Born c1858 in Blaydon, Newcastle on Tyne,, the father of Ernest Arnold Ray and the brother of Arthur Wolverson and William Ray II (71C, 11C).
| 1871 | Potter thrower, 58 Ebenezer Street, Ilkeston, Derbyshire (13), living with his widowed father William and siblings (71C). |
| 1881 | 2 Rowley Place, St Mary Redcliffe parish (23), living with his parents William I and Emma E. Rowley and siblings (81C). |
| 1891 | Stone ware potter, 11 Rowley Place, St Mary Redcliffe parish (33), living with his wife Alice (27), born in Temple parish, and children (91C). |
| 1901 | Stoneware potter, 17 Rowley Place, St Mary Redcliffe parish (43), living with his wife Alice (36), born in Bristol, and children (01C). |
| 1906 | 3 Aug. Noted as a potter when his daughter Beatrice Violetta Ray (21) of 9 Rowley Place, Chatterton Square, St Mary Redcliffe3 parish, married Richard George Blizzard (RPR). |
| Children: William, born c1882 in St Mary Redcliffe parish (91C); Anthea, born c1884 in St Mary Redcliffe parish (91C); Beatrice, born c1886 in St Mary Redcliffe parish (91C); Ernest, born c1890 in St Mary Redcliffe parish (91C); Selina, born c1893 in Bristol (01C); Grace, born c1895 in Bristol (01C); Edith, born c1898 in Bristol (01C) |