Hi Trish, just getting to grips with roots chat, just came upon it when I typed James Wantling into Google, in my frustration to find out more about him and his, or as it seems with my Great grandmother not his, maybe Mr Smith's ! I've been hoping to find a New Zealand/Australian connection. Up till about 10 years ago was still corresponding with a Yalden in NZ. I have a letter that he wrote to my Dad and they are talking about Dobsons and Davenports. It says that his grandmother was a Christine Dobson. I have quite a bit of info on the wantling /yalden line, more on the yalden than anything. Lousia Yalden, supposed daughter of James Wantling was my great grandmother, she married Charles Yalden who was born in Octago. One of their daughters, also Louisa, she is listed as Lucy on the 1901 Census, was my grandmother and she married Robert John Stanley Stephens, and my Dad, Robert, was one of their 3 sons.
Charles Yaldens father was also a Charles Yalden, he was born in Tooting near London, and Married a Mary Jane Franklin who was born in Hobart Tasmania, which is were they got married. He was in New Zealand in the Brithish Army 12th Regiment. The time is around 1860-66. He must have been fighting in the Maori wars. Anyway if you want to mail me I can send you some photos, documents etc. be great to hear from you, its email address removed by moderator - please use the secure Rootschat personal message system to exchange email addresses thankyou. The Rootschat pesonal message system will be automatically activated once a Rootschatter has posted three times on the main boards.