Hi Kellie,
http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=723367.msg569...
The above thread, provided by Debra, has a heap of interesting info, possibly, about the family before they left England.
The long message on Page 3, of that thread, posted by Debra, is worth reading. I think she is pretty close to working out the story about the parents of William HOLMES born 1875.
I can see the "possible" birth registration for William HOLMES.
Surname: HOLMES
Forename: William
Mother's Maiden Name: BRADSHAW
Year: 1875
Sub-District: Formby
Registers At: North Sefton
Reference: F/10/10
Part of that info, copied here.........
"In 1876 Harriet’s sister Elizabeth married Edward George HARRIS and they moved to Birmingham.
https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NX6B-9S4The 1881 census has them as:
10 St Mary Street,
Ladywood,
Birmingham
Edward G. HARRIS, 35, Insurance Agent, born Sibford Ferris, Oxfordshire
Elizabeth, 26, born Longton, Staffordshire
Archibald B., 2, born Cannock, Staffordshire (the 'B' is for BRADSHAW)
William BRADSHAW, 4, Nephew, Scholar, born Oldham, Lancashire
Of course this could be a child of one of Elizabeth's other siblings but his age and birthplace match your William. I do wonder if Harriet sent for him after she established a relationship with Joseph in Australia. If this is the case then it might be difficult to find an arrival for him as he would likely be listed under the name of whoever brought him out.
I think this is Joseph's marriage in England, 6 March 1876:
https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NXY6-782Your Joseph is the only person that I can see who fits the age, place and father's name. Joseph and Betsy had a daughter named Ellen around 1876, soon after they married. I think I do know what happened with Betsy's later life but it is very complicated and will leave that for another time. Suffice to say that her husband wasn't at home with her in 1881."
So maybe, William HOLMES was born in 1875, out of wedlock to a "Mr" HOLMES, and Harriet BRADSHAW. (You would need to get his birth certificate, to explain why he is registered as a HOLMES). "Mr" HOLMES could possibly, be Joseph.
Then Joseph HOLMES married Betsy, in England, had a child, and left the relationship, by 1881. Then he turned up in NSW, and reconciled with Harriet, and was unable to marry, as he was married back in England. Two children born in NSW, prior to the death of Harriet.
Jean, have you purchased, these NSW birth certificates, to gather information, on the parents?
25653/1882 HOLMES LETTICE JOSEPH HARRIETT LAMBTON
28208/1884 HOLMES JOSEPH JOSEPH HARRIETT NEWCASTLE
Mary