James was born on the 24 Nov 1867 at Waianakarua. He was the 3rd child of James and Grace, born at Chalgrove in the Waianakarua area. He was a motor mechanic by trade and practiced, for the main, in Oamaru. He also listed as being a miner.
On the 30 Dec 1898, he married Esther Hyslop at Waitati Parish, North Otago and they had at least 3 children together. James passed on 1st Nov 1944, at Waianakarua and Esther in 1968. (there was another James and Esther Robertson who had a large family at the same time)
| Child | Born | Married | Children | Died | Notes |
| James | 4 Sep 1900 | 23 Sep 1925 | 4 | 9 Jul 1959 | Manson |
| Robert Hyslop | 12 Feb 1904 | 04 Jun 1930 | 4 | 10 Sep 1984 | Stenning |
| Isabel Grace | 26 Mar 1908 | 20 Feb 1929 | 2 | 21 Apr 1998 | Rogers |
