« Reply #8 on: Wednesday 13 March 19 16:03 GMT (UK) »
I think then that we have to consider the date of birth as 'flexible'.
I found 3 John Ransley Kent births 1840 - 1865 that could be possibles for Alfred's father.
Births Mar 1855
Ransley John Sheppey 2a 577 [see below]
Births Jun 1856
RANSLEY John Charles Cranbrook 2a 450 [see below]
Births Dec 1863
RANSLEY John Oliver Cranbrook 2a 536
maybe worth following these up on censuses to see if they disappear before 1880 [when Alfred's parents would have been at sea]
and 2 marriages 1860 - 1880 sadly no middle names
Marriages Mar 1870
Bartholomew Mercy Ticehurst 2b 97
Harmer Zebulon Ticehurst 2b 97
Hayward Harriet Ticehurst 2b 97
RANSLEY John Ticehurst 2b 97
Marriages Dec 1872
Ransley John Maidstone 2a 923
TOMSETT Maria Maidstone 2a 923
Do any of these women's names ring a bell with Alfred's known siblings children?
ADDED: John Ransley born Sheppey appears in 1881 RG11; Piece: 124; Folio: 26; Page: 8 so unlikely to be at sea ca 1880
John Mansfield 30
Emma Mansfield 34
John Ransley 26 b Sheppey boarder, police constable
John B.J. Robinson 21
John C Ransley appears in 1891 in Bromley RG12; Piece: 630; Folio: 14; Page: 21 so unlikely to be at sea in 1880
John C Ransley 35 b Hawkshurst Kent, gardener
Sarah Ransley 32 b do
Elizabeth M Ransley 6
Helen S Ransley 3
Marriages Jun 1882
Martin John Cranbrook 2a 1128
RANSLEY John Charles Cranbrook 2a
REED Sarah Cranbrook 2a 1128
THORN Hannah Cranbrook 2a 1128
This may be John Oliver's death
Deaths Mar 1931
Ransley John O 67 Camberwell 1d 1122
He is probably with grandparents on 1871 RG10; Piece: 1046; Folio: 8; Page: 9
James Watkins 64
Harriett Watkins 58
John Ransley 7 b Cranbrook grandson
& in South Norwood in 1891 RG12; Piece: 594; Folio: 135; Page: 6
John Ransley 27 poulterer's asst [fish] b Flimwell
Agnes Ransley 28
Bertie Ransley 7
Harry Ransley 4
Nellie Grace Ransley 2 6/12
Margart Knight 65
Ernest Ledger 16
Fredk Finch 25
THis was all to see if there was a John Ransley with an occupation likely to take him to sea....
Seeking: RC baptism Philip Murray Feb ish 1814 ? nr Chatham Kent.
IRE: Kik DRAY[EA], PURCELL, WHITE: Mea LYNCH: Tip MURRAY, SHEEDY: Wem ALLEN, ENGLISHBY; Dub PENROSE: Lim DUNN[E], FRAWLEY, WILLIAMS.
87th Regiment RIF: MURRAY
ENG; Marylebone HAYTER, TROU[W]SDALE, WILLIAMS,DUNEVAN Con HAMPTON, TREMELLING Wry CLEGG, HOLLAND, HORSEFIELD Coventry McGINTY
CAN; Halifax & Pictou: HOLLAND, WHITE, WILLIAMSON