Genealogy Chat

Hi everyone, i really need help tracking down a relative that seems not to exist before 1919 even though he was born c1889. I have checked the 1891 & 1901 census and have no definative indication that he is there at all. The gentleman I am after is Charles Edward Thornton. I know he lived in Morecame @ 3 victoria cottages in or prior to 1919. My question is. Where could i possibly look other than the census to find a possible link as to where and who lived with him? What information, if any can be found would be provided?

Could this be him on the 1901 census? Caton is near Lancaster which is near Morecambe. Name: Charles Edward Thornton Age: 13 Estimated birth year: abt 1888 Relation: Son Father's name: Robert Mother's name: Mary Ellen Gender: Male Where born: Caton, Lancashire, England Civil parish: Caton Ecclesiastical parish: Caton St Paul Town: Caton County/Island: Lancashire Country: England Street address: Occupation: Condition as to marriage: Education: Employment status: View image Registration district: Lunesdale Sub-registration district: Caton ED, institution, or vessel: 2 Neighbors: View others on page Household schedule number: 141 Household Members: Name Age Elizabeth Fairclough 18 John Mashiter 19 Charles Edward Thornton 13 Lucy Jane Thornton 20 Marion Elizabeth Thornton 1 Mary Ellen Thornton 39 Robert Thornton 53 William France Thornton 17

And on the 1891 census: Name: Charles E Thornton Age: 3 Estimated birth year: abt 1888 Relation: Son Father's name: Robert Mother's name: Elizabeth Gender: Male Where born: Caton, Lancashire, England Civil parish: Caton With Littledale Ecclesiastical parish: Caton Town: Caton County/Island: Lancashire Country: England Registration district: Lunesdale Sub-registration district: Caton ED, institution, or vessel: 2 Neighbors: View others on page Household Members: Name Age Sarah E France 2 Joseph Huddlestone 28 Charles E Thornton 3 Elizabeth Thornton 37 Jane Thornton 39 Lucy J Thornton 10 Robert Thornton 43 William F Thornton 7 View Original Record View original image

You might hit lucky and find him on a school attendance register. Some county record offices have the school records for the Board Schools and some Charity (ie church of some type) prior to the takeover in 1901/2. Actual school leaving age was a bit flexible - sort of 'You can leave once you have passed you school leaving exam'. Alternatively wait until age 12. Some school records give a remarkable amount of information including who was subsidised by the Poor Law Union. Clive

Thank you Maureen, i have had a good look into that family before and quite extensively, but alas its not the correct one. Thank you very much for trying for me though it is much appreciated. Thanks to Clive for that Info, thats one I didnt even think about although i have to find where Charles is before i can attempt that look up. I didnt even know that those type of records existed but it will certainly come in handy for the future. Bit of an update as to Charles' Father, he is listed on the Marriage cert as James Thornton deceased by 1919 and an engine tenter

There are 2 James Thorntons who are engine tenters on the 1881 census, both in Yorkshire: Name: James Thornton Age: 35 Estimated birth year: abt 1846 Relation: Head Spouse's name: Sarah A. Where born: Bradford, Yorkshire, England Civil parish: Manningham County/Island: Yorkshire Street address: 27 Oakwood St Occupation: Engine Tenter and: Name: James Thornton Age: 42 Estimated birth year: abt 1839 Relation: Head Spouse's name: Nancy Gender: Male Where born: Hipperholme, Yorkshire, England Civil parish: Hipperholme Cum Brighouse County/Island: Yorkshire Street address: Norwood Green Condition as to marriage: Married Occupation: Engine Tenter At Cotton Mill I found the first of these James in 1891 and he didn't have a son called Charles. I can't find the second family in 1891 & haven't looked in 1901, but could be worth pursuing... Richard