> Eleanor wrote: A few days ago I discovered an 1877 book online by the title of "The > Letters of the Late James Fawcus MD". What a wonderful resource. But alas this James is not "my" James, who I've now established was almost certainly the son of Francis b. abt 1808 in Newham near Eglingham and his wife Margaret Hay b abt 1811, Todlaw Moor NBL. Their only son James was born about 1837 in Heworth, Co. Durham according to various censuses, married in 1861 in Newcastle and was a guard on the NE railway in 1861. A distant cousin says she thinks James died in a railway accident. The 1871 Census shows Isabella his wife as Head of household and a general dealer in Pilgrim St Newcastle, which I understand is still one of the main shopping streets. My cousin theorises the railways may have given her some assistance. A James Fawcus died in Tynemouth in Dec 1871. I really will have to get his death certificate, it seems! Nancy in NZ