This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: cosgrave Surnames: Dowsett Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.dowsett/49/mb.ashx Message Board Post: There is no civil birth record for Benjamin Dowsett on the FreeBMD website, born circa 1848 in Tillingham (Maldon Reg. District), Essex, but there is a christening of Benjamin Dowsett, illegitimate son of Harriet Dowsett in Tillingham on June 11th 1848. This Benjamin is found with his mother (Harriet)in the 1851, 1861 and 1871 census of Tillingham, Essex, but in the 1871 census he is listed as John B. Dowsett, an agricultural labourer. Listed as John Dowsett, he married Eliza Butcher in 1873 and then appears to have moved to Eldon, Durham where he worked as a Miner, as he is found there in the 1881, 1891 and 1901 census as John Dowsett born at Tillingham, Essex. He died there in 1916 where he is recorded as Benjamin Dowsett, having married Margaret Walton in 1892 where he is listed as Benjamin John Dowsett. Eliza died in 1886. The confusion comes with another Benjamin Dowsett marrying Emily Clark in Maldon Reg. District in November 1867. This Benjamin appears out of nowhere and is only found in two censuses - 1881 and 1901 where he is listed as a sailor, born in Bradwell, Essex. So he is never listed with his wife, Emily, in any of the censuses, but she is listed as a sailor's wife. This Benjamin died in Heybridge Basin, Essex in March 1914. If it were not for the two death records, two years apart, I was wondering if perhaps Benjamin Dowsett was living a double life, telling one wife that he was going off to sea, but really going mining in Durham and living with his other family. I would appreciate any information that would help me track the origins of this second Benjamin Dowsett. Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.