Is this my great-granddad’s granddad?

Sometimes with genealogy you’re struggling with a common name who is married to another common name and have children with common names. It’s not so difficult for me with my name, Elsden, but even so, going back through records there are plenty of Robert Elsdens and Jane Elsdens and it’s easy to be drawn to the wrong one and get involved in researching someone who is nothing to do with you!

I actually met my great-granddad Tom, he was in his nineties, born in 1864. He was quite a character, a tough man, an engine driver. I’m pretty sure his father was James Allen, and I’m pretty sure that Tom’s granddad was William Allen, but which William Allen – there are so many! I’ve narrowed it down by searching for James in the 1841 census, knowing roughly where they lived. I’m concentrating on James for the moment to find my way back to William.

• James Allen, 1833, St Ives
• James Allen, 1835, Ely
• James Allen, 1835, St Ives
• James Allen, 1836, Whittlesey
• James Allen, 1836, St Neots

I have to find a James with a father called William – his mother may have been Elizabeth, but maybe she wasn’t… that’s the way genealogy goes!

These are the families I’ve found in the 1841 census:

Over near St Ives

• Joseph Allen 1806
• Mary Allen 1806
• William Allen 1826
• James Allen 1833
• Charles Allen 1836
• George Allen 1839

Ely

• William Allen 1791
• Elizabeth Allen    1801
• Moxon Allen 1833
• James    Allen 1835
• Mary Allen 1837
• John Allen 1840

Over near St Ives

• Ann Allen 1811
• Sneesby Allen 1811
• James Allen 1835
• William Allen 1837
• Ann Allen 1839

Whittlesea

• Ann Allen 1806
• William Allen 1806
• John Allen 1831
• Sarah Allen 1833
• Mary Allen 1836
• James Allen 1836
• Jane Allen 1838
• Thomas Allen 1841
• William Allen 1841

St Neots

• Ann Allen 1811
• Thomas Allen 1811
• James Allen 1836
• Betsey Allen 1837
• William Allen 1839

I will pursue this tomorrow , to find which William is father to the James who was Tom’s father… What names, though Moxon and Sneesby!!