Looking for the parents (or birthdate) of a James Thomas.

[keyboard86]

How did you find that?  I've been going through the census' for hours now looking for a John Thomas who was a dry salter.  Is there a site you can search by occupation, or do you just put it in an additional information box?

Hi the difference between Anc*** and FindMyPast Is that FindMyPast allow search by occupation using a * I searched for a John Thomas occ Dry* and this family popped up, so was James a John, or is this not him in 1861?
Keyboard86

[newmodernist]

He was certainly a James according to all the records I do have. (Canadian census', death record, Wales census) so it may not be him, or perhaps his middle name was John - I'm not sure.

[keyboard86]

OK let us get rid of any doubts re this family as you say John snr could be John James, the daughter Margaret Maria Thomas married a Jestyn Gwrgant Jones March qtr 1884 Neath 11a 772 although looks to be using his surname in 1881 Margaret b Trowbridge
1891 census RG12/4558/17/27
Keyboard86

[keyboard86]

Hi again,  still looking but if  this is the correct family their was also a "son" John Edwin Bryant b 1857 Clifton, Bristol with the family in 1871, in 1861 he is 4 years old and with family group headed by a Mary Bryant 38 Mary 18 Elizabeth 16 Emily 13 at Tyler Street,  St Philip & St Jacob Bristol
Census ref RG09/1767/76/16

So how do the Bryant's tie in to the Thomas's?
Keyboard86

[newmodernist]

I'm not sure...

I'll try to do some research tonight to see if I can find anything from what you've provided. 

Just so there's no confusion, when I said "John" could be a middle name, I was referring to the younger one - as in your initial 1861 census find, there was no "James" who is the relative I'm looking for. 

This one:
John 8 b Cardiff

I know from later census' James was definitely born in Cardiff, so I still have the feeling we're looking at the right family.

Thanks for all your help Keyboard86 - I wish I could do something for you!

[keyboard86]

OK to progress further with hopefully this correct family, the marriage of John Thomas to a Maria c 1853 and a John Bryant to a Mary c 1843, why have the Thomas family taken in John Edwin Bryant as a son, also why at marriage of James, was John Thomas a Dry Salter but not in 1871ish?

Above for my records or for anyone who can spot when and why?!
Keyboard86

[newmodernist]

Just throwing out an idea - perhaps the Mary who married John Bryants maiden name was Thomas? Perhaps they both died and John Thomas took him in?  Not sure why he's be listed as "son" though.  And still confused about my great grandpa James. Once I have my infant son to sleep I'll see if I can dig up anything, although if you haven't I don't think I have a hope!

[keyboard86]

Hi again, on that 1871 for John Edwin Bryant aged 14 b Tyler Street, Bristol ( John Bryant & Mary there 1851/61)  he is shown with John Thomas/Maria/Margaret as occupation Working Mill? ?  Step Father? Maria b Hittiford?  Somerset
1881 for him or John/Mary might help
Keyboard86

PS think birth place of Maria via Google is Kittisford Somerset
Their is also a massive gap between John Edwin Bryant b c 1857 and the Bryant girls b c 1843 1845 and 1848
Also to give some credence to Bootmakers in the family, Margaret Maria Jones is a Bootmaker/repairer like her husband Jestyn?

Also Maria and Mary were possibly sisters both born Somerset?
Lot to do!!

[newmodernist]

I may have found James Thomas on the 1871 Wales Census...

According to his marriage certificate (1878), he was residing in Neath at the time, according to the 1881 Wales Census, he was born in Cardiff..

So:

Might this be him in the 1871 Census?

Name:   James Thomas
Age:   19
Estimated Birth Year:   abt 1852
Relation:   Lodger
Gender:   Male
Where born:   Cardiff, Glamorganshire, Wales
Civil Parish:   Neath
Ecclesiastical parish:   Neath
Town:   Neath
County/Island:   Glamorgan
Country:   Wales
Registration district:   Neath
Sub-registration district:   Neath
ED, institution, or vessel:   21
Household schedule number:   9
Piece:   5430
Folio:   53
Page Number:   2
Household Members:   
Name   Age
Jane Thomas   35
Jane Thomas   15
John Thomas   11
Mary Thomas   5
Thomas Thomas   2
Ephram Jenkins   21
James Thomas   19


In which case, perhaps the elder Jane Thomas is John Thomas' sister?  Not sure if that helps us any.