Author Topic: Please help me find the Simmons family. (Read 4870 times)

hunkyhywel · « **on:** Wednesday 22 May 13 22:32 BST (UK) »

I have a George Simmons b.1829 in Northall, Buckinghamshire, UK.
I have found him in all the UK censuses except the 1861 census.
In the 1871 census, he has two children born in the USA!! I'm desperate to find out what the USA link is. Can anyone help me find George Simmons and/or his family in the USA between 1851 and 1867. Can anyone help me find George Simmons and/or his family travelling between USA and the UK?

Extra info:
George Simmons married Dora, I think this was in the UK. He was listed as a 'straw platter' in the 1851c and as a farmer in later censuses.
His two American-born children were Charles W Simmons, b.1862 in Allegheny and Annie Kate Simmons, b.1865 in Pittsburg. He had at least seven more children all in the UK after 1867.
I can provide more information if it's required.

Lisa in California · « **Reply #1 on:** Thursday 23 May 13 08:53 BST (UK) »

It's not much help, but in the 1866 Pittsburgh and Allegheny Cities' Directory:
Simmons, George, b?iler, 689 Penn
http://www.rootschat.com/links/0u2v/
I didn't see him in 1865. I haven't yet looked for him in directories after 1866.
Link for Pittsburgh directories:
http://digital.library.pitt.edu/cgi-bin/t/text/text-idx?c=pitttextdir;page=browse

Lisa in California · « **Reply #2 on:** Thursday 23 May 13 09:30 BST (UK) »

I cannot view additional details nor determine if they sailed on the same ship, but
New York Passenger Lists, arriving 1853
Geo Simmons, born c1829
Dora Simmons, born c1834

Another RootsChatter may be able to provide additional details.

*Sandra* · « **Reply #3 on:** Thursday 23 May 13 11:29 BST (UK) »

There was a Geo Simmons born 1829 and aged 24 years, labourer, travelling London England to New York on the Invincible arriving 8 March 1953.

Dora Simmons born 1834 and aged 19 years, Nationality was German

Departed Liverpool to New York, arriving 11 July 1853 on the Antartic. A group of Simmons were travelling together all marked as born Germany. Place of origin of the ship was Germany.

Sandra

*Sandra* · « **Reply #4 on:** Thursday 23 May 13 11:47 BST (UK) »

Looking at the 1871 UK census - Dora was born 1842 Eddlesborough, Buckinghamshire and George 1829 Northall, Buckinghamshire.

The UK Return Passenger Lists don't start until 1878 so it is unlikely we can find the family returning from the USA.

Sandra

hunkyhywel · « **Reply #5 on:** Thursday 23 May 13 11:49 BST (UK) »

Well, as is the norm, I have found more questions than answers! Thank you so much for your help!
I know that George and his parents all came from England but I can't find Dora before her marriage, maybe she was German and this is why I can't find her. In census data, she is listed as being born in Buckinghamshire but this may be just because her husband was?
Any more pointers on what to do next? Thanks.
Hywel

Lisa in California · « **Reply #6 on:** Thursday 23 May 13 15:43 BST (UK) »

I have two ancestors, "Henry" and "Lydia" who were born in 1837 and 1852. Henry and Lydia made things confusing for us, because Henry "forgot" his age a couple of times, and reported his year of birth as 1840 (and later). After years of research, I finally found out from another relative that he wanted to appear closer in age to Lydia, so "forgot" his year of birth during census years.

So, don't rule out that maybe Dora was changing her year of birth to be closer to George. Or, maybe she simply didn't know the exact year and was giving what she thought to be her age.

Update: I just reread your thread. Perhaps Dora was born around 1842 and was giving her correct age on the census returns. It looks like it might be more likely that Dora (born 1834) was travelling with her Simmons family in 1853, and not with her husband, George Simmons. Thank you, Sandra, for providing the passenger list details.

Lisa in California · « **Reply #7 on:** Thursday 23 May 13 16:29 BST (UK) »

There is a thread from 2011 regarding a George Simmons and Dora. While there appears to be two couples in England named George Simmons and Dora/Dorothy, one of the couples appears to be your Simmons. Did your George and Dora have a son born in Chigwell in 1873 named Arthur? If so, it looks like his birth certificate states his mother's name as Dorothy Savory Webster.
http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,518238.30.html

*Sandra* · « **Reply #8 on:** Thursday 23 May 13 16:46 BST (UK) »

Yes, there were 2 lots of George Simmons and Dora - George Edward Simmons firstly married to Charity Waller and later Dora Turner. This George died in Utah - FIND A GRAVE entry

http://www.rootschat.com/links/0u38/

Many of the anc trees are mixing the children of both George's

There are 2 deaths in the Epping Registration District which fit George W and Dora.

George Simmons 77 years Epping 4a 284

Dora Simmons 87 years Epping 4a 449

Dora (widowed) is living with Alfred the youngest son in 1911.

Sandra

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