Liverpool & South West Lancashire FHS - Forum

Hi folks while waiting for more certificates on the Davis family, thought I would try and finish mums side, but have come unstuck with a great uncle could you help.

His name is Francis Eaton Edwards born about 1889 in Liverpool
His father was Eaton Robert Edwards 1855-1894
Mother Sarah Anne Lee 1855 (cant find her death)
He was one of 7 children.......Bridget Edwards 1887-1966 being my grandmother

Francis married Marie(mary) Amelia Dunn in 1910 and had one daughter Annie (1910), I have found them 1911 living with his mother Sarah Ann Lee.

In 1939 Marie Amelia Dunn remarried to a William Delaney.

I can find no death certificate for Francis Eaton Edwards or anything else for that matter after.

I have been incontact with Annie's son who said his grandmother (Marie) always said that Francis had run away to sea and never returned.

Can anyone help

Francis Eaton Edwards birth Sept Q 1889 West Derby Reg district volume 8b page 369

Mary appears to marry as Edwards. What given as her status on her marriage certificate to William Delaney? When did Francis leave? There's an 18 year gap between the 1911 census and her marriage.

The free index on Find My Past for Merchant seamen shows a Frank Edwards born 4 June 1889 in Liverpool could that be Francis?

Hi Folks, not sure of her status when marrying Mr Delany. Have not been able to get hold of her grandson today to ask if he has her marriage certificate. She married Francis(Frank) in 1910.................but all I was told was that the family were under the impression he abanded his wife and daughter.

Will check about date of birth also, but it sounds right. All the Francis in our family have been known as Frank.

I tried looking for war records relating to him as well, but no luck

Found two deaths [all areas] between 1911 and 1939 for a Frank/Francis E Edwards.

One in 1915, KIA in France but he was single and his parents were Thomas and Rosetta Edwards, of 28 Holmer Street, White Cross, Hereford.

The other is a possible if someone wrote Frances instead of Francis:
Death: EDWARDS, Frances E
Registration district: Stockport, Cheshire
Year of registration: 1934; Sep qtr.
Age at death: 43
Volume no: 8A; Page no: 114.

If there are any old photos of Frank Edwards, is there a likeness to this picture from the MN record Hilary found?

Regarding Marie's 2nd marriage and her status at marriage....

The GRO Marriage Index for William Delaney has only one entry against his name:
Delaney, William married Edwards, Mary A.
Registration district: Liverpool South
Year of registration: 1939; Sep qtr
Volume no: 8B; Page no: 663.

This indicates to me that Mary was a widow. Had she been divorced William's entry would have been duplicated, the second entry having her maiden name. If she only considered herself to be a widow, long abandoned but no proof of the death of Francis, she would have been a bigamist.

Hi Dickiesam
I think it could be him, there is a likeness to my grandmothers old photo. Unbelieveable. Will see what his grandson thinks.

His wife and child never moved from Liverpool so what ever he was doing in Cheshire was not with his wife.

Once again I am indebted to you.

PM sent!

There's always the possibility that Frank jumped ship in foreign parts and never came back to the UK. His wife could reasonably believe after several years that he was dead and called herself a widow when she remarried. I am not sure but she may not have to prove widowhood back then.

From experience found in my own family (thanks DS ) I don't believe actual proof was needed when somebody claimed they were widowed, having said that I do believe that the legal stance should be after a period of seven years absence.

Once again to all involved many thanks. Have now been in contact with his granson. Little is know about him........but we are 99% sure its him. The likeness to my grandmother is another bonus.

We cannot find him on the 1901 census he would have been to young to join the merchant navy and I have looked under Frank/Francis/Frances and I cant find anything.......if someone has time would they mind checking for me

Many thanks

Sue

Re:

We cannot find him on the 1901 census he would have been to young to join the merchant navy and I have looked under Frank/Francis/Frances and I cant find anything.......if someone has time would they mind checking for me

The only possible I can see is this one:
RG13 - Piece: 3472 - Folio: 253 - Page: 7
Address: Kirkdale Industrial School, Westminster Road, Kirkdale.
EDWARDS, Frank - Pauper inmate - 10 - Attends school - Liverpool.

He would have a simple choice of tinker, tailor, soldier or merchant navy at the age of 15 0r 16.