May James

May Emogina James 

Born: 30 May 1888, California, USA 

Baptised: 18 June 1901, Gainsborough 

Father: George Wharton James (b. 1858) – appears to have emigrated with Emma in 1881 to the USA and they divorced and she returned to Gainsborough after 1889. Website cites him as ‘Publicist extraordinaire, photographer, author'. 

Mother: Emma James (b. 1859)

Brothers: John Thomas James (b. 1883), Charles Duncan James (b. 1885)

In 1891 –

She is at Church Street, Gainsborough. Her grandfather, Robert P Smith (b. 1834), is listed as ‘Grocer’. May, her mother, her brother and grandmother, Mary A Smith (b. 1823), are unlisted.  

In 1901 – 

She is at 16 Garfield Street, Gainsborough. Her grandfather, Robert P Smith (b. 1834), is listed as ‘Retired Grocer’. Her grandmother, Mary A Smith (b. 1822), is unlisted. Her uncle, John W Smith (b. 1861), is listed as ‘Foreman Printer (Jobbing)’. Her mother is listed as ‘Nurse’. Her brother, Duncan, is listed as ‘Apprentice to Mechanical Turner’. May is unlisted. 

In 10/07 – 

PT at Holy Trinity School, Gainsborough

Qualification: Dist. in English

In 04/10 – 

Appointed to Denaby Main Mixed, Conisborough. Assistant.

Address is 41 Annerley Street, Denaby Main, Near Rotherham. 

In 1911 – 

She is at 5 Catherine Street, Doncaster. Her great-uncle, Zadock Smith (b. 1843) is listed as ‘Retired Railway Engine Pattern Maker’. Her great-aunt, Fanny Smith (b. 1839), is unlisted. May is listed as ‘School Mistress’. 

In 1931 – 

The 1931 Census of Canada lists her as in Vancouver, Canada. Her mother is present. May is listed as ‘Music Teacher’. 

d.         14 December 1972, Vancouver