Genealogy Chat

I am trying to find the first marriage of my great grandfather Robert Wildes. He was born in India whilst his father Thomas was serving in the army out there. On the 1871 census he aged 11 and was an errand boy to John Lomas in the civil parish of St.Modwen,Burton on Trent. He is no where to be found in 1881! He married in 1886 in Poplar where he is a widower aged 30 - he was actually 27. His father Thomas was also doing a disappearing act on the 1881 census!! Can anyone check to see if he married for the first time in the Burton on Trent area please I assume it would be 1874+.

Here's your family in 1901 (per Ancestry): Albert Wildes 5 Kentish Town, London, England Son St Pancras London Alice Wildes 40 Poplar Wife St Pancras London Emily A Wildes 8 Camden, London, England Daughter St Pancras London Robert Wildes 46 E India,Belgaum Head St Pancras London Robert H Wildes 13 Camden, London, England Son St Pancras London Thomas Wildes 11 Camden, London, England Son St Pancras London At this stage, Robert is a bricklayer. In 1891: Alice Wildes 30 Poplar Wife St Pancras London Emily A Wildes 8 Camden, London, England Daughter St Pancras London Robert Wildes 34 E India,Bombay Head St Pancras London Robert H Wildes 3 Camden, London, England Son St Pancras London Thomas Wildes 1 Camden, London, England Son St Pancras London In 1881 (per transcription): Albert E. Wiles abt 1877 Burton, Staffordshire, England Son St Pancras Mary A. Wiles abt 1851 Hathern, Leicestershire, England Wife St Pancras Robert Wiles abt 1857 Bombay Son St Pancras Thomas Wiles abt 1838 Hathern, Leicestershire, England Head St Pancras Thomas Wiles abt 1873 Burton, Staffordshire, England Son St Pancras William H. Wiles abt 1881 St Pancras, Middlesex, England Son St Pancras Robert is a bricklayer's labourer. The name is actually WILES on the enumerator's record. I found it by using: Robert (without a surname), 1855+/-5, and Bombay (having noticed that that was what was used in 1891). Christine (PS - I've only recently started subscribing to Ancestry after realising just how useful it can be and how much cheaper it is, if you fancy having lots of images.)

Christine, a very nice piece of research. Joan

Hello Christine, Thank you so much for your excellent research and results,I now realise why my attempts have been so unsuccessful. The name has changed from Wilde, to Wildes and then to Wiles!!! It also confirms Thomas's second wife, he married 3 times before he died, and acquire more children. Your research process ie Robert,1855/5 and Bombay is something I will bear in mid for future searching. I will have to be more resourceful in trying to find Roberts first marriage, I do like a challenge! Kindest regards,Brenda

Thank you both for your kind comments. I am hooked on genealogy and one reason is that it offers a constant supply of puzzles to solve, with the occasional surprise reward to keep you hooked. And, of course, that's why I enjoyed doing this! Christine