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!!

[Rose Maybud]

I have had a quick look at this family, but as you say, it's not straightforward. I have found two more possible children for James and Ann: Sep 1868 births and deaths were registered in Ely for Kerrenhappuch and Rhea DaSilva Bottom. Exotic names! I noted other Bottom presence in Wisbeach, Newmarket and Peterborough, so it might pay to study these families too if only to eliminate them to avoid confusion. Can't do more now - should be doing other things!

[craft1948]

In 1871 there is a Cinderella Bottom born 1860 Ely, visiting Benjamin Cross and his wife Frances, I assume these were Ann's parents.
If you want to carry on your research you can access ancestry free at your local library.

[craft1948]

In 1881 Penelope is Penelope Willingham and is living with her brother Alexander Willingham and his family.

[Rose Maybud]

Following on from Craft's post, William Willingham and Ann were in Ely in 1851 with children: Hezekiah Cross Willingham [FREEBMD Mar 1849 Ely] and Alexander Willingham [Mar 1851 Ely]. FREEBMD also lists Ely births for Rosetta Willingham in Sep 1857 and Cinderella Willingham in Dec 1859.

[craft1948]

Looks like you were right as although the Bottom children were registered as Bottom they were in fact Willinghams.......................I'm lost with this John Bottom born c1838.

[craft1948]

A John Bottom's death was registered in Newmarket in 1856.

[Rose Maybud]

A William S Willingham applied for a passport on 19 Oct 1859 ...

[Rose Maybud]

There's a death for James Bottom age 70 in Sep 1875 Ely...

[dothawkes31]

Ages were rounded down on the 1841 census and so many families appeared to have twins but it was not the case, ages were rounded down from 15-19 toi 15, 20 -24 to 20, 25-29 to 25 etc and so unless you find matching baptism or civil registration entries do not take it that there were twins on the 1841 census.

[Eiggam]

Thank you all for your assistance. Benjamin and Frances Cross were the parents of Ann Cross and Rosetta and Cinderella were sisters of Penelope. I think James Bottom who died 1875 Ely is ther father - I have just received his death certificate which gives informant as Susan Cross Niece of deceaased but that hasn't helped me a lot. I got the birth details for James and his twin sister Mary from the Cambridgeshire Family History Society on line. It's John Bottom born 1838 son of James that has really got me stumped!!!! I can find no marriage for James and no birth details for John. Once again thanks for taking time to help - much appreciated

[dothawkes31]

Mary and James were baptised at Ely 21 April 1806 daughter of William and sarah and she married William Hitch 21 Nov 1829 at Ely.

[dothawkes31]

Mary and William are easy to find on the 1851 censs living in Lakenheath and Mary's birth is given as Mildenhall , her daughter is given as born Soham and I found a likely family link to there yesterday I shall check that again.

[dothawkes31]

In 1841 William and mary are living in Ely with their 6 older children, sorry the child with William and Sarah in 1851 is a niece Eliza Hitch born Soham. If you look at them in 1851 there is a William Bonnett servant aged 42 with them, on the 1861 there is a 15 year old servant that ancestry has transcribed as John Bonet but I've read it as Bond, can you check that please?

[dothawkes31]

There is a baptism at the Prim Methodist in Ely 12 July 1857 for a Rosetta Botham daughter of James Botham and Ann Williams.

[dothawkes31]

Ann Cross was baptised at Ely 6 feb 1832 to Benjamin and Francis Cross

[Rose Maybud]

re the 15 year old servant John - FMP have him as John Morris, but I agree with Bond. 1851 - John Bond age 6 son of Richard and Mary Bond, birth registered Jun 1845 Mildenhall.

[dothawkes31]

I think James's brother John died in 1830 aged 22, can't really find a baptism for a John Bottom in 1838 or thereabouts and struggling to pick up on a marriage for James either

[Rose Maybud]

I have found more links to Soham.

IGI - William Willingham was baptised there in 1826, son of Edmund Willingham and Elizabeth, batch C132391.

Jeremiah S Bottom born 1812 Prickwillow, Cambs, bp 1812 Ely, married Mary Rhodes (born 1814 Ely) in 1835 in Ely. Jeremiah died in Ely in 1844. His widow seems to have gone to Kansas with their four children: John b 1835 Ely, died 1924 Kansas; Thomas born 1838 Littleport, Cambridge, died 1864 Kansas; James born 1842 Soham, died 1863 Kansas; and Jeremiah Simpson born 1845 Soham, died 1932 Kansas. Mary died in 1898, also in Kansas.

[dothawkes31]

The birth of John Bottom that craft mentions regsitered at Newmarket will be the right one,
Name: John Bottom
Year of Registration: 1839
Quarter of Registration: Apr-May-Jun
District: Newmarket (To 1938)
County: Cambridgeshire, Suffolk
Volume: 14
Page: 105

According to my St Catherines House Districts Book Mildenhall, RD Suffolk had the following adjacent districts: Ely;Newmarket;Thetford and Thingoe. It looks right to me.

[Eiggam]

Thanks so much for all he information you have given me. The baptism on 12 July 1857 of Rosetta Botham daughter of James Botham and Ann Williams appears to be a child of James Bottom and Ann Willingham. Maybe I am concentrating too much on the correct spelling of the name Bottom and that's the reason I cannot find John Bottoms birth and James marriage!!!! The 1881 census shows James Willingham, son of James Bottom and Ann, living with William and Mary Hitch, the older girls are in domestic service and Penelope was with her half brother. Ann died in 1872 so the family were obviously split up. Once again thanks so much.