Genealogy Chat

Born in Thetford 1835
I cannot find him in any parish records but I know his father's name was george a boot and shoe maker.
He became a Blacksmith - i was wondering if i could find some apprentice records somewhere?Can anyone advise me please
Alice

Where is he in 1841 and 1851? I can only see him in the 1861 census.

Rose

Hi Rose,
Yes that is the problem, the 1861 and 1871 are the only times I have the whole family together. I know from his marriage certificate that his father was George a shoemaker. i have no record of him at all in Norfolk - I have looked at the parish records with no luck.

Thought maybe the apprentiship may be a lead as it was not the family business and there may be records somewhere. Beenlooking at this on and off for years. he is a major brick wall !

I take it you are looking for the parents names? Does he have younger siblings that you can find a birth cert for?

I dont spose his father married twice and James was adopted via a second wife?

1851
James Hitchcock abt 1835 Thetford, Norfolk, England Jonrney Wiggenhall St Mary The Virgin, Norfolk
Blacksmith Hitch Cox??

I like that one Jim or Thelma.

In 1841 his father is George a shoe maker.

Rose

It looks as though he may have left his wife. She's listed as married in 1871 but he's missing and she has a job as a laundress. A blacksmith's wife really had no need to work so this makes me think he's gone.

Have you seen the James Hitchcock with wife Jane? He's a blacksmith and I don't see a marriage for them. They are in Chislehurst in 1871 where James and Elizabeth were in 1861.

Rose

1871 England Census
Name: James Hichcock
Age: 32
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1839
Relation: Head
Spouse's Name: Jane
Gender: Male
Where born: Thelford, Norfolk, England
Civil Parish: North Cray
County/Island: Kent
Country: England
Disability: View Image
Registration district: Bromley
Sub registration district: Chislehurst
ED, institution, or vessel: 4
Household Members: Name Age
James Hichcock 32
Jane Hichcock 27
Jane Hichcock 4
Josephine Hichcock 10 months

Rose

Hi there.
Wow you have all been so busy! Sorry I have not been able to getback to you until now.
So do you think may have been James HitchCox?
I wondered where James was in 1871 - but wondered if he may have been way with the army - as they were in Woolwich . however the new wife theory fits pretty well too.
Any ideas how I can prove/add weight to the theory?
Thank you for all your help
Alice

Where is Elizabeth in 1881? Is she still alive?

Rose

In 1841 Downham Market there is a George Hitchcocks who is an apprentice blacksmith - was this a co-incidence do you think - or is he in some way connected to James?
He does have father george down as a boot and shoemaker on his mariage certificate though.
- odd
Think I will have to go to bed now - but your finds are quite exciting - I feel as though this could be a bit of a breakthrough.Thanks again.
Alice

Hi there Rose - sorry I think you must have been posting the same time as me .
I can't remember if I found Elizabeth in 1881.
Alice

You could try tracing Jane's maiden name to help trace the marriage.

Rose

Do you think James may have divorced his first wife Elizabeth ? She was still alive when he was with jane in 1871 and claiming she was married - or do you think he may have just taken up with Jane and pretended he was married ?
A Bit of scandal maybe - how exiting!
Alice

1841:

1841 England Census
about George Hichcock
Name: George Hichcock
Age: 45
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1796
Gender: Male
Where born: Norfolk, England
Civil Parish: St Peter
Hundred: Thetford
County/Island: Norfolk
Country: England
Registration district: Thetford
Sub registration district: Thetford
Household Members: Name Age
George Hichcock 45
Ann Hichcock 40
John Hichcock 15
Henry Hichcock 13
Robert Hichcock 10
James Hichcock 8
Mary Hichcock 5
Charles Hichcock 2

Rose

Oh, I doubt they divorced. It was very expensive in those days.

From what I've seen, a working, married women with no husband listed most likely means the husband's done a runner.

2 James from Thetford who are blacksmiths and living in Chislehurst.... A bit of a coincidence. Can't find them both on the same census either.

No obvious marriage for James and Jane.

Rose

Well that is brilliant Rose.
I reckon he is the same man - but I wonder why he dropped the Hitch - although i can understand why he picked it up again!
I can see george was a shemaker so it all fits perfectly !
Will try to look at the parish registers - I live in Norfolk so it may be a bit easier now i know I am looking for a Hitchcock!
Alice

Someone called Paul Peros has him in their tree and all the Chislehurst born Hitchcocks. Might be worth contacting him.

Rose

Thank you Rose. Will try that - maybe he will know about a marriage etc.
Alice

Hope you check back to this thread Rose. I found this on the Old bailey site:
56. JAMES HITCHCOCK (29), PLEADED GUILTY to feloniously marrying Jane Phillips, his wife Elizabeth being alive.— Confined Three Months.

Proves your theory was right ! Well done .