When John Ronald left for South Africa and never returned, Marian Ellen apparently abandoned her children, who were first sent to orphanages,20 then sent to Canada to work.18 She later re-married and family history20 says had at least 3 more children; given that she was 44 years old and Joseph Ridger was 64 years old when they were married, Joseph’s death in 1915, and Marian’s death under the Ridger name in 1951, the “more children” part strikes me as fable rather than truth.

Marian’s name is recorded different ways. The record of her marriage banns reads “Marian” while the record of the marriage itself reads “Marion.” The birth index in which she’s listed reads “Marion;” the record itself isn’t yet available.