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Wendy, He was born Jan 1856 to Ann Nurse (no father on birth cert). Ann Married Xmas day 1856 to Gustav Adolph Krafft. A daughter (Agnes Sarah born 1859. All above events in Colchester, Ann and Gustav living Albion Court at time of marriage. In 1871 Ann (looks like widow) living as Ann Croft in Colchester with James R and Agnes S James R married in 1874 as in original message. In 1881 Ann Croft, Agnes and another daughter (Anne aged 24) living in Brading Isle of Wight (don't ask where the second daughter materialised from - this is the only evidence that she ever existed - and it gets worse later but I won't go there) Any out of the square ideas welcome - I am beginning to suspect that Gustav shot through, and/or that the family may have gone abroad in the sixties, but if that is the case then how did they get back to colchester...and where did James get to in 1881. I wish someone would invent a time machine! Peter

Hi Peter What was his mums first name? And do you have any brothers or sisters for him? Wendy

Thanks for the lookups - I have him in great detail from 1885 onwards, but my problem is where he is between his first marriage in 1874, the birth of his son in 1876 and his bigamous marriage in 1885..... His first wife remarried in 1882 - I must see how she describes herself! Then again - I have also lost him (and his father) between 1859 and 1871 (and his father was never seen again-alien abduction!) Peter

hi And if you don't have it here he is onthe 1901 census he is now stated as working as a Mechanic Engineer and livign in Cottage crown street Albert Krafft 13 Tunbridge Wells, Kent, England Son Harrow on the Hill Middlesex Clara Krafft 40 Hackney, London, England Wife Harrow on the Hill Middlesex Daisy Krafft 12 Tunbridge Wells, Kent, England Daughter Harrow on the Hill Middlesex Florrie Krafft 9 Tunbridge Wells, Kent, England Daughter Harrow on the Hill Middlesex Gwendoline Krafft 5 Cardiff, Wales Daughter Harrow on the Hill Middlesex James Krafft 45 Colchester, Essex, England Head Harrow on the Hill Middlesex Voilet Krafft 11 Tunbridge Wells, Kent, England Daughter Harrow on the Hill Middlesex Wendy

Hi Do you have him onthe 1891 census? Here he is if not he is working as a Grommsman / domestic servant living at Oakfield court lodge London road Krafft, Agnes D C 2 Tunbridge Wells, Kent Daughter Tunbridge Kent Krafft, Albert J 3 Speldhurst, Kent Son Tunbridge Kent Krafft, Clara 30 Hackney, London Wife Tunbridge Kent Krafft, James R 35 Colchester, Essex Head Tunbridge Kent Wendy

Thanks Denise - looks like back to the drawing board. Peter

1881 census which you already have Name: James Croft Age in 1881: 24 Age months: 0 Estimated birth year: abt 1857 Relationship to head-of-household: Attendant Gender: Male Where born: Hull, Yorkshire, England Address: "Lancaster Cty Lunatic Asylum" Nr Preston Civil parish: Whittingham County/Island: Lancashire Condition as to marriage: Unknown Occupation: Shoemaker Education: View Image Employment status: View Image Source information: RG11/4248 Registration district: Preston Sub-registration district: Broughton ED, institution, or vessel: Lancaster County Lunatic Asylum Folio: 81 Page: 3

1871 census info on a James born in Hull Name: James Croft Age in 1871: 14 Estimated birth year: 1857 Relation: Son Gender: Male Where born: Hull, Yorkshire, England Civil parish: Manea County/Island: Cambridgeshire Country: England Information: RG10/1608 Registration district: North Witchford Sub-registration district: Chatteris ED, institution, or vessel: 2 Folio: 26 Family details Elizabeth Croft 19 Burgh, Lincolnshire, England Daughter Manea Cambridgeshire James Croft 14 Hull, Yorkshire, England Son Manea Cambridgeshire John Croft 49 Burgh, Lincolnshire, England Head Manea Cambridgeshire John Croft 17 Hull, Yorkshire, England Son Manea Cambridgeshire Rachel Croft 49 Kellington, Yorkshire, England Wife Manea Cambridgeshire

For years I have been trying to find my great grandfather, James Richard Krafft, on the 1881 census. He was born 1 Jan 1856 in Colchester (as James Nurse). His mother married a Krafft, and the spelling also appears as Croft. I have located a James Croft in 1881 as an attendant in the Lancaster City Workhouse - age looks about right,BUT he says he was born in Hull. (JRK also says, over the years, a few other things that aren't strictly true (bigamy)). Can anyone find evidence of a James Croft born Hull in 1854-56 for me? I hope not, but keep hoping. TIA Peter Auckland NZ