Husband Abandonment 1891

[Dhdrounding]

Hi everyone.

I have recently been researching my grandmothers side. My second great grandmother was named Emma Louisa Wright who was born in 1870 in Dewsbury, west Yorkshire and married Dan Halstead of the same town in 1891. From what I can see, Dan then abandoned her to move to America with a woman also from Dewsbury and who i assume is their child.

In the 1901 census Emma is listed as the head of the house with her children who all have the double barrelled surname of Butterfield Halstead and is also living with a lodger William Butterfield who she goes onto marry in 1910.

I would love to know the complete story however I don't think that is possible. But for instance if William Butterfield was the father of at least some of the children (the children were born before William and Emma's marriage) would she have been legally bound to name the children Halstead? I have found my great grandmothers baptism record from 1897 and it says she is called Edith 'B' Halstead. However in the 1911 census William is listed as the stepfather of the children.

I assume the 'abandonment' law enabled William and Emma to marry 7 years after Dan had left the family which would be around 1903, meaning Dan was the father of the children but that is just me speculating.

Unfortunately William died only 3 years after they married. I feel so sorry for her !

 

[gibbo]

Dan then abandoned her to move to America with a woman also from Dewsbury and who i assume is their child.

Is the child your referring to Mabel? If so it appears she is the younger sister of Annie and not actually their child.

USA 1900 Census
Name Daniel Halstead
Event Place Precinct 10 Blocton (east part), Bibb, Alabama, United States
Age 29
Marital Status Married
Race White
Race (Original) W
Relationship to Head of Household Head
Relationship to Head of Household (Original) Head
Years Married 1
Birth Date Apr 1871
Birthplace England
Marriage Year (Estimated) 1899
Immigration Year 1887
Father's Birthplace England
Mother's Birthplace England
Daniel Halstead Head M 29 England
Annie E Halstead Wife F 23 England
Henry Halstead Brother M 36 England
Mabel Howard Sister-in-law F 11 England

 

[gibbo]

In the 1901 census Emma is listed as the head of the house with her children who all have the double barrelled surname of Butterfield Halstead and is also living with a lodger William Butterfield who she goes onto marry in 1910.

I would love to know the complete story however I don't think that is possible. But for instance if William Butterfield was the father of at least some of the children (the children were born before William and Emma's marriage) would she have been legally bound to name the children Halstead?

Dont quote me on this but reading through i would say the kids belonged to William Butterfield. I feel to save face they were registered under her married name but as they were his kids they were registered with his name included rather than admit having kids outside of marriage. Hence the census where they are noted as his step kids. I cant think of any other reason.

1911
William Butterfield Head M 44 Greetland, Yorkshire
Emma Louisa Butterfield Wife F 40 Dewsbury, Yorkshire
George William Butterfield Halstead Stepson M 15 Mirfield, Yorkshire
Edith Butterfield Halstead Stepdaughter F 13 Mirfield, Yorkshire
Jennie Butterfield Halstead Stepdaughter F 8 Mirfield, Yorkshire
Florrie Butterfield Halstead Stepdaughter F 7 Mirfield, Yorkshire
Jack Butterfield Halstead Stepson M 4 Mirfield, Yorkshire
John Joseph Smith Boarder M 38 Liverpool, Lancashire
Sam Simpson Boarder M 34 Mirfield, Yorkshire

 

[gibbo]

Has anyone gotten any of the kids birth certificates, would be interesting to see who registered the births, most likely the mum i guess.

 

[gibbo]

Have you seen this?

http://www.halstedresearch.org.uk/p16.htm#i1580

 

[horse]

some of the children (the children were born before William and Emma's marriage) would she have been legally bound to name the children Halstead?

GRO:
HALSTEAD, WILLIE WRIGHT
mmn = Wright
1892 Q3 DEWSBURY
Vol 09B, Page 694

Bap was conducted privately 15/09/1892 at Daw Green, St John the Baptist. DoB = 12/07/1892. Mother = Emma Louisa. Father = Dan. Occ = Miner. Add = Pitt St.

Geoff

 

[horse]

Have you seen this?

http://www.halstedresearch.org.uk/p16.htm#i1580

Willie Wright d. 1893

Geoff

EDIT: Didn't realise he was on the above link at first.. sorry, Gibbo....

 

[gibbo]

In the 1901 census Emma is listed as the head of the house

Does she state in 1901 if she is married, widowed etc?

 

[gibbo]

Willie Wright d. 1893

Geoff

EDIT: Didn't realise he was on the above link at first.. sorry, Gibbo....

Nothing to be sorry for Geoff

 

[horse]

Does she state in 1901 if she is married, widowed etc?

Image has married..

Geoff

 

[horse]

Nothing to be sorry for Geoff

Just thought unfair as you found the info first..

Geoff

 

[gibbo]

Image has married..

Geoff

I guess legally she was married to Dan but maybe told everyone her and William were??

I cant find anything in the newspapers on the off chance there might have been a divorce, sometimes they make it to the papers.

 

[horse]

I guess legally she was married to Dan but maybe told everyone her and William were??

I cant find anything in the newspapers on the off chance there might have been a divorce, sometimes they make it to the papers.

Doesn't sound the best of experiences for the young lady, possibly trying to keep stuff together.. I'm sure no-one would blame her... Looking to do the best of what's left of the situation and for the family. Sad story.

Geoff

 

[Dhdrounding]

Wow that is so interesting thank you!

My great grandmother was the second oldest born in 1897 and her brother George was born in 1895 so potentially he could be the father of the children, however it seems very complicated.

In the 1901 census it says she is Married yet head of house and in George's baptism record it just says Emma's name and not a father of the child.

My grandma doesn't know anything unfortunately and if she did it is lost to her dementia :'(
She doesn't have a birth certificate for her mother which is a shame, I assume it would have to state on their who her father is?

 

[gibbo]

My grandma doesn't know anything unfortunately and if she did it is lost to her dementia :'(
She doesn't have a birth certificate for her mother which is a shame, I assume it would have to state on their who her father is?

Unusual the below index does not state mother's maiden name.

HALSTEAD, EDITH BUTTERFIELD
GRO Reference: 1897 Sept Quarter in DEWSBURY Volume 09B Page 673

You can order Edith's birth certificate through GRO on the below link if you wish.

https://www.gro.gov.uk/gro/content/certificates/login.asp