James Genth (1849–1926) was a rugby union international who represented England from 1874 to 1875.James Genth Profile on espn.co.uk
Early life
Born Jacob Scherer Genth on July 17, 1849, in Ardwick, Manchester, he was the fifth of at least seven children of Carl Georg Ferdinand Genth and Maria Louise née Scherer. Both his mother and father were originally from Hessen-Nassau and Jacob was baptised there in Frankfurt.Germany, Births and Baptisms, 1558-1898. Salt Lake City, Utah: FamilySearch, 2013, FHL Film Number: 341773 His father, known as Ferdinand, had arrived in England in 1842,England, Alien Arrivals, 1810-1811, 1826-1869, Class: Ho 2; Piece: 102; Certificate Number: 903-904 the year after marrying Maria.Ancestry.com. Rhineland, Germany, Lutheran Baptisms, Marriages, and Burials, 1533-1950, Evangelisches Kirchenbuchamt Hannover; Film Number: 341801; Page Number: 556;557 Ferdinand traded as a Shipping Merchant operating out of Lancashire. Although christened Jacob, his family were to refer to him as James by the time he was 11.1861 England Census Class: Rg 9; Piece: 2874; Folio: 93; Page: 8; GSU roll: 543042 By the age of 21, James was working as a commercial clerk in his father's firm.1871 England Census; Class: RG10; Piece: 3973; Folio: 117; Page: 3; GSU roll: 846086
Rugby union career
James Genth grew up in Fallowfield, Lancashire, now a suburb of Manchester. As such, he played his club rugby for Manchester.Marshall, Francis, Football; the Rugby union game, p390, (1892) (London Paris Melbourne, Cassell and company, limited) Genth made his winning international debut on February 23, 1874, at The Oval in the fourth meeting of England and Scotland. He again represented England against Scotland the following year in Edinburgh where the match was drawn.
Career and later life James was a keen sportsman and aside from rugby also played lacrosse, at one point represented the North in the North vs South match held at the Kennington Oval on 7 April 1877.'Athletic News' - Wednesday 11th April 1877 He was a keen golfer as well.Golf Illustrated. (1903). p153 United Kingdom: The Office. James Genth continued within his father's business and became a Shipping Merchant, residing in the family home in Burnage, Lancashire.Census Returns of England and Wales, 1891; Class: RG12; Piece: 3163; Folio: 133; Page: 35; GSU roll: 6098273 By 1901 he had retired1901 England census Class: RG13; Piece: 3669; Folio: 132; Page: 9 but still travelled extensively, describing himself as a gentleman.The National Archives at Washington, D.C.; Washington, D.C.; Customs Passenger Lists of Vessels Arriving At San Francisco; NAI Number: 4478116; Record Group Title: Records of the Immigration and Naturalization Service, 1787-2004; Record Group Number: 85 James had moved to London by 1921 and from 1921 was married to Rose Ellen.BT27 Board of Trade: Commercial and Statistical Department and Successors: Outwards Passenger Lists; Reference Number: Series BT27-136350 He died on 2 April 1926.England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations),1861-1941
References