Where is my great grandfather???

[Neale1961]

Hey Jonw65.
I have been wondering exactly who Richard Evans was too. I don’t think he is the same as Richard Eaves. The Eaves family were saddlers and harness makers. I will look some more later.

Good finds re Mary as the publican. YES, now it makes more sense that on the 1881 census, the head of house “Harry” is actually Mary. she was after all born in London.
So where was James - wandered off, or died? And then who was the real father of those girls?
A family of many mysteries!

[jonwarrn]

A family of many mysteries!

Indeed, Neale!
Poor May. The identity of her husband may be in doubt, and now her father as well!

[Neale1961]

Maybe James did wander off, and that is him in the 1891 and 1901 census working in Birmingham as a tram driver. He has two children with him - John (born 1887) and Martha (born 89).
And in 1891 he has another / different wife named Mary.
That James died 1907.

ADDED.
Those two Claridge children John and Martha, have birth registrations with mother’s maiden name as BASTOCK.

[jorose]

This might be Joseph Parkes on the GRO with an unusual name spelling:
Joseph Ernest "PAERKES", mother's maiden name Sanders, birth registered December 1873 quarter Pontypridd  Volume 11A  Page 335

[jonwarrn]

This might be Joseph Parkes on the GRO with an unusual name spelling:
Joseph Ernest "PAERKES", mother's maiden name Sanders, birth registered December 1873 quarter Pontypridd  Volume 11A  Page 335

Great find!

1881 in Amblecote, Staffordshire
Ernest Josh. Perks 7 Scholar, born Ponty Pride South Wales
With siblings, and living with grandparents Henry & Mary Ann Perks
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q27F-KJTF

Birth of sister Phoebe
PERKS, PHOEBE  LOUISA     
Mother's Maiden Surname: SAUNDERS 
GRO Reference: 1871  D Quarter in STOURBRIDGE  Volume 06C  Page 173

Brother Henry
PERKS, HENRY  PEEL     
Mother's Maiden Surname: SAUNDERS 
GRO Reference: 1868  M Quarter in STOURBRIDGE  Volume 06C  Page 188

1871 in Amblecote
William Perks Head 31 Chair Maker
Pheoboe Perks Wife 26
Emma Littlewood 7
Henry Perks Son 3
Mary Anne Perks Daug 1 (yr) 10 ms??
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V5R1-4H8

Previous house is Henry & Mary Anne Perks as per 1871
Spellings not perfect, my transcriptions may not be either!

[jonwarrn]

Oops!
I think I've gone wrong somewhere there!
William Henry Wallace Perks married Phoebe Littlewood, widow.
21 Apr 1867, Brierley Hill

Bride's father Charles Cartwright.

[jonwarrn]

Henry Peel Perks + Mary Saunders
4 March 1867, Dudley.

So Henry and Mary are in the household in Amblecote in 1881, along with their children. Living with his parents.

And the Henrys are chain makers (not chair makers!)

[jonwarrn]

He may be the Ernest Perks, tube drawer, in Handsworth, in 1901 and 1911.
Age 27 and 37.
Born Wales.
Married to Jane.

If so, he is eliminated

[Neale1961]

If so, he is eliminated

Indeed, eliminated. Like a few other possibilities I have explored - so full of potential at the outset, but then ultimately proves to be no good.