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Re William Barber born c1835/36 Bungay, Suffolk

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ProfilePosted byOptionsPost Date

MargaretM

MargaretM Report 26 May 2019 13:34

On the 1911 census Keziah is going by her second name May. She was born 1878 Bungay, Suffolk, married 12 years, 4 children born, 3 still living but only 2 listed on census.

ErikaH

ErikaH Report 26 May 2019 13:24

Illegitimate - as was her first child (Lily)

SMITH, KEZIAH MAY -
GRO Reference: 1878 J Quarter in WANGFORD Volume 04A Page 799

Rambling

Rambling Report 26 May 2019 13:23

Just for helpers ref'

1881 England, Wales & Scotland Census
Gas House Lane, Holy Trinity Bungay, Wangford, Suffolk, England

William Barber Head Widower Male 46 1835 Carpenter (Journeyman) Suffolk, England
Eliza Smith Boarder Single Female 42 1839 Housekeeper Mendham, Suffolk, England
Eliza Smith Boarder Single Female 14 1867 - Homersfield, Suffolk, England
Herbert Smith Boarder Single Male 9 1872 Scholar Suffolk, England
May Smith Boarder Single Female 3 1878 - Bungay, Suffolk, England
Rose Smith Boarder Single Female 0 1881 Infant Bungay, Suffolk, England

ErikaH

ErikaH Report 26 May 2019 13:22

NOBBS, ARTHUR WILLIAM SMITH
GRO Reference: 1900 J Quarter in SUNDERLAND Volume 10A Page 599

SMITH, LILY BEATRICE -
GRO Reference: 1896 S Quarter in DEPWADE Volume 04B Page 219

Heather

Heather Report 26 May 2019 13:06

Wonder if anyone could help me out here?

It's complicated so take a deep breath!

During my research I have come across an Eliza Smith b 1839 Mendham, Suffolk. She appears on the 1871, 1881 and 1891 census' along with William Barber mentioned above.

1871 he is a young (37 year old) widow with 3 young children and Eliza Smith age 29 living with them (presumably to look after the children.)

1881 she is still living with him and there are now are 4 young children called Smith!

1891 she is still living with him and only one child called Rosa Smith born 1881. Eliza is described as Housekeeper and sister in law.

Further checking led me to a Rezia Smith who married a William Barber in 1855 10A 630 Honxe, Suffolk. I suspect she was a sister of Eliza Smith who stepped in when she died to look after the 'Barber' children. I had also found a Keziah May Smith born 1878, Wangford, Suffolk who i think was Eliza's illegitimate daughter.

To bring this full circle my 1xgr uncle Arthur James Nobbs b 1862 Suffolk, who early 1890's moved to Sunderland, married a Keziah May Smith (born Suffolk) in 1899 Sunderland! They had a daughter Violet Nobbs b 1912 whose mother's maiden name is recorded as .. wait for it... Barber!!

I wonder did William Barber live a bit of a double life? He died in 1895 age 59, Bungay, Suffolk.