The information presented here on James and Elizabeth Austen of Thanet, England and his descendants, English, South African, New Zealander, and Australian has been collected from family, genealogical contacts and official sources over a period of more than 20 years. Many family members from most branches of the family have contributed recollections, documents, photographs and guidance to this ongoing recording of the family history. I would especially like to thank all my relatives from each branch of the family who helped so enthusiastically in a variety of ways during fact finding trips to Sussex, Kent, Oxfordshire and Devon over several visits. Thank you all for your generosity, help,friendship and stories; I hope I do justice to your contributions.
Not everything is based on hard proof; indeed some of the material at the first and second generation is considered speculation. The family of John Austen (1803-) is an example of where the record is in need of verification. I would particularly welcome contact with the Philpott family of St Lawrence to confirm our latest connection.
The ancestry of James, father of Abraham, is not yet proven; all there is, is speculation of a connection with the
ancestors of novelist Jane Austen (Thanks to Malcolm we have a DNA sample; I am hopeful of eventually getting a Jane Austen sample for comparison.) but these are matters for conjecture and continuing enquiry. However I have become increasingly sceptical of this story as the latest findings suggest an origin of around Canterbury where there are scores of Austen families, all with similar first names; and a challenge to sort out.
There is scope for more photographs and stories and of course the correction and addition of dates, times, places and stories. I am keen for further input.
A footnote. This presentation is part of a collection of Austen family trees. (See: http://austenfamilies.weebly.com/ Such a project requires limits. Mine is to stick to Austen and therefore not include the ancestries of spouses or the records of descendants of female family members beyond those of their own offspring.
Updated February 2017