Help locate Mountfields still searching

[Polly1]

I am trying to find my Great Grandfather, John James Mountfield who was born about 1863 in Bunbury. According to the 1871 census he was a nursling with a family by the name of Woodfin, they were from Barrow, Cheshire. According to this census John James was born Alpraham but others state Bunbury. I am almost certain John James Mountfields parents were Henry Mountfield born about 1841 in Stoak and Eliza Ann Yates born about 1844 in Middlesex, London. I would really love to be able to tie John James Mountfield to Henry & Eliza. I think also Henry's parents might have been Samuel Mountfield & Mary Unknown, both born about 1804 Middlewich. The only other information I have is Hery had a brother William born about 1839 also in Stoak.

[Polly1]

Thanks Finbar

This is the right one but my biggest problem is trying to trace John J's parents. I am assuming 'nursling' is when the mother has died and the baby would be 'wet nursed' by someone who had just given birth themself or, maybe fostering - I may be wrong.

I can't find any sign of John J's birth anywhere.

This has been a brickwall to me for ages.

[Waitabit]

HI Polly 1, how mysterious not to find John J's birth on FreeBMD. I'm guessing Nantwich was the nearest Reg. place to Bunbury or Alphraham just from maps. The nearest Henry birth comes up as 1840 Kidderminster.

I wonder if this 1871 census was your Family minus John. with 2 children James 14 Nephew b.Liverpool & Mary Ellen Dtr.3, John James aged 8 would fit in nicely. Parents Henry 30 b. Cheshire, Runcorn & Eliza Ann b. London.
Bad print has them as Monntfreds
Class: RG10; Piece: 3748; Folio: 11; Page: 20

This couple seem to match the Parents on IGI batch Co23417 re Christening of John Mountfield 19th June 1864 Bunbury Cheshire.

Now a Husband & a rivet gun mishap require my tendering.
I may stay in bed all of next week!

[Polly1]

Hi Waitabit,

This sounds very feasible.

The spellings on the census's do vary - makes searching that bit more long winded.

I am wondering about the 'nursling' - do you reckon it could be the same as fostering?

I even checked Cheshire BMD but couldn't John James on there - I will have another look.

And to think John James ended up as a Detective Sergeant in the police, I hope he found his criminals easier than I am finding him

I hope all is well with the rivet gun brigade and hubby hasn't riveted himself