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I would expect that the Richard Simpson Johnson shown as a patient (Royal Albert Asylum) in 1901 Census , is the Jr, and that the age is wrong - probably if his father died in 1886, and his mother seems to have vanished/died, then if he had said he was 14 or 15, he might not have been treated.

Can anybody out there help me to find what happened to my great grandfather, Richard Simpson Johnson and his family??

I know a reasonable amount about Richard's early life but suddenly he and his family disappear from the records.

He was born in Durham, about 1859.

In 1861 he lived with his parents, Richard Simpson Johnson and Isabella (born Hodgson) at 68 Hallgarth St, Elvet Durham City. His father was a grocer.

!n 1871, age 11, he was still in Durham with parents and siblings.
I think his mother, Isabella, may have died in1874, as may some siblings?

By 1881 just he, his father and one sister are recorded ... His father as an unemployed grocer, Richard an unemployed tinsmith and the sister is working in a mustard factory.

On 19/11/1882, at Bearpark Durham, he married Sarah Murdoch, who may have been from Hawick, Scotland? (vague family recollections?)

A son, also Richard Simpson Johnson, was born to them on 14/06/1886. .. His birth certificate states that they lived at 3 Sleetburn St. New Brancepeth Colliery, 5km from Durham. Richard now worked as a lampman at the colliery.

After that date there appear to be no further records for Richard, or for Sarah. They may have died? A Richard Johnson, age 26, did die in Durham in the 3rd quarter of 1886. Of Sarah I can find no trace of life or death!!

Young Richard also seems to vanish for 25 years (There is no Richard in either the 1891 or 1901 Census records that seems to fit!) ... He then re-emerges on 22/08/1910 when he is residing at 133 Alma St. West Hartlepool, working as a stereotyper, and he marries my grandmother, Ellen Thompson of Greatham, Co. Durham.

What had happened to any, or all of them between 1886 and 1910?

If anyone has any information, or ideas of avenues I might explore, I would be really, really grateful!!!

Many thanks for taking the time to read this.

Regards
Carole