I am looking for some direction on how to track down John Woods. He was born in 1855 in Preston, to Thomas Woods and Ann Hesketh. In 1879 he married Margaret Leigh. They had three children, John Thomas (1881), Herbert (1882) and Richard (1888). On the 1881 Census he is found living in Preston with his wife and eldest son, John Thomas. By 1891 Margaret is on her own with her three children. On the 1891, 1901 and 1911 census, Margaret is still designated as married and in 1911 she states that she has been married for 32 years, indicating that John did not die.

I would really like to know what happened to John. Did they merely separate, was he incarcerated, ill, away working....

This is a major family mystery that I would love to solve, just need some direction on where to go as I am in Canada. Thanks!