re: Niles

Hi Henry:

I believe we spoke two years ago when I briefly tried to trace Neal
Niles. I am starting again in ernest and a census office worker in
St.Maartins is doing some look-ups for me. I definitely am going to
pursue this.

In the 1861 census for Kent England it said that Neal was born in
the British West Indies

In the 1871 census Neal Niles was age 56 and born in St. Marten West
Indies born approx 1815

In the 1851 census age 34 born St. Marten which would make him born approx 1817

On the marriage certificate, his fathers name was William.

I checked the British film for all of 1800 and there are no Niles
until Neil's marriage in Kent in the 1840's. He apparently
immigrated to England from St. Marten

Neal was a ship smith and his father a ship wright. I am going to
order the films from Kent previous to 1800 to see if there are any
Niles in the 1700. There had to be some reason for Neal to go to
England when He had not family there at that time that I could find.

I do not know if he had any siblings but I presume so and it is
possible they were born after him. His parents would have died on the island.

As you can see, I really need the old records previous to
1816. They must kept somewhere.

I will keep in touch off-list.

Dianne
Hamilton, Canada