Thread: Charles Longstaff

I am stuck with John Charles Longstaff who features in the census from 1881 in steyning sussex, his marriage certificate to sarah jane appleton shows his name as John Chalders Langstaff, the marriage took place in Reading. His father is named as John Langstaff an engine driver of Durham. The first child Maria is born in Reading and has the surname Langstaff.Once they move to Shoreham sussex all children are registered as longstaff. He is born 1848/9 in Durham but i cannot find his ancestors. Any ideas, he is my great grandfather, my grandfather being his son charles longstaff.
janice

Hello

There appear to be transcription errors, I think the name is John Charles.....Have you checked the 1911 census to see how your ancestor signs his name, and in particular surname?

1871 RG 10 1276 77 18
LONGSTAFF John 21 b County of Durham
LONGSTAFF Sarah Jane 21
LONGSTAFF Maria Jane 2

Maybe exploring this baptism maybe fruitful, bearing in mind that the trade at birth may not be the same as at the date of marriage!

You should look at the original entry in the parish registers.

residenceurham, Durham, England
parents:John Longstaff, Margaret
name:John Longstaff
baptism/christening date:18 Feb 1852
St. Margaret, Durham, Durham,
indexing project (batch) number:I04476-7system origin:England-EASysource film number:2082460

thanks
He signs clearly in 1911 as John Longstaff, how weird that there were consistent transcription error records. Can you give me any other details so that i can trace his parents in the census records

Hello

I cannot find him with his parents in the census returns, which is why i suggested you explore thePArish Records, they can be as informative a census return, and it is the way research was undertaken in pre internet days!

I am not sure where you are situated in the world, if you go to the site familysearch.org and look at the tool bar you should find a centre near to you where you can order and view the Parish records.

Collect all references to the name and build 'small family units