Robert Charles Williams, Marazion

[debsmarie]

I am looking for a Robert Charles Williams, living in Marazion in the 1911 census, married to Lydia Wills, widow of William John Hicks.  In 1911, Lydia (aged 34) and Robert (aged 26) were living with William George Hicks (Aged 9), Lydia's son from her first marriage and James Williams (aged 3), the son that they had together.  Robert said that he was a railway contractors labourer and was born in Australia, Sydney Road, but British subject by parentage.  Lydia and both children were born in Marazion.

I have a marriage certificate for Robert and Lydia - they were married September 1st 1906, in All Saints Church in Marazion, when Robert was 22 and Lydia was 30.  Robert was a bachelor and a labourer, his Father is recorded as being Robert Williams.  Lydia was a widow, her Father was James Wills, a miner.  Both were living in Marazion at the time of the marriage.   

Son James was born 4th May, 1907, Robert and Lydia were living in North Street, Marazion and Robert was a masons labourer. 

And that is all that I can find out about Robert Charles Williams - I have located no birth record in Australia, no travel records from Australia to England and no death record.  I cannot find a Robert Williams leaving England for Australia, who may have been his Father.  I have a potential army record for him (but it only tenuous at the moment), as I have found attestation papers for a Robert Williams, born in Sydney, Australia in 1885, joining the Devonshire Regiment. 

I would be very happy to hear any tips, clues or other advice

Thanks

Debs

[gandolf]

Hi Debs

I can offer perhaps one or two small clues. Firstly, Robert Charles Williams birthplace on his entry on the 1911 census appears to me to be more like Sydney, NSW and should probably be read as such.

I can also say that without doubt he was in England no later than 1903, for he enlisted in the Army reserve (service number: 7405) in the Devonshire Regiment - 11th Foot, and served through to 20 May 1913. There is no doubt it is the same person, since the copies of enlistment paperwork include the recording of his 1906 marriage to Lydia Hicks, widow. The reason for his ceasing service in the Army reserve in May 1913, was that he was dismissed because he had been convicted in the civil courts of misdemeanour crimes on 9 November 1912 (served a couple of months and released 8 Jan 1913), and again convicted 20th Jan 1913 (served another couple of months, released 19 May 1913). Not entirely clear whether the crimes were army related or purely civil.

The service record also indicates that he served in India for about a year Feb 1905 to Mar 1906 - got back in time for the marriage! The only other useful fact (other than confirming his birthplace as Sydney) is that on enlistment on the 2nd June 1903 he claimed to 18 years and 10 months of age.

As to Robert's origins in Sydney, Australia - that might be more challenging since there are no clear candidates in the official records.

[white]

Re Ethel Cahappell, I have sent you a personal message.
Lots to t you
White

[debsmarie]

Apr 16, 2017 22:31:02 GMT -5 gandolf said:

Hi Debs

I can offer perhaps one or two small clues. Firstly, Robert Charles Williams birthplace on his entry on the 1911 census appears to me to be more like Sydney, NSW and should probably be read as such.

I can also say that without doubt he was in England no later than 1903, for he enlisted in the Army reserve (service number: 7405) in the Devonshire Regiment - 11th Foot, and served through to 20 May 1913. There is no doubt it is the same person, since the copies of enlistment paperwork include the recording of his 1906 marriage to Lydia Hicks, widow. The reason for his ceasing service in the Army reserve in May 1913, was that he was dismissed because he had been convicted in the civil courts of misdemeanour crimes on 9 November 1912 (served a couple of months and released 8 Jan 1913), and again convicted 20th Jan 1913 (served another couple of months, released 19 May 1913). Not entirely clear whether the crimes were army related or purely civil.

The service record also indicates that he served in India for about a year Feb 1905 to Mar 1906 - got back in time for the marriage! The only other useful fact (other than confirming his birthplace as Sydney) is that on enlistment on the 2nd June 1903 he claimed to 18 years and 10 months of age.

As to Robert's origins in Sydney, Australia - that might be more challenging since there are no clear candidates in the official records.

Hi Gandolf

I did think that the birth address as 'Sydney Road, Australia' read wrong, so have been searching mostly NSW for records.  The information regarding his military record is very useful and corroborates the attestation that I discovered, so glad that you agree that I am on the right track!  I am wondering if his Father's name was indeed Robert, as stated on the marriage certificate, as there doesn't appear to be any clear candidates with this information, as you have found.  I have located several potential military records, so will now go back through those with this information.

Thank you so much for your assistance, much appreciated.

Regards

Debs

[debsmarie]

Apr 17, 2017 2:26:28 GMT -5 white said:

Re Ethel Cahappell, I have sent you a personal message.
Lots to t you
White

Great, thanks   Talk  soon

Debs

[taipan72.]

Trove and the national library of Australia may contain something as you can find shipping records on trove

Maybe also look at shipslist website as contains passenger records.

Nla will also have naturalisation records.

I have Buzzas from st Hilary and Williams but I don't know much about my Williams yet I'm relying on another member citreonlady to help as her mum was a Williams don't know if any connection to yours?.

Don't forget there are also Australian fb genealogy groups too and ancestry of course and my heritage.

Find a grace/billion graves.

Also do google searches in case someone has written something up or has a family site.

Hope that helps

[debsmarie]

Thanks for this taipan - good tip to join an Australian genealogy group! I will look for one, as I hadn't actually thought of that! LOL. I do use ancestry and Find My Pat. Had a bit of a break through on my DNA results though and am hoping that I have found a cousin on the Williams side. Unfortunately, he also doesn't know much about his Father's side, so will be a joint voyage of discovery! Two heads are better than one though!

Maybe our Williams will join up - interesting!

Debs