmiths Widow, born Congersbury, Somerset

Next door is;
Mary VOISEY, 70, Head, Widow, Charwoman, born Cullumpton
Emma Voisey, 13, Grand/Daug, General Servant, born London

Sorry to add more confusion to the mix