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can you help with this brick wall of mine? My grandfather is an Horace Albert L Davison b1878, Kings Lynn, Norfolk. I have his bc, and I see him in 1881 Kings Lynn, 1891 Lincoln. Thats it, no sign of him in 1901. Tried all the usual variants to the point of ridiculousness ! He next manifests himself by fathering a child back in Nottingham in 1907, then my dad in 1909. He switches his christian names around on both these BCs. No marriage record to grandma Eva or Elizabeth Turner (whose bc I also have as Elizabeth M) and a final son in 1911 - Lincs. Cant find a death record either w/o spending a fortune on 1837Online ... really wish I'd spoken to the folks a bit more ... Maybe I should mention his profession in 1907 is 'professional conjurer' .. I found my other grandfather finally by shotgunning Haywards across the whole country and there he was in 1901 in Chelsea, but with his birthplace missing altogether in the image. Definately him, unique middle name.... Would really appreciate a fresh set of eyes on this one. Many thanks in anticipation.

Laird Have him on 1881 census and 1891 where he was 12 living in Lincolnshire???? there is also a family tree of a Horace A married to Vere adrianne spry Does this help???? ____

This might be a silly suggestion but if he was on the stage he may have been written down by his stage name either deliberately or by accident. Did he have a stage name?

Are you using Ancestry if so he might be in an area not included yet.Yorkshire.Durham,Northumberland are just three I know of but there may be more.

Thanks everybody ! Julie - good idea, but not a fairground family. Father Thomas was a baker in Kings Lynn, then Lincoln, finally Nottingham in 1901. Sally - yes, 1891 Lincoln with parents et al. More info on this 'tree' please ? John, I've wondered about 'stage name' - as well as the 1907 'conjurer' refn, he was also called a 'society entertainer' on another bc in 1909. Watched those recent BBC progs about early 1900s rediscovered films and apparently 'entertainment' was taking off .. I've googled around a bit about entertainers and conjurers but nothing firm has surfaced... Margaret - thanks, I wasnt aware of that altho I have heard that 1901 indexing is not good. I have a feeling he was either out of the country, or didnt want to be found ! Its similar with his partner Eva / Elizabeth Turner b1878 Carlisle - she disappears after the 1881 census ! Thanks again everybody .....

up you go .... bump

I suppose he wouldnt have got a job on a cruise or something - if he was a society entertainer? Or possibly in one of the resorts like south of France or Italy that were becoming so fashionable for society at that time?

interesting you should suggest that Heather - on my dads mc under father it says (about Horace) - 'deceased, merchant service'. But if he was in the merchant navy, it must have been after 1909, and after the 'entertainer' stuff on post-1901 bc's ..... Help ! This must be the 1901 mis-transcription of all time !

bump up .....

bump back onto first screen for the the weekday shift ! Thnx in anticipation, LD

Still trying for you You may have seen this but there is a Horace Daivison aged 20 born in Surrey on 1901 it says occupation was a JOCKER but that is probably docker. Was thinking of the sea connection. There is a HARRY Davison age 22 born in Norfolk Worth a look?

Thanks John - I looked, and you can trace this Harry back to 1881 with family. So, hey-ho .......

Hi Laird Horace Albert L Davison born 1878 (does the L = Laird) You say he swaps his first names around on BC's. This is a real Long Shot, but I found this chap on 1901 census - have done a quick history trace for him on 1881/1891 census but not found him as yet Occupation: Bank Clerk ? Name: Albert Laird Age in 1901: 24 Estimated birth year: 1877 Relation: Boarder Household: Gender: Male Where born: Kings Lynn, Norfolk, England Civil parish: Lee Ecclesiatical parish: St Margaret County/Island: London Country: England Source information: RG13/546 Registration district: Lewisham Sub-registration district: Lee ED, institution, or vessel: 7 Folio: 19 Page: 29 (click to see others on page) Household schedule number: 200

WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOOOO TILDA !!!! what a star ! How did you do this !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I searched with wildcards on Ho*, Alb* and I thought I'd tried Laird .... How does a bank clerk become a Conjurer ? Its him - yes the L in Horace Albert L is Laird, and the Kings Lynn clinches it. The place in Quentin Road would seem to be 2 houses knocked into 1 and a boarding house ? Can I buy you lunch Tilda? Whereabouts are you ? Update: I suddenly wondered .... his grandmothers maiden name was Laird .... had any of her family had an Albert? Pleased to say no LAIRD births Kings Lynn 1870-1900s .... Not 100% sure as its FreeBMD, but will look in 1837 later ... Now, what would be amazing is if hs future partner Eva Turner is also lodging in the area. I believe her birth name was Elizabeth M Turner, b1878 Carlisle.

Hi Laird It's ok, I'm just pleased he has been found - back to the drawing board to find my lot - LOL Best wishes Tilda:-)))

updated earlier post - scare over ! Tilda, I'd really like to say thanks - let me know when you need 1837 lookups. Kind regards, LD

hmmmmmmmmmm theres an Arthur H Laird b1877/8 Kings Lynn .... shows up on 1881/91 census at home .... no sign of him anywhere in 1901 - hope its not him in Lewisham showing as Albert! sod it, it makes no odds !!!

Hi Laird Where their is doubt - keep looking, it was a long shot as I said. It is a bit of a leap from Conjurer to Bank Clerk !!! Arthur H Laird could well be Albert Laird in 1901 Will still keep a look out Tilda:-)

True, very true - I'm gonna give it 80% probability.... The leap from Bank Clerk to Conjurer is more believable ! Swapping a quill pen and a regimented job to entertainment sounds OK to me ! Many many thanks, and dont forget to shout if you need owt.