Stuck re. my family tree

[Eiggam]

I have spent months trying to research my Great Grandmother's family but have hit problems and wondered if someone could help. Her name Penelope Bottom born 1866 Ely, Cambridgeshire to Ann and James Bottom (1871 census). Ann (nee cross) was previously married to William Willingham having two children (1851 census). As far as I can ascertain she never actually married James Bottom although she is named as his spouse on Penelope's birth certificate. When Ann died in 1872 her death certificate states Ann Willingham wife of William Willingham. William went on to remarry (twice) so would I be correct in assuming he committed bigamy.
James Bottom was born to William and Sarah Bottom of Mildenhall Suffolk having a twin Mary.
1841 census living with his parents (aged 30). 1851 census living with son John aged 13. Cannot find any record for 1861. My problem is I have been unable to find any records regarding this son or
whether James was previously married. I have found details of two John Bottoms - one born 1839 Newmarket and another 1835 but these don't appear to be his son. Most of this information came from Ancestry (free 14 day trial) and Find My Past (world cup offer) but I am now not a member of any sites. I would be so grateful for any help!!

[dothawkes31]

No ptobs Maggie, I would go ahead and order that birth cert for John Bottom, pretty sure it will be right, small chance it is a nephew I suppose,

Mary Hitch nee Bottom must have remained close to her twin brother then,

[Eiggam]

Dot, I also found this John Bottom born in Newmarket but according to 1851 census he was a pupil at Norwich St George Tombland so that seems to rule him out because the John I am looking for was with his father James in 1851. Oh dear, I am getting confused as I have so many notes but I think I'm right. Thanks for all your hard work on my behalf. Maggie

[dothawkes31]

Actually a John Bottom married Fanny Edwards at Newmarket St Mary's 13 Dec 1832 , (fancy being called Fanny Bottom!) anyway I have found the family on the 1851 census , John Bottom the father was born 1807 Newmarket, Frances his wife (Fanny) was born 1815 newmarket, they are worth a look, there isn't a son John born 1838/39 living with them in 1851. but in 1841 they have a 2 year old son John with them. So the John in the register will be theirs, not James Bottoms.

[dothawkes31]

That fits then, I'm awat to collect son from work anyway so can't look at anything else tonight, you need to be looking at James's siblings I think, track them all down as the family seems to have supported each other

[Rose Maybud]

A bit more on the Willingham-registered children (I think!)
Hezekhiah Cross Willingham married Dec 1870 Ely to either Hannah Rice or Eleanor Ann Hopkins, haven't found them in 1871 to establish which; Alexander has been mentioned before; Rosetta married in 1877 to either Henry Bye or William Crabb; Cinderella had a child, John William S Willingham in Jun 1883 Ely, married James Rice in 1886 and by 1901 had children: Elizabeth 1886, Frances 1889, Arthur 1893, Rosa 1895, Florrie 1898 and Ernest James 1900. In 1891 Cinderella's grandmother Frances was with them. Looks like Benjamin Cross died in 1877, Frances remarried in 1879, to William Custance. He died in Sep 1881 Cambridge. Frances died Mar 1895 Ely.

Haven't found Susan Cross. Ann seems to have had brothers Isaac b 1830 and Abraham b 1832, so scope there. Also found three sisters called Caroline: No 1 born 1836, died 1838; No 2 born 1839 died 1840; and No 3 born 1840.

[trt]

Where did you get all the information from dothawkes?

[dothawkes31]

Same place as Rose and Craft and Maggie trt, on ancestry.co.uk or familysearch.org.

[Eiggam]

Thanks Rose Maybud for all your hard work on my behalf and for the information
you have supplied - I will certainly be following all this up and checking out siblings
etc. and hopefully this will lead me to a conclusion. I had hoped to get to my local library today to check out a few things on Ancestry but unfortunately I didn't make it. Once again thank you. Maggie

[trt]

I looked on ancestry.co.uk dot but they want credit card details up front for a months sub.
Dont mind that but they asked me which church my parents got married in and I don't know, so maybe a waste of time for me.