Genealogy Chat

I was over the moon when my last search was proving very easy (compared to my previous ones) then it all goes wrong, any thoughts please.
Father: Samuel Charles 1832 marries Ann 1835 in 1853. They have children as follows: Samuel 1856, Charles 1859, Elizabeth 1860, Jane 1864, John 1868 and George 1877.
I have tracked them through every Census and everyone is present and correct, even when they become of age and fly the nest they have all been traceable up to and including 1891 Census which showed mum, dad, Emily & George the two youngest children still at home.
1901 Emily is married and husband shown as Head of household plus two children and mother in law "MARY"!!!
Emily's mother was Ann, did not have any middle names and never known as anything other than Ann.
Any thoughts anyone please.
Linda

(Sorry it's a bit long winded).

Ann died and Samuel remarried.


Suzanne

"Mary" was the head of household's Step mother.

Suzanne

Maybe Emily's husband had a stepmother and he put her down as mother in law instead. Does the age and place of birth tie in with Emily's Mother Ann?

Samuel died 1891 leaving Ann a widow and she is listed on 1901 census with the correct surname.

The dates all match exactly and George the youngest went to live with sister Jane and family.

Since "in law" used to be used where we'ld use "step" today, I'll go along with Ann in Glos

Another possibility, Emily's husband was previously married and Ann was the mother of his first wife.

Margaret

Don't think they can be any of the suggestions because Mother in Law is listed as MARY .................... the surname being the same as Emilys maiden name.

If I'm following the right guy, hubby James did have a stepmum (Emma) and his actual mum was Mary Ann. However, I think what you're seeing is a brainfreeze on James part, and he just put down the wrong name.