John Smith and a tale of two Newports.!

[trixi button]

Started tracing back my gt gt grandfather John Francis Smith.
He and his family resided in Linthorpe Middlesbrough at various addresses from C1875 onwards.
He was a stocktaker of iron (and later steel) until in his 60s he became nightwatchman at the steelworks in Middlesbrough.
On census from 1891 onwards he is shown as being born Newport Monmouthshire c1850
However on 1881 census he is shown as being born in the county of essex and low and behold there is a village of Newport in Essex but so far I unable to trace John or his father Francis there.
However I have been unable to trace the family back in Newport Monmouthshire either!! The last trace I have is in 1872.
On 19th May 1872 John Francis Smith married Mary Jenkins at St Woolos Newport Monmouthshire.
The marriage cert states John was 22 and that his father was Francis Smith occupation stocktaker of iron.
Marys father is given as Hercules Jenkins butcher.
Witnesses all from Jenkins side
There is a Smith family shown in 1851 Census residing in Arkesden Essex( the parish Newport came under) and

[trixi button]

Woops sent before I meant to ! But so far can find no birth for John in either Newport that matches up.
Any help or suggestions w were to go from here would be welcome.
I ended up going down a whole wrong route because I found a john born in monmouthshire of the right age a
t aberystruth with a father Francis and who married a Mary .Turned out this John from Bradford on Avon married a Mary George !! Hopefully one day will find the right John!
Regards
Trixi

[Daisypetal]

Hi,

I can't see a definite for John anywhere before 1881, but just to allay the confusion, the census image for 1881 gives his birthplace as Mon Newport. I can't see where Essex comes from?

Oh I see...the transcription on findmypast I'm sure that website is getting worse and worse

Regards,
Daisy

[trixi button]

Thanks for your reply Daisy - yes i think i will stick to believing it must be Newport Monmouthshire where he was married until proven otherwise !! Thanks for confirming that in 1881 it states newport mon
regards
trixi