James Walter King not found in census before 1871

[deoxy]

Hello. I'm trying to find James Walter King born about 1840 Foot's Cray, Kent, in the census before 1871. In 1871 he is with his wife, who I think is Mary Ann Welch/Walsh, living in Oyster Street, Portsmouth. Occupation hawker.  I also can't find the marriage.
Any help would be appreciated thanks.

[CaroleW]

Any children?  Have you checked for birth reg on freebmd then used GRO online to confirm if mothers maiden name is Walsh/Welch

www.freebmd.org

https://www.gro.gov.uk/gro/content/certificates/Login.asp

[CaroleW]

The 1871 entry you refer to - where does it say he was born in Kent?  Shows London as his birthplace and 1843 as his birthyear.  Only shown as James - not James Walter.  Are you sure you have the right person?

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VFDN-R3S

[Mabel Bagshawe]

Marriage - a bit later than some of the children were born and registered with the King surname!

Q1   1876  Portsea Island  Vol 2b

Ellen Maria Delany
John Garvine
James Walter King  <<<<
Mary Ann Welch   <<<<

This may be why you're having issues

Royal Hospital Chelsea Pensioner Admissions and Discharges, 1715-1925

James King
Pension Admission or Examination Date:    26 Jun 1866
Pension Admission or Examination Age:    26
Birth Place:    Foots Cray, Dartford, Kent
Regiment:    Rifle Brigade 2 Battalion
Rank:    Sargeant
Regimental Number:    364

[Mabel Bagshawe]

A possible on 1851 - living in Foots Cray

George King    39 - carman b  Foots Cray
Harriet King    37 - b Orpington
Eliza King    14 - b Chislehurst
John King    13 - b Chislehurst
James King    11 - b Chislehurst
Sarah Ann King    6 - b Chislehurst
Jane Smith    47 - lodger b Woolwich

HO107; 1606; 546; 14;

1841 similar - enumerated as in Chiselhurst but address is Foots Cray

[deoxy]

Thanks Carole and Mabel,
Foot's Cray is near Bromley so Kent/London. I can't find the 1871 census again on Ancestry. I thought it said hawker...
The 1851 one looks like it might be the right person thanks. In 1861 there is a James King on a prison hulk in Portsmouth. Born in Beckenham which is near Bromley. I wonder if that's him?  The 1881 census has him born in Foot's Cray. Good idea about the GRO births. Well done for finding the marriage.

[Mabel Bagshawe]

James appears to be in Lewisham as a general labourer in 1861 (b Chiselhurst). Probably with his brother John - right age, says b Maidstone

[Mabel Bagshawe]

In 1861 there is a James King on a prison hulk in Portsmouth. Born in Beckenham which is near Bromley. I wonder if that's him?  T

It's not a prison hulk, it's HMS Geyser which is tied up alongside the hulk Victorious. That James King is b c 1837 and married - a stoker

Added: think he's this chap, so probably not yours. http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D7895445

[deoxy]

Thanks very much Mabel. That's very helpful.