Genealogy Chat

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William Henry Reed, International man of mystery?!!! He is down as Henry Reed deceased on his daughters’ marriage certificate (1892) Wife Mary Elizabeth Reed and daughter Mary Reed at home on own in 1891, and wife is down as widow, so fairly straightforward so far. He married Mary Elizabeth Young (formerly Perkins) in 1876 three years after their daughter Mary was born, and on the birth certificate he is down as William Henry Reed Occupation Brushmaker. Thing is I cant find him on the census’ at all!! I have now idea where on when he was born!! Their daughter is down as a visitor on the 1881 census, and I cant locate the wife either but at least I know the year and place she was born from the 1891 census. Could someone please please have a look and see if they can put an end to the mystery! Many Thanks Fuzzy x

Where did he marry Mary and/ or where was the daughter born? We need some clue re. which area to search. So we need to find a Henry or a William, perhaps brushmaker in 1871? Gwyn

Hi Gwyn, His daughter was born in Southwark, Surrey (London) and he also married in Southwark, yes brushmaker in 1871 William or William Henry thanks x

Fuzzy you dont say when & where Henry/William was born. There is this William on the 1881 census he is a Brushmaker. William C. Cockran abt 1856 Manchester, Lancashire, England Boarder Leeds Yorkshire Eliza Reed abt 1848 Great Ouseburn, Yorkshire, England Wife Leeds Yorkshire William Reed abt 1842 Hull, Yorkshire, England Head Leeds Yorkshire William H. Reed abt 1879 Leeds, Yorkshire, England Son Leeds Yorkshire Occupation: Brushmaker Source information: RG11/4517 Registration district: Leeds Sub registration district: North Leeds ED, institution, or vessel: 19 Folio: 105 Page: 18 (click to see others on page) GSU Number: 1342084 Georgina.

Hi Georgina, This is my problem, as I only have him on certificates I have no idea when or where he was born, other than he married in Southwark and his daughter was born in Southwark.

Georgina, He would be married to Mary Elizabeth Reed in the 1881 census, as he married her in 1876

You have told us when and where the daughter was born, but I can't see that you have said when and where the mum was born (only that you know!! LOL) Tell then! Merry

Fuzzy there are just too many Henry Reed's in 1871 to check them all, have you get their marriage certificate, what is his fathers name? Georgina.

Hi, Sorry Merry, think wine in evening has addled brain! never used to drink until I started all this!!! His wife was born circa 1845 in Southwark London, at least thats what the census says!! Georgina, am awaiting the marriage certificate from the GRO, have tried both the 1871 and 1881 census which by then he would have been married to Mary. Fuzzy x

Ok so is this her in 1881 Mary Reed abt 1873 Southwark, Surrey, England Relative Newington London Elizth. Roberts abt 1816 Southwark, Surrey, England Wife Newington London John Roberts abt 1814 Westminster, Middlesex, England Head Newington London

Yes Zoe, that is their daughter, where or where is her father though?!!! hate this sometimes!!! think they enjoy making our lives a misery these rellies xx

I think this may be the mum: She is already a widow. Horsleydown is good enough to say Southwark for place of birth next time round. Mary is down as a dressmaker. 1881 Emma L. Johnson abt 1869 Southwark, Surrey, England Daughter Southwark St George Martyr London Henry C. Johnson abt 1867 Newington, Surrey, England Son Southwark St George Martyr London Ida F. Johnson abt 1878 Brixton, Surrey, England Daughter Southwark St George Martyr London Robert Johnson abt 1810 Carisbrooke, Hampshire, England Father Southwark St George Martyr London Robert H. Johnson abt 1839 Hanover Sq, Middlesex, England Head Southwark St George Martyr London William Johnson abt 1876 Newington, Surrey, England Son Southwark St George Martyr London Mary Reed abt 1845 Horsley Down, Surrey, England Visitor Southwark St George Martyr London London Merry

1891 Says the head is a Widow both Tailoresses Mary E Reed abt 1873 Southwark, London, England Daughter Lambeth London Mary Reed abt 1845 Southwark, London, England Head Lambeth London

When William Henry married, did he give his age? Merry

Oh Zoe.....so, 1881 dressmaker, 1891 tailoress.......sounds good (though not from the point of view of finding her hubby's details!) Merry

Hi Zoe, Yes I have that thanks, it is the father i am trying to track in 1871 or 1881 x

I think he is dead in 1881, Fuzzy! Merry

Looks like you will need his fathers name from the marriage cert to trace him as he seems to have died by 1881 Zoe

Hey merry, Is this the 1881 census? I saw this record and thought it a possibility as the district was correct and her daughter was a visitor somewhere else, but I didn't spot that she was already a widow!! Cant see the wood for the trees sometimes eh?!! sometimes after looking at the screen for hours it is good for someone else to look, thanks so much you, he must have died betwen getting married in 1876 and the 1881, the inconsiderate bastard!! Will have to wait for the marriage cert to find him at home in the 1871 census, but I still have no idea where or when he was born, that is why i was trying to find him on the 1881 census. Thanks to everyone who has helped i reaaly appreciate it x