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Is there anyone out there who can help me. I'm trying to trace James CRISS who was born in England (probably Middlesex) around 1800-1805. He married Elizabeth Hill (b1805c) in 1831. James died in 1844 just prior to the birth of his son James in January 1845. The 1841 census records list Elizabeth and two children, and the 1851 census shows Elizabeth Criss living in London with three children Eliza, Emma and James. James (Snr) does not appear on the 1841 census. Could he have been away at war? How do I access British service records? And, how do I find out exactly when James was born, who his parents were, and whether he had any siblings? I'm in Australia, so trying to track down information is quite difficult. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks, Leonie

Leonie the info on the IGI gives the name of the church where they married if you can contact the archives that hold these parish records it should give you James's fathers name. JAMES CRISS Male Family -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Event(s): Birth: Christening: Death: Burial: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Marriages: Spouse: ELIZABETH HILL Family Marriage: 11 MAY 1831 All Souls, Saint Marylebone, London, England Georgina.

Marriages prior to 1837 do NOT give father's name, unfortunately. You need a parish baptism record for James' parents and to get that you need to have an idea which parish. Its quite likely James was born close to where he married, somewhere in Westminster, but equally likely that he came from further out in the London/Middlesex area, or even from quite far away, especially if he was a soldier. You could try looking by putting his name into the searchbox on The National Archives website, but not all soldiers' records have been indexed. He may have been working away from home in 1841, or in prison, etc! I have quite a few missing fathers in various censuses. What is the occupation given on his death cert? Another possibility is to see if any of his children's marriage certs give an occupation for their father - it should be listed even though he was dead. nell

Without census info, is the idea that he was English based on other information, and his birthyears a guess?

Whereabouts in London is Mrs Criss & children in 1841 and 1851?

He may be mistranscribed, as Cress, Cross etc. Old English handwriting also used a f for double s, so maybe Crifs or Criff? But without further info about him, you won't know if you find a likely candidate if its your chap or not.

Do you have any reason for thinking he was a soldier? Does it say he was on the son's birth cert? Oh, and do you have his occupation from either of the girls' birth certs? Have you got James senior's death cert, and if so, does it say his occupation on it? Kate.

Thanks everyone for your help. I've had a breakthrough. I've managed to get hold of some certificates which a family member had hidden away and had forgotten about. James was a coachman (possibly why he wasn't at home during the night of 1841 census). He was born in 1803. Elizabeth Criss and children were living in Marylebone during the 1841 and 1851 census. I now have to trace James' birth certificate and try to find out who his parents were. If I need some more help, I know who to call on. Regards, Leonie

Great to hear about your breakthrough, Leonie. Just thought I should mention that James (senior) would not have a birth certificate, as birth certificates only started in 1837 in England and Wales. The nearest thing would be a baptism. Kate.