Is it possible to trace this British birth in France, c. 1844?

[Davedrave]

Yesterday I had amazing help on RootsChat to find the records of Esther Hunt, later Wilbore, later Watkin. (Post here:  https://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=871749.0 )

It seems a rather surprising life story for working class people of the time, because a son, John Watkin, was born in France in about 1844. I wonder if there is any record of this British overseas birth. I am assuming that he was the son of Esther “Watkin” and Thomas Watkin, because when Esther Wilbor eventually married Thomas Watkin, in Leicester in 1872 (after over 20 years living together), Thomas was a bachelor.

(John Watkin was in Creswell, Elmton, near Worksop, in 1871, a blacksmith.)

[ShaunJ]

In the 1881 census his birthplace is Sutton on Trent.  Does he appear in any other censuses?

[Davedrave]

In the 1881 census his birthplace is Sutton on Trent.  Does he appear in any other censuses?

1851 (transcript only, in the linked post) and in 1871, Creswell, Elmton, near Worksop (below).

[ShaunJ]

Possibly in 1861 in Normanton, household of George Templeman, blacksmith:

John Wadkin, 17, apprentice, born Sutton, Notts.

[manukarik]

Could this be John - registered with French spelling, Jean? Born in Barentin, Seine-Maritime, France on 20 March 1844. Mother's maiden name, Wilbour.

https://www.archivesdepartementales76.net/ark:/50278/19780039261c962a9da326d17da739eb/dao/0/29

Entry 53 at bottom right of page.

[ShaunJ]

Well found, Manukarik!

Parents Thomas Watkin, a day labourer, and his wife Esther Wilbour; married in "Lester" in England, 8 March 1840, if I'm reading it right.

[Davedrave]

Possibly in 1861 in Normanton, household of George Templeman, blacksmith:

John Wadkin, 17, apprentice, born Sutton, Notts.

Thanks Shaun, I’ll follow this up.

Dave 

[Davedrave]

Could this be John - registered with French spelling, Jean? Born in Barentin, Seine-Maritime, France on 20 March 1844. Mother's maiden name, Wilbour.

https://www.archivesdepartementales76.net/ark:/50278/19780039261c962a9da326d17da739eb /dao/0/29

Entry 53 at bottom right of page.

Thanks, yes definitely the right one and interesting to see that she was Wilbour in the record. Unfortunately I don’t know why they were in France. Thomas Watkin was a railway labourer in England. I wonder if he was working rather than a tourist.

Dave 

[Davedrave]

Yes, it says she married 8 March 1840, but it was actually 24 March 1837. Maybe she’d forgotten the date.

Dave