Genealogy Chat

I am trying to find a William Collins (I was on here the other day about his wife) I have Williams wedding certificate . He was married in june 1905,in Liverpool, 22 years old, Mariner, living in Earle Street, fathers name William Frederick Collins deceased and his father was a plumber. As it does not tell me were he was born I decided to search on the census for his father. I have found him (I think) but only on the 1891c. The only thing is there is no son William living with them, there is a Willoughby, could this be him? I know it wasnt a strange thing for children to be living away from their parents but without a place of birth I cant really pinpoint him. I have asked the records office to do a search for me and they have sent me a letter saying there are so many William Collins born in the 5 year period I gave them that it will cost a lot of money to search them. I have been struggling with this side of the family for 2 years now. Has anyone any suggestions before I really close this file for good Jayne

Any witnesses on the cert that might be siblings?

Hi Jess The witnesses are Thomas James Kerr and Susan Kerr. I havent looked for them. I will take a look when I get back (just taking my daughter to nursery). Thanks for the sugestion. Jayne

What is williams Wife name and do you have a rough idea when his father was born? Gwen

Hi Jess Just checked on the Kerrs Susans maiden name was Campbell. Hi Gwen William (the missing one) his wife was called Mary Ellen Cosgrove

I am of to work now but will be back on early this afternoon Jayne

I have a Willoughby in my tree who appears as William on a census. Perhaps they were known as Bill and people thought it was short for William. Heather

Could he have been at sea when the census was taken Gwen

Hi I think that the family you found on the 1891 census may be the one you are looking for, I have looked and it says the occupation is a plumber for William Frederick. I also found Willoughby on the 1901 census and mum Deborah is a widow. 1901 RG13/3427 Toxeth Park Folio 6 Page 23 Household schedule 125 Note the Spelling of Willoughby is spelt with two L on this census and second intial has been typed as J. I think it should be F. The occupation is Dock Labourer. May be he started to call himself William after father died. hope this helps. gwen

Hi Paula I have just looked at that census but the grandmother and the aunt don't seem to fit with other information I have got. To Gwen and Heather I suppose he could have been at sea. Do you think that I could presume that Willoughby and William are the same person? We do agree though that it is the correct William Frederick! Thankyou for your help. Jayne