Julia was born in Guildford, Surrey. She was baptised at St. Nicholas Church on December 16th 1857. She had 3 older siblings, Selina, Alan, and Seymour, and a further 3 siblings, Alwin, born 1861, Rosina, born 1862, and William, born 1866. Her father, Alwin, was a Police Officer and her mother, Sarah, nee Williams, was a dressmaker. They were married in Worthing in June 1849. The family moved several times during Julia's childhood due to changes in Alwin's occupation. He moved from Worthing to Guildford with the police force, then to Portsmouth where he worked as a Railway Porter, then back to Worthing where the family finally settled and he became a gardener. They lived at 6, Heene Mews, Worthing (this was at the rear of Heene Baths). Julia and her sister, Rosina, both became dressmakers, Julia was also a swimming teacher. The family later moved to 7, Heene Mews. Julia died on 22nd June 1883 from enteric fever and TB. No probate.
Alwin died in 1895 and Sarah in 1910. Both are buried at Heene.