George (Morton?) Watson in Yorkshire

[Richard Miller]

Hi Folks

I am trying to find any official records for George Watson.

So far according to the birth of his daughter Kathleen in 1918 he lived at Union Street, Lindley, Huddersfield occupation of wire grinder, with his wife Florence Watson formerly Turner.

He appears in the electoral roll of 1939 living with his wife Florence at 275 Manchester Road, Crosland Moor, Huddersfield.

When his daughter (Patricia) Kathleen Watson married Edward Mcdonald in 1942, she gave her home address as 275 Manchester Road, Huddersfield and her father as George Morton Watson with the occupation shopkeeper. Kathleen Watson continued to give the same address as her home on the birth of her daughter in Feb 1943.

In Nov 1943 Florence Watson formerly Turner age 48 occupation housekeeper (formerly married to George Watson from whom she obtained a divorce) married Franklin Taylor, Grocer & Confectionner age 54 (widower) also in Hudderfield. Florence and her new husband Franklin Taylor both gave their address as 40 Wakefield Road, Aspley, Huddersfield.

After the war in an electoral roll Florence appears with her husband Franklin Taylor and with her daughter Katleen Mcdonald at 40 Wakefield Road.

Franklin Taylor died in 1950.

I am looking for any records to identify George Watson who I belive may have been older than his wife Florence (who was born in 1895) and possibly married before.
I can not find a marriage record for George and Florence and I dont know when either of them would have died.

Any help would be very gratefully appreicated.

Regards

Richard

[olliecat]

I am looking for any records to identify George Watson who I belive may have been older than his wife Florence (who was born in 1895) and possibly married before.
I can not find a marriage record for George and Florence and I dont know when either of them would have died.

Looking at a thread on this family on rootschat (is it your thread?), it appears Florence's father's name was Amos.
www.
rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,539425.20.html

The poster seems to think Florence may have been born in Chesterfield and christened in Durham. Presumably this is the christening referred to...

Florence Turner
baptism/christening date: 14 Apr 1895
baptism/christening place: St. Hildas, South Shields, Durham, England
birth date: 28 Feb 1895
father's name: Amos Turner
mother's name: Eliza Turner

I did notice a Florence and Lucy TURNER, both born in Chesterfield in the 1901 census living in Durham. They were nurse children. Amos and Eliza TURNER can be found elsewhere in the 1901 census; Amos in Thornaby and Eliza in Chesterfield.

1901: RG13 Piece: 4623 Folio: 162 Page: 29 (crown copyright, care of the TNA)

I couldn't find a Florence TURNER to George WATSON marriage. Perhaps Florence was married previously. Anyway, here's a long shot marriage for you...

Marriages Sep 1917 Chesterfield 7b 1367
Fletcher Ada May
May Robert Fletcher
Turner Florence Walton
Walton George Turner

Perhaps the surname was misheard or mis-transcribed. Or it could be a complete red herring.

[Richard Miller]

Hi Olicat

Yes it is my thread on Rootschat. I have had some great help to locate Florence in the 1901 Census and have been able to discover who her parents were, but I am at a bit of a loss with George Watson as I dont know when he was born or died. The marriage entry for Florence Turner marrying George Walton does look interesting and its at the right time preceeding the birth of Kathleen in 1918. I will have to buy it. If it is the right one then I should have a lead for the date of birth.

I thought it unlikely that Florence would have been married before she married to George Watson as she gave her fathers surname as Turner and her surname as Watson formerley turner when she got married in 1943. As she was born in 1895 and had her daughter Kathleen in 1918 ther didn't seem time enough for more than one mariage.

Thanks for your reply and your interest.

Regards

Richard

[olliecat]

The marriage entry for Florence Turner marrying George Walton does look interesting and its at the right time preceeding the birth of Kathleen in 1918. I will have to buy it. If it is the right one then I should have a lead for the date of birth.

You could always specify that the name of Florence's father must be Amos when you order the marriage certificate. It takes longer, but that way you won't up paying if it doesn't match.

[Richard Miller]

Hi Ollicat

Thanks for the tip.

Best wishes

Richard

[Richard Miller]

Hi Olicat

I now have the marriage record and it was the right one. Watson has definately been miss transcribed in the national records of BMD and on Free BMD too. The marriage took place at Christ Church in Chesterfield on 14 July 1917. Details as follows:-

George Watson 20 bachelor; soldier; of March, Cambridgeshire; father Harry Watson a Boiler Smith, married Florence Turner 21 spinster of Manningham House, Wharf Lane, father Amos Turner a Butcher. Witnesses Elizabeth Mitchell and Lucy Turner.

I am guessing that George Watson was stationed in March, Cambridgeshire and not from there. Lucy Turner is obviously Florence's sister who appears in the 1901 Census records.

At last I know approximately when George Watson was born, now I just need to find out where and who his mother is.

Best wishes

Richard

[olliecat]

I'm so pleased the marriage turned out to be the correct one.

George Watson 20 bachelor; soldier; of March, Cambridgeshire; father Harry Watson a Boiler Smith

I just popped onto the forum briefly but I couldn't resist a quick search. How about this George as a possibility?

1901: RG13; Piece: 1551; Folio: 86; Page: 9 (crown copyright, care of the TNA)
9 Hutchinsons Row, March, Cambridgeshire
WATSON, Henry 32, head, boilersmith assistant, March
WATSON, Catherine wife, 27, Doddington
WATSON, Henry T 7, son, March
WATSON, Bertha 5, dau, March
WATSON, George 3, son, March
WATSON, Percy 5 mo, son, March

[olliecat]

Should you wish to investigate the above family further, some BMD info for you. First, a possible birth for George...

Births Mar 1898 N. Witchford 3b 560
Watson George

Parents marriage?

Marriages Mar 1893 N. Witchford 3b 688
Fields Jane
Risely Catherine
Taylor Frank
Watson Harry

Note: The Cambridgeshire marriage index notes that the maiden name of the spouse who married Harry WATSON was RISELY.

www.
cambridgeshire.gov.uk/community/bmd/certificate/Camdex/

[Richard Miller]

Thanks Olliecat

The 1901 cenus info looks pretty convincing. Its a funny old game this family history lark just when you think you know where the people you are serching for were from ie Yorkshire it turns out that neither of them were Florence from Derbyshire, although I have yet to find her birth record, and George from Cambridgeshire.

Thanks very much for your help.

Best wishes

Richard

[olliecat]

Its a funny old game this family history lark

It certainly is a funny old game. But pinning down those elusive ones is grand.

Florence from Derbyshire, although I have yet to find her birth record

Based on the birth date from her christening record, the following birth in the index looks like a good bet.

Births Mar 1895 Chesterfield 7b 818
Turner Florence

Remember, you can always ask the GRO to look for a birth (without specifying a GRO index reference) and you can specify the names of her parents. Also, they will search the year you specify and one year either side.

If we can help further, do let us know.