My 3xgreat grandfather James Stocking is described as a policeman on the 1861 census, and his son Arthur's marriage certificate of 1891. On all other records, he is described as a Hawker, Carpet Stool Hawker, Rope Mat Maker or Labourer. How can I find out if he really was a policeman? What sources are available? … Continue reading Finding Victorian police records
Mat Maker
Mary Ann Collins: Born 1828, but when did she die?
I know when Mary Ann Collins was born; but what happened to her after the 1881 census? My 3xgrandparents James Stocking and Mary Ann Collins married on 22 November 1849 at St Mary Newington, South London and lived in Southwark for the following 30 years. They had a total of eleven children, all of whom … Continue reading Mary Ann Collins: Born 1828, but when did she die?
James Stocking (1829-1883): A Southwark life
Even though he was born before civil registration of births in England from 1837, the early life of my 3xgreat grandfather James Stocking was relatively easy to trace. He married Mary Ann Collins in 1849, lived in and around Kent Street, Southwark for a further 30+ years, and died there. I used old maps and … Continue reading James Stocking (1829-1883): A Southwark life
James Stocking (1829-1883): A Hawker or Policeman?!
On just two records, my 3xgreat grandfather James Stocking is shown as a Policeman. How can that be? He was born around 1829 in Southwark, South London, the son of Thomas Stocking and Susan Brown. Various records, including censuses and family birth, baptism, marriage and death records, show him to have had fairly lowly occupations, … Continue reading James Stocking (1829-1883): A Hawker or Policeman?!
He married his deceased wife’s sister … was that legal?
At some point after the death aged 49, in 1907, of my 2xgreat grandmother Alice Mary (née Wales), her widower and their youngest children moved from their home at Herman Road, Camberwell, to Beechfield Road, Catford in South East London. They had been married for 32-3 years and had raised 19 children together. In 1919, … Continue reading He married his deceased wife’s sister … was that legal?
My Stocking Roots 