William Thomas Watson

GEDCOM Note

Identity The identity of William Thomas Watson is strongly confirmed through documents already in the possession of Janet Bryan (grand-daughter) and also marriage register entries for son William Thomas.

1891 and 1901 Census Finding earlier entries for William Thomas has been difficult, owing to the number of William and John Watsons present in the records. However, a clue is seen in the Marriage certificate for William and Eliza Kriby, listing John Watson and Phoebe Watson as witnesses. Assuming these are siblings a clear 1891 Census entry can be found for John Watson, tube straightener, with children John, Phoebe and William T. Furthermore, this William is the same age as William based on the marriage certificate. Finally, this census entry is for Birmingham, strongly suggesting that this is the correct census record.

A 1901 Census entry is harder to find, but we again find similar players, now living in Smethwick just outside Birmingham. John Watson is no longer listed as a tube straightener, and several names including wife Martha have changed (in Martha's case to Phoebe). However, we still find a John, Phoebe and WIlliam, and ALLt birth places and ages correspond strongly to the 1891 census. We can therefore assume that this 1901 record is correct.

1911 Census An entry was located using a search for Phoebe Watson, as she is listed as a witness on the marriage certificate of 1919 as a Watson, is therefore unmarried and therefore in 1911 is likely to be living at home. Although 9 Phoebe Watsons are present born 1884+/-3, one is a clear match for the family of Martha Watson, including son W Thomas (William?) and other children Nellie etc. The clear match of birth dates and birth places strongly suggests this is the same family of 1891, and the family of William Thomas. Furthermore, in the 1891 and 1901 census, William is listed simply as "William" or "William T". In 1911 he is listed as "W Thomas". This suggests that it is definitely William Thomas.

DOB William's year of birth is consistently shown as about 1887 from multiple sources. A birth certificate is required to confirm the exact date. A search of the FreeBMD index understanbly returns thousands of variations of William, Thomas and Watson born in the UK between 1885 and 1888. A reasonably rigid search was conducted using exact names, and restricted to Birmingham ,Warwickshire, which reduces the firm matches to only 38, of which only one is William Thomas Watson from Birmingham. This certificate will be ordered.

Marriage The marriage certificate for William and wife Eliza is in the possession of Janet Bryan. This is confirmed.

DOD Death certificate and burial details are in the possession of Janet Bryan.

Identity The identity of William Thomas Watson is strongly confirmed through documents already in the possession of Janet Bryan (grand-daughter) and also marriage register entries for son William Thomas.

1891 and 1901 Census Finding earlier entries for William Thomas has been difficult, owing to the number of William and John Watsons present in the records. However, a clue is seen in the Marriage certificate for William and Eliza Kriby, listing John Watson and Phoebe Watson as witnesses. Assuming these are siblings a clear 1891 Census entry can be found for John Watson, tube straightener, with children John, Phoebe and William T. Furthermore, this William is the same age as William based on the marriage certificate. Finally, this census entry is for Birmingham, strongly suggesting that this is the correct census record.

A 1901 Census entry is harder to find, but we again find similar players, now living in Smethwick just outside Birmingham. John Watson is no longer listed as a tube straightener, and several names including wife Martha have changed (in Martha's case to Phoebe). However, we still find a John, Phoebe and WIlliam, and ALLt birth places and ages correspond strongly to the 1891 census. We can therefore assume that this 1901 record is correct.

1911 Census An entry was located using a search for Phoebe Watson, as she is listed as a witness on the marriage certificate of 1919 as a Watson, is therefore unmarried and therefore in 1911 is likely to be living at home. Although 9 Phoebe Watsons are present born 1884+/-3, one is a clear match for the family of Martha Watson, including son W Thomas (William?) and other children Nellie etc. The clear match of birth dates and birth places strongly suggests this is the same family of 1891, and the family of William Thomas. Furthermore, in the 1891 and 1901 census, William is listed simply as "William" or "William T". In 1911 he is listed as "W Thomas". This suggests that it is definitely William Thomas.

DOB William's year of birth is consistently shown as about 1887 from multiple sources. A birth certificate is required to confirm the exact date. A search of the FreeBMD index understanbly returns thousands of variations of William, Thomas and Watson born in the UK between 1885 and 1888. A reasonably rigid search was conducted using exact names, and restricted to Birmingham ,Warwickshire, which reduces the firm matches to only 38, of which only one is William Thomas Watson from Birmingham. This certificate will be ordered.

Marriage The marriage certificate for William and wife Eliza is in the possession of Janet Bryan. This is confirmed.

DOD Death certificate and burial details are in the possession of Janet Bryan.