The reference given says that Paul Braddon was born 1864 as James Leslie Crees. In 1881 he is with his father William H. & mother Catherine at 111 Little Green lane. His father was a commercial traveller, and James was a booksellers assistant, while his younger brother William was a printer
In 1891 he is still with his father , but listed as an artist (sculptor) at 159 Balsall Heath road, where his father is a bookseller while William junior was now a compositor.
In 1901 his father is is listed as a picture dealer at 28 Alfred St, Balsall Heath there is a son Leslie listed as an artist (Sculptor). He has added a couple of years to his age as James L. in 1881.
Can't find him in 1871 ,
Kellys lists William Henry crees as a stationer at 159 Balsall Heath Road from sometime between 1884 and 1888 till 1897. From 1899-1900 however, at the same address, he describes himself as a fine art dealer. By 1903 William Henry Crees & son are fine art dealers at 316 moseley road, ut by 1904 have been replaced by Sarah Higgins, stationer, and seem to have disappeared from birmingham
There is also at various times in the period, a Ernest James Crees , 297 monument road , bookseller 1892, an Isaac L Crees, engraver & printer at 50 Caroline st, a Thomas Walter Crees, embosser at 82 King Edwards Road, and Joseph Creese & Co Lithographers, designers, printers and wholesale stationers at 7 Castle St & York passage, high St. the family seem to be well connected in the stationery, bookseller etc trade.
Mike