Emma Willis uncovers a rare photo of her 3x Great Grandparents!

[@maryjackson1194]

The big difference may be that these two made their moves so openly.

[@traceyholt8223]

It was "open" as the women took the surname of their new partners but hadn't officially married them. Divorces were had to do in those times and many left unhappy marriages and bigamy was abundant (but also illegal). Living and having children with a person you aren't married to was frowned up.

[@traceyholt8223]

Interesting - James' and Helena's daughter Lillie was born abt 1866. (5 years old on the 1971 census). Mary Ann's and Joseph's daughter Mary was born July 1967 - so after Lillie. You couldn't divorce easily in those times and it was expensive to do so. Many people left unhappy marriages and "married" another person (not officially) and moved on. I can imagine that this is what may have happened with these two, especially after bankruptcy and financial issues. The most interesting fact is that the children stayed with James (the father), when there's a history of the mother getting custody.

[@ruthking7884]

Could be because she had no way to generate income to care for them...and it could be, it is hard to pass yourself off as single if you have a bunch of kids to spill the beans. Her second "husband" may not have known. It is hard to say. It could be any number of scenarios.

[@traceyholt8223]

@@ruthking7884 Agreed - just found it interesting.

[@lynnhubbard844]

no intro? Just plopped us in somewhere...

[@avrilpeters5900]

Emma is an amazing lady I loved would you call it a show of a documentary I'm not sure working and training to be a care assistant like her mum used to do.