Genealogy Chat

Morning all, The last 2 evenings I have been searching for William Leonard Davis on the 1901 census, and failed. I have him in 1891 and 1911, but can't find him or any of his family in 1901. Maybe somebody else can find him?

He was born in January 1880 in Salisbury, Wilts. By 1911 he was living in Portsmouth, so either Wiltshire or Hampshire are favourites. But he was a nasty piece of work from what I can gather, so maybe he's in prison somewhere. His parents are Thomas Charles Davis and Matilda Davis.

Thanks for any help,

Duncan

I'll take a look but don't forget the Boer War was going on then and many men of that age are missing.

Rose

Thanks Rose, excuse my ignorance, I didn't know when the Boer War was. Interesting thought, but I can't find any of the rest of his family either.

Duncan

Just posting this for reference:

1891 England Census
about William Davis
Name: William Davis
Age: 10
Estimated birth year: abt 1881
Relation: Son
Father's Name: Thomas C
Mother's Name: Matilda
Gender: Male
Where born: Salisbury, Wiltshire, England

Civil parish: St Edmund
Ecclesiastical parish: St Edmund
County/Island: Wiltshire
Country: England
Street Address:
Registration district: Alderbury
Sub-registration district: Salisbury
ED, institution, or vessel: 6
Neighbors: View others on page
Household Members: Name Age
Thomas C Davis 44
Matilda Davis 42
William Davis 10
Percey Davis 8
Ethel Davis 5
Archie Davis 3

Rose

That's them!

Is this (some of) the family in 1901. Some of the details aren't right,but they look close.
1901 Ancestry
Name: Percy Daves
Age: 17
Estimated birth year: abt 1884
Relation: Son
Father's Name: Charles
Mother's Name: Mabel
Gender: Male
Where born: Salisbury, Wiltshire, England
Civil parish: St Martin
Ecclesiastical parish: St Martin
County/Island: Wiltshire
Country: England
Registration district: Salisbury
Sub-registration district: Salisbury
ED, institution, or vessel: 9

Household schedule number: 148
Household Members:
Name Age
Charles Daves 56
Mabel Daves 54
Percy Daves 17
Andrew Daves 14
Source Citation: Class: RG13; Piece: 1954; Folio: 137; Page: 27.

Maureen

Hi Maureen

Thanks for that. To be honest I don't think that's them, but a couple of them are close. I know people did bend the truth a bit sometimes. Do you know the occupation of the father, Charles? In 1891 he was a carpenter, in 1904, when William married, he was an Undertaker - I'm guessing he worked for an undertaker making coffins. That could be a clue to whether this is the right family.

Thanks again

Duncan

Archie marries in Salisbury in 1908 so they must still be around.

Rose

Hi Rose,

Yes, William marries in 1904 in Portsmouth - he was my great grandfather. My Nan could see no wrong in anybody, but she saw plenty in her own father. I should have said I have also checked the passenger lists, and seen nothing to suggest they left England.

I am still flitting to and fro Ancestry now, but I am trying the same things again in case they work second time around!

Duncan

I think Maureen found them. Charles was born in South Newton and is a carpenter. The writing is very poor. Andrew must be Archie.

Rose

South Newton? Yes must be him, well done. That ties up with 1891, he said South Newton then. Thanks both of you, that's part of the mystery solved. I wonder why he just called himself Charles, on William's birth certificate he just called himself Tom. Sounds a right dodgy character!

I'll keep hunting for William, he must be about somewhere.

Thanks for your help

Duncan

Just remembered something else I should have added. I did find a William Davis on findmypast, he's even in the right area, but still living with his parents who have the wrong names.

Duncan

You mean the William with Henry and Emily?

He's listed in 1891 too.

Rose