Hi,
A train of thought for you to consider.
You have shown the 1871 census for the "Wilkinson's" in Acton/Baddington - when you check the 1861 census there is a further son Joseph who was born in 1851. Taking him through the 1881/91/1901 censuses he was also working on the railways, as was Samuel.
Same trade - maybe same family?
Joseph appears to have ended up at Hodnet, Shropshire (shown as Wilkenson on the 1901 census).
Another thought - the 1891 census has the other brother James in a Nantwich workhouse as a pauper. The line above him has an entry for a William Cooper - part of his wife's family?
See what you think
Alan
Thanks Alan,
Oh my! Confused??? You bet I am now lol.
I have found James in the 1891 census in the workhouse as you said. I'm not sure but the name above looks more like a Samuel rather than William Cooper? Can you read what it says on the far right of the census? It looks like "Imbecile from

??" ( Poor man! )
Many thanks for your thoughts Alan. Much appreciated
Lynn
Just had another thought...........
If we assume that the "correct" Samuel Wilkinson is the one in Baddington in 1871 then where is my Great Grandmother Mary Ellen Cooper in 1871?
She was born c1868 in Coppenhall.
She married Fred Egerton in 1892 at Frodsham parish Church. Her father was named as Samuel Wilkinson. Occupation Signalman.
And this is where the whole saga began. I asked initially about Mary Ellen Cooper and Fred Egerton on another thread and I thought with the help from some lovely folk on here that we'd got it cracked. But then it all went skew in 1871! I can't see the wood for the trees anymore. Lol.