James Wood was born 7 August 1848 in Ardwick, Lancashire, England, United Kingdom to Thomas Wood (1816-1895) and Margaret Craton (c1809-1882) . He married Catherine Rosina Laura Middleton (c1861-1942) 17 November 1884 in Fitzroy, Victoria, Australia.
James immigrated to Victoria, Australia with his parents and siblings aboard the Red Jacket. The clipper arrived in Melbourne from Liverpool on 9 February 1858.
When James married in 1884 he said he was born in Manchester in 1848 as the son on Thomas Wood, brickmaker, and Margaret Craton. James was also a brickmaker like his father and brothers William and Joseph.
James deserted his wife and children after the birth of his youngest child Marion in about 1904. It is believed that he moved to New Zealand, or perhaps New South Wales.
James did not die in Victoria in 1930 and his name was not James William Wood. This was another man entirely who was born in New Zealand and who was married to Mary Augusta Rawle.
Children
| Name | Birth | Death | Joined with |
| Margaret Rose Ethel Wood (1885-1885) | |||
| James Wood (1886-1886) | |||
| Eva Margaret Wood (1888-1968) | |||
| Ada Beatrice Wood (1889-1907) | |||
| James Patrick George Wood (1891-1968) | |||
| Frederick Wood (1892-1972) | |||
| Rosa Ellen Wood (1894-1921) | |||
| Laura Wood (1895-1975) | |||
| Joseph Charles Wood (1899-1943) | |||
| Ivy Isabel Wood (1901-1964) | |||
| Marion Flora Wood (c1904-c1957) | |||
Siblings
| Name | Birth | Death | Joined with |
| William Wood (1837-1901) | December 1837 Ardwick, Lancashire, England, United Kingdom | 1901 Sale, Victoria, Australia | Margaret Ann Hyde (c1837-1912) |
| Name | Birth | Death | Joined with |
| Unnamed daughter one Wood (c1841-c1841) | |||
| Unnamed daughter two Wood (c1841-c1841) | |||
| Unnamed son Wood (c1842-c1842) | |||
| Joseph Wood (1843-1925) | 1843 Packington, Leicestershire, England, United Kingdom | 2 February 1925 Ultimo, New South Wales, Australia | Eliza Ingram (c1837-1903) Mary Donovan |
| George Wood (1843-1852) | 1843 Packington, Leicestershire, England | 1852 Ardwick, Lancashire, England | |
| Mary Wood (1847-1847) | January 1847 Ardwick, Lancashire, England | March 1847 Ardwick, Lancashire, England | |
| James Wood (1848-) | 7 August 1848 Ardwick, Lancashire, England, United Kingdom | Catherine Rosina Laura Middleton (c1861-1942) | |
Residences
Footnotes (including sources)
| Ω Birth |
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