Hello Ros
Thank you so much for replying and your kind offer which I would be delighted to accept. Any information helps me to expand my "Jigsaw " of this family. My own family never spoke of Thomas and we are sure that they never knew of his Australian connections.
Frederick Charles, the same names as my late father, has caused me difficulties. I found him and Florence on the 1935 and 1943 census living in Bellarwi (via Barmedman) as a farmer. I am not sure if this is in the Paramatta area where his father and mother were:-
(Junee, Illabo, Boree, Balmain, Cootamundra, Narrandera, Martin, Five Dock, Abbotsford are on many records I have found and I haven't established where all these areas are. I've just concluded that they are in the south of Sydney)
I was never able to establish his death or possible children so your information is priceless! It gives me hope that there might be grandchildren who can fill in some gaps- although Frederick married just after his father's death. However Ellen, grannie, was alive for another 10 years..
I have checked out the link you sent, nothing immediately jumps out so I will spend more time on that. I have to say that I have been very impressed with all the freely available Australian records you have.
"Trove" & " Convicts Central" really kick -started my research and the journey has been incredible.
I don't know if you can answer this but Thomas, a convict, must have been given an ABSOLUTE pardon as he returned to England before he decided to make his life in Australia. My understanding is that he could not return to the UK on a CONDITIONAL pardon. Q:- Do you know of any records of these Absolute pardons? I imagine they were quite rare.
I am really grateful for your kind offer and hope to hear back from you when you have time.
Thank you
Pauline