Housing in Watford mid-1800s

Gurney, James 1 2

Birth Name Gurney, James
Gender male

Events

Event Date Place Description Sources
Birth 1882-05-10   ~from baptism record  
Birth about 1882   from marriage index 3a
Birth 1883   1891 & 1911 Census 4a
Baptism 1890-11-05 Watford, Hertfordshire, England ~probable 5a
Residence 1891 Watford, Hertfordshire, England 2 Ballard Building 4b
Event Note

1891 Census  of England:
Gurney:  James 42, Emma 38, Hannah 11,  James 8, George 5, Joseph 6 months.  
Occupation: James (Snr): General Labourer.
Born: All - Tring, Herts, except Joseph, born in Watford, Herts.
It is a stand-alone dwelling - 2 Ballard Building, St Mary's, Watford.

They have six lodgers: Rafe Smith 25, General Labourer, and William and Ann Young and  their three children.

Findmypast transcription adds "Wells Yard" - have queried.

Files: 1891EnglandCensusFor JamesGurney.jpg and 1891EnglandCensusForGeorgeGurney.jpg.

Note: An overseas researcher, Julie Simmons, with Gurney family links say that Ballards Building was “One of the worst slums in the town, over crowded.” and resultingly unhealthy. When we see that James and Emma have six lodgers it lends weight to the suggestion. [“julesi” in the Simmons Family Tree – http://www.ancestry.co.uk and http://www.hertfordshire-genealogy.co.uk/data/answers/answers-2006/ans6-021-simmonds.htm . See also article: http://www.hertsmemories.org.uk/page_id__544.aspx from which the map is sourced.] - SJL

Residence 1901 Watford, Hertfordshire, England 1 Fearnley St 6a
Event Note

1901 Census  of England:
Gurney:  Hannah aged 21, single, head of household, James 17, George 15, Joseph 10; and Mary Ann Searfield*, 21, Boarder, living at 1 Fearnley St, Watford, a stand-alone dwelling.
Born: Hannah, James, George - Tring, Herts; Joseph - Watford, Herts; Mary Ann - Luton, Beds.
Occupation: Hannah and May Ann - Laundry Maids; James - Carman [carter]

* transcribed as Sinfield by findmypast.

Marriage 1902-10-25 Oxhey, Hertfordshire, England   3a
Residence 1902-10-25 Oxhey, Hertfordshire, England   7a 3a
Residence 1911-04-02 Watford, Hertfordshire, England 28 Merton Road 8a
Marriage     1. Florence 2. Rose  

Parents

Relation to main person Name Birth date Death date Relation within this family (if not by birth)
Father Gurney, JAMES18471892
Mother Simmons, EMMA18531900
    Sister     Gurney, Hannah/Annie 1880
         Gurney, James 1882-05-10
    Brother     Gurney, GEORGE 1885-05-03 1968-03-17
    Brother     Gurney, Joseph 1890-03-16
    Sister     Gurney, ?Ethel
    Sister     Gurney, ?Rose

Source References

  1. Vera (Gurney) Stuart via E J Leader: Gurney Family - Vera Stuart via EJL
  2. Vera (Gurney) Stuart copied by S J Leader: Gurney Family by Vera Stuart
  3. England & Wales Marriages, 1538-1940
      • Page: Oxhey, Hertfordshire, England; Date Range: 1881 - 1904; Film Number: 1537918; James Gurney and Florence Turner England & Wales Marriages, 1538-1940.html
      • Citation:

        from ancestry_library.com

  4. 1891 Census of England
      • Page: Herts/Watford/St Marys/pg14; 1891EnglandCensusForGeorgeGurney.jpg
      • Page: Herts/Watford/St Marys/pg14; 1891EnglandCensusForGeorgeGurney.jpg
  5. Hertfordshire Archives and Local Studies
      • Page: 1890 baptism James Gurney transcription.pdf and 1890 baptism James George and Joseph Gurney GBPRS_HERT_004948059_00424.jpg
      • Citation:

        "Mass baptism" for James, George, and Joseph - all on 5 Nov 1890 at St Mary's. [I know cost could be an issue so this was not uncommon - SJL]. The minister, J C  Berkley noted birth-dates for the older two
        (May 10 1882 and May 5 1885) to James and Anna Gurney of 8? Courts?, Watford.

        [Note: I've already got George baptised to James and Emma Gurney at 25 Ballards Building (correct from Census) on  30 Jan 1888, same Minister. It seems unlikely that that run of names and dates is another family, but leaving as "probable". - SJL]

  6. 1901 Census of England
      • Page: Watford/Watford St Mary/pg 1; 1901EnglandCensusForGeorgeGurney.jpg
  7. Hertfordshire Marriages
      • Page: 1902 James Gurney and Florence Turner register transcription.pdf and 1902 James Gurney Florence Turner marriage registration GBPRS_HERT_004948062_00534.jpg
  8. 1911 Census of England - see Event Note for details
      • Page: RG14PN7712 RG78PN380 RD140 SD2 ED14 SN182/7712; 1911 Census James Gurney and Florence and family - transcript.pdf and 1911 Census James Gurney and Florence and family GBC_1911_RG14_07712_0365.jpg
      • Citation:

        1911 England Census

        Gurney: James 28, Head; Florence 29, Wife; children: James Charles 7, Alfred George 5, Violet Victoria 2, Doris Mary 1. James works as a Carter for a Cartage Contractors [same one as Joseph? - SJL]. James is born in Tring, the rest in Watford. They have been married 8 years, and Florence has has 4 children all of whom are alive.