The Marriage of James Lees and Ann ??, and their roots?

[Lees Lady]

I have been trying to trace my husband's great great great grandfather (James Lees, b: 1825) back to England.  I know he immigrated to the United States in 1858 (I think on the Aurora, from Liverpool to NY), but I can't definitively pinpoint him back in England.  So now I using process of elimination by finding any James Lees in England that fits the profile, and then ruling them out or in.

According to the 1851 Census, James Lees and Ann Lees lived on Albert Street in Harborne, Staffordshire.   

James Lees
Age 26  (I believe my relative's birth year is 1825, possibly born in January)
Occupation:  Cordwinder, Cordwainer, Shoemaker (this matches "My" James Lees)
Born:  Slitting Mill, Stafford

Ann ?? (maiden name unknown)
Age: 24  (so birth year, abt 1827.
Born:  Smethwick, Staffordshire

I'm searchinf for records for either of them before or after the 1851 census.  Would love to find a marriage record and/or trace them back to their birth families. Also, would love to know if there is anything about them afterwards.  *My* James Lees immigrated in 1858, but I found no record of an Ann immigrating with him.  Maybe she died?   If we find record of James and Ann Lees after 1858 in England, then I will know that this isn't my relative.

I found an 1841 census record for a James Lees who was 15 living in Slitting Mill, Rugeley...so that fits this person.  Parents are listed as William and Sarah Lees.

I found it very difficult to trace a relative back from the US to the UK.  Especially with a name like James Lees.  I found plenty of men named James Lees, but have no idea how to determine which one is him!!

[Ruskie]

Welcome to rootscharpt Lees Lady.

Freereg has a marriage in West Bromwich between James Lees and Ann Rhodes in 1847. This James is a cordwainer:
https://www.freereg.org.uk/search_records/581875b0e93790eb7fdc1471?search_id=5930e9d44325a6369b34a195&ucf=false

There is further information in the register so you can see if that matches with what you know about your James. It looks good age and date wise, and with fathers named you might be able to find them at home with their families in 1841. 

[Ruskie]

1841
Slitting Mill
William Lees 45 labourer
Sarah 50
James 15
Samuel 12
HO107/973//27/19

All born in county

[Lees Lady]

I am having a really hard time trying to definitively trace my husband's great great great grandfather back to England.  His name is James Lees. 

Born: 1825 (possibly January)

Immigrated to the United States: 1858 
(I found one passenger that has a James Lees on the Aurora in 1858 from Liverpool to New York.  He seems to be travelling with a Samuel Lees, who is listed as a barber. James Lees occupation is listed as shoemaker. 

Occupation:  Shoemaker, Cordwainer, Cordwinder

Death:  Philadelphia, Pennsylvania  1904

On 1860 census record in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, he is listed with an baby (William J. Lees) (b 1859).  This census record says William J Lees was born in Scotland, but all later census records give his place of birth as Pennsylvania.

Really appreciate any help finding out which James Lees in England is my James Lees in the United States.

[solidrock]

There is a William John Lees, b 1860 High Church,Glasgow,Lanark,Scotland. Father James Lees, mother Susan Ewing.

James Lees married Susan Ewing  22 JUN 1855  High Church,Glasgow,Lanark,Scotland

[Ruskie]

Also on Freereg is a burial for Ann Lees in 1857. This Ann is aged 31, so fits in age wise for her to be the wife of James, though there is nothing to identify her as such on the index.

You may need to purchase the death certificate for proof, if you believe this looks likely to be her. A d/c may say she was the wife of James Lee, cordwainer. 

[Ruskie]

I can't easily find Ann Rhodes with father Edward, on the 1841 and 1851 censuses, though I have not searched thoroughly.

[solidrock]

So can we forget the Scotland link that you put in your previous post?


Threads merged to prevent duplication.

[trish1120]

1841 Census
West Bromwich, Staffordshire
Edward Rhodes, 30, Blacksmith, NOT born in County
Sarah Rhodes, 35
Eliza Rhodes, 13
Sarah Rhodes, 10
Mary Rhodes, 6
Harriot Rhodes, 5
Edward Rhodes, 2

Death Reg GRO Index;
RHODES, EDWARD, age 40**** 
GRO Reference: 1841  S Quarter in WEST BROMWICH  Volume 18  Page 362

Birth Reg GRO Index
RHODES, EDWARD, Mothers mn    WALKER****
GRO Reference: 1839  M Quarter in WEST BROMWICH  Volume 18  Page 581