The Elusive Samuel Clarke

[Del 80]

Hi, Trying to find out what happened to one Samuel Clarke, he was born 1865 in Saul, Co. Down, married 1896 at Kilmegan Co.Down, in 1901 his wife and two sons are in Ardrossan, Scotland, but no sign of Samuel, he is not on the 1901 or 1911 census for either Scotland or Ireland, and I cannot find his death anywhere, any help appreciated . Regards Del.

[Elaine ..Spain]

Del, welcome to Family Tree Forum.

Presume you have found the wife in the 1901 census in Scotland - what does she give as her marital status?

[Del 80]

Hello, Elaine, In 1901 she is still given as married, she is with her mother, brother and two sons, but Samuel is missing, I can't find him anywhere. Regards Del.

[Elaine ..Spain]

Do you know his occupation when he married?

[Del 80]

Elaine, on the various certificates that have his name on, he is given as a General Labourer, Regards Del.

[Elaine ..Spain]

Del, just checking the 1901 census for names.
Can you confirm - is the wife Susanna (1877 Ireland), and children Samuel A (1898 Ireland) and Hugh Joseph (1900 Ardrossan)?

[Del 80]

Hi Elaine, Yes that is them, the Samuel A, is Samuel Allan, Samuel seniors mother was Sarah Allan. Regards Del.

[Elaine ..Spain]

I am not very familiar with Scottish certificates - do you have the marriage certificate of either of the children - does it say whether father is deceased or not?

[Del 80]

Yes Elaine, I have both certificates, Samuel Allan Clarke in 1916, and Hugh Joseph Clarke in 1918, on both certs. their father is given as deceased, also Susanna, their mother, re-marrried in 1912, and on the marriage cert. Samuel is also given as deceased. Regards Del.

[Elaine ..Spain]

So in theory we are looking for a death between 1900 and 1912.

[Del 80]

Yes Elaine, Either in Scotland, or Ireland, I cannot prove that Samuel came to Scotland with the rest of his family,youngest son Hugh Joseph being born there still does'nt mean that Samuel was actually there, he may have remained in Ireland. Regards Del.

[Elaine ..Spain]

Sorry to keep asking questions!
Do you know where Samuel was born - was it Co.Down ?

[Elaine ..Spain]

Have you discounted this one

https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/FRF5-C3G

[Del 80]

No problem Elaine, I appreciate your interest, I think that Samuel was born in Saul, Co, Down, his parents were Bernard Clarke and Sarah Allan, this is not proved yet, but they had a son there in 1865, only given as MALE, but I'm pretty sure that it is him. Regards Del.

[Del 80]

I have seen that before Elaine, and did wonder, it was the second name being James that put me off it. Regards Del

[Elaine ..Spain]

As you say there doesn't seem to be any reference to the name James in the family!
I am not having much luck finding anything else I am afraid.

[Del 80]

There is one interesting aspect Elaine, Susanna had two daughters, by fathers unknown, one in 1907, and one in 1910, on their birth certs. she states that Samuel Clarke "is not the father of this child" and further "that she has neither seen or heard of him for seven and eleven years [respectively] since they lived together". Regards Del.

[Elaine ..Spain]

So it looks possible that Samuel and Susannah had parted company by the time she went to Scotland (c1900) for the birth of the second child.
I've just been looking at passenger lists to America/Canada and the US/Canadian censuses but nothing jumping out at me at the moment.
Do you know if Samuel snr. had any siblings?

[Del 80]

There is one thing, on Susanna's death cert. in 1928 it says that she was married 1st to JAMES CLARK, a general labourer, the informant was her 2nd husband, Robert Sanders. Srange one this !. Regards Del.

[Del 80]

I have'nt found any siblings as yet Elaine