Who is his parents, when did he come to England from Ireland?

Question

This is been a brick wall for over 30 years, my sister and I have put in many hours and still no more than we did back then. He had 3 wifes, 11 offspring. We believe his father was also called William Davis who was a bricklayer according to one marraige cert. The younger William claimed to be a gunner at Woolwich, but can not find out if it was true, but he was a wire drawer in a later census. Lived around the South East London. Many thanks

Comments

A 1881 census has him born in around 1839 ? I have added

it to his profile.

Answer 1

According to the Family Search, England and Wales Death Registration Index 1837-2007, there are 93 individuals named William Davis, who died in West Ham, Essex, England, United Kingdom, between 1900 & 1920, who were also born between 1835 & 1845

Answer 2

I would start by looking for him on the censuses and seeing if there are any clues there (adding sources to his profile will help other people give you a hand too). You might be able to find out if he came to England on his own or with his family.

Sources for his family members can help too. I just found his daughter Elizabeth's baptism in Sheerness - it says the family lived in the Barracks and that William was a Corporal in the RA (Royal Artillery). So you might be able to find pension or service records for him, which could give his place and date of birth etc.

Answer 3

William 1st appears on his marriage cer to Sarah Jayne Cavanagh. Dated 18th Oct 1871. St Mary Madgalene Church in Woolwich, where he states he is a Bombaradire at The Royal Artillery.

He then turns up in the 1881 census aged 42 and a Wire Drawer. Living at 21 Storey Street, Woolwich his his 2 daughters Elizabeth Jane and Adelaide Mariaand a new woman Rose, it states she is his wife, but we can not locate a marraige cert for her and him.

He is on the 1891 Cenus this time with my paternal gg grandmother Sophia Davis nee Fitch, with the his and Sarahs 2 daughters, a son William James Arthur born to Rose in 1878 this time living in West Ham. William Jr is on this census but his initals aren't correct. Along with his and Sophias children Gertrude, Daisy, Ethel and Arthur. Neither Adalaide or Elizabeth are on this census.

1901 Census, Sophia and William Davis are still living in Woolwich with Daisy, Ethel, Ada, Elsie, Norah, and Arthur. This time his employment was a Dock Clerk

William and Sophia Fitch where married on 19th June 1884. At Saint Mary the Virgin in Palistow.

I would have posted all the childrens year of birth but my pc, is playing sillt tonight.

Many thanks for your reply

Comments

I found a record on Findmypast which I think could be about William (a man from Ireland serving in the Royal Artillery who left in 1880). Ping me a message if you'd like to see the images (have added a citation and some research notes on his profile).

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Thank you, we seem to have one. Sorry I didn't reply sooner but I haven't been well.