After their marriage in 1849 in Waterloo, South London, Aaron and Catherine Wales lived out their lives in Bermondsey and Southwark, close to the Leather Market South of the Thames. They raised nine children there, including my 2xgreat grandmother Alice Mary Wales. Aaron was originally from rural Norfolk, but married a girl from Newington. Were … Continue reading London Waleses: Aaron & Catherine’s family
Old Kent Road
James & Mary Ann Stocking: 325+ descendants
My 3xgreat grandparents James Stocking (1829-1883) and his wife Mary Ann Collins (1828-1881) had eleven children between 1851-1869 who in turn produced 121 children of their own, although not all survived infancy. I believe I have found records for: 11 children; 121 grandchildren; 174 great grandchildren and 21 great-great grandchildren (although I have not researched … Continue reading James & Mary Ann Stocking: 325+ descendants
George Thomas Stocking: A long-stayer
My 2xgreat grand uncle George Thomas Stocking (1862-1947) was a Bermondsey Leather Dresser/Finisher. He and his wife had 17 children, but are said to have lost seven of them in infancy. He was also the first of his siblings to be able to sign his name. After marriage, he raised his growing family, staying put … Continue reading George Thomas Stocking: A long-stayer
Robert Matthew Stocking: Life in the Land of Leather
There were many Leather Workers in my family in mid-late Victorian London, and my 2xgreat grand uncle Robert Matthew Stocking was one such. He lived in Bermondsey, 'the Land of Leather'. He and his wife Martha raised seven children, all of whom lived to maturity, unlike very many of his nieces and nephews. Why was … Continue reading Robert Matthew Stocking: Life in the Land of Leather
Richard Daniel Stocking: The loss of six children
My 2xgreat grand uncle Richard Daniel Stocking was born in 1857 and worked for a Tripe Dresser in Bermondsey. He married in 1880, but by 1895, he had been widowed. He lived until at least his 80s. Sadly, the same cannot be said of his children: of the eight born between 1880-1894, six had died … Continue reading Richard Daniel Stocking: The loss of six children
Mary Stocking: Nine kids, or eleven?
My great great grand aunt Mary Ann Susan Stocking was born in 1851, the eldest of 11 children. In her early years, she worked as a Flagmaker. In 1911, she states she and her husband William James Ward had also had 11 children since their marriage in 1873, seven of whom had by then died. … Continue reading Mary Stocking: Nine kids, or eleven?
Finding Victorian police records
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
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?!
My Stocking Roots 