The life of Alfred Canton is well documented, but his wife is a mystery. His parents James Canton & Mary Gibbons married in Q1 1852 in Pembroke. Alfred was born 2.1.1856 (from 1939 reg) and baptised 27.1.1856. He had a sister Rosa Ann who married James Nicholls and they had a daughter Helen. In 1871, 1881 & 1891 Alfred is single, living with his parents and is a postman or similar. In 1901 he is single and living with his niece Helen Nicholls.
In 1905 he is on the electoral roll at Woodbine Terrace Pembroke.
In 1911 he is married to Emma age 41 and two boys described as Cyril age 7 and Byron age 5. These appear to be Alfred Cyril Gibbons Canton and Lionel Byron Canton. Both have a mmn Moore. Also there is Edward Norris aged 85. It is part of my wild theory below that this should be Morris.
In 1934 Alfred CG Canton (ie the son) married Kathleen M Coates.
In 1939 Alfred senior is living with his daughter-in-law Kathleen M age 30 still at Woodbine Terrace as a retired postman. Also there is one redacted which is probably Kathleen's son who was born in London the previous year. His wife Emma is in a mental hospital and his son Alfred C G is a police sergeant living alone in London.
In 1943 Alfred died age 87 in Pembroke and in 1955 Emma died age 84 in Carmarthen.
So, who was Emma? I cannot find a suitable Canton=Moore marriage or indeed any Alfred Canton marriage between 1901 and 1911. Alfred junior's middle name Gibbons indicates that he really is Alfred senior's son and not from any prior relationship of Emma's.
This is my wild theory. In Q1 1903 Alfred Carter married Emma Morris in Pembroke. I can't find a couple with these names in 1911. Is it possible that this Alfred is really Alfred Canton? The time & place are right. If so then Edward Norris might be Emma's father spelt wrong? Then to complete the unlikely story the boys' mmns should be Morris and not Moore. It seems most unlikely that could be so many errors in the records for one couple but I don't have any better idea. In a way I shall be happy if someone shoots down this idea as this Emma's background seems very murky.
I have traced, on paper, the names of descendants of Alfred C G and Kathleen who are probably alive today but have been unable to make contact through social media, but I doubt that they would know any answer anyway.
In 1905 he is on the electoral roll at Woodbine Terrace Pembroke.
In 1911 he is married to Emma age 41 and two boys described as Cyril age 7 and Byron age 5. These appear to be Alfred Cyril Gibbons Canton and Lionel Byron Canton. Both have a mmn Moore. Also there is Edward Norris aged 85. It is part of my wild theory below that this should be Morris.
In 1934 Alfred CG Canton (ie the son) married Kathleen M Coates.
In 1939 Alfred senior is living with his daughter-in-law Kathleen M age 30 still at Woodbine Terrace as a retired postman. Also there is one redacted which is probably Kathleen's son who was born in London the previous year. His wife Emma is in a mental hospital and his son Alfred C G is a police sergeant living alone in London.
In 1943 Alfred died age 87 in Pembroke and in 1955 Emma died age 84 in Carmarthen.
So, who was Emma? I cannot find a suitable Canton=Moore marriage or indeed any Alfred Canton marriage between 1901 and 1911. Alfred junior's middle name Gibbons indicates that he really is Alfred senior's son and not from any prior relationship of Emma's.
This is my wild theory. In Q1 1903 Alfred Carter married Emma Morris in Pembroke. I can't find a couple with these names in 1911. Is it possible that this Alfred is really Alfred Canton? The time & place are right. If so then Edward Norris might be Emma's father spelt wrong? Then to complete the unlikely story the boys' mmns should be Morris and not Moore. It seems most unlikely that could be so many errors in the records for one couple but I don't have any better idea. In a way I shall be happy if someone shoots down this idea as this Emma's background seems very murky.
I have traced, on paper, the names of descendants of Alfred C G and Kathleen who are probably alive today but have been unable to make contact through social media, but I doubt that they would know any answer anyway.
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