Genealogy Forum UK

Mrs. M. Maguire wants to try and find who her grandfather might be. Apparently he was a farmer who fathered a child with her grandmother whilst she was working on his farm.

Apparently the farmer paid for the upbringing of the child till she was 16.

Mrs. Maguire's Grandmother:

Clara Thomas born abt 1887 in Lapley, Staffordshire.

Mr's Maguire's Mother:

Gladys May Thomas born 20th May 1908, registerd in Walsall.

This is Gladys and her mother and grandparents in 1911.

1911 census transcription details for: 13 Harden Near Bloxwich Walsall
National Archive Reference:
RG14PN17149 RG78PN1056 RD370 SD2 ED7 SN356

Reg. District: Walsall Sub District: Bloxwich
Parish: Walsall Enum. District: 7
Address: 13 Harden Near Bloxwich Walsall
County: Staffordshire
Name Relation Condition/ Yrs married Sex Age Birth Year Occupation Where Born
THOMAS, Joseph Head Married 47 years M 67 1844 Farm Laboure Clanlirdine Herefordshire
THOMAS, Sarah Wife Married F 67 1844 Bridgenorth Salop
THOMAS, Benjamin Son Single M 36 1875 Farm Labourer Arewood Staffs
THOMAS, Clara Daughter Single F 24 1887 Sapley Staffs
THOMAS, Gladys Grandchild Single F 2 1909 Harden Staffs
THOMAS, Dick Grandchild Single M 1 1910 Harden Staffs
THOMAS, Herbert Grandchild Single M 11 1900 Walsall Staffs

This is them in 1901.

Clara's parents in 1901.

1901 census transcription details for: (Office House), Harden, Walsall
National Archive Reference:
RG number: RG13 Piece: 2696 Folio: 18 Page: 27

Reg. District: Walsall Sub District: Bloxwich
Parish: Walsall Enum. District: 4
Ecclesiastical District: Blakenall Heath Christ Church City/Municipal Borough:
Address: (Office House), Harden, Walsall
County: Staffordshire
Name Relation Condition Sex Age Birth Year Occupation ,Disability Where Born
THOMAS, Joseph Head Married M 57 1844 Agricultural Labourer Lanterdine Salop
THOMAS, Sarah Wife Married F 57 1844 Chelmarsh Salop
THOMAS, Elizabeth Daughter Single F 17 1884 Tailoress Brewood Staffordshire
ALLEN, Alfred Visitor Single M 25 1876 Bricklayer Harden Staffordshire
RUSSEL, Henry Adopted Child M 9 1892 Cannock Staffordshire

Pretty Sure this is Clara in 1901.

1901 census transcription details for: 245, Steelhouse Lane, Wolverhampton
National Archive Reference:
RG number: RG13 Piece: 2683 Folio: 65 Page: 12

Reg. District: Wolverhampton Sub District: Wolverhampton Eastern
Parish: Wolverhampton Enum. District: 39
Ecclesiastical District: All Saints City/Municipal Borough:
Address: 245, Steelhouse Lane, Wolverhampton
County: Staffordshire
Name Relation Condition Sex Age Birth Year Occupation , Disability Where Born
BOOTH, Charles E Head Married M 29 1872 Foundry Labourer Wolverhampton Staffordshire
BOOTH, Tamar J Wife Married F 28 1873 Wolverhampton Staffordshire
BOOTH, George A Son Single M 5 1896 Wolverhampton Staffordshire
BOOTH, Frank A Son Single M 3 1898 Wolverhampton Staffordshire
BOOTH, Hilda E Daughter Single F 1 1900 Wolverhampton Staffordshire
THOMAS, Clara Servant Single F 13 1888 Wolverhampton Staffordshire

In 1901 and 1911 her parents are living in Harden near Bloxwich.

There is a fairly large farm in Harden and only one farmer in 1901.

I thinks one of the Adams is a good candidate to be the father of Gladys May, but it is pure speculation based on proximity of the farm.

1901 census transcription details for: (Hatherton Farm), Harden, Walsall
National Archive Reference:
RG number: RG13 Piece: 2696 Folio: 17 Page: 26

Reg. District: Walsall Sub District: Bloxwich
Parish: Walsall Enum. District: 4
Ecclesiastical District: Blakenall Heath Christ Church City/Municipal Borough:
Address: (Hatherton Farm), Harden, Walsall
County: Staffordshire
Name Relation Condition Sex Age Birth Year Occupation , Disability Where Born
ADAMS, Joseph Head Married M 57 1844 Farmer Bloxwich Staffordshire
ADAMS, Edith Wife Married F 52 1849 Cubley Derbyshire
ADAMS, Anne Daughter Single F 31 1870 Harden Staffordshire
ADAMS, Bertha Daughter Single F 26 1875 Draper Harden Staffordshire
ADAMS, John Son Single M 24 1877 Farmers Assistant Harden Staffordshire
ADAMS, Elsie Daughter Single F 18 1883 Drapers Assistant Harden Staffordshire
ADAMS, Arthur J Son M 13 1888 Harden Staffordshire
WILD, John Father-In-Law Widower M 79 1822 Cubley Derbyshire

Joseph Adams is probably a bit old to be seducing young Clara but his son John may be suspect.

John and his fairly new wife in 1911.

1911 census transcription details for: Harden Near Bloxwich
National Archive Reference:
RG14PN17149 RG78PN1056 RD370 SD2 ED7 SN353

Reg. District: Walsall Sub District: Bloxwich
Parish: Walsall Enum. District: 7
Address: Harden Near Bloxwich
County: Staffordshire
Name Relation Condition/Yrs married Sex Age Birth Year Occupation Where Born
ADAMS, John Head Married 2 years M 34 1877 Farm Bailiff Bloxwich Staffs
ADAMS, Annie Amy Wife Married 2 years F 34 1877 Bloxwich Staffs

Any other suspects?

Any advice we can give Mrs Maquire on how to proceed?

Bit of a needle in a haystack, was the father not on the birth certificate or any marriage certificate?

Linell.

Apparently not.

indication in any wills ?

Can this be archived Mark?

Jo