William Warner

[Cymraes]

I have only my grandfather's marriage certificate to give me any clues into his family. He married my grandmother in South Wales in 1913 and gave his father's name as William James Warner, the same as his, occupation horse dealer. My grandfather gave his age at the marriage as 40 and said he was a bachelor. My gran and 2 babies died in the flu epidemic leaving my mum and a brother, both deceased now. My cousin said someone from somewhere like "Whitton" once tried to contact his father. On the 1901 census I found a Wm warner age 64 living in Whitton Cum Thurleston with his wife Harriet, his occupation horseman on farm. In 1881 they are at Fen St Suffolk but no sign of a child. I found the christening of a William in 1837 and was excited when I noticed his father was James and mother Sophia (my mother's name). Can anyone please tell me whether William and Harriet had any children? Many thanks.

[Trish]

It looks like William and Harriett WARNER may not have had children. The 1891 shows them living at the same address as in 1901 with a boarder and William's father-in-law, Samuel KEMP, but no offspring.

Do you know that your grandfather came from Suffolk or are you making an educated guess because your cousin recalls the name "Whitton"? Just wondering because there are a couple of William WARNERs outside of Suffolk whose occupations involved horses...

Trish

[Geoffers]

I have only my grandfather's marriage certificate to give me any clues into his family. He married my grandmother in South Wales in 1913 and gave his father's name as William James Warner, the same as his, occupation horse dealer.

A passing thought, but have you tried searching the GRO index of births to see how many people with the same name as your grandfather were registered in 1873 and +/- 5 years from then?

With a list and the registration districts, you might then try to search the 1881 census to see if any correspond with the information you have - remembering that William James may alternatively just be shown as William, or James.

What was your grandfather's name?

Wanrner is a name I have encountered with gypsies/travellling people - as is the occupation. Is there any suggestion of this sort of connection?

Geoffers

[Cymraes]

I have only just come across your replies ....thank you. My mum said her father was known as Will , as was her brother , so possibly my grandfather's William james was also a Will. I have a search on occupations every so often but though I occasionally find something interesting , I've never been able to tie down this exasperating man - I don't even know when and where he died. The traveller theory is one that has occurred to me. In 1913 he couldn't sign his name , in my experience most people could manage that by then. When his wife died young he cared for his remaining children till they were 14 , then found them jobs and lodgings and disappeared. This suggests he didn't like staying in one area. The only other clue my mother gave was that when calling them for a meal he said " come and get thy vittles" - a very strange way of talking that I haven't come across before. I'll battle on !