help with Willis family, Wandsworth

[mamakaz]

hi there, x

im having trouble sorting out my family,

in the 1851 census,
James Willis b1825 Bermondsey,  Head 
his wife Julia Hatcher, living in Wandsworth 
occupation, pawnbroker
1 child, Julia Willis 4 Mo 

1861..
Julia Willis b1832,  Wandsworth, Head 
kids... 
Julia Willis 11 
Alice Willis 8 
Arthur Willis 6 
Kate Willis 4 
Frederick Willis 2 
 
no sign of james but still having willis kids...

1871...
Julia Willis 38 yrs she is a Lodger 
Condition as to marriage see http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,381526.0.html
Wm R Clark 27  Head
Julia Willis 38    Lodger
Kate Willis 17 
Fredk Willis 12 
Richd Willis 9 
Jesse Willis 7 
Minnie J Willis 9 months 

still no james, but youngest daughter Minnie is a Willis?
so where is James? how can i find where he was? or was julia playing with Mr Clark?
i cant find her in 1881 census??

i found a distant relly on ancestry who thinks james may have been a sailor, which would make sence why he is not on the census,

any help really appreciated, thanks kaz, x
 

[genjen]

Hi again,

Have you sent for the marriage certificate because if not, that should have an occupation for James.

In case you don't have it:

Jun 1849, Lambeth 4/269
James Willis
Julia Hatcher

Jen

[mamakaz]

thanks jen, x

i have a long shopping list on GRO, lol

[genjen]

There is a death for a James Willis in Lambeth 1854, which I am sure you have seen. I'd be tempted to send for one of the younger Willis birth certificates to see who, if anyone, is named as the father.

But I do understand - it is soooooo expensive!

Jen

[mamakaz]

you just broke my train of thought jen, lol

ive found a few deaths for james willis, i think this will only be resolved by getting certs, dont know which to order 1st, marriage? see what his occupation was, but im sure in 51 it says pawnbroker.

[genjen]

Oh yes, it definitely says Pawnbroker in 1851.

I'm not sure which I would send for first in your situation but it might be worth asking if anyone can check the baptism records for the children born to Julia after your last positive sighting of James. That might tell you if he is still alive.

Jen

[mamakaz]

ok, dont need to get the marriage cert, my distant relly (sally) has it,
it says that james was a salesman, She cant make out the word befor, its too blurry, and his father was william willis who was an excise officer?

maybe a salesman that travelled around the country?

[jorose]

In 1881 I believe she is in Lancashire:
William Clarke, 36, b. London
wife Julia Clarke, 48, b. Wandsworth
daughter Minnie Clarke, 10, b. Southwark
stepson Richard Willis, 19, b. Lambeth

I think they may have finally married in 1890: William Robert Clarke and Julia Willis are listed for the same reference in Toxeth Park district.

Some references around 1850 to James Willis, pawnbroker (giving evidence):
http://www.oldbaileyonline.org/browse.jsp?id=t18500304-name-868&div=t18500304-666
http://www.oldbaileyonline.org/browse.jsp?id=t18510106-name-246&div=t18510106-380

And one who was living at High Street, Wandsworth, in 1856 (possibly same address as Julia is at in 1861), but his occupation is not given.
http://www.oldbaileyonline.org/browse.jsp?id=t18561027-name-766&div=t18561027-1071
 

[mamakaz]

thanks jorose,

                     seems that julia had minnie while she was married to james, in the ealier census she was minnie willis.

I love oldbaileyonline, you never know who your going to find, theres a good chance its the right james,

cheers, kaz, x