too many children for James Long!

[Trees]

Can anyone suggest how I can sort out which James Long I want please?

Background of known facts:
John CRABTREE married Grace LONG in 1838 in Bradford her father was James LONG a comber

Grace was baptised 1818 in Guiseley daughter of James and Nancy LONG a clothier of Yeadon
there are 4 baptisms in Guisely for James and Nancy     GERVIS 1815 Grace 1818 Pamula 1821 and John 1823
James is living with John and Grace in 1861  piece 3321 fo 50 p 18 he is 80 born in Yeadon
Grace's son Joseph Crabtree is with James and Nancy in 1841 piece 1293 book 5 fo 37 page 4

James died in 1866 aged 84 and Nancy died in 1849 aged 66
There are three James LONGs baptised in Guiselry 1780-1783
There is a marriage for James Long and Nanney SAXTON in Guiseley in 1803

questions
1 Who was Jame's father, Joseph Nathan or David ?
2 How can I sort which of the 20+ children baptised to father James no mother's name in Guiseley 1803- 1815 are James and Nancy's

Any help with these questions will bw very welcome
Thank you for your interest.

[Calverley Lad]

When it comes to Guiseley most records are complete.
Have a look here: http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/eng/YKS/WRY/Guiseley/index.html
Check also Yeadon and Horsforth for any strays.
 Brian

[groom]

As a start I would write down all the children with dates and that way you can see which ones couldn't be siblings.

The fact that John and Grace named one of their sons Joseph might suggest that it was after John's grandfather?

[lizdb]

A few more ideas to add to groom's sensible suggestion as to where to start -
See when the other James' married.  If after 1803, then the baptisms between 1803 and that date are more likely to be James and Nancy's who are already married.
Look for Wills, see if children/grandchildren/nephew and nieces etc are named, to see if that helps put them in family groups. 
See if any of the children died in infancy, and if the burial record gives both parents names.

It will take time and patience!

[Trees]

Yes thank you I  know the records are well covered the problem is there are just so many records for children baptised to James Long in the time scale  I know there was  a James and Sarah married 19 April 1801 and James and Nanney/Nancy in 1803 in Guiseley but filling in the children between the marriages and 1815 is difficult as they are all sons or daughters of James with no mother named so who belonged to who and as there is also an Elizabeth baptised to a James 1799  and two children in 1797 one in April and one in Oct so possibly two James families before James and Sarah or James and Nancy  married then there is a Joseph in Oct 1801 it appears there may well be a third James having children at the same time.

[Trees]

I think there are three families at least look at these
Hannah   b: 7 Feb 1809   bap: 11 Mar 1809   f: James of Yeadon   m: -
Hannah   b: 10 Mar 1809   bap: 23 Apr 1809   f: James of Yeadon   m: -
Mary   b: 25 Oct 1809   bap: 12 Nov 1809   f: James of Yeadon   m: -

There are so many repeated names multiple David Hannah Joseph and Johns I if we go back a generation or two they'll all be cousins  i solve the immediate situation?

[lizdb]

It wont be easy ...
It may be impossible ....

We can only give you a few tips to help you, not a quick fix or instant answer!

[Trees]

HELP LOOK AT THIS MINI LIST
Benjamin   b: 21 Jan 1811   bap: 17 Feb 1811   f: James of Yeadon   m: -
Joseph   b: 6 Mar 1811   bap: 8 Apr 1811   f: James of Yeadon   m: -
David    b: 15 Feb 1812   bap: 29 Mar 1812   f: James of Yeadon   m: -
Rhoda   b: 29 Dec 1812   bap 24 Jan 1813    f James Farmer of Yeadon   m: Sarah

At last a mother named
Rhoda is unlikely to be sister of David but can we say who David's brother was with any degree of certainty?
Rhoda definitely has a brother James in 1815 and another four years later so not particularly close
Nancy had Gervis in 1815, Grace in 1818, Pamula in 1821 and John in 1823 so a pretty nice regular spacing so can I take  David 1812 is Nancy's son.

I do appreciate there can't be a 100% solution but a helpful discussion could lead to a reasonable grouping and poit towards which James married who