Bare knuckle boxer

[ironmonger]

I am trying to find an ancestor of mine a James (Gem) (Jim) Carney born 5 Nov 1856 Birmingham died 8 Sept 1941 London. He was english bare knuckle champion and also fought in America. I am looking for his parents also did he marry. All I can find is his boxing career. Thanks for any help

[craft1948]

I can't find him in any censuses but it may be worth spending £7.00 on a copy of his birth certificate to trace his parents.
I assume this is his birth..James Carney born Birmingham 1856 Q4 vol 6d page 103.

[lslowry]

there was a james carney married in birmingham mar 1877 vol6d page 238 could this be him?

[craft1948]

That's the problem ls....there were 2 James Carney's born in Birmingham in 1858, 1853, and 1861.........and 3 married in Birmingham in 1877, 1889, and 1909.....

[craft1948]

sorry ^ 3 born....

[lslowry]

it was just an educated guess craft being born in 1856 would have made him 21, but like some one told me, i should never assume

[craft1948]

No I'd think that was worth a punt ls if it was my relative.....the big problem is I think how much time the chap spent in the USA as he may have married there. I think he must have been there a while 'cos there are quite a few, quite valuable, american cigarette cards with him on.........
If ironmonger finds his parents from the birth certificate it may be easier to trace them through the censuses.

[dothawkes31]

From a brief scan of a few sites I've found that his parents were Irish, that he was in America in 1881 and then in prison for a while when he got back, then he worked for an american millionaire as his bodyguard in new orleans until late 1891.

[lslowry]

yes dot carney was sentenced to 6 months for the manslaughter of jimmy highland in 1882 in 1889 he was reported to have opened a pub in cardiff, but no mention of his personal life

[ironmonger]

Thank you all for your replys. The info you have sent now confirms the details I have.
To craft1948 thank you I will risk the £7 on a BC
To DotHawkes thank you I was not sure his parents were Irish so will try there sites
I will let you know how I get on when his BC arrives in the meantime have a good weekend

[craft1948]

hope you get lucky ironmonger.....