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I'm looking for the parents of my 2Xgreat-grandmother, Frances Turner. She married James Wilson on 9 Dec 1832, in York (St Mary Bishophill Jnr). James was born in Hovingham, North Yorkshire, and he lived and worked there all his short life (1807-1845). Frances was born in York, in about 1805, according to the 1851 Census, and although she lived in Hovingham after she got married, I assume her parents lived in York.

James worked as a butler at Hovingham Lodge, and later (probably after the death of the old lady of the Lodge) worked as an agricultural labourer and gardener. It seems probable to me that Frances worked in service at Hovingham Lodge when James was there.

James and Frances had four children that I know of, all born and baptised in Hovingham: Frances (b.1835); Margaret (b.1837); Ann (b.1839) and James - my great-grandfather (b.1843).

James Wilson Snr. died in 1845, and the 1851 Census shows his widow now living as an "Almswoman" with her four children in Hovingham. I think Frances Snr. died in 1859. The death of a woman of that name was registered in Malton (Oct-Nov-Dec 1859).

Returning to the question of who were the parents of Frances Turner, I have found a few possible candidates, but no evidence that any of them are right. I wonder if anyone here can find any real evidence as to who her parents were?

Except for the drinking, he might have enjoyed the company of my ggg-grandfather David Waire.  They shared an enjoyment of the out-of-doors - at age 86, David was arrested as part of a wide-ranging poultry theft ring.

Yes, your ggg-grandfather was a remarkable man, it would seem! I'm sure Benjamin and David would have been good company for each other, had they been together!

My 3X great-grandfather, Benjamin Carr, seems to have been a colourful character. Born in 1792 in the North Yorkshire village of North Grimston, he became a mole catcher by trade, and working outside in the North Yorkshire air seems to have served him well. He lived to the age of 86, which very few people managed to achieve back then. Word of mouth family history says he died on a night out at a local pub! I had no proof of the truth of this until a few weeks ago, when I found the record of his burial at Ancestry uk (shown below). The record proves that the story is true! It clearly states that he died at the Royal Oak Inn in Norton, bordering Malton. The coroner was called in (unusual for most deaths back then). It seems that dropping dead in a pub for no obvious reason required the coroner. He allowed Benjamin to be buried three days later (other records show that he died on 4th Jan 1878 and was buried on 7th Jan in the village of Leavening). Living to the age of 86 in the 1800's was an achievement in itself, but dying in a pub, enjoying a good night out at the age of 86 deserves to be congratulated, I would say!

There were a number of cars during this period which had coal-scuttle bonnets, but this is indeed a Renault as suggested by Arthurk. Renault made scuttled bonnets for longer than most, but a couple of identifiers help to narrow it down a bit. The rear radiator was internal after 1919. The bonnet is relatively short so it is a smaller power car. The leading edge of the rear radiator at the scuttle is rounded, so no earlier than 1911. There is a scuttle body section behind the radiator to the windscreen. The windscreen is relatively small. There is also a fuel filler cap in the scuttle. The latter suggests a cca 1913 Renault Model DM 11HP Torpedo Tourer. The actual date of the photo cannot be earlier, but could be later.

A great piece of detective work! Thank you for the info!

According to my DNA results my ethnicity is mostly English, with traces of Northwestern European, and also some Scottish and Scandinavian. However, so far I have found no evidence of non-English ancestors in my family tree, and I have traced some lines back as far as the 1600's.