Seeking Parents of William James b c1850 who married Emma Double 1873

[Robincrook]

1873 Marriage Registration Dec Qtr
William James=Emma Double Colchester Vol 4a Page 554

William was 23 and Emma 19

Indications are that William's father is George and mother Harriett but I cant find the family in any Census's that I can see post 1851! Perhaps someone has access to parish registers that may find Thomas and Harriett's marriage! Really frustrated! Anyone? Thankyou Robin.

Harriett now appears to be a red herring as it applied to family that I thought may have been the correct one but now I am more than ever convinced that William was indeed born in the Bristol area and subsequent leads look promising! Sorry that this has caused confusion! It is the nature of Family History Research sometimes! Regards Robin

[Pennines]

Thank you Robin -- don't worry - it would be boring if it went smoothly!!

[Robincrook]

Thankyou everyone! There has been a lot of work done to get me this far! Why would William come to Colchester from Bristol.... seems an unusual move. I am now wondering if he was in the military as Colchester was and is a Garrison town! Robin

[Pennines]

Funnily enough, Robin there is a William James b abt 1849 in Bedminster, Bristol - enlisted in the Army in Liverpool in Nov 1871, aged 22 -- but became unfit for duty after seeing a medical board in Colchester in 1880.

However he was a Clock Maker by trade and his intended place of residence on discharge was Bristol.

He is possibly not yours - and if not, there was clearly another William James around at the same time as your William - and if both were born in Bristol around the same year - it could be causing confusion as to your William's birth record.

[Robincrook]

I have now received the Marriage Certificate for William James (23) who married Emma Double (19).
The information is as posted by "Ladyhawk" previously ie

William James
Residence   Golden Hill
Marriage 15 Oct 1873 Essex Colchester, St Giles
Spouse Emma Double Spouse's marital status   S
Father George James  occupation   Lath Splitter
Spouse's George Double  occupation labourer
Essex Record Office

In addition, the Certificate gives William's Rank or Profession as Private 50th Regiment.

I did wonder previously if he had come to Colchester because of the town's Army connection however I can find little reference to a 50th Regiment at the Garrison. I really am struggling. So near to his Marriage in 1873, I fully expected to find him locally in the 1871 Census. Also Golden Hill where they were both living at the time of their marriage is not a stand out street/road in Colchester unless it is the same as Golden Noble Hill for which there are several references on Google. I've been around the block a few times with this and am still none the wiser. Perhaps there is an attestation that might give me info but so far I have drawn a blank. I am hoping fellow Rootschat members might be able to throw some light where I have not been able, many thanks, Robin.

[jonw65]

Hi
The worldwide army index for 1871 has a William James in the 50th (The Queen's Own) Regiment Of Foot.
Regimental number 1410.
If you can access that it will tell you whereabouts in the world he was stationed.

[jonw65]

There is this...is it him?
Courts Martials Registers
William James of 50th Foot
9 Oct 1871, Aldershot
Ref WO 86/20

[jonw65]

Perhaps there is an attestation that might give me info but so far I have drawn a blank.

Not sure you are going to find that. But WO 97 pension records for some in the 50th Foot with similar numbers to WJ in 1871, John Morse, b. 1852 (1411), Henry Duck, b 1850 (1415), Edwin Delve, b. 1852 (1419) - all born Gloucestershire
Thomas Coleman, b Staffs 1850 (1408) , etc,
And all in the 1871 army index (muster rolls)

[jonw65]

1871 census, must be 1410?
50th Queens Own Regiment of Infantry at South Camp, Aldershot
piece 819 folio 38 page 22
William James, Unm, 20, Private, born Newport Monmouth
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VRNF-3WH

Maybe this isn't the right William James?

Essex newspapers have the 50th Regiment stationed at Colchester in 1873.