Dowsons of Lancashire- such a messy lot.

[Murfomurf]

There is an Edwin Dowson, said to be born around 1847 in Liverpool, Lancashire (although others have him born 1837 in Birmingham). I cannot locate a definite Birth record for him but he appears on Census records with parents James Dowson and mother Jane (nee Harper or Jones).
Edwin married in the mid-1860s to a Johanna/Anna Cardwell (said to be born in New York, USA, but maybe just York, England) although I cannot find their marriage either. Then several children were born with surname Dowson and mother Cardwell:
1. GRO DOWSON, CHARLOTTE [mother]CARDWELL GRO Reference: 1865 D Quarter in ASTON Volume 06D Page 266
2. George Dowson, said to be born in Yorkshire but no birth record.
3. James Dowson but registered as:
GRO DOWSON, EDWIN [mother]CARDWELL GRO Reference: 1868 D Quarter in LIVERPOOL Volume 08B Page 205, maybe called James at home to distinguish him from his father.
4. GRO DOWSON, ALFRED CARDWELL GRO Reference: 1870 D Quarter in LIVERPOOL Volume 08B Page 176

I am trying to trace a line of DNA from Edwin b 1868 to a currently living person but very little of the information I have found seems consistent and I wonder if there has been a major error (or several) on some BDM event from the 1800s. Can someone make any sense of this mess?

 

[WelchRegLost]

Sorry I have had no more success than you

 

[Jellylegs]

I can't find a birth registration for Edwin either, but I did eventually find his baptism (on Ancestry), which also gives his date of birth (assuming I was looking at the correct family in the census).

Looked for baptisms of siblings and worked my way back page by page from Alfred (who was born 1847 and I think died 1849 as he does not appear on the census - also found a death on GRO - aged 1), as Edwin does not show up in a search.

Edwin:-
Baptised: 20 Sep 1845 at St. Luke, Birmingham.
Born: on 20 Sep 1845.

Parents: James and Jane.
Abode: Edward Street, Balsall Heath.
Father's Occupation: Hair Dresser.

James and Jane's marriage is also on Ancestry - 21 Feb 1841 at St Martin, Birmingham. She was a spinster and gives her father as Thomas Harper, a Hair Dresser.

 

[Murfomurf]

Sorry I have had no more success than you

Thanks for trying- they are very trying!

 

[Murfomurf]

...did eventually find his baptism (on Ancestry), which also gives his date of birth... James and Jane's marriage is also on Ancestry - 21 Feb 1841 at St Martin, Birmingham. She was a spinster and gives her father as Thomas Harper, a Hair Dresser.

Hooray! Thanks for your patience- I was lost. Now I can make sense of much more in this family.

 

[Jellylegs]

Just noticed my typo

Edwin was baptised on 12 October 1845 (not on the day he was born) - sorry.

 

[Murfomurf]

No worries @Jellylegs - I just thought he was Scottish! I cannot imagine how those poor women got up from labouring and the same day walked to Church in the snow to baptise those damned kids!