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Don't assume that because his wife re-married he had actually died

Divorce was virtually unheard-of - and horrendously expensive - so some people simply 'moved on', and lied about their marital circumstances

No I agree, it's a difficult name to trace, especially in Wales. It looks like the middle name was only recorded on his marriage - he certainly wasn't born with such a name that I can see - nor a death under that full name. Wonder what he called himself on the children's birth certificates - do you have Ivy's certificate?

Thanks Reggie

Completely forgot about that, I suppose I didn't think that would be possible as the examples I've heard of when that happens they tend to move away from the area and make a clean start but Laura married within a few miles of where she was living with her first husband.

I suppose Samuel could've moved away and made a fresh start somewhere else. I know that my step mum assumed that her gran's father was Laura's second husband and she was surprised when I said she was married before

On Ivy's marriage certificate he is listed as Samuel Webster Jones (deceased) but as she was late marrying then it doesnt narrow down any potential date of death.

I haven't ordered any of the birth certificates yet but thats next on my list. Funnily enough my step mum and her sister remember their great aunt Becky (Rebecca Jones) but none of them have ever heard of their younger brother Samuel Lewis Jones ever being mentioned.

Either he died young, moved away or his name wasnt mentioned by the family for some other reason. Another mystery to solve, my step mum is quite excited about this as she thought her family were a bit boring and not worth looking at

I suppose historic events couldve helped Laura pretend to be a widow as she could always say her first husband was killed or MIA in the war

Well we finally found Samuel Jones and he died in 1915 in Egypt, he was in the Royal Welsh Fusiliers

I also got Ivy's husband Thomas first wedding cert to a Rebecca Jones and the suspicions were right it was Ivy's sister. Rebecca didn't die before they married so I think Rebecca and Thomas took advantage in the relaxation of divorce laws that came in at the end of the 60s

Oh what tangled webs they weave - great, you've got 2 scandals now, should may your step-mums day!!