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Barry - this does seem a real possibility. It is clear that he left his wife as she is to be found with a relative in 1891 with 2 children (though I have found no trace of their births). Her eldest child is not with her. In 1901/1911 she has reverted to her maiden name of FAIREY, though she declared she was a widow with 2 children of the marriage, both living. These numbers have been crossed through with red ink.

So it looks like Thomas fled, and what became of him we may never know.

Many thanks for taking the time to help me.

Dear Quinsgran - I did look at this marriage as a possibility but our Thomas was still in Birmingham then. He was in prison from December 1873 until mid 1875. I know this marriage is earlier but this was not his first offence and he was also a bit young at 15 for this to be him.

Dear Barry - I did consider this death but his parents state that only 4 of their 14 children have died in 1911 and I can account for these 4. He had no brother called William, so I don't think that's him either.

Thanks to you both for your help. I do appreciate it.

I am in contact with a direct descendant of Thomas through his son, another Thomas. Apparently, the grandson (another Thomas) said his father wouldn not mention his grandfather's name - so something was going on!

Perhaps Thomas and Sarah pretended to be married?

Have you considered this marriage.
Thomas Ellis 1872 dec qt Northampton. gro ref 3b 209
Other names on the page.
Sarah Ann York
Emma Maria Hurst
Thomas White

I've added an update as I've just realised that our Thomas couldn't have married Sarah YORK (FreeBMD) as he was behind bars at the time!

Crumbs, Quinsgran, that's a thought. We also have other ELLIS people living in Military Road but I can't remember the years.

Maybe I can find the marriage on FreeBMD

Thank you.

If this is the same family in 1881 where was Thomas?.

Perhaps he said he was single when he was living in lodgings in 1881

In 1891 there is a 5 year gap between children which could account for him being "married" to Harriett.

You said Harriet reverted back to her maiden name. Perhaps she found out her marriage wasnt legal.

Quinsgran - yes, that looks the same family.

We realised it wasn't the right family as Thomas was single and in lodgings in 1881.

Thank you

Is this the Ellis family that Vera found in 1891?

1881
Sarah Ellis head married 1855 Northamptonshire
Ada dau 1876 Sheffield
Annie 1879 Northampton

address 62 Military Rd Northampton

Thanks for trying.

You never know, maybe one day someone from afar will contact me and claim to be a descendant!

A very elusive ancestor....unfortunately we all seem to have some of them. :-)

Regards Vera

Ah, I see.

I wonder if he went abroad? I have looked on outgoing passenger lists but there are so many Thomas Ellis's that I can't be sure if one of them is him.

In 1911 his parents say that 4 of their 14 children have died so he they thought he was still alive then!

I imagine he wasn't the favourite son as he'd led them a merry dance.

The only reason I think it was wrong is because it is the 1881 census and Thomas and Harriett are living in lodgings. So the prisoner cannot be the right one.

Regards Vera

Are you sure the prisoner is the wrong man?

I suppose I am clutching at straws and falling!

It certainly sounds like it.....the prisoner I showed you is wrong....so will delete


Regards Vera

Yes, that's him in 1881. He married the other lodger, Harriet.

I think she lived to regret it!

1881 occupation shoe rivitter

Thomas Ellis
Age: 24
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1857
Relation: Lodger
Gender: Male
Where born: St Peter, Northamptonshire, England

Civil parish: Northampton Priory St Andrew
County/Island: Northamptonshire
Country: England

Street Address: 65 Cyril Street
Education:

Employment status: View image
Occupation: Shoe Rivetter

Registration district: Northampton
Sub-registration district: St Giles
ED, institution, or vessel: 26
Neighbors: View others on page
Household Members: Name Age
Ann Harris 54
Ann Maria Marlow 18
Thomas Ellis 24
John W. Brown 47
Harriett Farey 26


Regards Vera

Thanks, Vera. This is a possibility if he commited bigamy.

EDIT: Second thoughts, the children are a bit too old to be our Thomas's as he married Harriet in 1882, there again, he could have led a double life.

Actually, I would put nothing past him as he's my husband's family's Black Sheep! He did 'time' twice in Birmingham when he was a lad, the second charge was Robbery with Violence. :-(

Thanks again for looking; I'll investigate.

1891 Found this one occupation to do with shoes...looks like shoe lasher

Thomas Ellis
Age: 36
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1855
Relation: Head
Spouse's Name: Sarah
Gender: Male
Where born: Northamptonshire, England

Civil parish: St Giles
Ecclesiastical parish: St Edmund
Town: Northampton
County/Island: Northamptonshire
Country: England

Street Address:

Occupation:

Condition as to marriage:

Education:

Employment status: View image

Registration district: Northampton
Sub-registration district: St Giles
ED, institution, or vessel: 27
Neighbors: View others on page
Household Members: Name Age
Thomas Ellis 36
Sarah Ellis 35
Ada Ellis 14
Alice Ellis 12
Albert Ellis 7


Any good ?

Regards Vera

I have just been looking at Thomas's notes and realised that he was in prison in December 1873 (he got 18 months hard labour) so would not have been released until mid 1875 so I doubt if he is the one married to Sarah.

It's back to the drawing board! Thanks for all help received.

Sorry if I seem to be on the want, tonight, but this is another long standing mystery. Thomas ELLIS was born in 1857 in Northampton. I have him in Birmingham in 1861/71 and in Northampton in 1881. He married Harriet FAIREY in Northampton in 1882, had 2 children with her and disappears. Harriet eventually reverted to her maiden name and went to Lancs. If anyone could find Thomas I would be so grateful, but I don't think anyone will!

Many thanks