Constable James Pay/Sinking of Princes Alice

[Kincaid444]

Good evening Rootschatters,

I have been extolling the virtues of Rootschat to a friend and in order to show her how wonderful it is, I would be very grateful if you would indulge me and find some information on an ancestor of hers - a Mr James Pay, of Maidstone in Kent, who joined the police force (Metropolitan I believe) in 1859 and who was also involved in the unpleasant task of recovery of bodies from the sinking of a pleasure steamer on the Thames - the Princes Alice.   I have to confess I find it hard to believe the supposed death toll of 700 souls as I cannot imagine this would have slipped from public consciousness, even after over a hundred years.  Did such a sinking happen and was the death toll so horrendous?

Thank you and please accept my appreciation of any results

Kincaid

[Laurina]

If you google sinking of Princess Alice the story comes up - On September 3, 1878, she was making what was billed as a "Moonlight Trip" to Gravesend and back.

Laurina

[casalguidi]

The same James PAY who is Igorstrav's relative

http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,341802.0.html

Casalguidi

[Kincaid444]

Hi Casalguidi and Laurina,

Thanks for the lightning info - my friend is very impressed - especially with the link to Igorstrav who is obviously an undiscovered - until now - relative.

Speak again soon

Regards

Kincaid

[IgorStrav]

Rootschat scores again!   

Well done Casalguidi, you are just ace 

Another family connection established, I have - as other Rootschatters will know - lots of Pay family photos and am very pleased to be in touch with Kincaid and his friend.  Can't wait to establish the degree of cousinhood between us.

best regards to you all! 

 

[casalguidi]

Just in case you haven't see it, do look at the following thread (you  will need to read right through) which shows a number of Metropolitan Police records now freely available online http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,386714.0.html

Casalguidi

[genealogiepay]

@Igor Strav:
Happen to have a William James Pay (died 1873-1881) in London, or his son Willam Arthur, in your tree?
Thanx a million
Robin

[IgorStrav]

@Igor Strav:
Happen to have a William James Pay (died 1873-1881) in London, or his son Willam Arthur, in your tree?
Thanx a million
Robin

Hi there Robin

Of the large number of Pays in my tree, I don't have a William James or William Arthur, sadly.  Quite a few Williams (no middle name)

However, can you give me more details of your two Williams (date of/place of birth, any censuses you have them in, anything else) and I will have a look to see if I can tie them in anywhere?

And thank you for reminding me of this thread of nearly 10 years ago - I cannot now remember how I am related to the person who wrote the original post!

[rosie99]

Igorstrav there is more info here

https://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=751879.