My grandfather was William Taylor (1890-1972). His father was George Taylor, the subject of this article. I have several records giving information about George’s life after his marriage in 1877, but can find nothing about his life before then.
George married Margaret Smiles on February 21st 1877 at Newcastle Registry Office. George is shown as aged 27, a bachelor. He was a Driver in the Royal Artillery and his address was Newcastle Barracks. His father is shown as Daniel Taylor, an innkeeper. I can’t find George in the 1881 census. He was probably was serving in India when the census was compiled (his daughter Harriett Jane was born there in December 1881). If so, he wouldn’t have been recorded in the census.
George left the army in 1886. The 1891 census shows George and his family living in West Street, Charlton. He is listed as aged 41, a labourer. The writing of his place of birth is unclear but seems to be Kelvedon (or Kelberdon), Essex.
In 1901 George and his family were still in West Street, Charlton. The census shows that George was aged 50, a local board labourer. His place of birth is again unclear – it could be Kelvedon (or perhaps Kesherdon or Heshidon), Essex.
George died on 29 August 1903. His age is shown as 54 in the death record index. There is a separate article on this blog describing the circumstances of his death.
His marriage certificate and the 1891 census indicate that George was born in 1849 or 1850. The 1901 census indicates 1850 or 1851. His death record indicates 1848 or 1849. So his actual date of birth seems to be sometime between 1848 and 1851, probably 1849 or 1850.
The 1891 and 1901 censuses say that George was born in Essex. The place of birth appears to be Kelvedon (Kelberdon, Kesherdon and Heshidon don’t exist). Kelvedon was in the Witham Registration District when George was born. Unfortunately, FreeBMD shows no George Taylor births in Witham between 1848 and 1851 (or indeed between 1845 and 1855).
I have been unable to find George with his father Daniel in the 1851, 1861 or 1871 census. I have also been unable to find George's army record.
It is quite possible that the father’s name given on George’s marriage certificate is fictional. Perhaps George was born to an unmarried mother. If so, he probably didn’t know who his father was. He may have made up a name and occupation for the marriage certificate to avoid embarrassment. This was quite commonly done and no checks were made.
If anyone can help solve this mystery, please let me know.
