Maud Alice Jones b.1874 Pittsburgh – British Parents – Moved to UK Before 1893

[denha15]

Hello all,

*Cross-Posting in hopes of help!*
I’m looking for help tracing the origins of Maud Alice Jones, born 15 July 1874 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to British parents. At some point, she returned to the UK, where she married in Tipton, Staffordshire in 1893 and lived the rest of her life in West Bromwich.

On UK records:

The 1921 census says she was a British subject by birth
The 1939 Register lists her birthplace as “Pitsburg” (which I'm taking to be a misspelling of Pittsburgh, PA)

Her father is named as Joseph Jones, a retired miner, on her UK marriage certificate and I’ve had no luck finding a U.S. birth or baptism record for her, or anything on her parents in Pittsburgh. I’m wondering if anyone here knows about:

Church records or early baptisms in Pittsburgh around 1874
British families temporarily in Pennsylvania for mining work
Passenger lists or return journeys to the UK before 1893

Any suggestions or info would be very gratefully received.

Full details (including UK info) posted here on the Staffordshire board:
https://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=892560.0

[CaroleW]

The 1939 register does not give birthplaces - only birthdates.  Looking at the entry for Maud & Richard I can't see any mention of "Pitsburg"

The 1921 census gives her birthplace as "Pitsburg"

[denha15]

Thanks for taking the time to reply, Carole. You're right that the 1939 Register doesn’t list birthplaces, my mistake there. I had seen “Pitsburg” listed alongside Maud’s name in a transcription elsewhere, and it seems I’ve confused that with the 1939 entry, easily done. The 1921 census definitely does record “Pitsburg” as her birthplace, and as mentioned in my post, that’s what I’m working from in trying to trace her early life in the U.S. Thanks.

[CaroleW]

I can't see any entry for her on the 1880 US census or on the 1881 & 1891 English censuses

I have searched both 1881 & 1891 censuses for all Maud* entries (no surname) b 1873 - 1875 but none have a USA birthplace

Nothing on Family Search re her birth

[Mabel Bagshawe]

Are there any potential clues from the witnesses to the marriage?

[Jomot]

According to the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, they hold copies of the (rather sporadic) birth records for Pittsburgh, including for the City of Pittsburgh 1870-1905. 

They also have an online research request form, although I don't know what the costs would be.

https://carnegielibrary.libguides.com/Genealogy/Birth

[mckha489]

Are there any potential clues from the witnesses to the marriage?

Thomas Haycock (marked) and Mary Ann Price

[Willow 4873]

Hi looking at FreeReg the only Maud Alice Jones listed is Dec quarter of 1873 in Reading Berkshire bit she is on the 1881 census and her father is William

I would say that there is every chance she was born in Pittsburgh but I cant spot her on the 1891 UK census either so did she come over after that date?

Willow x