Thread: Ben Armitage

Hello
I have a brickwall in a GGF missing after 1881 census.
The family story is 'Ben went to America'
Born and Christened Ben Armitage 3 Jly 1846 in Austonley (Holmfirth now) West Yorkshire.
Married 4 Jly 1869 to Eliza Jane Mellor in Huddersfield W Yorkshire.
Moved to Bradford c1870; had four children by 1881 and was a carding overlooker; a responsible position.
I suspect a family breakdown and by 1891 my GF Thomas was in an Industrial School in Bolton, Lancashire.
Eliza (now says she is a widow) and is in lodgings with two daughters.
Thomas' sister Hannah Maria b1881 is missing.
Eliza had another child Albert Herman in 1889. Ben is named the father (but by Eliza 6 weeks after the birth)
Albert has been described as a 'half brother' to my GF Thomas.
This may be the cause of Ben's leaving for USA/Canada in the 1880s.
Notice board requests and Passenger lists have not produced any leads using his first name Ben.
I am now looking for him in USA/Canada under other first names. His father and my GF both being Thomas is a possibile.
Other trees say he died. I have closely checked deaths in UK and none are him.
Hannah Maria has not been traceable in Deaths or Marriages.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you
Jack Armitage (jakalf)

existing replies to earlier post What happened to Ben Armitage b1846

Have you considered a divorce / remarriage:

1891 England Census
Name: Ben Armitage Age: 43
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1848
Relation: Head
Spouse's Name: Martha A Armitage
Gender: Male
Where born: Almondbury, Yorkshire, England
Civil parish: Castleton Ecclesiastical parish: St Peter
County/Island: Lancashire Country: England
Registration district: Rochdale
Sub-registration district: Castleton Nearer
ED, institution, or vessel: 15
Ben Armitage 43
Martha A Armitage 43
Source Citation: Class: RG12; Piece: 3332; Folio 117; Page 41

Sorry this is not your Ben he is a stone mason and he and Martha appear on the 1881 census