Liverpool & South West Lancashire FHS - Forum

For those of you who have been following Richard and his marriages
1) Lydia McDowell (she died 1876)

2) Elizabeth Colpitts 1868 (she died 1884)

3)Ann UNK between 1884? and 1891

It would seem that the Richard who was found in the Navy in 1861, was the right one. He went in the RN as a carpenter.

So am now trying to work out how many children all together.
I think he had 3 sons with Lydia

Thanks once again for all the help given
Dorothy --it is-pouring down in Florida

Hi Dorothy

I can see both of the first 2 marriages on freebmd but I can't see a death for Lydia unless it's the 1864 one in Yorkshire. I realise she can't have died in 1876 as Richard re-married in 1868 but can't see any other death up to 1868

The second marriage was in Sunderland and the 3rd in Durham

If wife number 3 is Ann then she is probably the Mary Ann Wood shown on the same page of the freebmd entry

Is this one of the children?

Agnes Milicent Duke Christening: 02 MAR 1879 Yorkshire West Riding
Father: Richard Duke Mother: Elizabeth

Hi Carole
This was the problem---I think both Richard and Lydia were Bigamists???
I suspect though that Lydia may not have known that Richard was still alive when she married John Pritchard St Silas Mar quarter 1875---I suppose it was possible she thought he had died at sea.
She died Sep quarter 1875 age 49

Richard and Lydia had 3 sons.

He then went in the RN

He marriied Elizabeth Coalpitts in 1868
She died 1884
They had a son and a daughter---Henry and Charlotte(after his parents.)

He then married Ann Barber?? in 1888 Sunderland I think she was a widow nee Lambert.

So, that is where we are up to
Dorothy

Hi Dot

Thinking about it.. after going to sea he would have come back they had 3 sons together..And Lydia did not remarry till 1875 he married again before she did..
It just looks like they seperated.. and she never saw him again and after so many years gave up that he was ever coming back..so got on with her life...

Have you looked at this Nay record...Docs online

Description Name Duke, Richard
Place of Birth: Liverpool, Lancashire
Continuous Service Number: 25399A
Date of Volunteering: March 1859

Date 07 February 1827
Catalogue reference ADM 139/654

If not it may give some info you dont have



xx