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I love collaborating and sharing ideas and information with other researchers. Not only does this make the whole process of building a family tree easier and more enjoyable, but it’s so often much more fruitful. When you combine differing perspectives, ideas, and sleuthing talents, and have access to a greater variety of sources and localized knowledge, everyone wins. I have had several such collaborations over the years.
Such was the case back in 2009 when I was trying to learn more about my maternal HARRIS roots. Luck was with me and I connected with a researcher in England through genesreunited.org. At that time I knew very little about my great-great-grandmother Elizabeth HARRIS except that she was born and baptized in 1828 in a quaint Cotswold village in Gloucester England with the rather unfortunate name of Lower Slaughter. I also knew that Elizabeth married Henry Proctor RICHARDSON II on 15 Mar 1853 in St Mary’s Chapel, Lambeth, Surrey, England. Their marriage certificate also provided the name of her father: James Harris, carpenter. One of the witnesses was Martha Harris (whom I now believe was Elizabeth’s younger sister). Other online trees had suggested her mother was named Lucy but no sources or other details were provided. Of course I wanted to know much more, but with a common name like HARRIS, I didn’t think it would be easy.
Such was the case back in 2009 when I was trying to learn more about my maternal HARRIS roots. Luck was with me and I connected with a researcher in England through genesreunited.org. At that time I knew very little about my great-great-grandmother Elizabeth HARRIS except that she was born and baptized in 1828 in a quaint Cotswold village in Gloucester England with the rather unfortunate name of Lower Slaughter. I also knew that Elizabeth married Henry Proctor RICHARDSON II on 15 Mar 1853 in St Mary’s Chapel, Lambeth, Surrey, England. Their marriage certificate also provided the name of her father: James Harris, carpenter. One of the witnesses was Martha Harris (whom I now believe was Elizabeth’s younger sister). Other online trees had suggested her mother was named Lucy but no sources or other details were provided. Of course I wanted to know much more, but with a common name like HARRIS, I didn’t think it would be easy.
St Mary's Church, Lower Slaughter, Gloucester, Englandwhere James HARRIS and Lucy RANDALL were married in 1821
With the help and generosity of my newly found third cousin (once removed), I learned that James HARRIS married Lucy RANDALL on 31 Jul 1821 in Lower Slaughter. The couple was listed in the 1841 England census living at Burrows Cottage in Upper Slaughter with six children between the ages of 12 and 1: Elizabeth, Martha, Mary, William, Thomas and Jane. In 1851 they were still in Upper Slaughter with children Martha, Mary, William, Thomas, Jane and James between the ages of 20 and 8. In 1861 they were living on their own at Gamekeepers Lodge, Upper Slaughter, and by 1871 they had moved to Eyford Gloucester, with their 13-year-old granddaughter Jane “Harriss” living with them.
While this census information assisted greatly in building James' family, baptism records were also located for their two oldest children John (1825) and Elizabeth (1828), but not for the younger six children. John was not listed in the census, having moved out of his parent’s home prior to the earliest census in 1841. I wonder if there was an even older child born between 1821 and 1824 who we haven’t found yet? James was baptized on 20 Jan 1799 in Bourton-On-The-Water, Gloucester (the rectory associated with Lower Slaughter), the son of Thomas and Mary HARRIS, so his birth likely occurred late in 1798.
While this census information assisted greatly in building James' family, baptism records were also located for their two oldest children John (1825) and Elizabeth (1828), but not for the younger six children. John was not listed in the census, having moved out of his parent’s home prior to the earliest census in 1841. I wonder if there was an even older child born between 1821 and 1824 who we haven’t found yet? James was baptized on 20 Jan 1799 in Bourton-On-The-Water, Gloucester (the rectory associated with Lower Slaughter), the son of Thomas and Mary HARRIS, so his birth likely occurred late in 1798.
A glimpse of the church in Upper Slaughterwhere James and Lucy HARRIS were buried.
Because we could not find either James or Lucy in any census after 1871, we theorized that they both probably died before 1881. We found some very promising death registrations for James in 1876 (age 79) or more likely 1877 (age 78), and for Lucy before him in 1872 (age 73). Although I have not yet sent away for their death certificates, I have recently found corresponding burial information for them both. I now believe James was buried 21 Mar 1877 in Upper Slaughter, with his death probably in Bourton On The Water where he was residing. Lucy was buried earlier on 17 Sep 1872, also in Upper Slaughter where they lived at that time.
Our HARRIS collaboration didn’t stop with James. We were able to push the HARRIS line back another two generations, learning in the process that James had seven siblings and his mother was born a SMITH (groan). We also found additional information about Lucy RANDALL’s parents and 9 siblings, and the names of her paternal grandparents. Lots of potential for future stories here!
Our HARRIS collaboration didn’t stop with James. We were able to push the HARRIS line back another two generations, learning in the process that James had seven siblings and his mother was born a SMITH (groan). We also found additional information about Lucy RANDALL’s parents and 9 siblings, and the names of her paternal grandparents. Lots of potential for future stories here!
Church in Upper Slaughter, Gloucestershire, England In 2012 during our trip to England, we went on a one day tour of the Cotswolds and had the opportunity to briefly visit the picturesque village of Upper Slaughter. We only caught a glimpse of their church on the hill before following a trail through sheep pastures to view the small mill town of Lower Slaughter. Our time there was very limited, but I was able to run the couple of blocks to the church and walk around the the graveyard for 5 or 10 minutes. I didn’t find any recognizable graves and the church itself was locked, but it was exciting to see at least the outside of the church where James and Lucy were married almost 200 years ago. I only wish I had been able to meet up with my new cousin and collaborator on that trip.
I still haven’t finished researching James and Lucy or their descendants and ancestors (is that even possible?), but networking and sharing with my new cousin in England certainly made it much easier and a lot more fun!
I still haven’t finished researching James and Lucy or their descendants and ancestors (is that even possible?), but networking and sharing with my new cousin in England certainly made it much easier and a lot more fun!
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