This is my first posting to the list, although some of you may have heard from me before or seen postings on the MIDMARCH list. I am descended from a line of JAMES's in the Bromfield and Ludlow area of South Shropshire. Here's a synopsis: A : William James, born in Culmington?, Shropshire in 1812, Labourer, married Mary Bounds (born in 1817 in Clun, Shropshire). He had 10 children : ------------- B.1 : Margaret James, born in Halton, Shropshire in 1840. ------------- B.2 : William James, born in Halton, Shropshire in 1841. ------------- B.3 : John James, born in Halton, Shropshire in 1843. ------------- B.4 : Fanny James, born in Bromfield, Shropshire in 1844, was christened in Bromfield, Shropshire the 23 June 1844, Dressmaker. ------------- B.5 : Emma James, born in Halton, Shropshire in 1847. ------------- B.6 : Elen James, born in Halton, Shropshire in 1849. ------------- B.7 : Elizabeth James, born in Halton, Shropshire the 12 December 1850, died the 11 December 1924, married Thomas Fox (born in Bromstead, Staffordshire). She had 5 children, including (before her marriage): ------------- C.7.1 : Fanny (Fannie) James, born in 1869, Domestic servant in Ticklerton Hall, Eaton, Shrops, died in Bishop's Castle, Shropshire in June 1932, married William Edward Marston, the 15 January 1894 in Shrewsbury, Shropshire (born the 11 June 1871 and died in June 1948 in Hornchurch, Essex, son of Unknown (Marston) and Mary Marston), (Notes : After birth she was looked after by her Aunt Fanny, who is described as her mother in 1871 census. She was also niece of John Cadwallader, butcher, and of George James, labourer, by each of whom she was later brought up. George James appears as her father on marriage certificate, at which time she was in service at Ticklerton Hall, Eaton under Haywood. In 1881 census, recorded as living with George James in Ludlow and in 1891 with Cadwallader in Bishop's Castle. Had a half-brother called Will. ) ------------- B.8 : Jennie James, born the 19 March 1852. ------------- B.9 : George James, born the 15 October 1854. ------------- B.10 : Mary James, born the 11 July 1857. ------------- It was the above Fanny James who was my great grandmother. I don't know who her father was. The birth was not registered and while I understand she was baptised there is no record of the fact! Maybe this all looks familiar to someone out there? Looking forward to hearing from you, Steve Priestley <[email protected]> also researching the surnames SAYCE, STOCKING, MARSTON, MULLARD, HICKMAN in Shropshire, CHUTER in Surrey and HAILSTONE in Wiltshire