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In your possition if this is causing so many problems I would send for the marriage certificate which is realy the only evidence we can all go on. If birth death or marriage certificates are wrong then we are all up the creek, hee hee. Lol in your search. Victor

Hi Heather, I certainly hope so! It's very frustrating, when I see how many generations I have on some of the lesser branches. Wilson is my direct paternal line, and it's sad that I can't get further back than two generations on my own. I was fortunate enough to know and remember well, my own gr-grandparents Wilson. Thank you everyone for your suggestions. I think I will have to try and have another look at the 1841, for any James Wilson's in Bushey. Thanks again for your help Debbie

LOL, I deleted that because I didnt want to confuse the situation any more! I think a request for a look up for the 1841 is called for. Good luck. I feel sure this one will work out for some reason.

Heather, Momentarily forgot that option!! (sister in law) Debbie

Fortune is against you! LOL ! I am sure this one will work out, feel it in me bones. Who has 1841 census details for Herts?

Hi Heather, One is completely illegible (big ink splodge right on the name!!) The othe is Mary Willson, could be a sister, or even his mother, given the predicament with the names. Haven't found a baptism for a Mary, but David & Mary had a Maria? Think it's got to be back to the 1841. The other thing I did consider was that David was James brother or uncle. There is some connection between the two families somewhere, of that I'm positive. But having found David on the later census, David's age would suggest he would have to be his father or uncle. From memory about 28yrs between James & David. Debbie

And the witnesses at the marriage, no help? Guess you do need to find him on an early census so you can check out the parents and siblings.

Hi Heather, I don't have any siblings for him. He stands alone on the tree - James no mother, no siblings, just father James - now with a question mark! lol Debbie

Suppose you have probably thought about looking at the fathers details for any of your guys siblings that you are sure of?

Hi Geoff, The entry I have is from the register. As I explained, I too have other instances of wrong entries, by the vicar/registrar etc, but on those occasions, I already had the means to prove it was the right person. Unfortunately, I have no other info to work with. No siblings, no mother - nothing! As I replied to Heather's posting, am very tempted to go with my instincts. I can't prove this is right, only in that James father James doesn't seem to exist? Debbie

Hi Elizabeth, Haven't managed that yet, as have been looking for 2 James'. Next time I go, will have to start again. This is sounding very negative, sorry, but I should be able to find a James father David in 1841, as there is a baptism. How do I prove it's the same James. Have had to work on a similar theory before, that if there is no James father James, only a James father David, that this has to be him, as there is no alternative?? If you see what I mean. Hi Nell, Yes, unfortunately it's nothing special - Labourer!!! Groan lol Debbie

The marriage cert could be a transcription error - seeing the church register could perhaps settle this - but the register could be wrong too! EDIT: I've just seen what you have written. I had a Louisa Ann Arthur whose father's was David Rodney Arthur at her marriage. At the marriage of her brother, the father's name was David Rodney Arthur. Louisa was baptised in the same church and on the same day as her brother's marriage (he was Arthur David Arthur) - her father's name was entered at Arthur Rodney Arthur!

Hi Heather, Yes, the copy I have is from the register. (Didn't see any point in spending another £7 for the same thing!!) I have other instances, where the vicar has made mistakes on the register. Mother in law's grandfather is entered as Francis Thomas, but his name is Thomas Francis. I know it's possible that father James is a mistake, but with nothing much to back it up, I'm at a bit of a loss. Have been stuck at this same point for nearly 3yrs! Am obviously beginning to wonder if this is why? (Looking for the wrong people) Haven't managed to find a James, father James on 1841 census. This is the only one where he might be with his parents. James was married before the 1851 was taken. Debbie Debbie

Deborah From what you say it seems extremely likely that David & Mary are James' parents. The only doubt is the father's name on the marriage cert. This might be because David was really James David perhaps, and preferred to be known by his 2nd name, or it may just have been a mistake by the registrar. Not sure how you prove this - does the occupation of David in the baptism register correspond with the occupation of James senior on the marriage cert? nell

Try to find him on 1841 census. He will probably be with his parents then Beth :)

Tricky. Have you seen the marriage in the actual register? I have a marriage where a Samuel Hanson is recorded married to an Esther Asbey. I had expected this marriage to be James Hanson and Esther so was really thrown. But everything else matched, including them calling their daughter Mary Asbey Hanson!! A kind soul looked up the actual register and in fact it showed James married to Esther. I can only think that a Samuel was present or another Samuel had married that day and things had become confused.

How can I go about proving/disproving this?? From my gr-gr-gr-grandfather’s marriage certificate: James WILSON Full Age Residence Bushey, father James WILSON. He married in 1851, his age stays steady throught the census’ has been having born c1830. (30, 40,etc) When he died in March 1909, his age was recorded as 78. Always states place of birth Bushey. For a long time have been fairly certain that his parent were DAVID & Mary Wilson. There are no births for a James Wilson father James, in the Bushey/Watford parishes at that time. The closest one was born 1828, in Watford, but I’m sure this isn’t him. There is, however a James bapt July 1830 to David & Mary. The couple David & Mary had several children, all of whose names, reappear in James’ children. Some of them are less popular names, eg they had both had sons named Jesse. My gr-gr-grandfather, James eldest son, was David. In 1861 James and his family were living in Bridge Place, in Watford. In 1871 and 1881 David & Mary also lived in Bridge Place. They were probably living there in 1861 too, but wouldn’t have taken much notice at the time, as I was looking for a James. I am sure David & Mary are James’ parents, but as his marriage cert states father James, what do I do? Thanks for taking the time to read this Debbie

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