I have already responded to Pamela on this one, but thought I would post to list as well with some additional thoughts, as this family is certainly a mystery.. For my "two-penneth"... I think Jane was cohabiting with her lodger Linington, hence the youngest two chiuldren being given Linnington as a middle name. It seems strange that H Linnington, Lodger, is listed before her children on the 1881 census, whilst the other Lodger is listed at the end where they are all normally recorded. She is also listed as a "Painter's wife" when he is a "Painter" The birth certificates of the two younger children may well illucidate more information, although of course Jane could have lied about the children's father. It might also be worthwhile looking for the baptisms of the two Linington children, as occasionally the parish clerk was far more forthcoming about the child's father. (A case of lying to the authorities but not lying to one's god). Jane obviously considered herself to be a married woman in 1881. But would the same be said of her husband? If he discovered that his wife was involved in an adulterous relationship, could he have just considered the marriage null and void and went on to marry Elizabeth Switzer? In a place like Portsmouth, with a very transient population, he could have quite easily have declared himself a bachelor and no-one in the town the wiser about his existing wife back on the Island. Another question to be answered is whether you have found James Henry Groves with wife Elizabeth on all subsequent census entries after their marriage..ie on 1881, 1891 and 1901? Or did he do another disappearing act? Could he have been found out at a later date? Court case? I dont know whether Portsmouth Central Libary carry any indices to the Portsmouth News. Might be worth checking. If there is only one James Henry Groves (which certainly seems to be the case at the moment), have you searched all the GRO death indexes to see if there is only one death? A long arduous task, but may be necessary. What happened to H Linnington? Is he still around in later censuses? With the recent report coming out from the Oxford Laboratories about the number of men raising children which unbeknown to them are not biologically theirs, I ask myself "Has anything changed?" Regards Sandra

Hi Sandra, I managed to find Henry Groves for Pamela in 1891 and 1901 censuses with Elizabeth and children, so his whereabouts are known for those years and who he was with. Not tried locating Jane as yet. I agree about your comments re the lodger, he certainly played a far more important role in Jane's life than he probably was happy to admit to? As you say, it does seem a rather odd set of circumstances with Jane stating she was a painter's wife, no hubby in sight, and there he was elsewhere with Elizabeth and a new family? Very intriguing I must say! Regards to all, Jon -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.0.338 / Virus Database: 267.10.10/73 - Release Date: 8/15/05

Hello Sandra, I did think it strange too, that the lodger was wrote down next after Jane Groves? James (Henry) Groves and wife Catherine(Elizabeth) Groves have been seen together in the 1891 and they were living at 56, West Street, I have to find my 1901 census before I can comment on them. I will get back to you when I find it. I know the Henry I have was from The Isle of Wight as the vicar that married them was from Newport, Isle of Wight, as it said so on his marriage certificate in 1878. I am going to look through my files so I can look to see if someone has sent me the 1901 c census for Jane Groves? It would be great to finally find out if Jane Graham and Catherine Elizabeth Switzer were both married to My husbands Great Grandfather Henry Groves. I am going to send for a marriage for James Henry Groves and Jane Graham in 1870? I wan't to find out who Jane's Henry's father was? Once I find what I am looking for I will get back to you. Thank you and the others for their ideas and look ups too. Kind Regards Pamela ----- Original Message ----- From: "Sandra J Smith" <sandra.s@ntlworld.com> To: <ENG-HAMPSHIRE-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Wednesday, August 17, 2005 7:11 PM Subject: [ENG-HANTS] James Henry Groves Mystery >I have already responded to Pamela on this one, but thought I would post to >list as well with some additional thoughts, as this family is certainly a >mystery.. > > For my "two-penneth"... > > I think Jane was cohabiting with her lodger Linington, hence the youngest > two chiuldren being given Linnington as a middle name. It seems strange > that H Linnington, Lodger, is listed before her children on the 1881 > census, whilst the other Lodger is listed at the end where they are all > normally recorded. She is also listed as a "Painter's wife" when he is a > "Painter" The birth certificates of the two younger children may well > illucidate more information, although of course Jane could have lied about > the children's father. It might also be worthwhile looking for the > baptisms of the two Linington children, as occasionally the parish clerk > was far more forthcoming about the child's father. (A case of lying to > the authorities but not lying to one's god). Jane obviously considered > herself to be a married woman in 1881. But would the same be said of her > husband? If he discovered that his wife was involved in an adulterous > relationship, could he have just considered the marriage null and void and > went on to marry Elizabeth Switzer? In a place like Portsmouth, with a > very transient population, he could have quite easily have declared > himself a bachelor and no-one in the town the wiser about his existing > wife back on the Island. > > Another question to be answered is whether you have found James Henry > Groves with wife Elizabeth on all subsequent census entries after their > marriage..ie on 1881, 1891 and 1901? Or did he do another disappearing > act? Could he have been found out at a later date? Court case? I dont > know whether Portsmouth Central Libary carry any indices to the Portsmouth > News. Might be worth checking. > > If there is only one James Henry Groves (which certainly seems to be the > case at the moment), have you searched all the GRO death indexes to see if > there is only one death? A long arduous task, but may be necessary. > > What happened to H Linnington? Is he still around in later censuses? > > With the recent report coming out from the Oxford Laboratories about the > number of men raising children which unbeknown to them are not > biologically theirs, I ask myself "Has anything changed?" > Regards > Sandra > > > > > ============================== > View and search Historical Newspapers. Read about your ancestors, find > marriage announcements and more. Learn more: > http://www.ancestry.com/s13969/rd.ashx >

Sandra's comment about the report from Oxford Laboratories bears out the old saying that "You are certain of your mother but only suspect your father". Colyn. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Sandra J Smith" <sandra.s@ntlworld.com> To: <ENG-HAMPSHIRE-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Wednesday, August 17, 2005 7:11 PM Subject: [ENG-HANTS] James Henry Groves Mystery > > With the recent report coming out from the Oxford Laboratories about the > number of men raising children which unbeknown to them are not > biologically theirs, I ask myself "Has anything changed?" > Regards > Sandra