This will take some finding . . .

[Timotheus]

I am looking for James Lee in the 1851 census.  Born in Bristol about 1827 he married in 1848.  His wife Elizabeth and 2 sons are staying with her family in Bristol at the time of the 1851 census, but there is no sign of him. 

He was probably working away - he was a general labourer and by 1861 they have all moved to Newport, Monmouthshire.

I have tried every variation of names to try and track him down, even looking through the census index for lodgers and visitors without specifying a name!

Any ideas anyone??

[Arranroots]

Here is the 1861 census, to help with background

RG9/4021/46/9

LEE

James H M 34 - gen lab - Som Bristol
Elizth W M 33 - ditto
John son 12 - scholar - ditto
Alonzo son 11 - ditto - Monm Newport
William son 9 - ditto - ditto
Ann dau 7 - ditto - ditto
Harry son 5 - ditto - ditto
Emily dau 3 - ditto - ditto

Address: 5 Baldwin St, St Woollos, Newport, Monmouthshire

Note that the children Alonzo and William are both born in Newport - indicating that the family were probably already resident in the area - bear in mind that the census night is only a snapshot and Elizabeth might just have been visiting in 1851.

Having said that - I can't find him. 

Have you located his parents in 1851, to ensure he is not visiting there?  Does he go by any other name?

Note that he is born Somerset Bristol, indicating south of the river - do you know exactly where?

Any further clues appreciated!

kind regards, Arranroots 

[alf]

This could be him

1871 Census for Newport, Wales

41 Baldwin Street, Newport
James Lee, 44, Labourer born Bristol
Elizabeth, wife, 44 born in Bristol
Henry, son, 15 Engine Cleaner born Newport

1881 Newport

44 Capel Crescent, Newport

Elizabeth, now widowed. a Housekeeper born Bristol
William, son, 28, Engine Driver, born Newport
Ann Harman, married daughter

Henry was found to be married and is a Loco Driver  (Wales 1881)

Alf

[Timotheus]

Thank you both - I'll try and provide more detail:

First Alf - yes thank you, this is him and his family from 1871 on.  The line continues through Henry, my great grandfather.

Arranroots - thank you, you have confirmed my own findings in 1861.  I know this was a transitional time for the family, but despite searching in Bristol and Monmouth I have come up with nothing.

His father (also James Lee) appears in the 1841 census for Bristol:

James Lee 45 Coachman
Elizabeth 45
Sarah 15
James 14

but by 1851 there is no trace of James Snr and Elizabeth together which makes me suspect Elizabeth is dead (there are at least 3 possible deaths recorded) and James possibly remarried to Rosina Kelly.  At least in 1851 there is
James Lee 56 H M Coachman
Rosina Lee 38 W M

By 1861 Rosina is widowed and a servant.

I believe he was born in St James in Bristol - his sister Sarah was christened there on 30 October 1825.  In 1841 they lived in Chas (Charles?) Street.

As far as I know he didn't go by any other name and I've even tried searching for 'Lee' without a first name and 'James' without a surname to no avail.  He'll probably turn up as Jane Pee somewhere!!

Even if you cannot help me track him down, I would appreciate an opinion on any of the above.

Regards
T

[alf]

A long shot, any connection

1851 census wales

Lewis Street, Pembroke

James LEIGH age 44 born Bristol, Joiner at Pembroke Ship Yard
Elizabeth, 30 born Pembroke
Thomas, s, 13 Narberth, Pembroke
Alfred 7, Pembroke Docks c 1844 - 21 = 1823
June 5 Pembroke Docks
Elizabeth, 5 Pembroke Docks

I wonder if this is the family and the dates are wrong for the parents.

If you take the first child and deduct 21 years from 1844 James would have been born around 1823.

These two are to old for the children that is my view, but I will press on

Alf

[lcsnor]

Just in case you haven't tried it have you looked for LYE?  My Lye family from Somerset transitioned into Lee.  I have also seen them spelt LEY.  These don't seem quite as obvious as LEA, LEIGH etc., so I just thought I'd mention it.
Good Luck, (and if you ever come across any Isaac Lee marriages in the 1810s/20s please let me know!)
Louise

[Sandee]

Hi Timotheus
There is a James Lea on the 1851 census, Born Bristol abt 1830
He is a visitor to a household by the name of Aspenlon.
They are in Bermondsey, Surrey. Occupation 'journey ?'
There is also a Thomas Dugan as a visitor with the same occupation.
Not sure if this is of any use.
Sandie

[Timotheus]

Thank you both.  All leads and suggestions gratefully received!!

 

T