Where is Thomas in 1871?

[Tom Tom]

Hi, I wonder if anyone can help me with a little mystery relating to my great great grandfather, Thomas Connelly.


Thomas was born in Bethnal Green in 1853. Son of Thomas Connelly and Caroline (formerly Walker).

He was the oldest of five (all born Bethnal Green), his siblings being -

Edward c1855
William c1857
Martha Matilda 1859
Frederick c1864

His Father died in 1869 and his mother died in March 1871 (so before the census).

On the 1871 census, I have Edward as being the "Head" of the house with William and Frederick but there is no sign of my Thomas or Martha Matilda.
Note - living with them is Blanche Augusta Shacklock who married my Thomas in November 1871

Try as I might I have not been able to find my Thomas or Martha Matilda.

Anyone got any ideas?

Thanks,
Tom

[MargaretMarch]

Could this be him
1871 Census
CONNELEY, Thomas
MARYLEBONE, London, Middlesex
RG10 piece 163 folio 10 page 13

[Jill]

I've tried all sorts of search combinations to no avail. Searching for T C with the birthdate brings up a few prisoners of the right age with a vague "London" birthplace but that's not even close!

[Jill]

Could this be him
1871 Census
CONNELEY, Thomas
MARYLEBONE, London, Middlesex
RG10 piece 163 folio 10 page 13

Ancestry have transcribed him as Coundrey, he's a porter for a Hosier.

[MargaretMarch]

The 1871 was from FMP.

In 1881 he is shown as Warehouseman Hosiery so I think that's most likely him. I couldn't see Martha anywhere.
Margaret

[Tom Tom]

Thanks Margaret and Jill.

On his 1871 marriage certificate he is a silk cutter, so that links in a roundabout way, think it is probably him and it does look like Connely so I will submit a correction.

Martha is worrying me. I have her in the 1881 census as a 21 year old servant and think that maybe she was in service somewhere in 1871, but she would only be 11 and although it is a sad fact of life then, it makes me feel uneasy. It is always possible she lied about her age which is why she can't be found, although having said that I can't find any likely ones much older.

[MargaretMarch]

CONNELLY, Martha Matilda
Registration District: Help Hackney County: London
Year of Registration: 1885 Quarter of Registration: Oct-Nov-Dec
Volume No: 1B Page No: 833

to DAVY, John Frederick
or HAWKES, Frederick Walter
Is this the marriage for Martha?
Margaret

[Tom Tom]

Yes Margaret, she married John Frederick Davy.

[Nell]

Bear in mind that if Margaret is in service the information given about her would be provided by her employer. I've lots of instances of the wrong birthplace and/or age given with female servants in my ancestry. Sometimes even the wrong name!