James Laws - died in Howden, 1913

[nwallop]

Hi all,

I'm researching James Laws, who died in Howden on 25 Nov 1913, and who was buried in the town. Whilst I can trace his life after his 1868 marriage to Sarah Elizabeth Joy, I can't find any details prior to that.

I was wondering if anyone would be kind enough to access the Howden burial records to see if there is a date of birth listed for James, or any record of a gravestone that might give it? (I think, sometime in 1843). That way, I can sift through birth certificates to find the real James.

Other details I know... he was born in Norwich, according to multiple censuses. His wedding certificate says his father's name was Thomas, who was a plumber. There are no apparent details of James in either the 1851 or 1861 censuses, and beyond knowing his father's name, I can't find any details of his parents.

Any help that you can give me, or advice you can offer, would be very gratefully received.
Many thanks in advance!
Jim

[Kloumann]

There was a James Lawes born M Q, 1842, Norwich, MMN Hayden. Sarah Hayden m William Laws 1823.

[rosie99]

Any clues in his marriage witnesses

[CaroleW]

His actual birthdate will not be on his burial record - just his age at death.

2 possibilities for his absence from census records

He was illegitimate and his mother then married and he is on earlier census entries under her married name

He was not born as Laws but his mother married a Laws (not necessarily a Thomas Laws) and he took his stepfathers surname

Many illegitimate children made up a fathers name when they married so as to appear "respectable"  Thomas may be fictitious

[amondg]

Was there an obituary in the local paper when he died some give more details than others.

[Bee]

The Howden burial register is available on FindMyPast, it just gives his name, age 70, and burial date 28/11/1913