Thomas Forsyth (b. c. 1811 in Dunoon??)

[NNR]

Thomas Forsyth was born around 1811 in Scotland, according to the 1841 census. Leaving Scotland, he moved to Liverpool where he met Elizabeth Williams (who was born April 1813 in Mold, North Wales to John, a labourer, and Mary). Thomas and Elizabeth married at St. David's Welsh Church in Liverpool in April 1833 (witnesses John Mackay and John Jones). Elizabeth moved back to Mold for the birth of their son, Thomas, in 1835 and Thomas remains there with Elizabeth's parents. Upon returning to Liverpool, Thomas and Elizabeth set up home at Bolton Street and Thomas was working as a labourer when their son William was born there in February 1839. He was baptised the next month at St. Peter's. A daughter, Mary, followed in late 1840 and was again baptised at St. Peter's in November of that year. Thomas was still a labourer and the family still lived on Bolton Street.

The family remain at Bolton Street for the 1841 census. Thomas Sr is listed as a cooper at this point. He is 30, Elizabeth 25 and the children are 2 and 9 months. As stated, the eldest child, Thomas, is with his grandparents in Mold.

Around 1842 a fourth child, Elizabeth (Elizabeth Jane?) is born. She is either Summer 1842 (Elizabeth Ann Jane) or Winter 1842 (Elizabeth La K?!). Interestingly, both births fall into the "West Derby" as opposed to Liverpool suggesting that the family have moved out a little. I think that Mary Ellen died in Summer 1849. Also in West Derby. Certainly, she is not around in the 1851 census.

Thomas Sr. died in either Summer 1847 or Summer 1849. Also in West Derby.

After his death, the family remain in Liverpool for the 1851 census, with mother Elizabeth and son Thomas - now returned from Mold - being born "in Mold" and William, 10 and Elizabeth, 8 being born in Liverpool.

Six years later, in July 1857, when Thomas Jr gets married, his long dead father was listed as being a "porter". Thomas was living on Trueman Street at this time, and his wife Ann Jones on Vauxhall Road.

And in the 1861 census Thomas' family are living at No.11 Catherine Street South. Thomas is a 28 year old carter, whilst wife Ann (nee Jones) is 35. What is confusing is that there are two children – listed as Thomas’ son and daughter with the family. William is aged 22 and is a carter born in Toxteth Park, and Jane is a 17 year old former servant. It's quite clear that these are actually his younger siblings.

And that's everything I know about the Scottish Thomas Forsyth (c.1811-1847/9).

Family legend tells us that the Forsyths were from Dunoon. This is my only potential link for Thomas' origins and I think my only hope for his origins are to see how many Thomas Forsyths are born around there between around 1805 and 1816 and see whether any seem to leave recorded (Scottish) history instead of being married/appearing on census etc. A big task!

If anyone has any pointers/advice/help then please do feel free to advise!!

[NNR]

Well, he doesn't seem to be from Dunoon! The only Thomas Forsyths I can find in the right time period are:

Thomas Forsyth son of James Forsyth and Margaret Pope born on 17 May 1815 at UDNY, ABERDEEN, SCOTLAND
Thomas Forsyth son of Alexander Forsyth and Jane Symmers born on 5 April 1810 at FINTRAY, ABERDEEN, SCOTLAND
Thomas Forsyth son of John Forsyth and Mary Trotter born on 28 April 1801 at LANGTON, BERWICK, SCOTLAND
Thomas Forsyth son of Thomas Forsyth and Agnes Chisholm born on 19 September 1806 at STOW, MIDLOTHIAN, SCOTLAND
Thomas Forsyth son of Bezaliel Forsyth and Kathrine Mitchell christned on 1 April 1816 at Middlebie, Dumfries, Scotland
Thomas Forsyth son of James Forsyth and Elisabeth Galbraith born on 24 April 1806 at WHITTINGEHAME, EAST LOTHIAN, SCOTLAND
Thomas Forsyth son of David Forsyth and Betty Mclagan born on 4 August 1815 at KINNOUL, PERTH, SCOTLAND
Thomas Young Forsyth son of William Forsyth and Barbara Murray born on 17 March 1814 at BARR BY GIRVAN, AYR, SCOTLAND
Thomas Forsyth son of James Forsyth and Mary Whannell born on 19 October 1817 at GIRVAN, AYR, SCOTLAND
Thomas Forsyth son of John Forsyth and Isabela Gilchrist born on 27 May 1816 at LIVINGSTON, WEST LOTHIAN, SCOTLAND
Thomas Forsyth son of James Forsyth and Jean Walkingshaw born on 4 May 1809 at TORPHICHEN, WEST LOTHIAN, SCOTLAND
Thomas Forsyth son of Thomas Forsyth and Janet Andrew born on 22 December 1801 at GLASGOW, LANARK, SCOTLAND
Thomas Forsyth son of Thomas Forsyth and Robina Aird born on 19 March 1802 at MAYBOLE, AYR, SCOTLAND
Thomas Forsyth son of John Forsyth and Isobel Laird born on 16 May 1814 at SHOTTS, LANARK, SCOTLAND
Thomas Forsyth son of George Forsyth and Margaret Borrowman christned on 21 October 1810 at Larbert, Stirlingshire, Scotland
Thomas Forsyth son of William Forsyth and Margret Wood born on 18 May 1801 at DUMBARTON, DUNBARTON, SCOTLAND

The closest to Dunoon is the last one who was born 27 miles away...and about 10 years too early!

Now, how to whittle down this 16 to try and find my 'one'...

[NNR]

Maybe this could be moved to the broader 'Scotland' topic. Moderators...?

[NNR]

I've sifted through all of these Forsyths and now have just seven from whom 'my' Thomas must come:

Thomas Forsyth son of Thomas Forsyth and Robina Aird (or Andrew) born on 19 March 1802 at MAYBOLE, AYR, SCOTLAND
Thomas Forsyth son of William Forsyth and Margret Wood born on 18 May 1801 at DUMBARTON, DUNBARTON, SCOTLAND
Thomas Forsyth son of Alexander Forsyth and Jane Symmers born on 5 April 1810 at FINTRAY, ABERDEEN, SCOTLAND
Thomas Forsyth son of Thomas Forsyth and Janet Andrew born on 22 December 1801 at GLASGOW, LANARK, SCOTLAND
Thomas Forsyth son of James Forsyth and Mary Whannell born on 19 October 1817 at GIRVAN, AYR, SCOTLAND
Thomas Forsyth son of John Forsyth and Isabela Gilchrist born on 27 May 1816 at LIVINGSTON, WEST LOTHIAN, SCOTLAND
Thomas Forsyth son of John Forsyth and Mary Trotter born on 28 April 1801 at LANGTON, BERWICK, SCOTLAND