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I think it would be worth contacting the local newspaper or family history society who will probably print an appeal for more information. Our local history society charges about £2.00 for a look-up much less than a professional geneologist. Do you have any relations or does your nan have any friends who could remember a bit more? Anne

Hi Athena, I have seen this and he is the only Henry Andrew I can find anywhere. i will see if i can see him on the census. speak in a bit :)

Athena - I'm almost certain that is the birth of that Henry Andrew Hawkins whose death I found, who is the wrong one. Kate.

Have been reading through this and not sure if you already have this info but it might come in handy: From the familysearch site: Henry Andrew Hawkins - chr 1838 Farnham Kent F: James M: Hannah ps - am off home now so will check back in again later to see if anyone's found more on this for you and I'll have another dig around myself if not.

Thanks Margaret, also Jane, not so hard a Waggoner drives a wagon or carriage, duh ! :)

Hi again, for the railway acident you could write to the National Railway Museum in York, they do have details of these events also have you tried the Kent Local Studies in Strood, Kent maybe they have this in their files. Good Luck Margaret

Hi Jane, I know sorry it is a mystery this is. I have seen that but ruled it out for some reason, maybe it was the date. Anyway no I have never found a birth registered for him the date of birth came from my Nan's birthday book and it says my beloved father 14/12/1870 - 1948. Just going to see what a waggoner was. Thanks Zoe:)

Hi Margaret, Yes that is where my nan said he came from. Can't find any ref to him though. If anyone would like a picture of this Chap, his marriage cert or even his grave let me know, lol Regards Zoe :)

Zoe, you've got me intrigued too now, lol found this in 1871 Edward Hawkins ,abt 1854 Chartham, Kent, England Son Harbledown Kent Frances Hawkins abt 1820 Chartham, Kent, England Wife Harbledown Kent Henry Hawkins abt 1812 Dunkirk, Kent, England Head Harbledown Kent Henry Hawkins abt 1847 Chartham, Kent, England Son Harbledown Kent James T Hawkins abt 1862 Dunkirk, Kent, England Son Harbledown Kent now i know James birthdate is slightly out, but had a couple of other things going for it, Harbledown is in region of CHARTHAM, Kent, and Henrys occupation is waggoner, and Henry jnr is railway labr, so they were both in railway business...... do you have James' birth certificate? notice you have full dob for him but not said where he was born. Jane

Hi: Have you thought of STROOD, Kent which is not too far away from Chatham docks?? MArgaret

Hi Kate, Your right but because there are no records I wondered if someone knew any other records that I don't, you know like you see on TV going to places of work and stuff. They make it look so damn easy. Thanks Zoe

I don't really know what a professional genealogist will be able to find that you can't. If it was a question of paying somebody local to look at parish records, it might be worth it, but surely unless he is a specialist in train crashes, he will just look at the GRO indexes and censuses same as us. And perhaps charge you for getting certificates that turn out to be the wrong ones? My only experience with a paid researcher was pretty disappointing, especially as I was paying him to do some research in his supposed field of expertise and I had to keep reminding him what the information was that I already had, and what he was supposed to be looking up! Kate.

Hi Kate, No I didn't get that one because I followed him up the census years and he never had a son James and also lived in the wrong area. You will probably remember his name I bet everyone on this site does by now, lol Thanks Zoe :)

If thats the ref for the train death mans death cet-get it!! It will hopefull give your more info on area etc and maybe his wifes name if she registred the death?

Hi Gwyn, My nan always said he died in a train crash and then when I applied for James marriage cert it says father Henry Andrew Hawkins, deceased Engine driver. So I am not sure. I have been looking on a web site which lists major train crashes but can't see anything yet. This man must be laughing his head off at me, I wish I could get a sign. lol Thanks again Zoe:)

Zoe, please can you just remind me if you ever got this death certificate, or otherwise ruled it out? I know his name rings a bell, but I can't remember all the details of previous threads about him! Deaths Sep 1906 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hawkins Henry Andrew 69 Alton 2c 96 Kate.

I wonder if Nan is assuming the train accident? An engine driver need not have anything to do with railways. Perhaps it was a farm accident, or similar, that killed him. Sorry It doesn't really help, but is something we ought to consider. Gwyn

Hi Peter, Don't mean to sound silly but what is web master. That sounds interesting. Regards Zoe :)

Try and track down the railway accident. If he lived in Strood Henry probably worked for one of the local companies. Contact [email protected] and explain that you are looking for an accident in the 1870/1880's in which Driver Henry Hawkins was killed. The only birth in the Strood area is James Hawkins - JunQ 1872 Medway 2a 475 Good luck Peter

It could have been the father (the train driver) who originated from Kent. A lot of railway employees ended up a long way from their birth place, as the railway system expanded and more staff were needed. The son could have been born in Sheffield and the children taken on by grandparents when they were orphaned. Would he be able to join the merchant navy at 13, without an adult signing? - don't know, am asking a question. With so little to go on. I think you could find a good capable researcher quite expensive in this situation Jay