Thread: Henry James Godding b. Chilgrove, Sussex, England Sep Q 1867 Westbourne, Sussex

Hi, this request has done the rounds before a couple of years ago but I have still been unable to find my wife's missing great great uncle in either the 1901 or 1911 censuses, or his death in freebmd. I can trace him through all the previous censuses and his marriage. An old lady now deceased (Henry James Godding's niece) told me that when she was a girl her father John (Henry James' brother) only talked about his brother in hushed tones and not for children's ears. She got the idea that Henry was the black sheep of the family. My research so far seems to suggest that he may have abandoned his wife Martha Ellen nee Ayers who he married in 1887 in Fawley, Berkshire. He is living with her in 1891and 4 daughters appear to have been born between 1888 and 1892. By the 1901 Ellen and 2 daughters had moved back to Fawley to live with Ellen's parents. She is listed as married and not widowed. No sign of Henry. Was he in prison? Did he emigrate? Change his name? French Foreign Legion? I am at a loss where to look next. Any ideas welcome. Note not to be confused with his nephew, son of brother John, also called Henry James Godding (1892 to 1916 - died WW1).


Thank you, the previous post so newer members etc can see what has gone before or refresh the memory!

Whatever happened to Henry J? A long shot