RootsChat.Com
Scotland (Counties as in 1851-1901) => Scotland => Argyllshire => Topic started by: madgie on Sunday 09 December 07 23:10 GMT (UK)
-
My greatgrandfather Henry James claimed to have been born on Jura in 1836 on his marriage certificate, but later changed this to 1831. His father was WIlliam Clement James - an excise officer. The Customs and Excise department have no record of this, and suggest he may have been a temporary officer. I can find no trace of either of them before 1877 when Henry (or Harry) married - in Huntingdonshire, and have been searching for about 4 years to date. Can anyone help???
Madgie
-
From 1800 to 1840 there was only 1 person born in Argyll with the surname James (Elizabeth b1806).
No other James' in Argyll, let alone on Jura.
In fact, in the whole of Argyll, there are only 2 OPR birth entries on SP for the name James from 1553 to 1854.
Sorry.
Dave
-
There was a Henry James born 1833 to William James and a Catharine Donaldson in Dundee.
That's the East coast of mainland Scotland and nowhere near Jura (sorry if that's stating the obvious but I don't know what your knowledge of Scotland is).
However, it is the only H James born to William I can find in Scotland.
Dave
-
There was a Henry James born 1833 to William James and a Catharine Donaldson in Dundee.
That's the East coast of mainland Scotland and nowhere near Jura (sorry if that's stating the obvious but I don't know what your knowledge of Scotland is).
However, it is the only H James born to William I can find in Scotland.
Dave
Assuming I've found the same family on the 1841 census, the William James in Dundee was a Merchant. All members of the family shown born in Dundee.
-
Have you got Henry on any later censuses, i.e. after his marriage? And what was his wife's name?
-
Yes - have found the Dundee Jameses. Suspect that though Henry MIGHT be telling the truth and have been born there, he was not registered there.
I have him, and wife, in 1877 (marriage); in the censuses 81, 91, and 1901, and his death - all in Kimbolton, Hunts. In all, he states either Scotland, or island of Jura as birthplace. Of course, could be fibbing!??
The only William C. James found after years of trawling for him in censuses is in Lambeth (!) London. Interestingly there is a Supervisor of Excise living a couple of doors away. This William was an artist, married to a Portuguese/Spanish lady from Evora: Ludovina Gabriella Collins. However, have been told the C. is probably not Clement. On the other hand, my mother frequently told me she had a Spanish grandmother. And her other 'tales' have turned out true!
-
PrueM: Your photo of grandad Harry looks very familiar - a family similarity, though could be coincidence. Was he a James???
His wife's name was Rebecca Hill - she was a widow with 3 children, previously married to Stephen Hill. Her maiden name was Newman born 9 June 1841 Little Addington, Northamptonshire.
Henry died 11 March 1905 in Kimbolton, Hunts. Age on death cert 74.
-
Hi Madgie :)
My grandad Harry was a McKay - no Jameses in my family, I'm afraid ;)
Now, I've found Henry and Rebecca JAMES in 1881 living in the High Street, Buckden, Hunts - he is down as a Painter. Is that correct?
Prue
-
PrueM:
Yes - correct - then they moved to Kimbolton where they stayed till Henry's death in 1905. Pity about your grandad!!!
He is not just my brickwall - he is a concrete barricade! driving me mad - for years!
-
:)
Henry is later described as a house painter and decorator; when he died he was a plumber
-
Yes, I see what you mean - I can't see him anywhere in 1871... :-\
I'm sure if he can be found, he will be found by Rootschatters! I will keep looking and hopefully others will get on board too and we'll try to track him down.
I have my theories about these ancestors who pop up out of the blue and can't be traced back, even when they are quite specific about where they came from - one of them is that they made up their origins, either to hide something or to create a new identity for some reason. THat's not to say your man did, just saying it could explain the mystery...
Anyway, we will keep looking!
Prue
-
Prue
Quite agree - and thanks for trying!! Have often thought he might have had an overactive imagination. He told his family the same story re Scotland birth! Could well have been out of wedlock too.
-
I might be stating the obvious, but your man's birth might not have been registered. Many were not pre-1855 (as I know to my cost).
-
grendlsmother
This is highly likely; I was just being ever-hopeful! And excise officers tended to travel about - also IF dear Henry is being truthful about his origins. Maybe shall gird my laptop, and search for every Henry/Harry James born 1830-2/1835-7, and follow them up to the 1881 when I have him 'nailed'!!
-
True, grendlsmother, I have several like that myself.
However this person isn't showing up in any census earlier than 1881, at least not with the supposed birthplace of Jura or even just Scotland. We can't even find a likely match in 1841 :( unless this one is him:
There was a Henry James born 1833 to William James and a Catharine Donaldson in Dundee.
That's the East coast of mainland Scotland and nowhere near Jura (sorry if that's stating the obvious but I don't know what your knowledge of Scotland is).
However, it is the only H James born to William I can find in Scotland.
Dave
Assuming I've found the same family on the 1841 census, the William James in Dundee was a Merchant. All members of the family shown born in Dundee.
-
Well, there are a few Henry Jameses of suitable ages around with a William as father - but not an excise officer, and not in Scotland, nor born in Scotland. The Dundee one is prob not him - he is still in Scotland when Henry marries in Hunts. Also one b. 1836 in Hunts/Northants - gypsy - but still unmarried in 1881, so not HIM either!