Something I might not be able to prove but...

[Asa]

I have this couple, William and Sarah Buckland who married in Islington, London in 1888 and both born in 1867. They are living in Amwell/ Clerkenwell, London in 1891 and 1901 and have no children on either census.

In 1911, they are still in the same area and appear with two children, Alexander aged 10 and Sarah aged 7, both born Clerkenwell. I haven't got access to the 1911 until Ancestry brings it in and didn't make a note of the children born living and still living. However, I can't find birth registrations or baptisms for the children nor indeed anything likely on an Alexander Buckland.

Looking at another part of the family, Sarah's niece Jessie married Alexander George Jenkins in 1900 at St Peter Clerkenwell. They have two sons baptised at the same church, Alexander John in 1900 and Albert Edward in 1902. Jessie dies in 1904 aged 22. In 1911, Albert Jenkins is with his maternal grandmother Jessie Richardson in Southend on Sea.

Irritatingly, as this didn't click until today, I haven't located Alexander Jenkins senior on the 1911 but isn't it quite possible that Alexander Jenkins junior and Alexander Buckland are one and the same? Plus there is a Sarah Jenkins born Sep qtr 1903 Holborn district.

Does this make sense?

[Margaret in Burton]

1911 shows that they have been married 23 years and have 2 children both still living.

[Asa]

Thanks Margaret. Yet, if they are the parents, they don't appear to have registered the births.

[Olde Crone]

How intriguing!

I suppose they are telling the truth really - they have two children! It doesn't say on the census form "children that you gave birth to".

OC

[Asa]

Nor does it, OC :-) This is probable isn't it?

[Olde Crone]

Yes, it sounds very probable to me. Do either of the children marry? Might be interesting to see who they put down as father.

OC

[Asa]

Ah right. Alexander's death is registered under Jenkins. Same d of b (from the christening) and appears to marry as Jenkins in Islington. It's after 1921 so will need a trip to the LMA sometime. I can't identify a marriage for Sarah under either surname.

If anyone has a sub could they please see if they can find Alexander senior in 1911? He is born c 1877 Clerkenwell (Holborn district) according to the 1901 and was a cabman/ coachman

[Olde Crone]

Nice when a hunch is proved right!

OC

[ElizabethHerts]

Asa, there is the following Alexander Jenkins:


JENKINS, Alexander Head Married M 32 1879 Taxi Driver Holborn London
JENKINS, Violet Wife Married 5 years F 25 1886 House Keeper Hitchins Herts
JENKINS, Gladys Daughter F 11 1900 Barnsbury London

RG number:
RG14 Piece:
883 Reference:
RG14PN883 RG78PN31 RD10 SD5 ED12 SN268

It appears he married again.
They are living at 15 Muriel Street, Islington N.

CORRECTION

The age of Gladys should be one and a half. The transcription is incorrect!!

[kiterunner]

How intriguing!

I suppose they are telling the truth really - they have two children! It doesn't say on the census form "children that you gave birth to".

OC

Yes, it does - it is "Children born alive to present marriage".

[Asa]

Oh thank you very much, Elizabeth - but I really need to go and have a look at who Gladys might be now.

[ElizabethHerts]

Alexander Jenkins
married
Violet Webb
Mar qr 1906 Islington

[ElizabethHerts]

CORRECTION!

The transcription is incorrect -
Gladys was one and a half in 1911 and not 11, as per the transcription!

[Asa]

Thanks Elizabeth, I have just found the marriage in the LMA records. So I have him and his sons accounted for in 1911 but I have no idea where Gladys comes in - she doesn't seem to appear in 1901 as Jenkins or Webb and there isn't a suitable birth reg for her in Islington or Holborn.

[ElizabethHerts]

She is possibly

Gladys Florence Jenkins
born Dec qr 1909
Islington 1B 222

[Asa]

Brilliant - that makes sense - thank Elizabeth :-)

[Olde Crone]

Kate

I stand corrected.

Perhaps they felt that the truth was nothing to do with any nosey official collection of statistics.

OC