James Robert Handley b 1883 in Neston

[smallholderitm]

Hello everyone
In 1891 and 1901 census of Neston, the above named is shown as the son of William and Mary Handley.  This is incorrect as his baptism is "son of Richard Handley and Catherine Matthews". Richard was the brother of William and Catherine the sister of Mary.
Despite much searching I have been unable to find a trace of him after 1901 and he does not seem to appear on the 1911 census.  The majority of the family styed on the Wirral in and around Neston and Birkenhead.
Any sight of him would be much appreciated.
Many thanks

Angela

[Milliepede]

Did his parents ever marry?  If not maybe he took his mothers surname 

Can you trace his mother in 1911?  She could have married someone else and have JR with her.

[Milliepede]

Are you referring to the son down as Robert in 1891/1901?

[ColC]

This seems to be the only Handley male birth in the County in 1883?

HANDLEY, ROBERT       mmn ROBERTS 
GRO Reference: 1883  M Quarter in CHESTER  Volume 08A  Page 446

Colin

[ColC]

This seems to be the parents of the Robert above, so wrong on all counts?

Marriages Mar 1880   
Handley    William        Chester    8a   548
Roberts    Sarah        Chester    8a   548

Colin

[Annette7]

First of all, he was baptised as Robert James (not James Robert) and the baptism entry would indicate the parents were not married - usually, when a couple were married, (as you will see from other entries on the page) the mothers maiden name is not given but in this instance both full names are given.

I cannot find that his birth has been registered under either surname, nor can I find him in 1891 or 1901.

Since his parents clearly not married his surname should have been Matthews.

Then, in 1911, we find a Robert James Matthews b.1883, with wife Jane and 2 infants (births index indicates her maiden name was Hancock).   Son William birth registered 1910 as William Handley Matthews, mmn Hancock.

As with Robert James' own parents does not look like he and 'wife' Jane nee Hancock were ever married although he was Matthews in 1911 and children as Matthews in 1910, 1911 and 1912.   What happened after then I don't know as can't trace them as Matthews after 1912.

Annette 

 

[smallholderitm]

Thank you all
I woke up this am and realised that I had transposed his names. Sorry everyone.
 It is Robert James Handley. He was baptised 1 February 1883 in St Mary & St Helen Church, Neston.  His parents did not marry each other and I have found Richard in later census in Liverpool as a Baker together with (separately) two different wives and a ?stepdaughter. Thanks for the thought about following Catherine.  I had thought that as he was 18 in 1901 census and living with William and Mary that he was settled there with them as his parents and that he would leave to further his life, rather than go to live with his mother. However, I will check on that and also on the Robert and Jane family.
Many thanks once again and apologies for the misleading info as to his name.
Angela

[smallholderitm]

Just as an add on to all the above - Robert James Matthews married Jane Hancock in Dec 1/4 of 1909 registered in West Derby ref 8b 819.
Angela

[smallholderitm]

Hello again and many thanks especially to Annette who set me on the correct road.
Robert married Jane but unfortunately there is no father's name on the marriage certificate.  They had 3 children William, John and James.  James' birth was registered in the Dec 1/4 1912 as Matthews.  Jane died 31 October 1913 in Neston of Septicaemia and Pneumonia aged only 28, leaving Robert with 3 young children.  Robert's mother Catherine had married a William Rigby and was living in Ince.  She had had two more illegitimate children by then.
I can only think that Robert packed up his family and went to Ince, as on 12 March 1917 his 4 year old son James died in Ince and his death was reported by Robert.  Robert was by then labouring down the pit.  Somewhile thereafter he went into the army and he was killed on 2 November 1918 in action.  The few details of his army papers give any monies due to him to go to a Margaret Rigby as guardian for his two remaining children.  Margaret was the wife of one of Catherine's illegitmate children who had been brought up as "Rigbys".  Catherine had by then died herself.
So - rather a tragic and convoluted tale, but at least I am happy that at last he has been tracked down.
Very many thanks again
Angela