Thread: Origins of my Foster Ancestors

My 2 * great grandfather was James Intrepid Foster born at sea on the Mediterranean on board SS. Intrepid which left Woolwich, Kent, England bound for the Ionian Islands (Greece) in 1823. His father was John, a soldier (established from James two marriage certs) & Elizabeth born about 1789, in Cranborne, Dorset was a widow, according to the 1851 for a Plumstead district, close to Woolwich. Elizabeth's daughter Maria born about 1825 in Corfu was with her in 1851. Both disappeared thereafter in census. A John Foster died between 1818 & 1864 in Corfu (Find My Past records). The Royal Artillery regiment was based at Woolwich at the time of James' birth, but the ship Intrepid also picked up troops from Ireland on route to Corfu.

I have yet to find a record in Parish records of the marriage of John & Elizabeth, so have been unable to establish where John came from originally. As Elizabeth & her two children James & Maria were all in the Plumstead/Woolwich area in 1851 (James in 1841 also), it is possible the family came from Woolwich. On the other hand, Woolwich was a garrison town so they may have simply returned to this area, due to the army connection.

Any help in breaking down this brickwall would be very much appreciated.

Margaret
Hampshire UK

James Intrepid Foster married Elizabeth Amelia Betts at St.Nicholas Deptford on 16 Nov 1840

Entry reads:

St Nicholas Deptford

Banns
16/11/1840 James Intrepid FOSTER, full age, Bach, Tailor, St Nicholas Deptford, John FOSTER, Soldier
Elizabeth Amelia BETTS MINOR spinster, St Nicholas Deptford, Charles BETTS tinpalte worker

Both sign w: William Thomas BETTS; Fanny BETTS

IGI Individual Record FamilySearch™ International Genealogical Index v5.0 British Isles
JOHN FOSTER Male Marriages: Spouse: ELIZABETH WATT
Marriage: 29 JAN 1807 Plumstead, Kent, England

This describes Elizabeth as a spinster!

hi i have fosters in my tree all mine going back to 1808 have all been from liverpool merseyside any good?

OOOOh thank you so much. I cannot thank you enough for the christening info of Maria's children, identifying her husband & occupation: so that is probably why I could not find Maria in census after 1851. Can you please clarify dob of Elizabeth Mary - was she born 5 Feb 1847?

Thank you for your interest - yes this is my James Foster & family. Thank you too for the IGI possible marriage record of his parents John Foster & Elizabeth (Watt?), which I had missed because it was 'too early' As James was born in 1823 & Maria in 1825, I searched +/- 10 years prior to 1823. Big mistake! As his mother Elizabeth was born in 1789, a marriage in 1807 is quite feasible & it could well be this record as the place is correct. Now all I need is some kind person to look up the marriage PRs in 1807 in Plumstead ............

This is a great forum, you & Elsabels have been a terrific help!