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I know it’s a pain but could you post some known deatails of your direct line John

Thanks

SS

Hi

John m. Emma Soundy on 2 Jun 1833 in Westminster.

1841
Piece   1046
Book   4
Folio   36
Page number   10

Boots Row, Sleaford Street, Battersea
John, 25, labourer
Emma, 25
Emma, 5
John, 2
Charles, 5 months
Frances Soundy, 65

1851
Household schedule number   110
Piece   1471
Folio   271
Page number   25

Mullengers Cottage, Sun Street, Fulham
John, 39, brewers servant
Emma, 36
Emma, 14, servant
John, 12
Charles, 9
Levene, 3 [Lavinia]
Louisa, 1

John died 1 Aug 1858 at Battersea and was buried 9 Aug 1858 at St George the Martyr.

Hello

I am trying to find the marriage of James Williams (born around 1819 in Lambeth), coal porter, and Elizabeth Bush (born around 1827 in Lambeth). Their first child was George, born in 1845 in Lambeth. Elizabeth's maiden name comes from the children's birth registrations - it is possible that she married using a different name, although she'd only have been about 18 when George was born, so there's not much scope for a previous marriage.

Any ideas or pointers would be brilliant. I'm starting to doubt they ever married. Based on DNA matches with descendants of this couple, I believe James was likely the brother of my ancestor John Williams, and I'd like to confirm what details are given for James' father on his marriage certificate - hence the great interest in finding it.

Thank you!

Perhaps one more to add. My granny discovered, through Ancestry DNA, that she had a paternal half-brother. I was explaining this to my granny's maternal niece & this niece's husband (so, no relation at all to the half-brother, and born in different countries!) - and I showed them a photograph of this half-brother. The niece's husband said "Oh I know him, we go shooting together!"

I can’t recommend it enough. About ten years ago I decided to write to some of my grandparents’ remaining cousins and second cousins. Of course there were hundreds of candidates if you branch out enough, so I was selective in trying to write to those about whom there was some online trace that suggested they’d be a good contact - much like 4b2 noting the church gardening point.

One was a journalist with an interest in local history so I thought she’d be a good candidate - and indeed she was the ‘keeper’ of that branch’s family history. Her birthday is one day after mine and we send each other something each year - she’s in her mid 90s now.

Another was a then-95 year old retired headmaster. He actually helped me with my English project, and after I shared with him all about his great-grandmother (one of my favourite ancestors), he wrote a poem dedicated to her. Before he died he wrote an incredible poem about family history - the connections between generations - and he sent it to me, incomplete, and asked me to one day continue it. What an honour! (And something I want to also pass down to a future generation to continue further - so it’s a living document from memories stretching back to 1832!)

These were probably standouts - more generally I have had good fortune with receiving photographs (or identifications of photographs I sent for that purpose) and basic family information.

I need to take my own advice though, as there’s many relatives I’ve been meaning to write to but haven’t yet. And then there’s the sadness upon coming across an obituary etc and finding out a relative has died before you got the chance to make contact, and with them all the family knowledge they held. Like Jebber, I’ve received a reply from the new owners of a deceased relative’s home who had found the letter - just too late!

4b2, thank you very much for that link to the postal service - I’m not in the UK either though all my paternal family are, so that’s a real game changer. I’m going to give it a go!