John Henry Hand

[sandy44]

I am researching my Great Grandfather John Henry Hand. Born in Sproxton Leicestershire,(Listed on his Death Certificate.) England 1856. At age 14 he was working as a General Servant at Rectory Rd, Grantham. Lincolnshire. At age 24 was a Loco Fireman Lodging at 15 Turner St Stretford. Lancashire. England.
In 1882 he left England on the Potosi Steamship arriving in Sydney Australia 26 Nov, 1882. He Married in Penrith NSW Australia. 1884 to Emma Matilda Fragar.  John died 22 Sept, 1930. Balmain North. NSW Australia.
What I would like to know, is his parents are listed on his Death Certificate as John Henry Hand and Elizabeth Wyre. I have be unable to find a Marriage for them. If anyone could help me it would be appreciated.
Regards. Sandra

[AMBLY]

Hi Sandra

His Birth registration appears to be:
John Henry HAND  - Sep Qtr 1856 Melton Mowbray (covers Sproxton)
(There is also a John HAND birth registered same district in Mar Qtr 1856 - and a death registered Dec Qtr 1856, which may be the same, can't find him on 1861 Census)

In 1861, a John H HAND age 4 is a visitor in Household of John and Sarah BARNES, in Branston, Leicestershire.  Sarah is ages 50, b Sproxton.  She may be a paternal Aunt?

FreeBMD has a marriage:
John BARNES
Sarah HAND
Dec Qtr 1840 Melton Mowbray

The IGI has the following:
BIRTH
John Henry HAND  - 8 Jan 1856 Sproxton - Parents: John HAND and Mary

FreeBMD has a marriage:
Melton Mowbray - Mar Qtr 1845
John HAND and Mary WYER on the same page

Very possibly, as often happened, the death certificate is in error by naming his mother as Elizabeth. Does his NSW marriage certificate name his parents?

Do the Australian records give an occupation for his father?

Cheers
AMBLY

[sandy44]

Hi Ambly,
Thanks for your reply. I had found the marriage of John Hand and Mary Wyer, you mentioned.  I also found on ancestry.com Free BMD Marriage Index: a marriage for a John Henry Hand 1855 Quarter of Jul-Aug-Sep. District: Grantham (1837-1933 County: Leicestershire, Lincolnshire. Thought this could be the correct one date wise, but as usual it doesn't list his wife's name. How would you go about finding that out?
On John Henry's Death Cert. His father's Occupation is listed as a "Farmer." John's parents are not mentioned on his Marriage Cert.
Regards
Sandra

[AMBLY]

Hi Sandra

The original parish record pages contained 2, 3 or 4 marriages (ie: 4, 6 or 8 people) listed on the same page - I think sometimes there were 5 couples (10 entries on the page).
Most common is 4 or 6.

The 1855 Marriage of a John Henry HAND.... there are 2 brides and 2 grooms on the page - 2 couples.
John Henry married either Jemima ROGERS or Mary TAYLOR.
The other Groom, Alfred VELLAM married the other bride.

The 1861 Census show Alfred VELLAMS age 29 in Spittlegate, Gtantham with his wife Jemima. Eldest child age 5.

So this JH  in 1855 married Mary TAYLOR.

Cheers 
AMBLY

[sandy44]

Thanks Ambly.

I'll do some more searching.

Regards
Sandra