James Sharples: Mar. 2, 1841 - Sept. 11, 1924

I'm researching my family ancestry from Wigan and I've hit a brick wall. James Sharples (b: 1841) was the son of Elizabeth Sharples (1816-1910). Upon his birth, Elizabeth gave James her surname, Sharples. No father is listed in any documentation that I've come across. James was baptized at All Saints in Wigan, living on John Street at that time. 1851 census shows James and Elizabeth at the Wigan Workhouse. By 1861, I suspect that Elizabeth had married John Melling (1818-1890) and James had married Jane (nee Baldwin)(1846-1928).

I'm trying to find out the birth father/surname of James. DNA testing and Ancestry research has been inconclusive thus far. Any help would be immensely appreciated.

I've seen this a lot where no father is on the baptism and birth cert, usually because of unmarried parents. It's frustrating and i too have stopped at that brick wall more than once.

looks like the familly are buried in ince cemetrey certifcates for death burials and marriage can be obtained at wigan register office you have to pay

If you quote the following reference you can buy a copy of the birth certificate online at a discounted price.

Volume 21 page 812.