Downham Market Workhouse

[merlot59]

I'm trying to find my great-grandfather John Thomas Osborne who was from Norfolk, and by a process of elimination have decided he's likely to be the John Osborn who was in Downham Market Workhouse in the 1871 and 1881 Census. I think his mother was Sarah as she was also in the workhouse in 1871 and also two siblings Rebecca and Mary. By 1881 Sarah and the two girls have gone, I've traced the girls but not Sarah, and some more Osborn's have joined John - I believe only Annie was his sister. I'd be grateful for any information about who his father was, what happened to Sarah, and what happened to John when he left. I know he was in Sheffield in 1893 when he married his first wife but can't find him on the 1891 Census.

[rosie99]

What information does his marriage certificate give about his father

[Paco]

What is his year of birth going by the 1871 census.
regards.

[merlot59]

On both marriage certificates it says his father is John Thomas Osborne (deceased). On the 1871 Census he is 3 so born about 1868 and on the 1881 Census he is 12 so about 1869. I've found a birth on FreeBMD for John Osborn in Downham, Q1 Vol 4b Page 372 which may be him.

[The Yokel]

Looks like he could have been born in the workhouse

http://www.rootschat.com/links/01euj/

yokel

[merlot59]

Thanks Yokel. I'm not sure what the writing says where some others have the date of birth - 2 1/2 ?? Any ideas? I've now seen the later baptism in 1877 (along with his 3 sisters Rebecca, Mary and Annie) which has Sarah as being a spinster. It would be good to find John on the 1891 Census or to find out what happened to him when he left the workhouse.

[The Yokel]

2 1/2 ?? Any ideas?

"years old"

[merlot59]

Thought it might be, but didn't look like "years old" - but would make sense if he was born in 1868 - I've got a birth for then.

[Richard Knott]

Is he the John T Osborne, 31, b Norfolk in the 1901 census (RG13/4346) living with his wife, Ada, and family in Derbyshire ?

Richard