On the 1851 census I have John McDavitt and family living in Birkenhead. By 1854/55 John is in Australia without his wife or children. My question is if John deserted his wife and children in England there is a good chance they may have ended up in a poor house. What is the nearest poor house to Birkenhead and if they did end up there is there any way I can get a search done of the records? The wife Catherine and the three boys James, John & Daniel are not on any other census records. Believe me I have tried everything. I have also searched the marriage microfiche in case she re-married. I have also checked deaths in Australia for them. Nothing so am sure John jumped on board ship and left her and the children. Though I have not been able to find any passenger lists of John arriving in Australia. In Australia he meets Alice Garland and their first child is born 1856. That family left Australia for New Zealand around 1863. Interesting that John does not marry the second wife in New Zealand until almost 20 years after the first born child in Australia. Also interesting is the boys born in Australia have the same Chr. Names as those he may have left behind in England. We wondered if he waited until he could confirm the first wife was dead. Though I have not been able to find a death for her either. Hope someone can answer my questions. Regards Sue Greene in a freezing New Zealand.

Sue, Have you ever had an answer to your message below from June? Wondering if you are still searching. Liz -----Original Message----- From: eng-liverpool-bounces@rootsweb.com [mailto:eng-liverpool-bounces@rootsweb.com] On Behalf Of Sue Greene Sent: Monday, June 01, 2009 12:54 AM To: ENG-LIVERPOOL@rootsweb.com Subject: [ENG-LIV] Deserted wife and children Birkenhead. On the 1851 census I have John McDavitt and family living in Birkenhead. By 1854/55 John is in Australia without his wife or children. My question is if John deserted his wife and children in England there is a good chance they may have ended up in a poor house. What is the nearest poor house to Birkenhead and if they did end up there is there any way I can get a search done of the records? The wife Catherine and the three boys James, John & Daniel are not on any other census records. Believe me I have tried everything. I have also searched the marriage microfiche in case she re-married. I have also checked deaths in Australia for them. Nothing so am sure John jumped on board ship and left her and the children. Though I have not been able to find any passenger lists of John arriving in Australia. In Australia he meets Alice Garland and their first child is born 1856. That family left Australia for New Zealand around 1863. Interesting that John does not marry the second wife in New Zealand until almost 20 years after the first born child in Australia. Also interesting is the boys born in Australia have the same Chr. Names as those he may have left behind in England. We wondered if he waited until he could confirm the first wife was dead. Though I have not been able to find a death for her either. Hope someone can answer my questions. Regards Sue Greene in a freezing New Zealand. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Admin Message - List guidelines: http://freespace.virgin.net/genealogical.collections/AdminMessage.htm The list admin can be contacted at Eng-Liverpool-admin@rootsweb.com ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to ENG-LIVERPOOL-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 8.5.339 / Virus Database: 270.12.49/2149 - Release Date: 06/01/09 17:55:00