Genealogy Chat

My great grandfather Arthur Brown was born around 1880/81. On his marriage cert he was 22 that was in Dec 1903. His wife was Ellen Thompson also aged 22 spinster. They lived in Leeds. Married at St Stephens Church in Burmantofts. She lived in Pea Street, He lived in Bean Street, Leeds. He was a packer. Arthur Brown's father was Soloman Brown. The witnesses to the marriage were John William Brown and Mary Brown.
Two daughters were subsequently born to Arthur and ellen. Annie born 1904 and Nellie a couple of years later. In 1908 Arthur disappeared without trace leaving his young wife and daughters destitute. I would very much like to find out what became of Arthur Brown. Before my grandmother (annie) died she told me she thought he ran off to London. That is the only clue I have and it is like trying to find a needle in a haystack with a name as common as Brown. Any tips, any ideas would be welcome on how to trace what happened to him. Many thanks to all you family tree experts out there. Susan

Have you tried the 1911 census ?

There appears to be three Arthur Brown records for the period 1880 +/- 1 with Leeds as birth place


1
Schedule type Last names First names Sex Birth year Age in 1911 District / other County / other Transcript Original page

HOUSEHOLD BROWN ARTHUR M 1881 30 Leeds Yorkshire West Riding

HOUSEHOLD BROWN ARTHUR M 1879 32 Bellingham Northumberland

HOUSEHOLD BROWN ARTHUR THOMAS M 1881 30 Leeds Yorkshire West Riding

This helps narrow down his birthdate. He's not on the 1881 census.

1891 England Census
about Arthur Brown
Name: Arthur Brown
Age: 9
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1882
Relation: Son
Father's Name: Soloman
Mother's Name: Mary
Gender: Male
Where born: Leeds, Yorkshire, England

Civil parish: Leeds
Ecclesiastical parish: St Saviour
County/Island: Yorkshire
Country: England
Registration district: Leeds
Sub-registration district: South East Leeds
ED, institution, or vessel: 37
Neighbors: View others on page
Household Members: Name Age
Soloman Brown 53
Mary Brown 47
John W Brown 18
Mary A E Brown 16
Arthur Brown 9
Annie F Brown 7

Rose

Must be one of these. Unfortunately there's no middle initial.

Births Jun 1881
BROWN Arthur Leeds 9b 447
Brown Arthur Leeds 9b 556

Rose

1
Schedule type Last names First names Sex Birth year Age in 1911 District / other County / other Transcript Original page

INSTITUTION BROWN ARTHUR M 1882 29 Bradford Yorkshire West Riding

HOUSEHOLD BROWN ARTHUR M 1883 28 Hull Yorkshire East Riding (with York)

HOUSEHOLD BROWN ARTHUR M 1881 30 Leeds Yorkshire West Riding

HOUSEHOLD BROWN ARTHUR THOMAS M 1881 30 Leeds Yorkshire West Riding