Hello Maurice and everyone connected here,
I am directly descended from James Rampling - he is my great great grandfather on my paternal side. I have a friend helping me with family history so I am using his account. I am fascinated by the photo of James and two others taken circa 1848 ( and the family resemblance is strong), however some things don't quite add up - James lost his mother Sarah Rampling ( nee Hurrell ) born 1897 d 1833 when she was 36 and James was only 8, so this cannot be his mother in the photo. Also James was transported in 1842 when has 17 years old, so I think this photo ( if it is him ) must have been taken in New Zealand. His wife Eliza Jane Williamson was 9 years older than him, so this could be her, just a really bad photo, the other man may be the person who married them. I have also read the letters from his father and sister back in England which are interesting, thank you for posting these. It has been mentioned that he hid his children in the chimney for their safety during the Eureka Stockade, so I am wondering who has seen letters written by James back to his father recounting these events. I live in Malvern, and my brother David is the last Rampling in this line as he has four daughters. Looking forward to any further information, kind regards, Jenny Fletcher ( nee Rampling )
