Tim Sunter's family history

A web log of my family history research

Whodunnit? Who made Jane pregnant? 1881

1881 Census Jane Snowball 21881 Census Jane Snowball 1
 

Jane Snowball gave birth to an illegitimate son, Charles in 1882. But who was the father?

The 1881 Census for Howden Le Wear shows the Snowball family – miners – were living there. But no Jane. A check back to the census in 1871 shows that she had been living with the family then.

So where is Jane?

Over in Bishop Auckland we can find a Jane. And just look who she’s living with!

3 South Road Bishop Auckland

Thomas Hull, Head, Maried 47, Auctioneer and Valuer, Bishop Auckland.

Isabith? (Isebitt? Hull, Wife, Marrie, 47, Durham Stockton on Tees

William L Hull,Son, Unm, 21, Auctioneer Clerk, Bishop Auckland

Joseph G Hull, Son, Unm

Thomas A Hull, Son, 17, ? Shopman? West Harlepool

Minnie Hull, Daughter, 12, Scholar, West Hartlepool

Walter B Hull, Son, 11, Scholar, Durah, West Hartlepool

Jane A M Snowball, Servant, Unmarried, 18, Servant, Durham Gateshead

Yes, servant to the Hull family.

So you would think this is the tale of a Servant girl, away from home attracting the eye of one of the alds in the Hull family. Assuming that Walter, at 11 was too young (now that really would be a story) then the suspects must be William L, Joseph G, or Thomas A…or perhaps even at a long shot head of the family Thomas Hull.

But wait…just a few doors away at 2 Fairless Street lives Arthur H Hull, son of Hannah Hull. He is eighteen years old. His trade is difficult to work out…(Curvier’s assistant?), although his mother is a glass and china dealer.

Mmm. A real whodunnit! Prime suspects:

William L Hull aged 21

Joseph G Hull aged 19

Thomas A Hull aged 17

Arthur Hull aged 18

Or maybe even Thomas Hull married and aged 47.

What do you think?

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