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Could anyone help. What happened to my Great Grandfather John Thomas Richards born 1870 Wednesbury between marrying my Great Grandmother Elizabeth Anne Fletcher in December 1898 in Blakenall, Walsall. He then reappears in 1905 on the baptism record for his child in Bloxwich. He is listed on the 1911 census in Station Road, Bloxwich with his family. But on the 1901 census his wife Elizabeth is listed as Weston with the first three children with Weston family name.

Not sure if he was in the Army (bore war) is it possible to search. I look foward to a reply. Thanks.

Lynn

Hello Lynn, who were his children?

Not sure if this is the one (no middle name given but born Wednesbury):-

British Army Service Records 1760-1915

First name(s): John

Last name: RICHARDS

Calculated year of birth: 1869

Parish of birth: Wednesbury

Town of birth: Wednesbury

County of birth: Staffordshire

Age at attestation: 18 years 3 months

Attestation date: 28 November 1887

Attestation corps: WORCESTER REGIMENT

Attestation soldier number: 2004

Discharge rank:

Discharge corps: Worcestershire Regiment - 29th & 36th Foot

Discharge soldier number:

The National Archives reference: WO96 / 547 / 74
-----------------

The record gives an name and address for his grandfather:-

Mr. Thomas Richards
9 Greystone Street Passage
Dudley.

That might help you decide whether he is your man or not.

When he enlisted his occupation was Anvil Maker for a firm called Messrs. Wilkinson and Sons, Dudley.

Kath. x

Lynne - are you sure about that 1901 for Elizabeth Weston? It doesn't look like they would have had 3 children by 1901.

Posting 1911 for our reference:

FLETCHER, Caroline Head Widow F 65 1846 Coal Miner Stafford Landywood
RICHARDS, Elizabeth Ann Daughter Married13 years F 33 1878 Stafford Wyrley
RICHARDS, John Thomas Son In Law Married M 38 1873 Coal Miner Repairer Stafford Wednesbury
RICHARDS, Selina Granddaughter F 13 1898 School Stafford Balkenall
RICHARDS, James Grandson M 11 1900 School Stafford Madeley
RICHARDS, Lilian Granddaughter F 8 1903 School Stafford Madeley
RICHARDS, John Grandson M 6 1905 School Stafford Bloxwich
RICHARDS, William Grandson M 4 1907 Stafford Bloxwich
RICHARDS, Thomas Grandson M 2 1909 Stafford Bloxwich

RG number: RG14 Piece: 17154
Reference: RG14PN17154 RG78PN1056 RD370 SD2 ED12 SN267
Registration District: Walsall
Sub District: Bloxwich
Enumeration District: 12
Parish: Walsall

Address: 87 Station Street Bloxwich County: Staffordshire

Elizabeth Ann had 6 children, all still alive.

This looks like the grandfather of the soldier whose details I gave earlier in the 1891 census:-

1891 Census transcription details for: 9, Greystone Passage, Greystone Street, Dudley
National Archive Reference:
RG number RG12
Piece: 2295
Folio: 17
Page: 5
Reg. District: Dudley
Sub District: Dudley
Parish: Dudley
Enum. District: 17
Ecclesiastical District: St Thomas
City/Municipal Borough: Dudley

Address: 9, Greystone Passage, Greystone Street, Dudley
County: Staffordshire

Name Relation Condition Sex Age Birth Year Occupation , Disability Where Born

RICARDS, Thomas Head Married M 63 1828 Anvil Maker Tool
Wednesbury, Staffordshire
RICARDS, Mary Wife Married F 70 1821
Rowley, Staffordshire
RICARDS, William Grandson Single M 17 1874 Labourer Train
Dudley, Worcestershire
RICARDS, Isaiah Grandson Single M 14 1877 Brick Maker
Dudley, Worcestershire

Kath. x

According to a tree there was a first born ( private) then....

Selina Richards
1898 –
James Kimberley Richards
1900 – 1938

So looks like they did have 3 by 1901

Actually, there's only TWO children on the 1901:

WASTON, William Head Married M 30 1871 Coal Miner Hewer
Wednesbury, Staffordshire
WESTON, Elizabeth Wife Married F 23 1878 Wife Cannock, Staffordshire
WESTON, Selina Daughter Single F 3 1898 Blakenall, Staffordshire
WESTON, James Son Single M 0 (11 MOS) 1901 Madeley, Staffordshire
ERSKINE, John Lodger Married M 30 1871 Brickyard Labourer Dumfermline Fifeshire Scotland
ERSKINE, Bella Wife Married F 23 1878 Wife Dumfermline Fifeshire Scotland
ERSKINE, Hellen Daughter Single F 2 1899 Dumfermline Fifeshire Scotland

Piece: 2581 Folio: 76 Page: 24
Registration District: Newcastle under Lyme
Civil Parish: Madeley

Address: Long Row Little Madeley, Madeley, Madeley Aggerhill County: Staffordshire

Could William be John Richards using a false name?

1891

John T Richards
Age: 20
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1871
Relation: Lodger
Gender: Male
Where born: Wednesbury, Staffordshire, England

Civil parish: Walsall Foreign
Ecclesiastical parish: St John
Town: Walsall Wood
County/Island: Staffordshire
Country: England

Elizabeth had two children by 1901 Selina 1898 and James 1900. They are listed living with William Weston in Madeley, Newcastle Under Lyme. Lillian was born in 1903 but listed as Weston.

This is the 1881 census for the same family with John present (born a little earlier than the birth year you give and also a little earlier than he told the army):-

1881 census transcription details for: 9, Greystone Passage, Dudley (Worcs)

National Archive Reference:
RG number: RG11
Piece: 2878
Folio: 8
Page: 12
Reg. District: Dudley
Sub District: Dudley
Parish: Dudley (Worcs)
Enum. District:
Ecclesiastical District:
City/Municipal Borough:

Address: 9, Greystone Passage, Dudley (Worcs)
County: Staffordshire

Name Relation Condition Sex Age Birth Year Occupation , Disability Where Born

RICHARDS, Thomas Head Married M 56 1825 Anvil Maker (Tool)
Dudley, Worcestershire
RICHARDS, Mary Wife Married F 60 1821
Dudley, Worcestershire
RICHARDS, Thomas Son Single M 23 1858 Anvil Maker (Tool)
Dudley, Worcestershire
RICHARDS, Polly Daughter Single F 16 1865 No Occupation
Dudley, Worcestershire
RICHARDS, John Grand Son Single M 14 1867 General Laborer
Dudley, Worcestershire<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

(both father and grandfather called Thomas which is the middle name of "your" John). This seems like a good bet.

Kath. x

Lynn - where is Lilian listed as Weston - it isn't on any census?

Childre born later all have surname Richards ( according to the tree on Anst*)

Lillian Richards
1903 –
John Ellis Richards
1905 –
William Richards
1907 –
Thomas Richards
1909 – 1976
Lesley Owen Richards
1911 – 1913
Harold Ernest Richards
1914 – 1984
Joseph Kitchener Richards

Hi Kathleen

John Thomas Richards grandfather was James Richards born 1825? His mother was Mary Richards guessing he was illigitimate. 1881 census John Thomas Richards is listed as Thomas Richards living with just his grandfather.

Lynn

I have been in touch with Lilian's son and its on her birth certificate but I haven't seen it myself.

Why would John Thomas Richards use a false name of William Weston on the 1901 Census.

Heaven knows - but people did, we've come cross a few.

Could be hiding from someone he owed money to, just for one. Could have been avoiding police for another.

I can't see a birth registered for a Lilian Weston for the appropriate time and area, but there is a Lilian Richards:

England & Wales, FreeBMD Birth Index, 1837-1915
Name: Lilian Richards
Date of Registration: Apr-May-Jun 1903
Registration district: West Bromwich
Inferred County: Staffordshire
Volume: 6b
Page: 882

Mightn't be right but that covers Wednesbury.

Is there any chance that the chap could scan and email you a copy of that birth certificate.

Lilian was born in Madeley Newcastle Under Lyme in 1903. Full name Lilian May Weston later known as Richards when the family moved back to the Walsall area.

Yes Lynn - found it, now you've mentioned middle name:

Births Jun 1903
Weston Lilian May Newcastle L. 6b 36

Can anyone find that William Weston on any other census, particularly 1911, or a suitable death?

Is this Lilian's birth? :-


Name: WESTON, Lilian May
Registration district: Newcastle under Lyme
County: Staffordshire
Year of registration: 1903
Quarter of registration: Apr-May-Jun
Mother's maiden name: Not available before 1911 Q3
Volume no: 6B
Page no: 36

Kath. x