Should I just give up now?

[snowyw]

Romilly, I'm sure he got his place of birth wrong.

It was stated on all census's that my 2x gt grandmother was born in Berwick on Tweed, as her mother had.  Surely her parents could not be wrong!  But, she lived all her life in London.  It took me ages (and lots of certificates) before I finally found her birth registered in....London!!  I think she must have been born in Berwick, perhaps while family were visiting, but later registered in London, a whole five weeks after she was born.

Perhaps your William's birth registration was a similar scenario....born in Manchester, but lived & registered in Blackburn.  I must say, Alexander does look a good candidate for his father. 

[Romilly]

Snowyw,

I've saved all of the Census returns on Alexander Wilson and family, but I'm not totally convinced...

The 'William Wilson, Painter' could fit... (although it looks like he was born in 1863).

Alexander Henry Wilson, (born 1827) died in Preston, Lancs in 1901 aged 74yrs.

Why then would William James Wilson say that his father William Wilson, (Mason) was deceased by 1893?

I agree that he could be mistaken about being born in Manchester, - perhaps they had lived there, and he assumed he was born there?

I just wish that I had a bit more to go on...

Romilly.

[Spidermonkey]

Alexander Henry Wilson, (born 1827) died in Preston, Lancs in 1901 aged 74yrs.

Is that the right chap?  His wife is shown as a widow on the 1891 census.

[Romilly]

Alexander Henry Wilson, (born 1827) died in Preston, Lancs in 1901 aged 74yrs.

Is that the right chap?  His wife is shown as a widow on the 1891 census.

Doh... am I looking at the wrong lot?? (I can't find them on the 1891 Census).

(My subs expire on there this week, - and I've probably been spending too long looking!!)

I will have a break... and look again later,
Romilly

[snowyw]

I think this may be the death of Alexander Wilson - Stone Mason.

Deaths Sep 1886  Wilson    Alexander    60    Blackburn    8e   247

I seriously think, 'William' Wilson is a mistake on your grandfather's marriage certificate.  It happens - annoyingly!! 
We just need to prove it!

[Romilly]

Thanks snowyw,

However, having now found this William Wilson on the 1911 Census, - I can see that he isn't my Grandfather!

I know that we're not supposed to post from the 1911, - but... although Alexander and Ann Wilson's son is working as a House Painter, (as was William James Wilson) he is living in Blackburn, married to Mary, and has children Fred and Mary!

Ergo... he is NOT my Grandfather William James Wilson, who in 1911 was living in Swansea with my Grandmother and their six sons.

Back to the drawing board...

And it looked so promising...

Romilly.

[Redroger]

My advice; just cool it for a while; follow another line and then return to the one that gives the problems. I have been trying since 1996 to prove the identity of my 2XGGF

[snowyw]

Blast!  I feel as frustrated as you do. 

[Romilly]

Thanks everyone for all the help, and time and effort. Your assistance and ideas have been very much appreciated.

I think for the meantime I will take Redrodger's advice... and put William James Wilson on the back burner for a while...

Best Wishes, and Good Luck with your research,
Romilly.