Two wives, one marriage

[Barbara B]

I have William Beardow, born Liverpool 1867 marrying Mary Jane McCarthy in 1890. He seems to disappear and then reappear with another wife, Emma in the 1901 census along with a number of children. There is no sign of a death for Mary Jane. However there is an entry for Mary Beardow in the 1911 with son William in Birkenhead.
I can't find any trace of a second marriage for William, and Mary Jane describes herself as a widow in 1911.
I think they split up and William got together with Emma, who took his name.
Does anyone else think this is a fair assumption?
Cheers
Barbara

[MaryA]

It wouldn't be the first time this has happened but why not give the details and let others take a look at the evidence, unfortunately I haven't had any luck finding this marriage online so perhaps you could give details from the certificate and also the census information you have for them.

[Barbara B]

This is what I have, Mary.
William Beardow married Mary Jane McCarthy 1890 in Our Lady and St Nicholas.
They do appear on the 1891 census in Dublin Street. Then there is nothing until 1911 when Mary Beardow appears in Birkenhead with a son William born 1895. William senior appears as a boarder in Soho Street with wife Emma and children Elizabeth, Agnes, another William and Emily. I can find no trace of any marriage. The Beardows are part of a friend's family and she's intrigued to know what happened.
For the record she thinks Emma's maiden name was Cassidy.
Barbara

[simone]

Hi Barbara

Do you have the ww1 service records for William Beardow Jnr... next of kin Mrs M Beardow, mother and Mrs E Beardow, wife, looks like he had shell shock died in 1920.

[Barbara B]

Yes, Simone, we found them yesterday. So sad, he was only 25 and his son, William was born in 1919 so would never have known his father.

[dickiesam]

Hi Barbara,
The only William that pops up for me in 1901 is this one...

BEARDOW, Joseph - Head - Md - 25 - 1876 - Carter - Liverpool, Lancashire.
BEARDOW, Agnes - Wife - 26 - 1875 - Liverpool, Lancashire.
BEARDOW, Elsie - Dtr - 2 - 1899 - Liverpool, Lancashire.
BEARDOW, William - Brother - Married - 35 - 1866 - Warehouse Porter - Liverpool, Lancashire.
BUIST, Ada - Sister-in-law - u/m - 22 - 1879 - General Servant - Liverpool, Lancashire.
Address: 6 Village Grove, Everton
RG13 - Piece: 3480 - Folio: - 144 - Page: 43.

In the later census Emma claims to have been married 8 years which conveniently makes the oldest child Elizabeth legitimate! Seen that sort of thing several times. I don't think there was a marriage and 'legal' wife Mary in Birkenhead calls herself a widow. Only natural I suppose.

[Hilary]

I can only see birth registrations for Agnes Beardow 1906
William Edward 1908 and Emily 1910

Agnes Beardow's baptism was on 21 March 1906 (birth 23 Feb 1906() at St Timothy's

Elizabeth Beardow's baptism was at the same church on 28 June 1905 but she was born 1 July 1904

I wonder if she was born to Emma before William moved in if you see what I mean and was registered in a different name? One of the other children's birth certificates would give the maiden name.

In 1901 William is recorded with his brother. It's 1911 when he is with the new wife.

[Tina]

Hi Barbara
Looks like your title for the post is correct.
Living over the broomstick?
Interesting finds everyone.
There's a death in 1934 Lpool birth 1868c
Lancs BMD have a couple of marriages perhaps Agnes & Emily from 1911?.
There's an Elizabeth Cassidy bn 1904 W Dby rego
added: forget this one there's 3 of them alive & well with their families in 1911

[Tina]

There is an Emma Cassidy in Everton 1901 bn 1877, she has siblings Agnes & William.
Ditto Everton 1891.

[Barbara B]

Thanks to everyone for the input.
DS, It's significant that William describes himself as married in the 1901 but no wife anywhere!
Thanks Ed Officer for the births and particularly the baptisms.
Tina, I did find Emma Cassidy but so far there's no way of knowing if she's the right Emma, let alone Cassidy - I'm not sure where my friend got it from, I think it's uncorroborated.
At least my suspicions are being confirmed and I haven't missed anything obvious!
Barbara

[dickiesam]

Over the brush? Re the baptism Hilary found...

Elizabeth Beardow's baptism was at the same church on 28 June 1905 but she was born 1 July 1904

This is a possible birth registered in Liverpool in 1904, Jun qtr to Dec qtr. The only Cassidy:

Births Jun 1904: Cassidy, Elizabeth - W. Derby - 8b - 435.

?
Just realised Tina found it before me!