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Jane is a widow by 1939, so no chance of an exact DoB for William

Incorrectly transcribed as JAMES by FMP. No excuse, the image is as clear as day!

1911 census says William and Jane had had 6 children, of whom 3 had died.
The deceased children are listed in the transcription, but scored out on the original document.

Birth:
CLARKSON, ALBERT mmn HOWARTH
GRO Reference: 1901 J Quarter in PRESTON Volume 08E Page 566

Death:
CLARKSON, ALBERT 1
GRO Reference: 1902 S Quarter in LANCASTER Volume 08E Page 432


Birth:
CLARKSON, ALBERT mmn HOWARTH
GRO Reference: 1903 S Quarter in LANCASTER Volume 08E Page 751

Death:
CLARKSON, ALBERT 0
GRO Reference: 1903 S Quarter in LANCASTER Volume 08E Page 424


Birth:
CLARKSON, CLARA mmn HOWARTH
GRO Reference: 1909 J Quarter in CHORLEY Volume 08E Page 474

Death:
CLARKSON, CLARA 0
GRO Reference: 1910 M Quarter in CHORLEY Volume 08E Page 335

Baptism: 26 Dec 1875 St John, Preston, Lancashire
William Clarkson - [Child] of William Clarkson & Maria
Abode: Corry St
Occupation: Brewer*************************************************NOT a WEAVER, and in any case, they lied, as the infant was their GRANDSON
Baptised By: W. Ritson
Register: Baptisms 1875 - 1889, Page 44
Source: LDS Film 93992

Although your great-grandfather's age varies from one record to another, it ranges from 1875 to 1878.
However, his birthplace is consistently given as Preston.


If we take the stated birthplace as a definite fact, there were four William Clarksons registered in Preston in those years:


CLARKSON, WILLIAM -
GRO Reference: 1875 D Quarter in PRESTON Volume 08E Page 537

CLARKSON, WILLIAM mmn ASTLEY
GRO Reference: 1876 D Quarter in PRESTON Volume 08E Page 566

CLARKSON, WILLIAM mmn TAYLOR
GRO Reference: 1877 D Quarter in PRESTON Volume 08E Page 649

CLARKSON, WILLIAM mmn HALL
GRO Reference: 1878 M Quarter in PRESTON Volume 08E Page 655


The first one is Ellen Clarkson's son, whom we know about.

The second one's parents were Thomas Clarkson and Sarah Astley - so that's not him.

I can't tell who the third one's parents were - but there is only one record of a William Clarkson marrying a Taylor (Lydia) in the whole of England 1860-1878. That was in Lincoln, and they were still living in Lincolnshire in 1881. Lydia was still there in 1891, but William died 1885. So that is NOT the right family.

The 4th one -
also not the one you're looking for.
His parents were James Clarkson and Margaret Hall, who married in Preston in 1858 and had several children.


If your William was indeed born in Preston, then it looks as if Ellen's son could be the right one.
But that's just reasoning - not documentary proof!

thank to everyone who has helped me with my problem. :-)