A puzzler - censuses etc

[brer]

Thomas Gaskell and Emma Taylor married in 1907.  They appear on the 1911 at 25 William street, Failsworth with twin sons. James Eccles is listed as a boarder.

There is some secrecy about James Eccles, which has never been told about.  I can't find him on the 1901 but he is on the 1891 living with Emma's mother  Julia Taylor; and again on the 1881, where Julia is listed as Judith.

I can't find Julia on the 1901 either, nor have I found her death.

If anyone could possibly make some headway with this, it would be great.

Many thanks

~ Claire

[cati]

It appears from the 1891 census that Julia Taylor is living in James Eccles's household, rather than him living with her (a subtle difference, but may be important).

Cati

[lizdb]

Well, 1911 shows him as bn Cheshire, about 1854, and widowed.

1891 he is single and bn Derbyshire.

So he doesnt make it easy for us.

[brer]

Nightmare! 

[Ruskie]

He might be Julia's fancy man. 
Do you have Emma's birth certificate? Who does it name as her father?

THe secrecy you mention about James Eccles - is this a family story or something you suspect from your census findings?

I will see if I can find James in 1901.

[Ruskie]

Do you know what Julia's maiden name was? She wasn't an Eccles by any chance? 

[lizdb]

Is this him?

Probate index-

James Eccles of 10 Carlton Str Darwen, died 21 Dec 1928, admin 31 Jan 1929 to Melita Maud Taylor (wife of John Taylor)

(but I cant see a death in the indexes to match)

[brer]

He might be Julia's fancy man. 
Do you have Emma's birth certificate? not yet, just looking for a friend Who does it name as her father?

THe secrecy you mention about James Eccles - is this a family story or something you suspect from your census findings? family story apparently

I will see if I can find James in 1901.  Thank you

The probate could be him - the names seem to match

Thank you for all you're doing

~ C

[Ruskie]

I can't see an obvious good match for James Eccles in 1901 (but sometone else may be able to spot him).

There is a James Eccles living in Darwen with wife Sarah and a number of children, but this one is a farmer aged 51. Might this be the one with the will? Surname Taylor? Coincidence? 

Brer, I don't suppose you can press your friend or any of her relatives to see if they have any more information about James Eccles and the scandal?  All we can see so far is that he and Julia are on the census together. There may not be an obvious relationship to find via a paper trail, which is why I'm interested in the gossip.