Hope this system is OK now Chris, just reply when you get caught up.
Yes, I too had the James Ford earmarked and felt quite confident that since James always listed his birthplace as Hastings, then he should (likely, but not guaranteed) appear in the 1841 census there. And this was the only entry that matched up so very very close. However, assumption is not always enough. But, you have put it altogether. Also, there is another person living there, her name is Elizabeth Colbran.
I just revised text for the webpage, and here is the snippet which pretty much covers it:
According to James and Clara's marriage certificate, his father's name was James and his occupation was sailor (the fancy scroll writing of the day makes
this word difficult to interpret, in fact we originally thought it was tailor). And according to the Hastings Baptisms James was baptized 4th Feb 1829, son of
James and Jane Ford, occupation fisherman. James Foord does not appear in the 1841 census, however a search based on his birthday produces a James Ford (a common
spelling error, and at the correct age of 13), living with Jane Ford age 30, and Elizabeth Colbran age 60, on Bourne St in old Hastings, all reported they
were born in Sussex (the 1841 census listed counties only, and did not state relationships). Elizabeth Colbran might very well be the widow of Geroge Colbran, who was listed
in the 1840 Pigot's Directory as "gaol" (jail) keeper and living on Bourne St. According to the early parish records, we find on 31st Dec 1827 James Foord
marrying Jane Colbran! It would appear that Jane and her son were living with her mother-in-law in the 1841 census. While it is somewhat of a safe bet that
Elizabeth was a widow, we cannot verify James' state. While he might have died prior to the 1841 census, given his occupation as fisherman and/or sailor, it is
also possible that he was "at sea". We cannot verify James' age, however his wife Jane was, according to the census, born abt 1811, and we assume
likewise for James..........'
A wee bit of irony here, James and Jane were married on my birthday. I do have some other questions and comments, but since I have been away so much I must get some work done, but wanted to get this off to you and to say thanks again. Will make another posting either later today or tomorrow with a bit more information and/or speculation.
Larry
