James L Bailey

[QueenoftheWest]

James L Baileys (born 1899) parents were James Bailey and Lettice Lancaster (died 1899) On the marriage record (1891) it states James Baileys father as a James Boston.

The only census data I can find on a James Bailey starts in 1901 when he was 36. No trace before.

I did find a James Boston(was he born Bailey) that fits on the 1871 Census with a father of James Boston.

Oooh, another mystery. This is one mysterious family!

Working methodically:

On the marriage record (1891), it states James Baileys father as a James Boston.

It also includes an occupation for James Boston, which is sawyer.

A witness to this marriage is Mary Ellen Boston. In 1893, 21-year-old Mary married Thomas Boulton. Mary's father is named on the certificate as "James Boston" and his occupation is "sawyer." A James Bailey also witnesses this marriage, although he signs by mark.

So it looks like we have a sister of James called Mary Ellen, who was born c.1872.

On the same page as James Bailey's marriage to his second wife, Hannah Byram, is the marriage of Sarah Jane Boston, aged 24, to James Bailey. Sarah Jane's father is named as "James Boston" and his occupation is "sawyer."

So it looks like we have another sister of James called Sarah Jane, who was born c.1876.

This lead me to the following 1881 census:
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q27V-X3T3

Mary Ellen and Sarah Jane are living with their father, James, who is an "under circle sawyer." The family is enumerated under Bossen.

In 1891, James 'Bossen' is with them. He is enumerated as married, but Lettice is not with him:
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:WSVK-ZW2

I searched for Lettice, and she is with her parents in 1891.

Mary Ellen was actually born in Wales, which is where the family was living in 1871:
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V5BY-HY3

I think I may have found the explanation for why James sometimes used the name 'Bailey'. Here's the birth registration for one of James' siblings:

BOSSEN, SARAH  JANE  mother's maiden name BAILEY 
GRO Reference: 1875  S Quarter in LEEK  Volume 06B  Page 310

So James' mother's (Hannah) maiden name was Bailey. I'm still searching for a marriage between James and Hannah, so I'm wondering whether James was born before their marriage and under the legal name of Bailey? I've seen this sort of name switching in my family.

There is a possible baptism in Horton in 1867 for a James Bailey, illegitimate son of Hannah, which may be the right one.

Have been in hospital today for a minor procedure, and the medication has given me a bit of a headache, so I apologise for any mistakes! Just thought I'd give you my findings.

Queenie 

[Cas (stallc)]

 Excellent sleuthing Queenie 

There is this marriage which would cover the area they are in 1871 Meifod, Montgomeryshire.

Marriages Mar Q 1868  same page as others
BAILEY    Hannah        Llanfyllin    11b   324c    
BOSTON    James        Llanfyllin    11b   324c   

Looks likely

BOSTON, HANNAH   -    BAILEY 
GRO Reference: 1869  S Quarter in LLANFYLLIN  Volume 11B  Page 245

BOSTON, MARY  ELLEN     - BAILEY 
GRO Reference: 1871  S Quarter in LLANFYLLIN  Volume 11B  Page 233

Cas

[softly softly]

Good research Queenie, trust your feeling a lot better today.

John

[MattBailey]

Hope you are feeling better! You have been amazing with all you have found.

I wish this family would stop changing its name between Bailey/Bossen/Bosson and Boston!

I found the 1861 Census which has James Bossen (born 1840) as the Farmers son, but also lists a Hannah Bailey as a servant (born 1848). I assuming James fell in love and ran off with the Dairymaid here as there is a 8 year age gap!

In the 1871 Census everyone is in Llanfyllin and James and Hanah are now married with 2 children Thomas and Hanah. I agree with Cas that it looks like they got married in 1868.

I still can't find a record of the birth of James Bossen/Bailey (born 1864), he was the first born of James and Hannah (before they were married). Hannah was 13 in 1861, so was around 16 when James was born, I am starting to understand why he was given Hannahs maiden name of Bailey. As we know the family moved to Llanfyllin between 1861 and 1868, he could have been born in Biddulph or Llanfyllin I suppose?

[QueenoftheWest]

Thank you all for your kind words 

Feeling a bit better today, just a mild headache.

On the census, James' birth place is Staffordshire, so it seems like he was born before James & Hannah went to Wales.

I still quite like that 5th May 1867 baptism in Horton I mentioned, but it is a few years later than 1864/5. Although, he may have been baptised as a toddler, rather than an infant.

I cannot find a birth registration for an illegitimate James Bailey in the Leek registration district (where Horton and Biddulph are located) from 1863-1867. There is an illegitimate 'Jim Bailey' birth registration in nearby Congleton in 1864, but it is very hard to tell with such a common name.

Just to go back to the original query about James Leonard Bailey, I personally would order the birth certificate, just to confirm the theory. I am a rather cautious genealogist, and everything points to this being the correct James Leonard, but better safe than sorry!

Queenie 

[MattBailey]

Just to double check it’s Volume 8C on page 196 for James Leonard Bailey?

I assume I do this on the GRO website?

Thanks!

[QueenoftheWest]

Yep, Volume 8C, Page 196:

BAILEY, JAMES  LEONARD            LANCASTER 
GRO Reference: 1899  J Quarter in WARRINGTON  Volume 08C  Page 196

Search for it using the GRO Online Index and you will be able to order it from there.

I would order the .pdf copy for £7. Cheaper than the paper option and arrives faster (last one I ordered took about a week).

Fingers crossed James' birth date comes back as 24th March! Keep us updated when you receive the certificate.

Queenie 

[MattBailey]

We have a match!!!

Born 24th March to Lettice Bailey (Lancaster) and James Bailey!

[softly softly]

Great news, as they say "another one bites the dust"

John