Genealogy Chat

I have traced my ggGrandfather James Cox's birth to Thetford about 1835. I have looked at the baptism records for the three parish churches in Thetford without any joy. Some pages were faded but Cox as a family name did not appear in any of them at that sort of time. Any advice as to how to proceed please? Alice

I don't know if this helps at all....Can't find James on 1851 (sorry about previous error)Norfolk census...not as born in Thetford...but there is this family... Head: COX, Thomas Neighbors 165695 Name Relationship Mar Age Sex Occupation Birthplace Thomas COX Head M 54 M Twine Spinner Thetford-NFK Harriett COX Wife M 64 F --- Norwich-NFK William COX Son U 19 M Twine Spinner Norwich-NFK Caroline COX Daur U 17 F --- Norwich-NFK William COX Neph U 25 M Twine Spinner Thetford-NFK Address: Board House Lane, Norwich Census Place: Norwich St Michael At Thorn Norwich, Norfolk PRO Reference: HO/107/1814 Folio: 174 Page: 15 FHL Film: 0207467 So there are some Coxes born in Thetford. There is also a widow, in her 80s , Mary Cox, living and born in Thetford. I hope every little helps! Joan

Here's Mary on 1851 census.......could she be James' grandma....wishful thinking!! Head: COX, Mary Neighbors 230756 Name Relationship Mar Age Sex Occupation Birthplace Mary COX Head W 86 F Annuitant Thetford-NFK Ann BOYCE Niec U 39 F Housemaid Thetford-NFK John PAUL Neph U 27 M Brickmaker Thetford-NFK Address: Raymond Street, Thetford Census Place: Thetford St Cuthbert Thetford, Norfolk PRO Reference: HO/107/1832 Folio: 396 Page: 41 FHL Film: 0207487 Joan

Thank you Joan - did you mean the 1841 census? Actully Mary Ann could well be his grandmother as he had a daughter Mary Ann! (I think I am cluching at those same straws! It is good to see some Coxes born in Thetford as I could not see the name at all in the records for any of the three parishes = I think I had better re-checK. I am expecting to find James with a father who was a blacksmith as that is what he grew up to be. Obviously the spinning industry could have lured my family into Norwich from Thetford, or they upped sticks and went to London while James was still young ( this is where I found him in 1861). Thank you for your help. I have sorted a few things out in my head now - more questions than answers though! Hmmmm......

That info was from the 1851 census. But it would be a good idea to look at the 1841 census for Thetford if the Norwich Records Office have it...might resolve a lot. They would probably do the l;ookup for you if you contact them as Thetford can't have been very big then...Might find Mary at the same address even. Good luck Joan

Thank you for your help Joan. I live in Norwich so I will be able to look at 1841 census at the library. I am hoping there will be a name index too. Fingers crossed. alice

Do you know who he was married to Alice...maybe that will help in the search. Anne.

Yes he married Elizabeth but I don't know her maiden name. in 1861 he was living in Greenwich. Elizabeth was born there so I think that they met in that area rather than in Norfolk. All their children were then born in that area. After 1871 I lose James - elizabeth and family are there but he is not she is head but still married - i wonder where he was? I cannot find any of them on 1881 - so they are all rather illusive! alice

Are you sure they were C of E? If they were RC or members of one of the free churches, they may not be on the parish registers. Christine

If there is a name index for Norfolk, it is very new, but trawling through the 1841 census for Norfolk is not too difficult as there are so few people there. Even Norwich itself is not too much like hard work (say six reels max) B

Thank you for your answers. i will set aside a few hours to try to crack this one - He will probably still be in Norfolk in 1841. Alice