James Ezekiel Bryan

GEDCOM Note

Name The identity of James Ezekiel Bryan as father of John Norman Bryan was not clear. This was obtained from a copy of the Birth Register for John Norman Bryan which clearly states 'James Ezekiel Bryan' as father. The same document also indicated Ada Gertrude Free as mother.

Dates A number of entries in the FreeBMD index were also obtained for possible siblings with mother 'Free', which Norman Bryan was able to confirm as the names of his aunts and uncles. The earliest date of birth for a sibling is for Ada Gertrude Bryan (again indicating a strong link to the mother's name) of 1908. There is a pair of strong matching entries in the Index of the Marriage register linking James Ezekiel Bryan to Ada Gertrude Free for 1906 which would correspond nicely with sibling birth dates. A copy of the entry in the register of marriages was obtained.

The marriage entry provides ages for the couple, as well as father's names; James Bryan and Thomas Free. James Ezekiel Bryan was likely born in 1872.

Family Using 'James Bryan' and father's name 'James', and limiting the DOB to 1871-1873, only 5 James Bryans were located in the 1881 census records (chosen as James Ezekiel would be about 9, and most likely to be living with parents). Only one of these was found to be born in Birmingham. This represents a strong if not perfect match.: 1901 - James T Bryan ('T' could be mistaken phonetically for 'E') with father James and mother Caroline, born 1872 in Birmingham 1891 - James Bryan again with father James and mother Caroline, born 1872 in Birmingham. 1881 - same as for 1891.

A search was next conducted on the same grounds, but for birth index entries. Again, only one strong birth index entry for James Bryan in 1872 was obtained, born in Birmingham. The copy of the entry in the register of births was obtained and confirms the census information, but does NOT confirm the middle name of 'Ezekiel'. It has to be assumed that Ezekiel was added at a later date but it is not clear by whom or when.

Note that there is no James 'T' Bryan in the birth index either.

It should also be considered that James married Ada at age 34, which is still old by 2009 standards. It is unlikely that there are many unmarried 'James Bryans' living obviously at home in 1901 showing on the census record. This further reinforces the likelihood of a census match.

(Note added 18/05/09) On reflection, the professions of father James (Nail-maker) and son (Polisher) on both the 1891 census, and the later 1906 marriage register suggest that again this is the correct family for James Ezekiel, and reinforces the link to mother Caroline.

Conclusion Despiter the common name of 'James' it is unlikely that the cited census, birth and marriage register entries are not correct. Sufficient data matches across all sources to indicate a link, despite the middle name 'Ezekiel' being absent before his marriage to Ada.

Name The identity of James Ezekiel Bryan as father of John Norman Bryan was not clear at first. This was eventually obtained from a copy of the Birth Register for John Norman Bryan which clearly states 'James Ezekiel Bryan' as father. The same document also indicated Ada Gertrude Free as mother. Subsequent Electoral roll records show a James Bryan, or James Ezekiel Bryan, living at 12 back 22 ct 4 Lawley Street for many years.

The one discrepency in the record is the 1901 Census. Its almost like the census taker was hard of hearing. All of the names are slightly phonetically wrong - James 'T' rather than James 'E'; 'Howard' instead of 'Edward'. I think this is the right record though. There is no James 'T' Bryan in the birth index, so I'm pretty sure this is a mis-spelling.

Date of Death A death entry and certificate were found for a James Bryan, resident at 82 Arden Road, Birmingham. This is the same address occupied by an Ada G Bryan, son James E Bryan and a Mary N Bryan. The reporter is Lily I Rooke, which matches also, and the profession is metal polisher. This is the correct death record. The death index provides an age of 70 years, so DOB sometime between 23/10/1871 and 22/10/1872.

Working Backwards The Electoral Rolls, and birth certificate for John Norman Bryan are very helpful for this James, providing a consistent residency at 12 back 22 ct 4 Lawley Street between 1919 and 1939. During this period we see evidence from son John's birth certificate of employment as a 'Cycle Worker' and from Jame's death certificate as a 'Metal Polisher'. We also have the birth and death certificates for daughter Beatrice May, which provides further links back to 1908 and a continuation of residence information, and trade as 'Bicycle Polisher' which ties in nicely.

In the 1911 census we find a James (Iron Polisher) and Ada with children Ada and Beatty, living at 6 Rowland Street, also tying with birth records for Beatrice May. This gives age 39, tying again with a birth year of 1872. Going a bit further back we have a pretty good marriage record for James Ezekiel Bryan marrying Ada Free, which ties in with all subsequent birth records for children. James' occupation is 'Polisher' and he is now living at 209 Brunswick Road, Balsall Heath. This is a little way from the usual stompng grounds around Aston, but there is no doubt this is the right marriage record. This provides a father's name of 'James Bryan', a nail maker. Our James is listed as being 34, which also matches the expected date of birth of approximately 1872.

Prior to 1906 we expect James to be single and living with father James. We find strong census record hits in 1891, with trades listed as 'Nail Cutter' and 'Polisher' for James Senior and Junior respectively. James junior is not listed with his middle name (normal) but his age (19) is also consistent with other records. This is the correct record. This census record also gives us James' mother Caroline, and siblings.

Plugging the gap between 1891 and 1901 is trickier, There is only one 1901 census record in Birmingham for James & Caroline Bryan, but the professions and ages do not match exactly. Caroline is also listed as being born in Birmingham, where the 1891 record says Cambridge. The residence is different, and all the children have slightly incorrect names. However, the names of the children are phonetic matches, the ages match, and professions like 'Brass Stamper' and 'Polisher' appear throughout. The children are (1901 name matched to 1891 name)

• James 'T' instead of James 'E'
• Howard instead of Edward
• John is John
• Rosanna instead of Rose
• Lally instead of Louisa (possibly a shortened name)

I have take this to be the correct census record as recorded by a census taker hard of hearing!

Working backwards to 1881 the census records for the Bryan family again match.

Date of Birth A search was conducted for James in 1872. Only one strong birth index entry for James Bryan in 1872 was found, born in Birmingham. The copy of the entry in the register of births was obtained and confirms the census information, but does not confirm the middle name of 'Ezekiel'.