I am trying to trace the birth of my Great Grandfather, Henry Wilson.

I know that he died in Broadwell Lane End in 1933 having first married Anne Harris in 1876 and then, after her death, married Lydia Burgwyn in 1919. According to the Census returns from 1881 to 1901 he was born in Winchcombe, Gloucestershire around 1852 to 1855. However, I cannot find any trace of a Henry Wilson being born in Winchcombe around that time.

On his marriage certificates, his father is shown as William Wilson and the only birth that I can find of a Henry in Gloucestershire with a father William, is in Thornbury (which is not that close to Winchcombe)in around 1849.

Any information would be gratefully received.

This is just a lateral thought.

Here is a William WILSON son of Henry, from Lane End in the 1851 - 1861 period.

1851 Lane End
Henry Wilson abt 1800 Newland, Gloucestershire, England Head Newland, Gloucestershire
Charlotte Wilson abt 1810 Berry Hill, Gloucestershire, England Wife Newland, Gloucestershire
Agnes Wilson abt 1841 Coalway Amend, Gloucestershire, England Daughter Newland, Gloucestershire
Asenath Wilson abt 1845 Coalway Amend, Gloucestershire, England Daughter Newland, Gloucestershire
Honorato Wilson abt 1843 Coalway Amend, Gloucestershire, England Daughter Newland, Gloucestershire
John Wilson abt 1837 Coalway Amend, Gloucestershire, England Son Newland, Gloucestershire
Mary Wilson abt 1847 Coalway Amend, Gloucestershire, England Daughter Newland, Gloucestershire
Sarah Wilson abt 1839 Coalway Amend, Gloucestershire, England Daughter Newland, Gloucestershire
William Wilson abt 1835 Coalway Amend, Gloucestershire, England Son Newland, Gloucestershire

1861
Charlotte Wilcox abt 1810 Lane End, Gloucestershire, England Head Newland, Gloucestershire
William Wilcox abt 1835 Lane End, Gloucestershire, England Son Newland, Gloucestershire

no hint that he wandered to Winchcombe to produce a son Henry ( as yet !)

If it was the case you may not be looking for a Henry WILSON recorded in Winchcombe, as he may have carried the mothers name , and perhaps Henry returns to the Forest and starts to use his fathers name of WILSON. Speculation yes, but would not be the first to follow this pattern.

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Ἀριστοτέλης A Gloster & Hereford Boy in the Forest of Dean ><((((*>

Thanks for this reply. as you say may need a bit of lateral thinking. Does anyone know if there is similar site to this for Winchcombe, Gloucestershire or possibly contained within one for Cheltenham.

Many thanks.

Similarly - have a great grandfather called HENRY WILSON born about 1855-8.

Have only recently started search and used only census returns but this is what it looks like too me so far..

1911 Henry Wilson widower 53 born shipham, somerset

1901 " " married to 'Annie' now fireman at collier in Coleford
(my grandfather had visited relatives there as a child so this line seems valid. He remembers that his mother had a stepmother but is unsure of names).

1891 " " married to Anne living in Coleford stating birth in Winscombe (which is in somerset).

1881 married but wife not present living in Bedminster stating birth in Shipham again.

1871 aged 14 at home in Shipham, Somerset

1861 aged 4 " " "
Parents are David (1829) and Susan (1831) both born in Shipham.

Any help? Hope so!