I first responded in 2002. What a difference 10 years can make. James Voakes and Jemima (Hunter) Vokes originated in Newport Yorkshire England. In 1860 (US Census/Grosse Pointe Township) they had five children; Josiah (19), William (17), Ellen (15), Richard (7)and Palmer (1). Listed with then are a Moses Martin (23) and a James Voakes (15). The 1870 lists them in Hamtramck Township (same as Grosse Pointe Twp., just changed the name) and in 1880 Sterling Heights. In 1900 Jemima was living with her daughter Nette Stedel). James and Jemima's daughter Ellen married Peter Voakes, son of John Voakes and Anna Hunt (verifying her surname). Peter Voakes was a brother to my gg grandmother Elizabeth Voakes who married John Johnson. I just located the "Whoakes" family in the 1851 England Census two days ago. John Voakes was from Newport Yorkshire while his wife Anna was born in Broomfleet Yorkshire. It appears that both John and Anna were originally buried in a "Kolbe" cemetery but were later transferred to Forest Lawn into the John Johnson and Elizabeth Vokes plot. I have been searching for my gg grandmother's place of origin since the early 90s. I did publish a genealogy in 1993 listing all the descendants from their nine (out of 13) surviving children. If you live in the Detroit area (I'm in Eastpointe) and would like to meet up, compare notes and possibly share photographs, please contact me directly at
mrossmanmi@earthlink.netMarty Rossman