Q&A
KATHERINE COBB is a member of AGRA based in Somerset
DEBBIE KENNETT is the author of DNA and Social Networking
STEPHEN D PORTER is a family historian with a particular interest in Jamaica
JAYNE SHRIMPTON is a professional dress historian and portrait specialist
ALAN STEWART is a family history writer, and author of Grow Your Own Family Tree
RUTH SYMES is the author of Tracing Your Ancestors Through Letters & Personal Writings
PHIL TOMASELLI is a military family history expert, and wrote Tracing Your Air Force Ancestors
SIMON WILLS is a genealogist, and author of Tracing Your Seafaring Ancestors
I’ve found two potential marriages for my 3x great grandfather. Which is the right one?
Q I inherited a jug given by (William) James Curtis, my great great grandfather (born c1820), to Lucy Dennis, his future wife. James died aged 30. His death certificate names him as William a “mariner”, the cause of death “apoplexy”, and he died on 18 November 1849 “off the north forland on board the schooner John Weavel of Hastings”.
His father was also called James. I found two possible marriages for James senior, one to Elizabeth Quilter in Abberton in 1813 and one to Sarah Bibby in Abberton in 1818. In the 1841 census, I found a James Curtis, aged 53, living with William and Susannah Quilter in Hythe Street, Colchester, where Lucy Dennis lived.
How can I find out more?
June Curtis
It’s worth pursuing
