Hello,

I am trying to trace my gg grandfather's family.

His name was John James b 1842 Gatcomb, Forest of Dean.

The information I have so far is that his father was James James (Mariner). I believe he died before 1851 but I have no other information.

His mother was named Sarah. I have documented her from the 1841 and 1851 census. However I have no record of her after that date. Nor do I know her maiden name etc.

John also had a brother named Thomas b1838 and I have been fortunate enough to trace his family.

If anyone can point me in the right direction with regard to any parish records for this family I would be very grateful. I seem to have come to a complete halt at this point.

Many thanks :)

There is also a baptism of a daughter :

20 September 1835 : Blakeney

Margaret Sarah JAMES - parents: James (Seaman) & Sarah - residence: Gatcomb

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Looking at Gloucestershirebmd: Possible Mother's surname SHAW

JAMES

Thomas 1837 (Mother's maiden name SHAW)
John: 1842 (Mother's maiden name SHAW)

???
Family Search has

James JAMES marrying Sarah SHAW - 16 September 1832 Portishead, Somerset

for starters

1851 Census, Sarah says she was born in Awre/Blakeney

Forest of Dean Records

Baptism at Awre: Blakeney Chapel

8 June 1806

Sarah SHAWE

parents: James & Christian (nee BEVAN)

BORN May 14

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James & Christian has buried a 5 year old daughter Sarah SHAWE - a year before 11 December 1805

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Using the Advance Search

On the records: James SHAW & Christian nee BEVAN -

had 10 children from 1794 to 1814 - all christened at Awre, apart from the last one at Blakeney Chapel (where James is listed as a Shipwright)

---

James SHAW married Christian BEVAN at Awre by Licence 21 January 1793 (Licence on Forest of Dean records)

There is a burial at Awre of James SHAW - 22 November 1819 aged 57

Gloucestershire Genealogical Database

has a Will of James SHAW of Gatcombe, Shipwright: 17 October 1845.

1841 Census
Gatcombe Are

Thomas SHAW - 30 Shipwright, born in County
James SHAW - 40 - Shipwright, born in County
Christian SHAW - 65 - Independent born in County

Sarah appears to be have her two sons after her brothers

If you Google:

Shaw Gatcomb

(without the e)

Under the heading:

The Baptist Magazine Page 250 Google Books

There is the Obituary of James SHAW aged 46 - Shipwright

January 1845

A memorial inscription at Blakeney Baptist Churchyard for a James and Sarah James

IN MEMORY OF
MARGARET SARAH
DAUGHTER OF
JAMES AND SARAH JAMES
OF GATCOMBE IN THIS PARISH
WHO DIED DECEMBER THE 8
1839 AGED .. YEARS
A YOUNG SCION EARLY TAKEN FROM
THE PARENT STOCK TO BE PLANTED
IN HEAVEN THROUGH THE MERITS OF
CHRIST
ALSO OF CAPTAIN JAMES JAMES WAS DROWNED AT
CORK DEC. 23 1847 AGED 44 YEARS
ALSO OF SARAH WIFE OF THE ABOVE
DIED OCT. 28TH 1868 AGED 61 YEARS

Thank you all so much. This is brilliant.

Solved quite a few mysteries for me.

Ancestry has transcribed the copy marriage and licence of James JAMES and Sarah SHAW which confirms the marriage given in previous reply is correct.

Somserset Bond & Allegations

16 September 1832

James JAMES Bachelor, of the Parish of Portishead \

Sarah SHAW Spinster of the Parish of Hard ***

x in the right column which states:

The name is thus spelt in the Licence, but the parties after marriage said it should have been spelt AWRE

By Licence

witnesses: **Thomas SHAW - Anne VIRGO

** probably her brother

and also copy of the Licence

James JAMES, Bachelor of the Parish of Portishead - MARINER, of the age of 21 years

Sarah SHAW, Spinster - of the age of 21 years of the Parish of HARD

Thank you :)

You have been a great help.

It is amazing how connected I feel to people I knew nothing about until fairly recently. Seeing their signature on documents, or reading the transcription of their gravestone. It just makes me want to learn more.

re

Margaret Sarah JAMES christened in 1835

??

On Gloucestershirebmd

Burial

Margaret Sarah JAMES - October 1839 - aged 4 Westbury on Severn, Newnham.

At present cannot this burial on any other records. ? or baptims of Thomas/John

One can only assume Margaret is a family name.

Looking at the 1841 census - there is next door (above) of

Thomas SHAW - 40 - Shipwright + his family

John JAMES - aged 55 (Mariner) - ? James JAMES and Sarah - named a Son John.

and above John JAMES

???

Richard JAMES - 40 Publican (on the 1851 census listed as a Gentleman)
Mary JAMES - 45
Joseph JAMES - 15
Eliza JAMES - 20

Richard JAMES - christened at Awre 1798 - parents: Philip & Mary
John JAMES - christened at Awre 1788 - parents: Philip & Mary

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There is a previous thread dated 28 May 2014

re: Marriage of Phillip JAMES to Mary MARSHALL etc

James was the captain of a brig the "Lady Kenmare". The brig shipwrecked two years after his death near Pembrokeshire.

The following is all the information I have on the ship.

“The schooner Lady Kenmare, James, from Lidney to Cork, with coals, has put into Solva, with loss of main-boom and other damage.” - The Cambrian, 5th December 1835.

“The brig Lady Kenmare, James, from Lydney bound to Cork, with coal, sailed on Sunday last, and proceeded about 60 miles to the westward of the Smalls, when she sprung a leak, and at 8PM on Monday, she had made eight feet of water in the hold. In this perilous situation, her boat, bulwarks, stanchions, &c, were washed away, and her deck became soon cleared. The brig Starling, being in company, rendered every possible assistance, and hove a rope on board, in order, if possible, that the crew might effect their escape; but the rope unfortunately broke, and consigned four men to the mercy of the waves, one of whom, named Thomas Davis, of Milford, was unfortunately drowned; the remaining three succeeded in regaining their vessel, which, through great exertion, they succeeded in keeping afloat until last night, when they made this harbour, and got in safe, with 11 feet of water in the hold.” - Cardiff and Merthyr Guardian, Glamorgan, Monmouth and Brecon Gazette, 17 December 1836

“The brig Lady Kenmare, James, from Lydney, bound to Cork, with coal, which arrived here in a leaky state last week is now being discharged, in order to undergo the necessary repairs.” - Cardiff and Merthyr Guardian, Glamorgan, Monmouth and Brecon Gazette, 24 December 1836

Ship: Lady Kenmare
Master: J. James
Tons: 125
Build: Perth 1795
Owners: T&J Shaw
Port belonging to: Gloucester
Destined Voyage: Gloucester Coaster
From Lloyd’s Register of Shipping (1839)

“May 22, the Betsey, Allen, arrived at Plymouth from Gloucester; and the Lady Kenmare, Jones, from Youghal to Lydney, put into angle.” - Gloucester Journal, 27 May 1843.

“Five guineas have been paid by the Shipwrecked Fishermen and Mariners Benevolent Society to the widow of Mr. James James, of Lydney, late master of the brig Lady Kenmare, of Gloucester, a member of the society. Mr. James was unfortunately drowned in Cork harbour last winter.” - Gloucester Journal, 10 June 1848.

Interestingly the owners are listed as T&J Shaw. Sarah Shaw's brothers Thomas and James lived in Gatcombe building ships together.

Thank you.

I believe that the ships owners could have been Sarah's brothers too.

Still looking into that one :)