A little off the subject, curiosity I'm afraid.
Ambrose married Mary Heys Withington 1849, their son Henry James Brookes was raised by his sister Margaret who married James Cooper.
Did Mary die or did they separate? Ambrose married 1863 Mary J Dixon Sunderland (1871 census) and in 1878 Sarah J Bertram nee Fairley in Sunderland. They had a daughter Louisa - Sept .quarter 1879 reg. Houghton Le Spring.
I cannot see the original marriages 1863 or 1878 to see if he said he was a widower.
I had exactly same issues/feelings. I'm not totally convinced that the Ambrose Brookes/Brooks "Up North" is the same man who married Mary Heys Withington.
Marriage 12th june 1847 Shropshire(image on FindMyPast) Ambrose Brookes(occupation Mason), full age married Ann Howell. His father Ambrose Brookes occupation Painter. I cannot trace this couple after that date or any possible Brookes/Howell children. So is it Ambrose who married Ann Howell living and marrying "up north"
Still searching.
SS
added--answered my own question. 1861
Ambrose Brooks Head of family Married Male 46 1815 Labourer Chester, Cheshire, England
Ann Brooks Wife Married Female 33 1828 - Ruabon, Denbighshire, Wales
Amelia Brooks Daughter - Female 13 1848 Servant Bold Heath, Shropshire, England
Rosina Brooks Daughter - Female 9 1852 Scholar Birkenhead, Cheshire, England
George Henry Brooks Son - Male 6 1855 Scholar Birkenhead, Cheshire, England
George Jagnes Boarder Married Male 26 1835 Engine fitter Southampton, Hampshire, England