Thomas Clark birth 31 Jan 1811 in Invernessshire, Scotland

[mcadamsd]

I am researching my 2nd great uncle Thomas Clark  birth 31 Jan 1811 in Invernessshire, Scotland and died OCTOBER 16,1891 Wroxeter, Turnberry, Huron County, Ontario, Canada. 

We know he was christened 6 Feb 1811 Petty, Inverness-shire, Scotland

He is listed as a widower and a baker at time of death and in several census documents in Canada.  I am thinking he came to Canada after his spouse passed in Scotland but that is not confirmed. I have been unable to find an arrival date. He first appears definitively in the 1881 Canada Census.  He had a brother and a sister in Canada at that time and was living with sister Janet "Jessie" Clark 1828-1903 at time of death.

He is the son of Donald Clark 1785-1853, schoolmaster at Petty, and Jane Campbell 1789-?.

It would add significantly if a marriage could be found that shows the spouse and

Regards

Dave McAdams
London, Canada

[mcadamsd]

I recently received some info that Thomas may have married Catherine Matheson 08 Dec 1847 in Inverness.  However, they don't have a marriage document or any supporting info (age, parents, birth place/date) that would point to this being the Thomas Clark I am looking for.

Would a marriage record necessarily show any supporting details?

[MonicaL]

Pre 1855 and the start of official registration in Scotland, the main source of key data will be the Old Parish Registers (Presbyterian/established Church of Scotland). Only about a third of events were recorded in the OPRs and many registers have been destroyed or lost over time....

From the possible data you have been given, the only way of checking what info was included is to look at the original image on SP. This is from Family Search https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XT5D-T86  This index may be for the marriage itself, or banns to marriage. You cannot tell from the index. As to what is included on these OPR marriage entries, sadly it is a bit of a lucky dip. Some parish clerks included more info, others wrote no more than a one liner (names and date).

At least two children show for them:

William 1850 https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XB91-9DQ
Janet 1852 https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XB9Y-B38

Have you checked the 1851 census?

Monica

[MonicaL]

1851:

Thomas Clark 38 saleman
Cathrine Matheson 26
Jane Clark 2
William B Clark 54
Bella Mcdonald 20

Address: 9 Castle Street, Inverness

All the Clarks showing as born in Kirkhill except young William.

What censuses have you found Thomas in Canada? You mentioned 1881. Is this the earliest?

Monica

[MonicaL]

Mmmm....

Think this family is in Scotland for 1861, without Thomas. The transcript doesn't show the marital status, this is only available to check on the original image.

Catherine Clark 36 Lodging House Keeper
Jane Clark    12
William Clark 10
Jamel Clark 8
Catherine Smith 22 servant
Henry Banard 42 lodger
Mary Banard 36 lodger

Address: 76 Church Street Inverness

Monica

[Rosinish]

Monica,

There's a death for a Catherine Matheson (other name Clark) 1855 - 1881

County (Inverness) but not Kirkhill but I haven't narrowed it down yet.

Annie

Added,
I think Jamel on 1861 should be Janet?

[Rosinish]

Looks like Catherine died 1861 - 1862 (Indexed 1862) but dependent on what date which may have been late 1861 & in District Inverness too.

Annie

[mcadamsd]

Thanks for all the added details and research.  Looks like I need to get online with Scotland's People and pay for some records.

As to Thomas in Canada I first find him in 1881 Census.  I am unable to find him in 1871 Census but there are several arrival records for a Thomas Clark born 1811.  Unfortunately the record offers little detail. I also see a hint on Ancestry for a Thomas Clark in the 1871 Scotland census "abt 1811 - Nairn, Inverness-shire" in Lanarkshire.  FreeCen does not yield any results. 

The results from FreeCen for the 1851 census shows a likely family but one possible issue.  Thomas is shown as born in Kirkhill  while we believed he was born in Petty or very close by based on other census data.  Kirkhill seems a bit of a distance.

Appreciate the leads. Many thanks!

[MonicaL]

As to Thomas in Canada I first find him in 1881 Census.  I am unable to find him in 1871 Census but there are several arrival records for a Thomas Clark born 1811.  Unfortunately the record offers little detail. I also see a hint on Ancestry for a Thomas Clark in the 1871 Scotland census "abt 1811 - Nairn, Inverness-shire" in Lanarkshire.  FreeCen does not yield any results. 

The entry in 1871 shows:

Joseph Welsh 53 Brass Dresser b. Girvan Ayrshire
Margaret Welsh 36 wife b. Inverness, Inverness-shire
Thomas Clark 60 serv miller (as transcribed) b. Nairn Invernesshire

Address: 6 Whitehall Court, Glasgow/Anderston

Can't see any marriage entry for this couple on the index on Family Search. Wondered what Margaret Welsh's maiden name was...in case it was Clark! Added:marriage in Anderston, Glasgow showing on SP in 1865. Bride Margaret's maiden name is showing as Stewart not Clark. No obvious connection to the Thomas Clark boarding with them in 1871 that jumps out.

Dave, FreeCen is an amazing resource. Expanding all the time but main coverage still mostly 1841 and 1851. A few counties have had more years added and it is an ongoing programme which continues to grow.

Monica