There are lots of trees at Ancestry for Edward and Elizabeth DUNN. Oddly, although all the ones I looked at had the 1841 census record we have been looking at, none of them lists James as a child of this couple.

What they do have is a marriage for Edward DUNN and Elizabeth CARTER in York in 1834. Edward was a widower, Elizabeth was a spinster.

So Eleanor, James and Lewis were all born before this marriage. *If* Elizabeth was their mother they were technically CARTERs.

According to the trees Lewis is named after his *paternal* grandfather.
Lewis and Eleanor both married as DUNN.

There's an interesting baptismal record for Edward:

York, St Sampson
Born 14 Dec [1799]
Baptised 13 Jan [1800]
Edward '1st child' Dunn
Son of Lewis Austin Dunn Comedian, son of Edward Dun late of Dublin, Clothier
[and]
Catherine Dr of John Bickers of this Parish Publican

Hugh

Edward Dunn married Elizabeth Carter in Nov 1834 in York, so presumably James, born 1831 York, was Elizabeth Carter's illegitimate son,
Dave

Thanks everyone, I have seen a Miriam (Dunn, Carter, Binney) before in someone elses tree, but this one is a bit complicated for me, I'm going to try and think it through, your help is fantastic, I'm really grateful.
Jayne.

Dave,

Yes that seems most likely but the main evidence is his use of the CARTER surname. Edward was in his thirties when they married and had been married before. He had also been born and apprenticed in York whereas elizabeth was from Malton. Lewis must be the son of Edward because of the link to Edward's father. They may all be children of both Edward and Elizabeth, but not necessarily so. Pity we can't find baptisms for them!

Hugh

It is circumstantial but Eleanor became a bookbinder, as did Lewis. James did not so he seems to stand apart from "father" Edward the bookbinder.
Also Eleanor was born Hull. Lewis born York. My guess is that Edwards first wife died in York after she gave birth to Lewis then he married Elizabeth who brought along James.
Dave

Here is Edwards first marriage in St Helen, York 25th June 1826 (FMP)
Edward Dunn, BOOKBINDER and a bachelor married Mary Swinbank, Spinster.
Dave

Hi all

Theres a baptism for;

16 Oct 1831 for a James Carter, illegitimate son of (no forename) Carter, Spinster, a servant of Farlington nr York ???

Denise

Great find Denise.
Below sequenceThis seems to fit well for the mother of Eleanor Dunn (abt 1829 Hull) and Lewis Dunn (abt 1832 York):

Mary Ann Swinback bap 1794 York
1826 York Edward Dunn married Mary Swinback
27 March 1834 Mary Ann Dunn buried York age 38
19th Nov 1834 Edward Dunn (widower) married Elizabeth Carter

Dave