Hi
I am looking for any evidence of James Bain, born c 1852 in Scotland.
He married Barbara Kish Watson in St Thomas, Sunderland on the 14th June 1874.
He gave his age as 22 years, his occupation was a 'plumber' his address 1 Back Villers Street (the same address as Barbara), and his father as George Bain, a carpenter.
He and Barbara can be easily followed on the 1881, 1891 and 1901 census in Sunderland - both had died prior to 1911.
James persistently gives his place of birth as just 'Scotland'
The couple had four children George, born on the 4th December 1875, Joseph Henry, born on the 18th February 1878, sadly dying on the 30th April 1879, Elizabeth Christie, born on the 1st January 1881, and Ernest Edward, born on the 9th January 1884.
I cannot trace James with any certainty prior to his marriage.
I did think, before I got his marriage certificate, that James' parents could have been a James Bain (c1827) and his wife, Catherine.
They firstly appear on the 1861 England census in Newcastle with their children - Jennet, aged 12 years, James, aged 7 years, and Eliza and Catherine, aged 2 years.
However, by 1871, they can be found in Monkwearmouth, Sunderland - James (elder) was an engineer of a steamship, whilst James (junior) was an apprentice engineer.
Eliza, now aged 12 years - appears as Eliza C (did think it maybe Christie).
She married John Bland in Southwick on the 25th August 1879, confirming her father as James Bain.
Elizabeth's place of birth on the 1881 census is Aberdeen.
By 1891, her widowed mother, Catherine, is living with them, and by 1901, Catherine is living in Southwick with her widowed sister, Margaret Mason (nee Dixon/Dickson).
However, whether this family has anything to do with 'my' James is unclear - can anyone help??
Thanks Sue