Genealogy Chat

I am searching for records of my great grandfather John Ollington Sims. I have looked under all variations of the name I can think of. I have searched 1901 census and all other free sites, with no luck. I know he married Ellen Boxer who was 18 in 1901 and it was his second marriage.They lived in Folkestone and had 6 children. My grandfather Eric Simms, was born in c1910, he had 2 brothers Frank, John and a sister, Margaret, all born before him. Then 2 sisters, Joan and Elizabeth.Can anyone show me the way to go now? Or maybe you can find something for me. Many thanks.

found John Ollington Sims birth December quarter of 1881 District - Elham, Kent Vol - 2a Page 987 heather do you know who his first wife was?

I found the same birth as Heather and there are Ollington births and marriages also registered at Elham. Sue

Thank you both. However I know he was definitely living in Folkestone in 1901 so why isn't he on the census returns? In fact I can't find any Ollinton Sims on 1901.

Do you know John's age in 1901? The census shows 50 years old John OLLINGTON in Folkestone, with a Hannah of the same age.There is also a 4 year old Lillian with them, (haven't checked relationships). FreeBMD shows a Hannah OLLINGTON's death recorded in June quarter 1901, age 50years and also the marriage of a John OLLINGTON in March quarter 1902. Could this be John the widower perhaps? These are all Elham registration district, which covers Folkestone. Gwyneth

Thanks Gwyneth. Yes the 1902 marriage looks promising but checking on the same page I am looking for his wife to be Ellen Boxer and don't see it. I have also tried to trace her marriage as I know she was 18 in 1901 and in service, but with no luck. I don't know how old John was when he married or when he died.But he could have been the same person referred to above b. Dec quarter 1881

Dauna just a thought, if your John was the one born in 1881, then at the time of the 1901 census he would be 19 and the Boer War was still on. He might have been in a soldier in South Africa. Also, I did see a 19 year old John Sims, soldier in Kent on the 1901 but it said he was born in Wednesbury, Staff I have relatives I can't find on the 1901 but as I have birth and marriage details, it doesn't matter. What do you need the 1901 information for? Sue

Hi Sue. Thanks I never thought of that! I need 1901 confimation because the only definite info I have is my grandfather's details. Eric Simms b. 24/06/1912 in Folkestone to John Ollington Simms and Ellen Boxer and I know he had 2 older brothers Frank who died at Dunkirk and John, and an elder sister , Margaret. Until I find John Ollinton Sims I cannot go further back. Dauna

Dauna you started your appeal by saying you are look for a record of your great grandfather....I think you have it. don't you think the 1881 birth in Kent for John Ollington Sims is your great grandfather? I wouldn't think there there were many with that particular name. Sue

Dauna On the Free BMD site I have found: JOHN OLLINGTON SIMS Birth registered Dec Q 1881 Elham 2a 987 (as previously mentioned) ELLEN BOXER Birth registered Dec Q 1883 Elham 2a 987 You will notice that the refernce numbers ARE EXACTLY THE SAME BUT THE YEARS ARE DIFFERENT!!! I checked them 3 times to be sure and they are not the only births registered in that quarter on that page. The other way to double check is to look at the BMD indexes themselves as they could have been transcribed mistakenly. ....................................... The 1901 Census I searched for, and found Ellen Boxer as you did. I searched for John SIMS, age 20 +/- 3 years and born in Kent - and found ONLY the following John SIMS, born Tawkham, Kent, age 17 (?) resident in Putney, London, Commercial Clerk. Could he have been training in London? Does Commercial Clerk fit with his occupation on Eric Sims birth certificate? ........................................ As for the marriage - the one mentioned in the Mar Q 1901, 2a 1727 could be the one even though the name of Ellen Boxer does not show. IF you send for this certificate state that you only want it IF the spouses name is Ellen Boxer. Hopefully that will give you food for thought. If you need any more help, just ask. Vera Manchester

Dauna Had a few units left for the 1837 site so checked out Mar 1901 to Dec 1904 quarters for you. Unfortunately no Ellen Boxer married on any of these pages although there were plenty of Boxer marriages in Elham. The only possible (unless Ellen wasn't her official name, just the one she was known by)is Helen Boxer Sep 1904 Elham 2a 2261

To everyone: I am so grateful to you all. I think my next step will be to try and obtain the marriage cert for John and Ellen (Helen)and the birth cert for Frank. Thank you all for your time and help. Dauna