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Thanks BumbleB.  I have looked at all Leicestershire baptisms - I purchased Jenny's County list and went through the lot. I get the feeling that William Fewkes b1798 from Leicestershire, first Fewkes in India that I located, is not even from the same family as James Edward Fewkes, the ancestor I am specifically looking for.

Gregregards

I have been looking into my wife’s ancestors for over a decade now and despite much investigation, I have been unable to satisfactorily resolve the origination of her GGG Grandfather James Edward Fewkes.  We were informed by a relation that James was born in England.  We do have a photo of him and this is likely.
James was firstly married to Charlotte Soraine in Dacca, India 12/6/1863. Records show James, Full Age, Draftsman, Father, William Fewkes, Baptist Missionary.  Charlotte died 1874. This record is the earliest I can find for James in India or anywhere.
Next James Edward Fewkes married Eliza Deonies in Trichinopoly, India 10/12/1874. Records for this marriage shows James 31, Widower, Municipal Inspector, Father William Ebenezer Fewkes.  It is from this marriage that my wife descends.
I have searched all births in England for a number of years either side of 1843 and there is no birth for James Edward Fewkes that fits.  The closest I have come is James and Eliza’s first son was named William Henry Leopold Fewkes. and there is coincidentally a William Henry Fewkes born 29/3/1843 at Compton Gifford, Plympton, Devon.  Father William Fewkes, coachman, Mother Fanny Beale.  Maybe James Edward was a Henry William and changed his name???
William Fawkes, Full Age, Coachman, 15 Baker Street, Father William Fawkes, butcher married Fanny Beale, Full Age, 32 Exeter Street, Father Richard Beale, Farmer (Deceased) on 25/5/1842 St Marylebone, Middlesex, England.  Banns Trinity Church, St Marylebone.  I have not located any certain prior or subsequent records for these two either.  So the possibility of William Henry being James Edward cannot yet be discounted.
I have also queried the BMS World Mission for guidance on whether they have any record of a William Fewkes as a Baptist Missionary but no reply received.
Over the years, I have traced the Fewkes name in India back to a William Fewkes born 1798, Leicester, Leicestershire, England.  I am yet to locate his birth in England.  He joined the India Army and a 1814 Muster Roll shows the entry Fukes William, England, Ship Moffat, Arrival 1813. William Fewkes married Elizabeth Badder 12/6/1823 in Vizagapatam, India.  They had a number of children but I cannot find a direct record linking James Edward Fewkes to this particular William Fewkes.  One of William Fewkes’ children was named Willam Ebenezer Fewkes, birth July 1838.
I have managed to piece together quite a vast family tree for the Fewkes and this has been posted on Ancestry under Fewkes Family Tree.  This may be viewed to obtain the full details of all Fewkes entries determined to date.
Being a draftsman in Dacca, perhaps James worked for the HEIC. 
In summary, it would be greatly appreciated if anyone could assist me to locate any further records which will throw light on the Fewkes Family’s past, including the birth or ancestry of James Edward Fewkes.

Thanks in anticipation

Greg Pascoe

   

I have been tracking my wife’s ancestors for a number of years now and despite much investigation, I have been unable to satisfactorily resolve the origination of her GGG Grandfather James Edward Fewkes.  A relation has told me that James was born in England.  We do have a photo of him and this appears likely.
 
James Edward Fewkes married Eliza Deonies in Trichinopoly, India 10/12/1874. Records for this marriage show James 31, Widower, Municipal Inspector, Father William Ebenezer Fewkes.  It is from this marriage that my wife descends.
 
James was previously married to Charlotte Soraine in Dacca, India 12/6/1863. Records show James, Full Age, Draftsman, Father William Fewkes, Baptist Missionary.  Charlotte died 1874. This record is the earliest I can find for James in India or anywhere.
 
I have traced all Fewkes in India back to a William Fewkes born 1798, Leicester, Leicestershire, England.  I am yet to locate his birth in England.  He joined the India Army and a 1814 Muster Roll shows the entry Fukes William, England, Ship Moffat, Arrival 1813. William Fewkes married Elizabeth Badder 12/6/1823 in Vizagapatam, India.  They had a number of children but I cannot find a direct record linking James Edward Fewkes to this particular William Fewkes.  One of William Fewkes’ children was named William Ebenezer Fewkes, birth July 1838.  Many names are common between the families.
 
I have tried all James Fewkes and variants born in England for five years either side 1843 but cannot pinpoint my wife’s direct ancestor.  I have also looked closely at all Fewkes families in England for James and his father William’s era also to no avail.

Recently while overviewing the file again I noted that James Edward Fewkes’ first son from his second marriage was named William Henry Leopold (Henry) Fewkes.  Coincidentally, in Apr-Jun 1843 the birth of a William Henry Fewkes was registered in Devon.

General Registry Office certified copy of entry showed William Henry Fewkes born 29/3/1843 at Compton Gifford, Father William Fewkes, Coachman, Mother Fanny Fewkes formerly Beale.  Reg District Plympton St Mary Union, Sub District Plympton, Count Devon.

Records detailed William Fawkes, full age, Bachelor, Coachman, 15 Baker St, Father William Fawkes, Butcher married Fanny Beale, full age, 32 Exeter Street, Father Richard Beale decd, Farmer on 25/5/1842 Trinity Church, St Marylebone, Middlesex, England.

I have looked into William Henry Fewkes born 1843 and cannot locate any definite entries for him on any subsequent Census or Death Register.  The same goes for William & Fanny and their families.  Another brick wall!!!!!!

But at last, I have another avenue to ponder.  The Birth Dates fit, father named William fits etc.  And my lack of locating any record for James Edward Fewkes prior to his First Marriage in India may have a reason.  Same for William Henry and family after his birth.  Perhaps the later changed his name for some reason?  Perhaps the family went to India?

Can anyone help me please?

Thank You.

I am trying to track my wife's family through India, succeeding, to a point!

I am back to a James Edward Fewkes, municipal inspector, who married Eliza Deonies in Trichinopoly, Tamil Nadu, South India in 1874.  James Fewkes was 31 and Eliza 15.  James was therefore born around 1843 and his father was William Ebenezer Fewkes (from marriage entry). 

It is quite possible he had a brother Edward Henry Fewkes, born and bapt in 1841 in Trichinopoly.  Father is shown as William Fewkes, pensioned corporal, mother Eliza.

I am yet to locate James Edward Fewkes baptism, nor any entry for William Ebenezer Fewkes.

What is the best way for me to locate the army records, movements or details for William Fewkes?

Hopefully location of such would allow it all to fall into place.

Thanks in anticipation

Greg