James Varey was born abt 1844 in Manchester District, Lancashire, England. On 10 Sep 1865, in Otley, All Saints, West Yorkshire, England, he married Dina(h) Howard. She was born 8 November 1845 in Leeds, West Yorkshire, England and was the daughter of John Howard and Margaret Lowther.

James and Dina(h) had a total of 15 children, only 6 lived. They are Margaret (B: 1863, Leeds, West Yorkshire), Downey H. (Downs) (B: 1866 Hunslet, Leeds, West Yorkshire), Mary Ann (B: 1868, Leeds, West Yorkshire), Grace (B: 12 Nov 1872, Leeds, West Yorkshire), Sarah (B: 1876, Manchester District, Lancashire) and Dina (B: Oct 1881, Manchester District, Lancashire). The other 9 children, I would assume died at birth, right after birth or a very young age, which would have happened between census recordings, as to why they are not located on the English census records.

1871 Census living at 8 Albion Terrace, Leeds, St Mary Parish, Hunslet, Yorkshire, England.
James is listed age 27 and a Hawker of Earthenware and Protestan.
Dinah, his wife of age 26
Children are: Margaret, Downey, and Mary Annie.
Also listed is: John Howard, listed as the brother in law of James ... being Dinah's brother and was also a Hawker of Earthenware. He was 19.

1881 Census living at 5 Pratley Street, Ancoats, Manchester, Lancashire, England
James, age 36 (listed as being born in Manchester, Lancashire, England was listed as a horse dealer. Diana is age 35. Children are: Margaret, Downs, Mary Ann, Grace, and Sarah. Also listed is a nephew of James... John Varey. So, this tells me either John's brother died or for other reasons, his nephew is living with him. John is listed age 7.

1891 Census living 8 Willow Street, Ancoats, St John Parish, Manchester, Lancashire, England
James is 47 and listed as a Hawker.
Dina is 46. Children are: Grace, Sarah and Dina. As James Howard is listed as a grandson. He is 7. I have no idea who he is. Howard is Dina(h)'s maiden name, so how is this a grandson of James and Dina(h). Children Grace is 18, Sarah is 15 and Dina is 9. Maybe it was in error and should have said Nephew?

I find a census for 1851 England in Bolton Western, Great Bolton, Emanuel Parish, Lanchashire, England living at Browne Street a James Veray, age 30 and Mary Ann, age 24. Children are: James age 6, William age 2 and Dawns age 1 month (think Dawns should be Downs). I always look at names too... except for William... these are the names of James children as well... so he could have named his children after his father (and himself), his mother and one brother. Maybe he named one William, but that could have been a child that died...since there are 9 children I can not find information on. I believe James was the oldest. I did not see an occupation for James Veray, age 30. Could this James and Mary Ann be my James' parents?

Haven't had much luck on the 1861 census...
Now, what I find interesting is on a 1900 US Census for North Hempstead, Nassau, New York... I find:
James Varey, age 56 and he was a Peddler
Duia (spelled from transcription incorrectly, should be Dina) was age 55 and a daughter listed: Dina (also transcribed incorrectly), she was 18. This census also lists a Margaret Manning, age 2 as a granddaughter. The info on this census fits perfectly on my lineage and Margaret Manning, I believe is the daughter of Grace and Peter Manning (I'll get into that, as I found an interesting piece of the puzzle the other day!)

First, I had no idea, if the 1900 census, if they are my great grandparents, as I said, everything fits and it shows them all being born in England, except Margaret, born in Pennsylvania (US). It states that James and Dina(h) were married in 1863, but England Marriage records show 1865. The occupation matches the James from England as well. James birth date is listed as Jan 1844.

I did locate an immigration record stating a Dona (transcription error) Dina Varey arrived 18 May 1895 at age 50. Left Liverpool, England and arrived New York on the ship Etruria. I have yet to find James on their, I would think they came over together and when did their child, Dina come over? Will have to research some more, I may have missed something.

Now Grace, she is my great grandmother. She married a Peter Manning...I assume in England, as her name on the immigration papers list her as Manning. She came over with a son, Peter and daughter, Dinah. Grace arrived 20 November 1894, 6 months before her parents...if that is them that came over. She left Liverpool, England and arrived in New York on the Ship: Aurania. She is listed as a Hawker and her son Peter is 11 months and Diana is 1 month old. Family story has told me Diana died onboard ship. I have not been able to verify this, but find no other records on her in the US.

According to England Marriage Index, Grace and Peter Manning married June 1891. I have yet to locate him on ship records, still looking, as I do know, he was not on the ship with Grace. We assumed he may have died in England or they divorced or just went their separate ways.

I found record that Margaret Manning was born July 1895 in Pennsylvania. I was having a hard time with this, as Grace arrived in New York. Well, the other night, just doing some research and I don't remember how I found it, but I found a baptism record from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania for a Bridget Manning. She was born 6 Febrary 1897 to Peter Manning and Grace (nee) Varey. That is how the names were written! It was in a German church, St Matthew's Evangelical Lutheran Church. I am trying to research this church, having a hard time. I plan to make a trip to Pittsburgh to see if I can get more info, but I need to find out where in Pittsburgh this church was at, to give me an idea where they may have lived. Now, apparently, Peter came before Grace, as he was no on the ship manifest with her and the children. Was he a Hawker, did he work in the mines? When did he come over? So many questions I am trying to get answers for...that I hope a visit to Pittsburgh will answer, once I find out where this church was located!

I never knew of this child, Bridget. She is NOT on the 1900 census with Grace and her other children, Peter and Margaret. Remember, Diana was to have died on the ship coming over. Grace is also remarried on the 1900 census to my great grandfather (her second husband). Did Bridget die in Pittsburgh? Unfortunately, even if the 1890 census was available, it would not help me on Bridget, Peter or Grace. So, did Grace move to New York where her parents were living?

What makes me think the James and Dina on the 1900 census is NOT my great great grandparents, they list Margaret Manning, a granddaughter living with them, however, on the 1900 census for Grace living with her second husband, she lists Margaret age 6.

Both of these Margaret's are listed as being born in Pennsylvania... Talk of throwing a wrench in the research!

James and Dina(h)...everything matches on their census... and the area they lived in... is near where Grace is living in 1900 New York... Oh Vey! I'm going nuts here!

Also on the 1910 census, Grace is noted as having 10 children, but only 6 are living... so I know of Diana and now Bridget... who were the other 2 and where and when did they die? Was Peter Manning the father of the other 2 I know nothing of as of yet? Maybe the church records will hold more info and when did Grace go to New York?

Now, Grace's Daughter.. Margaret grew up and married a man named PRATLEY. That is all the info I have on her and him. No name or dates....YET!

As I stated, Dina(h) HOWARD Varey was the daughter of John Howard and Margaret Lowther. John and Margaret had 5 children that I am aware of: Richard, Dina(h), Charlotte, Sarah and John. See how these names played in Grace naming her children? Sarah Howard married a William Varey who was born July 1849 in Manchester District, Lancashire, England. I have no children listed for them or any other info on William. Sarah was born 19 July 1850 in Hunslet, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England.

Now, John Howard (Dina(h)'s father).. his father was Richard Howard Sr. He was married to Margaret. They also had a son, Richard Jr. I have made contact with a cousin from this line :) and she still lives in England. We are like 4th cousins once removed.

I am hoping there is someone out there searching any one of these folks I listed that can give me insight.

I want to know, the James and Dinah I found on the 1900 NEW YORK Census ... if they are my great great grandparents, if Peter Manning came to the US before Grace Varey, if the church records I found are my great grandparent, Peter and Grace... what happened to Bridget. When did Grace move to New York? Did she know anyone there if the James and Dinah I found were not her parents. Did she meet my great grandfather, her second husband in Pennsylvania or New York? Did Peter die in Pennsylvania?

So many questions... one baby step at a time. It was fluke to find the baptism records on Bridget!

Received a wonderful post on another post from a man who explained Hawker/Peddler to me... I could very well be of Romany Gypsy descent and I am not ashamed of that. That is my past, that is how my ancestors lived to make a life, a living. Found some great websites that really gave great depth of the Gypsy lineage. Really sad how they were treated, like other ethnic/regilious folks! :(

I will say, I am so grateful for all the towns, cities, states, countries, etc who put this information out there for us ... for one reason or another, can not come there personnally to research...

The search continues, the pages hopefully soon will tell the stories!

Thank you for any input you may be able to provide! Any questions, don't hesitate to ask... would love to find more kin folk out there.. I know you are there! ;)

Annmarie