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James Nurse married Louisa Bowen (Steyning June Q 1861 2b 383) According to later Census she was born about 1840, in Petworth. James is from Brightlingsea, b 1831 Can anyone find her on a census, preferably with family, before her marriage, As an aside, I originally received her details on a family tree sent by another person who had her as Louise KIDFORD - which is an absolute blank. (I think) Thanks Peter in NZ

Births Mar 1840 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bowen Louisa Petworth vol 7 page 461 no louisa kidford on freebmd June

Thanks - that means she exists!! Now, where is she in 1861 and 1851? Peter

Can't see Louisa, sorry, but siblings? James, Bertha, Jane and Mary Ann all visible (birth place Petworth) in 1861

On 1871 her place of birth (if this is the same Louisa Nurse) is shown as Kirdford Sussex ... this has been mistranscribed as Ridford Surrey ... think this may be where the 'alternative' surname has emanated from. S:>

Thanks - that's obviously her - but I think I'm going mad.....have just searched for Bowen born Petworth in the 1861 census and come up with a big fat blank (using the 1837 0n line version). Anyway, Louisa is my Great Great grand aunt....so that link is out of the way. Now. back to the other Nurses!! Peter in NZ

I don't get it - what makes you say that it is obviously her when the birth place is apparently given as Harwich? Harwich is nowhere near the birthplaces you mention! Really, to be sure we find the right one you would be best to get the marriage certificate because it will give her father's name. Kate.

Do you know for sure whether the marriage between James and Louisa took place before or after the 1861 census? Because if after, then the marriage certificate will also give you a likely address for Louisa on the census. Kate.

Anyway, here is something that should help, from the IGI: LOUISA BOWEN Female --------------------------------------------------------------------- Event(s): Birth: Christening: 05 APR 1840 Kirdford, Sussex, England Death: Burial: --------------------------------------------------------------------- Parents: Father: ROBERT BOWEN Family Mother: ANN

And presumably this is her parents' marriage: ROBERT BOWEN Male Family --------------------------------------------------------------------- Event(s): Birth: Christening: Death: Burial: ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Marriages: Spouse: ANN ETHERINGTON Family Marriage: 16 JUN 1838 Kirdford, Sussex, England

But you might have to wait till ancestry releases the 1851 census (again) for us to be able to find her and / or her parents on a census. Kate.

Sorry kate - I meant the Kirdford one was obviously her - then I found the IGI and discounted the harwich one - although there are Bowens in Brightlingsea so they may be related - otherwise what is James doing in Sussex? - the rest of the family were fishermen!! I still cant work out the siblings quoted above - I can't find them in 1861, and the only robert in Petworth is a 47yo single ag lab. Back to the drawing board

Nobody knows if they are her siblings. They just have the same surname and same birth place. Kate.

I still have a problem in that I can't find the 'siblings' on 1861 - what am I doing wrong. Have Bertha on the IGI - her mother is Eliza Bowen so clearly not a sibling. This is not the first person that someone has found in 61 that I can't find for myself - is there something wrong with the search in 1837 on line's 1861 census? Peter

Yeah, basically there are mistranscriptions on both 1837 online and ancestry but not the same mistranscriptions on both! And the search on 1837 online is less flexible. Unfortunately I've got to get off the computer for a while, but if somebody hasn't found them for you by the time I'm back I'll see if I can track them down! Kate.

O.K., here they are on the 1861 census on 1837 online: Household BOWEN, James 22 M Dorking VIEW VIEW VIEW Household BROWN, Bertha 17 F Petworth VIEW VIEW VIEW Household BAWEN, Jane 19 F Steyning VIEW VIEW VIEW Just search on the names and ages as given above with county of Sussex and you will find them. I haven't checked but I think it must be the right Bertha. Let me know if not and I'll have another look. ... and I'm afraid I'm stumped on the Mary Ann one. Searching for 16 year old Marys in Brighton comes up with loads, but if I try to narrow it down any more it finds none! She is in the Penitents Home for Females, unmarried, and you won't get any more information than that if you do manage to find it on 1861. These are the reference numbers for Mary Ann: Source information: RG9/595 Registration district: Brighton Sub-registration district: St Peter ED, institution, or vessel: 18 Folio: 100 Page: 39 (click to see others on page) Household schedule number: 259 GSU Number: 542668

Thanks kate - I think I have all I need for this piece of the jigsaw at the moment. Your time and help are appreciated Peter