Mary Ann Green

I wonder if anybody can help, please. Mary Ann (Marianne?) Green was born in Wrawby 1838/39; she married Joseph Simpson Green in Aug 1857. They lived in Scawby/Brigg and seemed to have had three children, Sarah Ann, born late 1859, died after two months; another Sarah, born 1863 and died in 1863 and Harriett Ann, born 1864, who survived and, think, married a Charles Leaning in 1885.

Mary Ann Green, nee Vamplew, does not appear in the 1871 or 1881 census's, but in the 1871 census, her husband is described as married and not as a widower, with his daughter Harriett aged 5. In the same census he lists as housekeeper, Elizabeth Shepherd, age 22, who had a 4 year old daughter.

In the 1881 census he is shown as head of household with his wife, Frances Elizabeth, nee Shepherd (Although they did not, in fact, marry until 1888)

My question is, What happened to Mary Ann, and when? As I can find no record of a death of appropriate age in the Brigg area between 1864 and 1888, I wonder whether anyone in the Brigg area can throw any light upon this mystery - could she have run away, for instance?

I would be very grateful for any thoughts, or information anyone may have.

Michael Priest. Send reply