Sarah Ann West - what happened to her?

[Foz]

Can anyone help me to find details of Sarah Ann West b.c.1864 Birmingham.
I think her father was called William West.
She married John Kemble Wilkes in 1880 Alvechurch, Worcs and they went to Australia where they had two children Roseanna (1884) and William (1887), both born in Queensland.
By 1895 she was back in England and married to Walter Thornton and had four more known children.
What happened to John Wilkes?  Did he come back to England with her?  Did they divorce in Australia or England?  When and where did she marry Walter Thornton?

I'd be extremely grateful for any help with this.      Thank You!!!!

[rosie99]

I see from another of your posts that you have her first marriage cert

Married on 25th July 1880 at St. Asaph's Church, Borough of Birmingham.

John Kemble Wilkes, a bachelor aged 24.  Carpenter.  His father was Kemble(?) Wilkes, a Jeweller.

Sarah Ann West, a spinster aged 19.  Her father was William West, a Shoemaker.

I can't read the address where they were living, it looks like Gt. Crinnis St. or Gt. Colnrie St.!!!     

[avm228]

Are you aware that Roseanna Wilkes (though first name looks like Roscina) was already in England in 1891, enumerated with her grandmother Rosanna Haines (62) in Alvechurch? RG12/2347/14/21.

[avm228]

William (1887), both born in Queensland.

Australia Birth Index has William Henry Wilkes born Queensland 29 Dec 1886, son of John Kemble Wilkes and Sarah Ann West.

[rosie99]

I see from another of your posts that you have her first marriage cert

Married on 25th July 1880 at St. Asaph's Church, Borough of Birmingham.

John Kemble Wilkes, a bachelor aged 24.  Carpenter.  His father was Kemble(?) Wilkes, a Jeweller.

Sarah Ann West, a spinster aged 19.  Her father was William West, a Shoemaker.

I can't read the address where they were living, it looks like Gt. Crinnis St. or Gt. Colnrie St.!!!     

Who were the witnesses to this marriage

[lizdb]

 1901
RG 13 2828 10 11
Birmingham

Wallis Thornton 38 tailor bn London
Sarah A 39 bn Birmingham
Rose A Wilkes stepdaughter 16 bn Australia
William h Wilkes stepson 15 bn Australia
Gertie Thornton 6 bn Birmingham
Walter Thornton 5 bn b'ham
Albert Thornton 3 bn B'ham
Plus numerous visitors and boarders

Do we know if Sarah is the mother of the Thornton children , or if they are wallis's from a previous marriage?

[Manchester Rambler]

An interesting census entry in 1891:

RG12/2378/45/15
100 Granville St, Birmingham
William THORNTON  Head  30  Tailor  b. London 
Mary Ann THORNTON  Wife  35  b. Scotland
Sarah Ann WILKES  Boarder  Married  29  Tailoress  b. Birmingham

It certainly looks like "William" on the image, but his details match Wallis/Walter (the image could be either!) in 1901. 

[Manchester Rambler]

And here's William in 1891 with his uncle:

RG12/2286/71/22
81 New Rd, Tipton, Staffordshire
William WILKES  Head  50  Railway Porter b. Alvechurch, Warwickshire
Sarah A WILKES  Wife  50  b. Worcestershire
Edward WILKES  Son  20      Riveters Assistant  b. Alvechurch, Warwickshire
William J WILKES  Son  18  Labourer Iron Works  b. Tipton
William WILKES  Nephew  4  b. Rockhampton, Australia
Sarah Emery  Servant  15  b. Tipton

[Foz]

The witnesses to the marriage were:   William Rose  and  Rosina Richards.