b	25th March 1840	Runcorn, Cheshire
m.	15 October 1860	Liverpool 8b 24
d	3rd October 1917	30 Gaskell Street, Toxteth Park, Liverpool

1840 (approx) Robert was born about 1840 basing his age in census returns.  His marriage certificate states that his father was also a Robert Edwards, his mother is not named. His place of birth is uncertain : In 1871 Robert claims to have been born in what looks like 'Wigan', in 1881 'Lancashire', in 1891 Runcorn in Cheshire.  The newly found 1901 census entry also says 'Runcorn, Cheshire'. Assuming the Cheshire data to be correct, the IGI shows a Robert Edwards christening 10/5/1840 in Runcorn, whose parents are Robert & Ellen Edwards. This is not proven but the date and place fit. Several other births around this time are not my relatives but a birth certificate which fits is for a birth in Runcorn (no more details given) on 18th March 1840, 5.30 a.m. for Robert Edwards, son of Robert Edwards and Ellen Edwards formerly Roberts.  This is consistent with the IGI christening. The birth was registered on 25th March 1840. Robert (1806) his father is a 'shoemaker'. The formely unreadable occupation for this Robert 1806, on the marriage certificate of Robert (1840), could, just, be 'Shoemaker'.

1841 The census finds an exact fit for Robert plus his father and siblings at at St. John's Lane, Runcorn. Both Robert and his father are correct age, Robert (1806) has the right trade, was born in the correct place, has a wife with the right name, and Robert (1840) has two siblings of the right name and right age. These are the correct family group.

1851 Dryden Streeet,  9 Stewart Buildings, HO 107/2176 finds Robert and Ellen living with John, Robert and William. The two eldest children, Hugh and Alice are not with the family.  

1860 Robert Edwards married Jane Aspinall on 15th October 1860 in Liverpool at the Parish Church, this is assumed to be St Nicholas. No precise ages are given for bride or groom, only 'of age'. Robert is a Butcher, he is unmarried. His father is named as Robert also, no occupation can be deciphered (could it be Shoemaker?) and his father is not shown as deceased.  Jane is a spinster, her father Henry is a Cabinet maker. The couple give their address only as Portland Street. This runs between Scotland Road and Vauxhall road close to Summer Seat.

1860 There is a Hugh Edwards, sausage manufacturer at 41 Portland Street in the 1860 Gore (will be data collected in 1859). This fits very well with know Pork butchering and sausage manufacturing later know in this family and it could well be this branch that is involved. It would fit that Hugh is this Robert's Uncle, a broitrher to Robert 1806.

1861 they are not found in the census and there are no Robert or Jane Edwards who fit.  Hugh was born to the couple soon after census date, on 28 May 1861, at 54 Summer Seat, close to Portland Street. Robert's occupation then is 'butcher, journeyman'. Checking back to 54 Summer Seat in the 1861 census shows the family of John and Mary Donnelly, but significantly three KN, people, ( 'known not ?' ), the KN husband is a lodger, Pork Butcher, aged 26 born KN, the wife is a Pork Butchers wife, aged 24, born KN and they have with them a KN son, aged 4, born KN given as a scholar. The ages are not quite right but have probably been supplied by someone else - the address, correct occupation, presence of a child (and just one, young child) push co-incidence and these people are assumed to be mine in the absence of any other candidates.

1871 The family are at 5 Prince William Street, Toxteth Park in the census.  Robert is 28 and is now a joiner, Jane 29, no occupation. With them is son Hugh (10, scholar) and Hugh's siblings (Robert Edwards(12), John Edwards(4), Elizabeth Edwards(1) ) tie in to later knowledge of them. Also in the household is William Aspinall, (18, Dock Labourer) a brother-in-law (to Robert (1840), head of the house) - this is Jane's brother. The change in occupation fits with the family tradition that they drank away the profits from the butcher's shops and eventually lost them.

1881 census they are at 123 Wolfe Street. Robert (aged 41, wood turner) and Jane (41, dressmaker). Robert (1860) who would be 22, is missing. Hugh Edwards (20) is still living with his parents, he is a wood turner, children with the family are John Edwards (14), Elizabeth Edwards(11), Ann Edwards(9), Ellen Edwards(7), William Edwards(5), Alice Edwards(2).

1891 census at 23 Lamport Street, Toxteth, a widower Robert Edwards (51) living with a daughter Alice aged 12. Lamport Street is between Wolfe Street and Pickwick street. This is my family, both ages fit exactly and no other Robert Edwards looked at fit the criteria. This Robert is a wood turner.  New information about Alice confirms these people.  

1881 there is another person to be looked at - a Robert Edwards at 131 Wolfe Street , with his wife Mary (60) and their children.  The birth certificate for Robert 1840, if correct, makes his father Robert but his mother Ellen. Either this person is not related, is a brother, has married again or the birth certificate is for someone else. This Robert is 61, sawyer, born Wales and is a reasonable candidate to be Robert's (1840) father. There are four children with this couple: David, Richard, Margt. & Charles, all born Liverpool.  Their ages (33,28,25,21) are such that my Robert (1840) at age 41 could be a reasonable fit for another one of their children!  This would also be consistent with Robert being one of four brothers. There is of course always the chance of uncles etc. entering an already complicated scene.   The name Richard Edwards has appeared as a cousin (to whom is unknown), who went on to be a dentist, year not known, there is a Richard here.

1900 In October 1900 Robert's daughter Ellen Edwards marries John Heaps of Prescot (b. 1878) occupation Bricklayer. Ellen gives 33 Eastwood Street, Edge Hill as her address. Robert's occupation is given as Farm Labourer. (thanks Frances) - Robert is at this address in the 1901 census and is thus presumed to be there in 1900 also.