RILEY; Manchester, London, ENG, San Francisco, USA; 1838-1999 I am trying to trace: 1) any US descendants of my gt gt uncle James (Jim) Edward Riley who emigrated to San Francisco in 1876. He was born in Manchester in 1852 to John Riley - a cotton merchant -and Anne Riley (nee Bolton). He was said to have married a lady who owned a laundry business in San Francisco and had saved himself upon arrival in SF harbour after his boat sank by climbing up the anchor of a nearby boat! When his ship sank he lost a lot of family silver with it, which he was reputed to have been given by his mother, whose favourite he was. I believe he had 2 daughters: Bessie Bolton Riley and Isobel Bolton Riley, the latter born in 1893 (and who married a Mr Sweet), and it is possible Jim had a son, John Ernest Riley. I think he may have had a son called John Ernest because in the will of one of Jim's elder sisters (died 1922), John Ernest (described as a Master Mariner), was charged with delivering some possessions of Jim's deceased sister to his two daughters. I think Jim may still have been alive in 1922 as he is not described as the 'late' James Riley, unlike some of his elder siblings mentioned in the same will. This is all I know of him (I have 2 photos of him taken probably in the early 1870s). As I said, Jim's father was a cotton merchant in Manchester, although born on a farm in Warwickshire (1810). Jim's mother, Anne Elizabeth was the daughter of William Bolton, owner of the Shakespeare Hotel in Stratford-on-Avon, Warwickshire. When Jim's father died in 1887, Jim returned to London for a few months, returning to S.Frisco in 1888. Secondly I am trying to trace other descendants of my gt gt grandfather John Riley (1810-1887). After Manchester he retired to Barnes, SW London in the 1860s. He had 9 children: 1) William Bolton Riley (1838-1885), known as Bolton, lived in Manchester. It is thought he married a Miss Fearnley, and had 2 children - Francis Bolton Riley and Anne Mary Riley (known as Mary). 2) (Rev) John Riley (1839-1914) - my gt grandfather - vicar of Murfield in W.Yorkshire and later Brill in Bucks. Married Charlotte Elizabeth Boys. 2 children: (Rev) Lambert Riley (1880-1948) - my grandfather - married Marjorie Grace Maton, and Margaret Riley (1883-1945) married Rev.Colin Millington. 3) Sarah Elizabeth Riley (c.1841-1890), married twice: Dr Samuel Booth, George Allen. No children. 4) Joseph St.Patrick Riley (1842-1897), known as Joe. A surgeon in Salford, Manchester. Married Emily Bibby (?). Probably 3 children (order unknown): Leonard Riley, Ethel Louise Riley (married a Mr Watson), and Dora Riley (b.1876) (married a Mr Wellwood). 5) Henry Walter Riley (born c.1847, year of death unknown). Married Mary Ann Leeds at Manchester Cathedral on 19th December 1870, William Bolton Riley being a witness. They had six children (approximate years of birth derived from their ages mentioned in the censuses of 1881 and 1891): Henry H Riley (born c.1872), Frederick W Riley (born c.1874), John E Riley (born c.1876), George E Riley (born c.1878), Florence Riley (born c.1880, probably died in infancy before 1891), and Mabel Riley (born c.1886). Last of John Riley's children to remain in the Manchester area. 6) Alfred Riley (1848-1929?). Married Florence Emily Winton. 3 known children (no order): Alfred Winton Riley, Florence Olive Riley, Emily Winton Riley. Alfred latterly lived in Saunderstead, Surrey. He may have worked in a bank. 7) Katherine Riley (1849-1922). Known as Kate. Lived all her life around Barnes/Putney/Sheen area. Never married. Buried in Chiswick with younger sister Annie. 8) Anne Eden Riley (1851-1923). Lived all her life around Barnes/Putney/Sheen area. Never married. Buried in Chiswick with elder sister Kate. 9) James Edward Riley (born 1852, year of death unknown). Known as Jim. Emigrated to San Francisco in 1876 (see above). 2 daughters, possibly a son - John Ernest Riley. If you know of a connection from this information to your own family, I would very much like to hear from you, especially if related to Wm Bolton, Joe, Henry, Alfred or Jim Riley. Thanks Charles MW Riley, London, UK "Charles Riley" <[email protected]>