Hello, I have been trying quite unsuccessfully to trace the Wilby side of my husbands family tree. My dead end comes at his GGGrandparents - Charles John Wilby b1823 Christchurch Hampshire and Louisa Richards b1834 Limehouse Middlesex.

In regards to Charles John Wilby, I have also discovered that he has at times been noted as John Charles Wilby also. I have him as John C Wilby in the 1861, 1871, and 1881 Census living at St Pancras (I cannot find a census for him for 1841 or 1851). I know of this to be the correct family from other sources. I have copies of most of the childrens birth certificates which I ordered, this is where I get both the Charles John and John Charles mix of names (the mothers name etc on the certificates are the same). I have his death certificate as John Charles Wilby d 18 Aug 1884. He was a coachman/omnibus driver for most of his life and on his death certificate his cause of death is listed as a fracture of the skull caused by falling off omnibus - accidental.

As for Louisa Richards, apart having her name as such on the childrens birth certificates, and being Louisa Wilby on the same 1861, 1871, and 1881 census, as well as the 1891 census living with the eldest son, I can find no record of a marriage. There are a possible of 1841 and 1851 census for her as Richards, living with a younger brother, with her uncle and auntie (the Limehouse birth link on the later census). I am still searching for a death certificate (possibly 1915) but proof of a marriage certificate is impossible for me so far.

On the 1871 census, there is a Ruth Wilby listed as Mother living with John (or Charles) and Louisa. Ruth is listed as aged 76 so born about 1794 or 1795, and listed as born Northhampton, Northampshire.

I have the list of children as follows -
John Charles - no positive ID birth found
Louisa Alice - no positive ID birth found
Walter - 1859 (birth certificate) and marriage certificate 26 Sept 1880 to Sarah Lindsey b1861
Charlotte Mary Ann - 1861 (birth certificate)
Emily Clara Kate - 1867 (birth certificate)
Eleanor Florence - 1871 (birth certificate)

Although I have been able to find other descendant relatives, all have been able to trace no further back than John C and Louisa Wilby of the 1861 census. At least I have found Louisa's maiden name.

From family stories Walter's father was a coachman to a family in which the daughter fell in love with him. She was told that she would be disowned if this relationship continued, but love won out and the ran off together. She had enough money already of her own apparently, and one of Walter's youngest daughters before she died told stories of how they used to go and visit their grandmother who owned in a very nice house at Belsize Park.

We are living in Australia so searching is made so much more difficult. Amazingly enough though, it is cheaper for us to order and buy certificates from the UK than it is for an Australian certificate of the same type. Go figure.

Hearing from anyone who thinks they may have a link or any information or advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,
Regards,
Tracy Heritage Wilby