I have been looking for my gr. Grandfather listed above for a long time, but to no avail. Family memory said he was born on January 29, 1853 in Linton, Kent, England; however, I just received George C. Edwards naturalization papers and they state his birth place as Luton, Kent County, England. Since I have had no luck finding him in Linton, I wonder if anyone on the list knew how I might find him in Luton? On his Australian marriage license his parents are listed as William James Edwards and Elizabeth Hodges. He supposedly ran away to sea when he was 10-12 years old. Thank you for whatever assistance you might be able to provide. Sincerely, Phyllis K. Swanson Yuma, Arizona, USA

Hello Phyllis, There isn't a marriage on FreeBMD between William (James) EDWARDS and Elizabeth HODGES between 1837-1881, and no birth for George (Charles) EDWARDS 1850-1865. Maybe someone with access to the census can turn the family up for you. It may be though, that he was an orphan, and 'created' a family when he began his new life? Just a thought, as its happened before. On FreeBMD there IS a birth for George Thomas EDWARDS at Linton-Cambridgeshire (3b 494), March qtr 1853, which also covers the date of birth in January 1853. If he left home at a very young age - and has incorrectly remembered his own name - then he may have given incorrect names for his parents as well; speaking personally, I know I gave my own mother's maiden name incorrectly when I was in primary school, it was a similar-sounding name but still wrong, so its easy for a child to twist the facts slightly. It might be worth checking this entry further. Luton isn't in Kent, so again his young memory may be playing tricks. On FreeREG there is a also a baptism for George EDWARDS on 21 August 1853 at Darenth in Kent, parents William (a labourer) and Fanny EDWARDS (there is a burial in Darenth for William EDWARDS in 1870 aged 49 years). Also a baptism in Wymondham-Norfolk for George EDWARDS with parents William and Ann. Darenth is 29km (18 miles) from Linton-Kent; and 68km (42 miles) from Luton. Cheers Trish Nowra >I have been looking for my gr. Grandfather listed above for a long time, >but > to no avail. Family memory said he was born on January 29, 1853 in > Linton, > Kent, England; however, I just received George C. Edwards naturalization > papers and they state his birth place as Luton, Kent County, England. > Since > I have had no luck finding him in Linton, I wonder if anyone on the list > knew how I might find him in Luton? On his Australian marriage license > his > parents are listed as William James Edwards and Elizabeth Hodges. He > supposedly ran away to sea when he was 10-12 years old. > Phyllis K. Swanson > Yuma, Arizona, USA