Genealogy Chat

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I think I have finally found proof that my great,great grandfather isn’t a blood relation! (Does this mean I have to change my name – yes – it’s that one. Known facts: Ann Nurse had a daughter Agnes (aka Ann aka Margaret Ann) in 1853 – No father Ann Nurse had a son James Richard in Jan 1856 – No father (she is in Colchester – original Essex girl? Ann Nurse married Gustav Adolph Krafft in Colchester Dec 25 1856 (both of full age – she spinster, he widower. Ann Croft (couldn’t spell either) had a daughter Agnes Sarah Krafft (she loves Agnes as a forename doesn’t she? Actually she is really Agnes Sarah Nurse herself) In 1861 Ann Croft is a lodger with her children Ann Nurse, Richard Nurse and Agnes Croft (and that tells me they weren’t Gustav’s) 1866 – the eldest two children are baptised in St Botolph’s Colchester – parents Ann and Augustus Krafft I can’t find Gustav (Augustus) anywhere in a census. In 1861 Ann is married, in 1871 she is a Widow. I have the rest of the family traced to the present time – James Richard obviously inherited some bad habits – he vanished for the 1881 census (perhaps army overseas) and committed bigamy in 1885. (is that another reason why I should change my name?) My big question – what happened to Gustav Adolph Krafft – I have scoured 1837 under every spelling I can think of – Krafft, Kraft, Crafft, Craft, Croft etc. A search of the American Census for Fairfield Con is interesting – Gustav Krafft with English wife Sarah………the hunt goes on.

It doesn't help when they couldn't spell and when they don't use their full given name. If only I could have a £1 for every if only's I'v said. Even when you get the family in one place it still remains hard. I have got back to 1744 with my Nan's family only trouble is I am looking for a Samuel Sumsion abt 1744 and there are 3 around that time. As his son is an only child it makes it harder trying to pin down which family he belongs to. But I have left that for now. At least it make our family history more interesting. Good luck Oh and I would keep your name, our name should be Dridge, but when granddad married in 1913 they spelt is Dredge and thats the way it stayed. Irene

Peter are you saying you should really be a Nurse? Not sure about the uniform!!! It occured to me that Kraft written badly might look like Raft or Braft? nell

Peter, Just because they weren't married when the first two children were born doesn't mean he isn't their father. He may have been unable to marry her because he was already married, but did so after his first wife died (you say he was a widower when they married). Have you tried finding them on the 1851 census? You never know - they may already have been living as man & wife. Good luck! Carole

What was his occupation. will that give any clues. Irene

I must admit that Kriefft is a spelling that I had not tried before, but I don't unfortunately think that this is him. Pity! Gustav A was a shoemaker when he married and is described on later documents (by James Richard) as a Riding Master and elsewhere as a Journeyman Confectioner. Frankly I don't know what to believe. Peter

Peter Someone has just found my husband's Carter family were called McCarthy in 1861 - this is why no-one could find his great-grandfather's birth cert!! nell