There were lots of JAYES (and lots of alternative spellings) in Enderby/Leicester and I am struggling to unravel them.
My 3xgt-grandfather was John Jeays. He died aged 75 in Leic union workhouse in Oct 1877. I think he was at Pegg St (Jays) in 1841 with his first wife, Sarah, and their children; Ancestry has him as John JONS (but you can see it's Jays or Jeys) in 1851, with wife no 2, Elizabeth, and their daughter Sarah. His father is named as John Jeayes, FWK, on his marraige certificate with Elizabeth. In 1861 he's John Jeayes and living with Sarah at Neale St (from where Sarah got married. I'm sure this is the right family). Ancestry strikes again in 1871, when he was Jeags. Birthplace given as Leicester in 1871 (by workhouse, would they bother to enquire too deeply?); Enderby 1861; Leicester 1851 (where the enumerator has just written "do" all down the line).
There was a John Jayes b Enderby in 1802,son of John and Elizabeth, and I would like to think this is my John. This is the only John Jayes (or any similar surname) in the Enderby PRs baptised around this time.
HOWEVER - in the censuses there is another John Jayes, married to Hannah, b around 1803-6, who stayed in Enderby. He died in Feb 1877, aged 74. I cannot find his marraige anywhere, though the couple's first child was baptised in Enderby in 1830. Hannah was from Northants so maybe they married elsewhere.
I've seen a will of John Jayes, FWK of Enderby dated 1839 (he died 1842 and is the father of one of these younger Johns). He names his children as John (the oldest son), Joseph and Elizabeth. All are described as "of Enderby". He states in the will that 2 of his messauges are occupied by John and Joseph Jayes.
So, is my John J the son of this older John, b 1802? The date fits, the name on his marraige cert fits. But not all his census returns state Enderby as pob, and I don't think he was living in Enderby in 1839 (think he was in Leic city by then). And if that is him, then who is the other John who married Hannah and stayed in Enderby? And if that's not my John -- then who on earth WAS my John?!
I have the Enderby PR copies online and have looked at the fiches too and got no further. I wonder if John and Hannah's marraige (pre1830?) might be key, but I can't find that.
HEEEEEEEEEEEEEELLLLLLLLLPPPPPPPPPPP! please!
