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I have recently started trying to trace my family tree and have become stuck at Frances James who was the second wife of Benjamin James.

Benjamin James (my Great Great Grandfather) born 12 June 1839 first married Rachel Thomas (b1843, d1874). I do not know Frances' maiden name, but she was born ca 1851 I believe in Monkton and died 24 Oct 1901 and is buried in Maidenwells. Most of this information comes from the James family Bible which has passed down to me. It also shows me Benjamin's father was called James James.

From the 1841 census for Stackpole Elidor I believe Benjamin's parents were James James and Sarah Griffiths (b1813 in Lampeter - I am guessing Lampeter Velfrey), and they were married 22 Apr 1837 in Stackpole Elidor. The family Bible suggests James James was born around 1810, but other information suggests he was christened in 1816. Is this possible? Also the 1841 census suggests he was 25 and thus born ca 1816, but all ages are rounded to the nearest(?) 5 years. However the 1841 census does show an 18 month old Benjamin which makes me fairly confident this is the correct James James.

I then believe James James' parents were Thomas James (b c1785) and Margaret Rowland (b c1789 both in Stackpole Elidor). I then believe Thomas James' parents were James Williams and Margaret (b c1759 and c1763 in Stackpole Elidor). I am not sure how or why the surname seems to have changed at this point.

I would be grateful if anyone has any ideas how I can find Frances' James maiden name. Also is the apparent discrepancy in birth years for James James within normal bounds of uncertainty for this timeframe? And why or how might the surname change from Williams to James?

Good luck to all fellow enthusiasts tracing their roots

Best regards

Brian W

Hello,I am not sure if this is the same family but I think I might have some info for you . My Great,great Grandfather was Benjamin James born 1840 in Maiden Wells,Pembs.then in 1847 Francis Ann James was born in the same village. Benjamin and Francis grew up, met and married in the small village church .
 They had a son named James Henry James. When he grew up he went to work at a ship building firm in Pembroke Dock,( not that far from Maiden Wells) it was here that he met Sarah Ann James (she was born in 1865) 
James Henry James and Sarah married in 1889 or 1890 at St John's Church Pembroke Dock, they lived in Pembroke Dock. Their first child was Mary Francis James( my  paternal Grandmother) was born in March 1891, James and Sarah  went on to have seven children. The information that I have received has been passed on to me by my aunt, not sure if all dates are completely accurate but pretty close. I would be interested to hear if this is the same family that you have been researching.