Where was James Brown in 1861?

[James18]

Hi all,

I am trying to trace a man named James Brown, and I cannot find him on the 1861 census.

According to his 1841/51/71/81 census records he was born in 1837/8 in Porlock, Somerset. His 22/04/1866 marriage certificate to Emma Elizabeth Cowley says he is a widower, so I wonder if he may be with his first wife (whose name is unknown to me) in 1861, but of course he may have married after this date. I have no idea.

He seems to have died by 1891 as his widow is head of the family at that point, and as her youngest child is 3 on that year's census, and as there is a June 1888 death entry for a James Brown (matching his age) then I'd guess that is him.

If you just search census records on Ancestry for James Brown and Porlock, Somerset then his stuff will appear right at the top, but I can't find anything for 1861 with him in. I've found his father and two brothers and their families, but nothing for James.

Obviously it's a common name, but so far I think my details are all correct as they do seem to tie in with another family members, etc.

Any ideas where he's lurking?

[kiterunner]

The tree that you linked to there is private, James.

[James18]

Arghh, I am an idiot, sorry! I totally forgot about that.

I think I've found his first wife, anyway.

Elizabeth Martin, married 17/02/1861 in Bristol. There's a burial record for an Elizabeth Brown in the right area at the right time/age, which I think could be her. Here is the corresponding death entry.

Census records: 1841 1851 1871 1881

Apparently the 1861 census was taken in April, and so James should be with Elizabeth Martin at that time.

[kiterunner]

That Bristol marriage transcription gives James's father's name as William Brown; is that correct for your James?

[James18]

Yes, as far as I know, although James is the top person in my family tree.

His father was William, and he had brothers called William Jr and Amos. I've found census records for both of them, but not James.

[Merry]

Were you assuming Amos and William were his brothers because they are all grandsons on the 1851 census? (EDIT See next post )

I saw William Brown (mason) with wife Ann in Porlock in 1851 and wondered if James was their son but living with grandparents. The problem with that was William and Ann didn't have much of a gap between their other children in which to squeeze James!

I found some transcribed baps for Porlock and found this one which might be James:

James Brown mother Ann Porlock (base born) 25 12 1836

I wonder if William Brown from James' marriage cert was an uncle rather than his father?

This looks like William's bap:

William Brown parents John/Sarah Porlock Mason 11 4 1813

and he did have a sister, Ann:

Ann Brown John/Sarah Porlock Mason 13 2 1819 (EDIT: I expect that is her aged 21 with her parents and (probable) son on the 1841 census link you gave)

I don't have time for any more, but here's the link to the baps site:

http://www.wsom.org.uk/Parreg.html

[Merry]

Were you assuming Amos and William were his brothers because they are all grandsons on the 1851 census?

Now I'm more awake I realise I don't know where I got that from! lol (only one Brown grandson on the 1851!)

So, what was your source for the two brother's names?

[James18]

Merry, both of James' marriage certificates have William Brown as being the father: 1861 1866

Looking at the ages, I agree that Amos won't be William's son, but perhaps a brother. William Jr is likely his son, though.

1861: William William Jr Amos

Sorry for the mix-up! I was quite tired when I found the other family members.

Curiously, I cannot seem to find Emma Cowley in 1861 either, although I have found her in 1851 and 1871 - 1911.

[Merry]

Merry, both of James' marriage certificates have William Brown as being the father

Do you actually have the certs? I wouldn't be confident about the first one unless I'd seen the occupation of the groom and 'father'.

I'm still not convinced James isn't William's nephew!

[James18]

No, I don't have any copies.