The parents of James Choice are not known. He was born either in 1793 or in 1796. His death record gives the first date and the 1851 Census record gives the latter date. Both of these sources give his place of birth as Nuneaton, Warwickshire, England. However, the 1871 Census for Leicester gives James's place of birth as Thorpe Acre, Leicestershire, 20 miles north of Nuneaton.

If James were baptized as an infant, there is no record which we recognize as his. James was baptized 22 Jun 1840, in the Church of England when he gave his age as 44 years, making his year of birth 1796.

James spent most of his adult life at Thorpe Acre. It was there where he married Mary Goodacre, 14 Nov 1820. Mary, daughter of Elizabeth (Garton) and William Goodacre, was born about 1801, at Thorpe Acre.

Mary (Goodacre) and James Choice had eight children. Records of baptism were found for the following children in the Thorpe Acre/Dishley Parish Register: William in 1823; Elizabeth, 1825; Ann, 1827; Martha, 1829; Frances, 1831; Edwin, 1834; and Hezekiah Choice, baptized in 1836. No baptismal record has yet been found for their daughter, Ann Choice, born in 1821, and died in 1823, nor has any information been found concerning son William.

According to census records, James Choice was employed as a framework knitter. Mary (Goodacre) Choice died 3 Mar 1841, at Thorp Acre, leaving James with seven young children in his care. At the time of their mother's death,the youngest of these Choice children was only five years old. Who cared for them? No record has been found to indicate that James ever remarried, although he was only about 45 years old when Mary died. By 1871, James was living with his married daughter, Martha (Choice) Baxter, at Leicester.

James Choice was buried 30 Apr 1871, at Thorpe Acre.