Genealogy Chat

Pls see below.

I am trying to find a family on the 1901. I have found them from 1861, right the way through but can't seem to find them on the 1901. In the 1901 I would expect to find Robert Knowles, head, b1939, Lancashire. Catherine Knowles, wife, b 1840 and a son John Joseph, b 1885. Catherine's place of birth has changed with the different census. She is either from Woolwich, Malta or Gibraltar as a British Subject!! However, I have found a Catherine Knowles with roughly the right age as head of family with a son Joseph J Knowles also with right age in Blackburn - which would fit. Do you think these could be mine and they have got his name mixed up? Her place of birth is down as Blackburn on this one but as that has been changeable anyway, I'm prepared to accept it. What do you think??

Starting point 1891 census View Record Carloine Knowles abt 1880 Church, Lancashire, England Daughter Over Darwen Lancashire View Record Catherine Knowles abt 1841 Gibraltar Wife Over Darwen Lancashire View Record Dorothy Knowles abt 1869 Derwen, Lancashire, England Daughter Over Darwen Lancashire View Record John Joseph Knowles abt 1886 Derwen, Lancashire, England Son Over Darwen Lancashire View Record Richard Knowles abt 1877 Blackburn, Lancashire, England Son Over Darwen Lancashire View Record Robert Knowles abt 1840 Skerton, Lancashire, England Head Over Darwen Lancashire View Record Robert Knowles abt 1882 Accrington, Lancashire, England Son Over Darwen Lancashire View Record William Knowles abt 1884 Derwen, Lancashire, England

Names often did get mangled or changed on censuses. I was only looking at a family yesterday in 1891 who had children called Abraham and Lizzie. In 1901 Abraham & Lizzie have disappeared, no deaths, but children with same birth years are listed - Alfred and Lily! I have a John William who became Jas William for an unknown reason, so yes its possible. Can you confirm it - is Catherine married or widowed in 1901? If widowed can you find a likely death for Robert, and if she is married, can you find a likely Robert elsewhere? nell

That's the problem! I don't know for sure if Robert had died or not. I have a wedding certificate for one of their sons in 1901 but it doesn't say 'Robert Knowles deceased' for the father - but then not all of them do, so that is of no help. I can't find a Catherine and Robert Knowles together on their own, or with John Joseph, just this one with the Mum and son. Have requested a grave report to see if that finds Robert as it's my only hope I think! I just don't know whether to believe this is them or not - it's sooo frustrating!

As a matter of interest, Catherine is almost certainly a soldier's daughter. Have you found her marriage? Her birth may be in the special series of indexes that cover military personnel (I'm brain dead at the moment and have forgotten what they are called.)

Phoenix Oh if only I could find the marriage - I've just posted another thread asking for help cos it's driving me nuts!! I had already assumed that her father was in the army or some such but haven't got as far as looking for her birth yet - still bogged down trying to find her marriage!! Thanks for replying.

Does it say in 1901 if Catherine is a widow?

On the entry that I have found, with her and her son, she is still down as being married - only just checked that!! Could it be that hubby was just not at home then and it is them??