Part of the Earley family tree (Great-grandfather)
Family background and early life
William Alexander Branch, known as Robert Branch, was born at Northumberland Street, Norwich on 10 January 1868. He was the eldest of three children born to Philip Branch (1842–1905) and his wife Rebecca, née Riches (1838–1897).
At the date of Robert’s birth, Philip was working as a carter, but at the April 1871 census, he was a brewer’s servant, living at Northumberland Street with Rebecca and their 2-year old daughter Emma, plus Rebecca’s widowed mother, Sarah Riches. Rebecca was 7½ months pregnant with her third child. It appears that 3-year old Robert had been sent to stay with relatives – he is probably the Robert A Branch recorded at King Street, Norwich living with Robert and Emma Richardson (described as Robert’s grandparents) and their 20-year old daughter, Charlotte.
At the 1881 census, the family are back together. Philip was now the licensee of the Lord Nelson public house in Dereham Road, Heigham (a short distance from Northumberland Street). 13-year old Robert (recorded as William A. Branch) was now working as a trainee blacksmith. His two siblings were recorded as scholars.
Marriage and child

On 1 April 1890, Robert, aged 22, married 23-year old Emily Mary Peers at her mother’s family church, St John the Evangelist Church, Great Stanmore in north-west London. The witnesses to the marriage were Emily’s sister, Elizabeth Maud Peers, and her brother-in-law, William Stock, husband to Alice Louisa Peers.
The couple’s only child, Kate Alfreda Branch was born at Eardley Road, Streatham on 6 April 1892. Robert was now employed as a journeyman sawyer.
In March 1901, the census recorded Robert, now a machinist-carpenter, and his wife and daughter living at 29a Fairlight Road, Streatham. Also living with them was 27-year old Albert Branch [presumably a cousin].
Robert and Emily appear to have separated at some time in the next ten years. At the 1911 census, Emily and her daughter, Kate, were living in Fallsbrook Road, Streatham, but Robert was now living with his sister, Emma, and her husband, Alfred Wiggett (a police officer), at 7 Kellett House, Tankerton Street, near St Pancras Station. Robert was now employed as a night watchman with the Zeta Wood Company.
Death
No confirmed record has been traced of Robert’s death, which was probably between 1915 and 1921.
When his daughter Kate married Robert Ewart Allan on 3 August 1915, Robert Branch was referred to as a “journeyman wood sawyer”; the groom’s father was referred to as a “journeyman baker (deceased)”: this distinction would imply that Robert was still living at that date.
At the June 1921 census, Emily, Kate and Kate’s daughter, Rebecca, were living at 25 Tunstall Road, Brixton. Emily’s marital status was now reported as “widow”.
Note
Researching Robert Branch has been hampered by the various names under which he has appeared.
On his birth certificate, he is shown as William Alexander Branch.
On the 1881 census, he is William A Branch.
When he married in April 1890, he is shown as William Robert Alexander Branch.
On his daughter Kate’s birth certificate he is shown as Robert Branch.
When Kate was baptised in Jule 1892, the baptismal register shows him as Robert William Alexander Branch.
On the admission register when Kate started school in October 1895, his name is recorded as John Branch.
On the 1901 and 1911 censuses he is recorded as Robert Branch.
When Kate married in August 1915, he is recorded as Robert Alexander Branch, but when she re-married in October 1951, he is shown as Robert William Branch.