Does anyone know much about family history research?

Question:

Does anyone know much about family history research?

I have done quite a lot and managed to get some branches of my fathers materal family back to 1798.
The problem I have is that it seems that one women in the family (born 1852) seems to over three decades/census,lived with at least two men. I'm pretty sure it is the same woman because a lot of other details match including childrens names(which are quite unusual)
Was this common practice in the days before divorce.

My ancestors were not wealthy and seemed to mostly work in the mills around Derbyshire

Additional Details

4 months ago
I know the original husband was still alive and living with one of the children( every thing ties up even his occupation ) thats how I know she wasn't widowed and yes she did assume the name of the men she was living with but the children had their original names.
Also by this time he( the original husband) was living with another (who had taken his name)

4 months ago
No it doesn't really matter to my research but I just wanted to know if Thing like that happened.

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: 4 months ago
I know the original husband was still alive and living with one of the children( every thing ties up even his occupation ) thats how I know she wasn't widowed and yes she did assume the name of the men she was living with but the children had their original names.
Also by this time he( the original husband) was living with another (who had taken his name)