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Hi Everyone Please see my problem below !!! - Stephen in Kent

OK so here is the problem, My great Grandfather on all Census from 1881 on is Edward Mills born dublin Ireland in 1860 (therefore no birth cert !!). On his Marriage Certificate he names his father as Charles Mills, Engraver. Now the first time I can find this Edward Mills is the 1881 census and looking at that census there is a Charles Mills born in Leeds but located about 4 streets away from Edward in Camberwell, SE London who is an engraver. The same man ?? checking back on 1871 and 1861 census for this Charles Mills, I find that his eldest son Benjamin Mills was born in Dublin Ireland in 1860 as well (coincidence ? ), theye are also on the 1871 census, but no Edward Mills. Edward Mills turned out to be a lithographic Draughtsman/engraver too (2nd coincidence ?). So my dilema, is this Charles Mills, my Edward Mills's father. Ive tried linking them by various means, ie witnessses at Charles Mills other childrens weddings etc to no avail so far. I'm thinking its such a coincidence these two Mills' living so close when both were born in such different places (Leeds and Dublin) but end up 4 streets away when the 1881 census is taken, that they have to be connected. And that charles Mills son Benjamin also born in 1860 in dublin (are edward and benjamin one and the same person ?? if so why would Benjamin change his name to Edward ??) So, any suggestions guys on ways I can finally link them ?? Any suggestions most Welcome. Stephen in Kent

I think the next step is to try and eliminate Benjamin. Have you found him in 1881 onwards? netti

Hi Neti No further trace of Benjamin Mills on 1881, 1891 or 1901 census !!! Stephen

1881 Edward Lithograph Sarah Ann Fox abt 1824 St Saviours Blackfriars, Surrey, England Unknown 42 Surrey Grove, Newington, London, England View Record Ann Mills abt 1859 St Saviours Blackfs, Surrey, England Wife 42 Surrey Grove, Newington, London, England ==View Record Edward Mills abt 1860 Ireland Head 42 Surrey Grove, Newington, London, England 1891 Lithgraph and draughtsman 16 Unwin road Record Mills, Ann abt 1859 Blackford, London, England Wife Camberwell London View Record Mills, Arthur Ed abt 1885 Peckham, London, England Son Camberwell London == View Record Mills, Edward abt 1860 Ireland Head Camberwell London View Record Mills, Ethel C abt 1890 Peckham, London, England Daughter Camberwell London View Record Mills, Hilda May abt 1881 Peckham, London, England Daughter Camberwell London 1901 still same job Annie Mills abt 1858 Blackfriass, London, England Wife Camberwell London View Record Arthur E Mills abt 1885 Camberwell, London, England Son Camberwell London ==View Record Edward Mills abt 1860 Dublin, Ireland Head Camberwell London View Record Ernest O Mills abt 1895 Camberwell, London, England Son Camberwell London View Record Ethel C Mills abt 1891 Camberwell, London, England Daughter Camberwell London View Record Gladys E Mills abt 1894 Camberwell, London, England Daughter Camberwell London View Record Harold L Mills abt 1893 Camberwell, London, England Son Camberwell London View Record Hilda M Mills abt 1882 Walworth, London, England Daughter Camberwell London View Record Walter C Mills abt 1899 Camberwell, London, England Son Camberwell London death Mills, Edward Record Type: Deaths Age at death: 42 Quarter: September Year: 1902 District: Camberwell (1837-1919) County: London Surrey Volume: 1d Page: 455 (click to see others on page)

Hi Jeanette Yep that is my Great Grandfather, and as you can see born in ireland but now living in camberwell. Stephen

Jeanette I also saw that death of edward mills in 1902 and automatically thought he was mine, so purchased the death cert, and he wasnt my Edward. Stephen

I reckon it is the same person when he was with parents they called him Benjamin but he perhaps didn't like it and went my his middle name if he had one I had a rellie who had 3 middle name and when he got married went by his 3rd name. its the same job and same area i thought i read you had found Benjamin in 1881 jeanette

how do you know by the death cert he wasn't yours?

A will could tie it up neatly - if you can find one! Charles in 1851 had siblings, perhaps they left one? netti

Jeanette Yeh I reackon he's the same as well and have been basing my research on that, but it always sits at the back of my mind that he might not be !! re the death cert, it has the wrong occupation (ie General Labourer, bit diff from lithographic draughtsman) , wrong home address (diff from 1901 census) witness is a brother Albert, (edward didnt have a brother called Albert if indeed my charles Mills family is edwards family) Stephen

Hi Netti Yeh thought about a will, but haven't been able to find one as yet ie dont know death dates of borthers and sisters. Had a death date for father charles, but found no will for charles mills at First Avenue House ! Stephen

Stephen, just a thought -- any chance of info being available about his job? It sounds rather skilled. He would probably have had an apprenticeship and maybe had to join one of the guilds. Incidentally, neraly all my Irish friends had a name they used in the family, and a different baptismal name. I can only think of one who actually uses his first name. All the rest use a second or third former name or something unconnected. Good luck Jim

What year was the marriage cert and What age and occupation did he put for himself. Zoe

Jim Cheers for the reply and a good suggestion, i'll try hunting down the occupation angle. Stephen

Zoe Marriage cert in december 1880 says he was 21 (ie born circa 1859/60) Bachelor Lithographic draughtsman, charles Mills father and his fathers occupation as engraver. Stephen

Thanks to everyone who responded. Cheers

Does the 1880 marriage certificate have an address for Edward?

Hi FC Yes it does, but doesn't relate to either his address, or charles' address in 1881 census. Stephen