Genealogy Chat

I am new to this site and would appreciate any suggestions! My ancestor was James Mumford, born Oct 1826 in Hatfield, England (emigrated to Canada prior to 1858). His parents were James and Martha Mumford. James (the son) owned a butcher store in Toronto, Ontario. His three sons also became butchers. A Mumford contact in Ontario (her ancestor emigrated to Ontario in 1848) has a record of a James Mumford, born in 1800 in Dunmow, Essex. He lived in Hatfield Broad Oak (HBO) in 1826 (and most likely prior). A James Mumford and a Martha Grange married in HBO in 1822 (don't know if that James is the one born in 1800). A James and a Martha Mumford had a son named James (christened in Jan 1827 in HBO) and the father's occupation was listed as butcher. Would appreciate any feedback -- how likely it is that the two James are the same? Do not know how to prove that they are from the same family. Thanks so much! Lisa

Welcome to the site. You will get loads of help and suggestions here so stick with us!! Quite a puzzle. Do you know if James jnr had any brothers and sisters? If so perhaps you can see who their parents were if you see what I mean. Did James jnr hava a daughter, was she called Martha? All little clues but nothing for definite to prove 100%. What did James snr do?(butcher? as well?) Perhaps he may be in a trade directory for the area. You might be able to track his movement, which may help. Reading your story it would seem as if you have the right one but try the above. I have the same problem on the Stork side of my family but not as much evidence as you. If I can think of anything else I will let you know. Let us know how you get on. Good Luck, John

Hi Lisa, I go to the Essex RO quite often - if you like I could have a look at the Parish Records for bmd's to see what turns up. Marriage record would show father's name and occ; baptism would show parents' names. Drop me an e-mail if you would like me to do anything in case I lose this thread on the tips board, but bear in mind I only go to the RO every week or two. All the best - Vanda

Hi John & Vanda. Thanks so much for your comments! I'm from Ontario; live in California; all ancestors from England or Ireland. I have records from the HBO church-unfortunately, the marriage record for James (1800) does not list his occ. It does have "E Mumford" as a witness--James (1800) did have sisters named Betsy and Mary Elizabeth. I do not know if my James jnr had siblings. He had four children but including middle names (nine names total) only two are not from his side or his wife's side. Josephine, my Ontario contact, lists her ancestors--all first-born sons named James: James (c1738), James (b1772) and James (b1800). James (chr1827) was the first son of James and Martha. My James (b1826) named his first son James. Haven't ordered records yet, but a James Mumford, butcher, sold his property in 1840-41. Perhaps in preparation to leave England? I need my James marriage cert (witnesses)-cannot find it anywhere! Thanks so much for your comments! Lisa.

This might put the cat amongst the pigeons. I assumed you had looked at the Mormons site. I have just looked and there are quite a few James that mathch even 1 at HBO but is a different wife. Have you looked at IGI there? John

Hi John. Thanks for the thought if LDS. My ancestor (unknown) wrote down names and dates of the Mumfords and Vaus (James married Susanna Vaus). I compared his records with the LDS -- they match wonderfully (for the Vaus' at least). Apparently the Mumfords in the early 1800s didn't know that they could use various names as just about every male was named James. Without consulting all of my printouts, I believe that every "Dunmow" Mumford on the LDS site is an ancestor of the Josephine in Ontario. The church in HBO did not allow the LDS to copy their records, that is why nothing is listed for HBO! There is one record for James and Martha -- marriage in 1822 in HBO. This was added by a member of the church. Thanks for your suggestion -- I've been researching for years, but am fairly new to the internet. Suggestions always appreciated!!! Lisa.