1911 Census – Looking for George Edward Thomas

[Rose Maybud]

I have George’s marriage certificate. He married Sarah Ann Bugby in 1907, Little Ilford, Essex. He was 34 (I think, could be 39) and a Boilermaker. His father was named as James Thomas, deceased. Both gave their address as 105 Sheridan Road, Little Ilford. The witnesses were Florence Elizabeth Nellie Bugby (bride’s sister) and Henry Pye (her fiancé – they married the following year).

I have found Sarah Ann and the children. They were staying with a family of Greens, who were her relatives on her mother’s side, in Ponders End, Edmonton.

I would really like to know George’s place of birth and have his age confirmed. I have found a strong candidate in 1901, again in 1891, 1881, but have got stuck and can’t find them in 1871. I have already bought one wrong birth certificate.

Grateful for any help!

[dotty.]

Hi, my reply has vanished! I looked for 1877 births, there are 2, then checked the 1881 for a likely candidate, only one stands out, George son of James and Susannah living in London

[Rose Maybud]

Hi Dotty. thanks for the reply. Hadn't spotted that one. The facts could fit 1881, 1891 and even 1901. There's a possible death for James in Sep 1905 Southwark (looks like Susannah died Mar 1900). One thing bothers me is that in 1901 George was a printer's porter which is worlds apart from being a boilermaker. Doesn't feel right, somehow. Still couldn't find him for certain in 1911.

[Rose Maybud]

Going with the 'boilermaker' I searched in 1901 for George with an occupation boiler*, and of the pages of George Thomases countrywide, only one had anything to do with boilers

1901 Chatham Street, Machen Upper, Newport, Monmouthshire

THOMAS, James Head Married M 58 1843 Boiler Maker N K Gloucestershire
THOMAS, Sarah Wife Married F 56 1845 Mynyddislwyn Monmouthshire
THOMAS, Elizabeth Daughter Single F 36 1865 Mynyddislwyn
THOMAS, John Son Single M 31 1870 Boiler Maker Labourer Newport
THOMAS, Thomas Son Single M 29 1872 Blacksmith Striker Newport
THOMAS, George Son Single M 26 1875 Boiler Maker Labourer Machen
THOMAS, Sarah Daughter Single F 23 1878 Machen
THOMAS, Arthur Son Single M 20 1881 Railway Engine Cleaner Machen
THOMAS, Ernest Son Single M 17 1884 Blacksmith Striker Machen Mon

I found them in 1891 and 1881, but can't find any of the family in 1871. No obvious birth in Newport (the one George Edward was the wrong one - his father was William). Can't spot an obvious marriage for James and Sarah. In fact all we do know is that Ernest belonged to both of them and likely Arthur did too. Grrr.

[dotty.]

Does that Newport family fit with the family you found staying witht the greens in edmonton?

[Rose Maybud]

Sorry, I should have said Sarah Ann was staying with the Leadbeaters. Elizabeth Leadbeater's maiden name was Green and she was Sarah Ann's first cousin. Sarah's mother was Jane Elizabeth Green. Doh!
I'm not aware there was any connection between the Thomas family and the Greens or Leadbeaters.
It was a surprise to find George was a boilermaker - the rest of this line were shoemakers, labourers and similar. Certainly there were loads of boilermakers in Newport (shipbuilding), but googling boilermaking in Essex brought up a lot of references - several of the inaugural West Ham football team were boilermakers. So it was feasible that George migrated after the death of his father. In fact, I can't spot any of the Newport family in 1911.

[munchie63]

if it helps with your searches at all, little ilford is much more east london than essex.
it's also within a few miles of docklands so he could possibly have been doing some work there, and that's probably why the west ham players had similar occupations (and the thames ironworks connection of course).

[Rose Maybud]

Thank you, munchie, yes, sometimes the Registration District boundaries cut across areas which we associate with other parts, all sent to confuse. I dare say the areas were quite distinct in 1800, but not much help in 1900.

To sum up, George Edward remains missing in 1911, and, without evidence other than the occupation, the jump to the George in Newport in 1901 is dodgy to say the least. In which case, best leave alone, and move on!

Thank you, everybody, who had a look at this.