Where did this child go??

[MrsPoppy]

I am looking into the family of Jane (known as Jinny) Anson born in 1870 in Sheffield.

Jinny married John William Lawton on the 28th December 1890.

John was a cab and coach driver born 1865 in Sheffield, father Joseph Lawton.

The 1901 census shows the couple with a child at 18 Manners Street in Sheffield with a 3 month old son John Arthur Lawton, there is a baptism for this child.

In February 1907 Jinny committed suicide by hanging herself from the stairs whilst under 'temporary insanity'. The address given then was 12 Stanfield Road in Sheffield.

No mention of the child in newspaper reports or anywhere. I believe I have found a widowed John William Lawton living at 38 Beechwood Road in Sheffield as a Widower in 1911 and at the same address in 1939. No child mentioned.

I have run out of ideas to find the child, I cannot find a death for him, in fact I cannot find a death for John William.

If any one has any ideas I would be grateful for any input.

Mrs P

[wimsey]

an 80-year-old John William Lawton died 9 June 1946 in Leeds


other LAWTON sons born Sheffield with mother's maiden name ANSON ?
Joseph Harold born 1902
Percy born 1904

Percy died aged 3 months

[MrsPoppy]

That's a cracker, thanks for that, never thought to look for other births. Percy was the name of Jane's father so got to be relevant.

I will try and follow that.

Wonder if there is a probate for that John William. The Anson's stuck resolutely to Sheffield but I have just found a tree on A that says some of the Lawton boys went over to Australia.

Mrs P

[Pam Downes]

Is it possible that baby John was adopted, perhaps by other family members?
Adoption in those days was unregulated, so there will be no paper trace, but it might be worth checking out sisters, brothers, cousins of both Jinny and John in the 1911 census to see if they have an 'unexplained' ten year-old (possibly called John or Arthur) living with them.

Have you checked the 1939 Register for John Arthur Lawton, born December 1900/January 1901 in case he reverted to his original name?

Pam

[MrsPoppy]

Hi Pam, I am just trying to follow the Lawton family now, they seem as elusive as the child.

I scoured the 1939 and couldn't see one I was happy with. I think at the side of his baptism it says he was born 9th December 1900 so I put that in etc but it didn't get me very far.

Mrs P

[MrsPoppy]

Looks like Percy the child died 1904 just checking the other one.

Mrs P

[wimsey]

Wonder if there is a probate for that John William.

there is. Address 7 Raynville Avenue, Bramley, Leeds. probate to Clifford & Harry FATKIN.

I think a Harriet LAWTON married Henry FATKIN in 1893, Hunslet (Leeds) - but that needs thoroughly checking (and may be completely irrelevant)

Clifford FATKIN born Hunslet 1895, mother's maiden name LAWTON

..... but this is all assuming that that was the correct John William Lawton of course

[MrsPoppy]

Thank you Wimsey, I will make a note of that.

I cannot find the other son.

Mrs P

[wimsey]

I cannot find the other son.

I cannot find Joseph Harold LAWTON after his baptism (on FMP) - born 30 October 1902, baptised Neepsend (Sheffield) parents John William & Jane

(if you meant you cannot find Harry FATKIN of the probate record, I think he is Harriet's husband Henry/Harry )

[MrsPoppy]

Thank you Wimsey, no I meant I cannot find Joseph Harold after his baptism.

Mrs P