The mysterious William Douthwaite

[dobfarm]

If as you think ? William had never married till 1947 then he could be on the 1911 census, age 41 as a single man and I don't think there will be many to narrow down a search. It could give you a start as likely candidate('s) to trace back to a possible area location of birth.

[chr1st1an]

Following your kind suggestion, these are all the William Douthwaite(s) I can find in the 1911 census with an approximate age of 41... (attached pdf)

I request help to check this list and confirm or eliminate each "candidate".

Thank you all!!!

[dobfarm]

Was all the William's in your list unmarried ? aged approx 40

Well, if you can find your William's occupation before he retired from a relative may help or as members advised (when your funding allows.)- the 1947 marriage certificate info.

Going by your list the Liverpool birth 1870  and your mention of Liverpool. Working the railway as a fireman steamer, (Tender) would explain why he moved locations and may have not married as always on the move. (Known as fire tender floaters that would go anywhere needed as & when)

[LizzieL]

FindMyPast has a record in Merchant seaman collection for William Douthwaite born abt 1869 Liverpool.
He was a fireman on the Cassia - vessel official number 86360 registered at Newport - from 30 Jul 1909 to 17 Oct 1909. Vessel owned by Mawson and Co of Cardiff

[LizzieL]

FindMyPast also has the WW1 service record of the William Douthwaite who was a wireman for the Post Office in civilian life. He married Ellen Margaret Marsh in  1902 and had two children listed on his service record.

[chr1st1an]

Good morning! 

Was all the William's in your list unmarried ? aged approx 40

I don't know. 
Since I don't have access to the different 1911 census, that is why I requested help to go through the list checking if they were married or single (to reduce the list)...

One of them I know for sure he was single: the one born in 1869 at St Mary Beverly who was a bank accountant (#4 on the list). He was living with his mother Jane who was 70.

FindMyPast also has the WW1 service record of the William Douthwaite who was a wireman for the Post Office in civilian life. He married Ellen Margaret Marsh in  1902 and had two children listed on his service record.

#14 on my list who was a "Foreman Wireman" can be found in the 1901 Cheshire census living at Birkenhead as a boarder. But I don't know if in 1911 he was single or married?

[LizzieL]

see my earlier post: the wireman married in 1902, so he was married by 1911.

How do you know your William was not married previous to the 1947 marriage? Sending for marriage cert would also tell you if he was a widower or single when he married.

[chr1st1an]

Hi!
By word of mouth we know he was an unmarried man...
If he lied to the whole family that is another story, don't you think? 

[rosie99]

Since I don't have access to the different 1911 census, that is why I requested help to go through the list checking if they were married or single (to reduce the list)...

We are not allowed to do 1911 lookups so really need to know who his father was so we can look for him earlier then maybe we can fill in some gaps.  The only way really is the marriage certificate as anything else we look at is only guesswork.