I have James Hillman (Hilman) bap (according to IGI) 8 Sep 1811, Albourne, Sussex married to Sarah Parsons in St George, West Grinstead, Sussex 4th July 1830. Wits: Edward Parsons & Edward Freeman. I can't find a suitable Sarah although there are one or two possibilities.
Sarah died and was buried 21 Apr 1839.
James & their children appear in the 1841 census in Partridge Green, West Grinstead along with his grandmother Lucy (née Brooks) and a possible other relative William Wileman (which might be Hillman) aged 50 but no other info so presumably born out of County.
I then have a marriage between a James Hillman and a Fanny Cooper on 18th May 1844 and they drop out of English records at least until June 1887 when there's a possible death for James at St Saviour.
James daughter Sarah seems to have vanished completely, I can't find a death or a marriage, but the US Federal Census Record for 1850 has the following entry:
Hillman James 46 Farmer $630 England
Hillman Fanny 25 England
Hillman Mary A 6 Illinois
Hillman George 2 Illinois
Hillman Ann 15 England
Hillman Susan 18 England
Home in 1850: Franklin, DeKalb, Illinois
Two big ifs:
First James' age which corresponds to a distant cousin of his (who didn't marry a Fanny) and the daughter being called Susan rather than Susanna.
Some of the family crop up in the 1856 Iowa State Census Collection 1836-1925
James Hillman, 44, M, Mar, 1 Years in State, England, Farmer, Naturalized voter, Militia
Fanny Hillman 34 F Mar 1 year in State
Margret T Hillman 11 F 1 year in State Ohio
George T Hillman 7 M 1 year in State Illinois
Flanklin T Hillman 3 M 1 year in State Illinois
James E Hillman 1 M 1 year in State Illinois
Residence County: Floyd
Locality: Union
Roll: IA_55
Line: 12
Family Number: 56
Although Mary seems to have become Margret and the additional middle initials look odd on the picture.
And later a few more may be in the 1905 Iowa State Census Collection, 1836-1925
Mrs Jas Hillman Marblerock
Leon E Hillman Marblerock
Leonard J Hillman Marblerock
Alice F Hillman Marblerock
Census Date: 1905
Residence State: Iowa
Residence County: Floyd
Locality: Ulster
Roll: IA_86
Line: 279
although that is much more tenuous.
So how can you help?
Can you find the first daughter Sarah:
baptism
Cowfold St Peter 1813 - 1901
Sarah
HILLMAN
d
19-Sep 1830
James
HILLMAN
Sarah
HILLMAN
Labourer
Can you find any emigration info; ship, immigration papers etc.?
I'm lost in most US records so either can you find BMD info for the family or point me towards where I can find them.
Whew! Thanks.