Finding George Courtney c1841

In 1892 George's daughter Abigail Courtney married Edward Roberts at the Holy Trinity Church in Hampshire.  Witnesses to the marriage were Edith Mary Courtney (Abigail's half sister) and Arthur Thomas Eustace Newberry.  Who was this Arthur?  Was he a relative?   Many years ago I researched Arthur's family but could not find an obvious connection.  His father was a seedsman similar to Edward's father, so perhaps he may have been an acquaintance of the Roberts family? The Newberry's appeared to have been predominantly from Wiltshire.  His mother, Mary Griffiths, came from Wales and at that time I was unable to identify her family in Wales given the common surname.  Edward's fathers family were said to have been originally from Wales so I concluded the connection was probably on that line and not on the Courtney side at all.   The name Arthur did still intrigue me as our missing George Courtney was recorded as 'Arthur George' in the 1871 ce...

According to the records on Find My Past for the 1871 England Census there were 70 records for the name COURTENAY recorded at Middlesex.  This equates to 31 family groups.  Could George be related to one of them?  I am progressively adding links to these families at Wikitree.   Filling up the census paper.   Punch 1851 PD 1.  Mile End Old Town, Jeoffries Terrace      * Maria COURTENAY b1829 in Blois, France (possibly a Courtenay by birth?)      * Louisa TURNER b1847 (husband William b1841)     * Henry COURTENAY b1857     * Percy COURTENAY b1862     * John COURTENAY b1867 2.  Bethnal Green #1, Nelson Place      * Elizabeth COURTENAY b1841 nee McLenan (widow of Robert J COURTENAY of Ireland)     * Augusta COURTENAY b1859     * Sydney COURTENAY b1864     * Adeline COURTENAY b1868 3.  Bethnal Green #2, Charles Street    ...

At the time of the 1881 census, Abigail Courtney and her sister Edith were lodging in the small hamlet of Holdenhurst Hampshire, with a married couple named William and Jane Brown.   Martha Paice nee Marsh   and  Henry Paice  were also visiting.   Henry and Martha are half siblings to the mother of Abigail and Edith, Abigail Courtney nee Paice  (wife of 'George') .   A  Downer family is also living next door, who may also be possible connections to the Paice family. Why are they in Holdenhurst and where are their parents?   They are listed as scholars, so perhaps they had they been sent away to school, but where is their sister Alberta, twin to Abigail?   This photo is believed to be George’s daughter Abigail Courtney at school in England.  Could it have been taken in Holdenhurst?  She’s said to be the one with the white scarf around her neck near the tear on the bottom left hand corner. Believed to be Abigail Co...

Edith Courtenay is listed as the daughter of Arthur 'George' and Abigail in the 1871 census.  However, it is unclear whether she is in fact the biological daughter of George.  Edith was born in Forton Hampshire in 1867, her birth was registered under the name of PAICE and no father listed on the certificate.    Edith's son Albert was born in 1886, whilst known as Courtney in all records throughout his life, his birth was also registered under the name of Albert PAICE .   This suggests that perhaps Edith knew she was not the child of Arthur 'George'.   At the time of the 1881 census, she and her sister Abigail are lodging at Madiera Vale, in the small village of Holdenhurst with William and Jane Brown.   Martha Paice nee Marsh and Henry Paice , are also visiting;   Henry and Martha are half siblings to their mother, Abigail nee Paice.   A  Downer family is also living next door. Holdenhurst, Moule map c1835 By the time of the 1891 censu...

Arthur or George or William?  Courtney or Courtenay?  Which is it, or is he someone else entirely? 'George' remains my most elusive ancestor.    I published my first blog about our mystery man, my 2nd great grandfather, the father of Mums paternal grandmother Abigail COURTNEY in 2018.  You can view that post  on my genemonkey blog at  Wordpress .   You can find all I know about him and his descendants at  Wikitree.   I call him George as that is the name his wife and descendants have used in the records. This entire blog is dedicated to documenting everything I have looked at in terms of finding my elusive 2nd great grandfather.  You can find a summary of my research  here , but please note it is a progressive 'works in progress' . Essentially, there are only 3 key records of his existence, all of which are conflicting!  Note:  The age in the census actually says 30 (not 36), so his birthdate is probably c1...