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Seems busy anyone !!! Thanks Zoe:)

Hi, Any more ideas. Thanks Zoe :))

Hi Yvonne, Thanks for looking though, my only thought is he was at sea and not listed. I really need to find this man I wish there was some TV program that found normal people not celebs, lol Thanks again Zoe

Hi Susan, I did realise the different names of places but because I am from Sheffield I have no idea where they are I have a map and that makes everything look close. I am trying to keep an open mind about where they originated from as you say they could have been from somewhere else. Thanks for your advice it was much appreciated and any other info you have will be. Kind regards Zoe :)

Hi Jill, What a good idea I didn't know you could do that , could you give me the details I will do that tomorrow. Thanks Zoe:)

Hi Deborah, I have tried that man too but he is just not right and so weird because he is the only one. But thanks anyway. I said I had hit a brick wall but I think this is like a breeze block as my dad would say(he is a builder). Anyway thanks again Zoe:)

Hi Tracey, I have looked on the parish registers as far as I can see my eyes are bad and that is a no go too. Thanks Zoe

Hi Melissa, Thanks for your reply yes the death is James, but not sure about any of the births they don't seem to match. Thanks again Zoe :)

Not sure if this info is in the thread anywhere but Strood is a part of Rochester, which is next to Chatham in Kent. A lot of people who lived in that area would have worked at the old dockyard ... there are railway lines in the dockyard, so it may be that the accident was not a train (as in British rail) but a dockyard accident. Also .... Chatham and Chartham are two different places in different parts of the county. You didn't pick that up on one of the messages that was left! Su

Can't you apply for his birth certificate giving date of birth and father's name as references. You don't need the GRO ref. They will search 3 years worth of births - it costs £11.50. I've just sent off for my grandfather's birth cert this way as he is not on listings and his name is Simmons! I'm waiting for cert this week. Even if the year of birth is wrong for your man it's unlikely that his birthday will be incorrect - so it may be just a question of finding the right year. I would not get too bogged down in where someone thinks they were born unless you can find them on a census as they quite often think they were born in the area where they were brought up. - One of mine did that - on every adult census he put birthplace as Sevenoaks. Eventually I found an early census ref when he was with parents and birthplace was Lewes in Sussex. The family moved to Sevenoaks when he was about 18 months old - so that explained that. Good luck - bite the bullet and send off for birth cert with birth date and keep your fingers crossed!! Jill

Hi Zoe, I was looking at this in the early hours, it's intriging isn't it. Just idly poking around, to see what if I could come up with anything. Decided to follow up on Athena's reply (bottom of page 2) with the IGI baptisms for Henry Andrew Hawkins in Farnham. I thought she was onto something here, but sadly, I don' think it's 'your' Henry. I found him in 1841 with parents James & Hannah. Couldn't find him in 1851 or 1861, but in 1871 he is married to Jane living in Headley, Hants. They have a one year old sone - but - his name is Charles! Henry is a Baker, not an engine driver. In 1881 & 1891, he is still very much alive, still married to Jane and still baking. Couldn't find him in 1901, but it doesn't look like this is the right Henry Andrew, does it? Strange coincidence, though?? Debbie

Hi Guys, thanks for your replies juust going on the parish records for strood. Thanks tracey X

Hi Zoe, Have you tried the online Parish Registers for Strood? You may find something there...I did take a quick look but my computer is on go slow today and it was taking an age to get the images.

Hi Zoe, Just found your thread, if i'm way off or you've already solved it. Sorry. Is this your Chap? Death Index: Dec Q. 1948. James Hawkins deceased age 77. Sheffield. Vol 2d. pg 64. ( birth abt. 1871). You have marriage cert dated 1917 stating his age. (birth abt. 1871). However your Nan has 1870. So birth indexs: James Hawkins. Cookham. 2c. 367. Dec Q 1870. James Hawkins .St.Giles. 1b. 518. June Q 1871. James Hawkins . Wrexham. 11b. 320. June Q 1871. James Hawkins. Camberwell. 1d. 622. Dec Q 1871. James Hawkins. Potterspury. 3b. 27. Dec Q 1871. Those are the James Hawkins born in that date range. Take your pick. Is the one in Cookham possible? Maybe you could ask if someone has a parish register to check the birth before paying for the birth cert. Mel.

Ah Bless you Tabs, even if we don't find the chap its good to chat, lol I have been on here most of the day and my mum was getting cross because she was entertaining my daughter because its her grandad so she feels obligated. Anyway any other thoughts into the man. give me your e-mail I will forward a photo of the little b*****. Zoe :)

me again just get in from work having a night cap again,,,, intrested in this post so i came back

Sorry, I know some people come on this time of night just wondered if there were anymore bored housewives. lol Zoe :))))

Hi, I will try the kentonline thanks, also e-mailed a railway site hopefully they will know of Henry Andrew Hawkins. Any other ideas most welcome because I have no more. Thanks Zoe :)))

Hi Zoe... try www.kentonline...it takes you to the Kent Messenger... which is the local paper for all areas of Kent....they may have something in their paper archives regarding the train crash etc...good luck

James Hawkins is quite a common name and I can't find a date but I did find a James Hawkins training on the industrial ship Shafetsbuy i on missing ancestors.com The royal navy accepted boys at 13. I found a relative on a naval training ship in Bristol. HAWKINS James Under training Hoxton, Middlesex