Thomas John JONES, born 1917 East Dean (General)

by Rachandgarry, Tuesday, February 02, 2010, 16:50 (5483 days ago)

Hi there

New to the message board, so hi there!

Wonder if anyone can help me at all, or suggest where else I might be able to look;

My grandad was Thomas John Jones, born January 1917 in "Morse Road, East Dean R.D." - firstly, where would this be on a map, I haven't been able to find it on any maps - either old or new :(

On his birth certificate from 1917, his father is listed as Birt Jones, and his mother is listed as Mary Jones, formerly Mansell.

I have Mary Mansell in the 1911 census, as a servant and 'single', so theoretically they should have married between 1911 and 1917 - but I have been unable to find any such marriage. Can anyone else see it or suggest where else I could look?

I have found a marriage for Mary Mansell to a Lionel Bosley, in Q3 1913.
I have also found a marriage for Birt Jones to a Mary Coopey, in Q2 1916.

I know my grandad had a brother, Stan, the only Stan Jones born in East Dean in the right period of time is born in Q4, 1920 - and the index lists his mother's maiden name as Mary Coopey!

Everything seems to be pointing to the theory that my grandad's parents weren't married and that he was born out of wedlock. Given that Birt Jones was married to Mary Coopey in the summer of 1916, and my grandad was born in January 1917 but lists his mother as Mary Mansell - I wonder if he ever even knew his father other than by name. At the time of his birth, Mary Mansell would have been married to Lionel Bosley.

I wonder if my granded grew up with his mother and Lionel, or his father and Mary Cooper??

Anyone know of any way I can find out more, or of any local resources that I could use?

Many thanks in advance
Rachel