James was one of the numerous family of James and Mary Hemingway. His father was a civil engineer and contractor.
In 1871 James (36) and Mary (31) were living at Foden Bank House, Byrons Lane, Macclesfield. Five children were in the household on the night of the census: Charles Robert (10, b. Cardiff), James A (5, b. Attringham), Philip Crawshaw (2, b. Macclesfield), Francis (1, b. Macclesfield) and Allan (1m. b. Macclesfield). James and Mary employed a nurse and two domestic servants.
Ralph's father died on 22 September 1879 at the age of 45. His eldest son, Charles Robert, was his executor (probate granted 22 October 1881).
At the time of the 1881 census Mary was still living at Foden Bank House with her daughter, Edith (19) and her youngest sons, Francis (11), Alan S (10), George E (9), William TH (7), Frederick (6), Henry (4) and Ralph (3). She employed three servants including a nurse.
Ralph attended a preparatory school in Worcestershire and was there on the night of the 1891 census. By this time his mother had moved to Park House, Longford, Gloucester, and at the time of the census her son Francis (21), a lieutenant in the Militia, was living with her; she employed three servants.
By 1901 Ralph, now practising as an architect, was living at 'Redcourt', Derby Road, Nottingham, in the home of his eldest brother, Charles Robert Hemingway. Charles was a railway contractor and married with a large family. Also in the household was another brother, Philip (32), a civil engineer who was a widower.
By 1911 Ralph's mother was living at 18 Downleaze, Stoke Bishop, Bristol, with her son Frank (Francis), a widower. Frank had returned to live with his mother having, in 1901, been a lodger in Hythe St Leonard. Mary Hemingway remained at that address until her death on 8 November 1924 at the age of 84.
Philip Hemingway also served in the 8th Bn Sherwood Foresters during the war. Their nephew, James (Charles' eldest son), was killed on 9 May 1915, serving as a second lieutenant in the Seaforth Highlanders.