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Scotland (Counties as in 1851-1901) => Scotland => Roxburghshire => Topic started by: specialkg on Sunday 17 November 13 15:33 GMT (UK)
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I am trying to find the 1861 census for a Thomas Sheridan born c1851.
I have located him on the 1881/91 and 1901. There is a Thomas on IGI born 1850 living in Jedburgh but I can't find it on Ancestry. Am I just missing it. Can anybody help.
He may not have been born when the census was done in 1851. His birth year differs on the censuses I have.
According to his marriage certificate his parents were John and Bridget. Maiden name of Bridget looks like Holliday.
Any help with censuses or birth would be much appreciated.
Betty
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The 1861 you found on Family Search has Thomas' mother as Elizabeth (widow)???
So not the correct one.
For some reason Thomas does not appear on the transcription on Anc****y however he does on FindMyPast.
Elizabeth Sheridan 46 Ireland
Ann Sheridan 20
Hugh Sheridan 16
Mary Sheridan 13
Thomas Sheridan 11 b. Kelso, Roxburghshire
Burnwynd Springfields Cottage, Jedburgh
JJ
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Thanks very much for finding the censuses. As you say the wrong one.
I just hope I have been following the correct one!!
Thanks again, much appreciated
Betty
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Hi Betty,
Where is Thomas in the 1881/91/1901? Just so I can get more of an idea about him.
In the meantime I have found a Bridget Halleran or Sheridan, Hawker, living in Jedburgh was in prison in 1861: http://maxwellancestry.co.uk/ancestry/resources/prisonsearch.aspx
There is also a Bridget Sheridan, widow in Hawick in 1851: http://maxwellancestry.co.uk/census/51transcript.aspx?houseid=78901129 but no sign of her in 1861 and no Thomas in 1851 or 61.
There is however a Thomas Sheridan in the prison register, given place of birth as Netherham (no idea where that is) and Duns.
Now this Thomas may not be 'your' Thomas but perhaps Duns is a lead?
What more do you know?
Emma
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Hi Emma
Thanks for your reply. In 1881 Thomas is a Mason's Labourer living at 13 High Street, Troqueer with his wife Jane and children. In 1891 he is with his second wife Sarah and living at 40 College Street. In 1901 living at 41 College Street. In 1911his second wife and daughter Lucy are living at 65 Friars Vennel. No sign of Thomas but I have his death extract as 1914 in Dumfries and he is quoted as a Travelling Pedlar. If it had not quoted his two wives I would have doubted that I had the same person
Thanks
Betty
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Hi Betty,
I suppose the thing to be remembered is that some people did get missed, perhaps because they were on the move.
We were thinking last night about the prison entries for Thomas:
Name, Occupation, Residence, Age, Birthplace, Prison, Year of imprisonment
Thomas Sheridan, Labourer, Jedburgh, 13, Duns, Jedburgh, 1865
Thomas Sheridan, Labourer, Jedburgh, 18, Netherham, Jedburgh, 1869
Thomas Sheridan, Labourer, Jedburgh, 18, Netherham, Jedburgh, 1869
Thomas Sheridan, Labourer, Jedburgh, 18, Jedburgh, Jedburgh, 1869
We have seen Ednam written Ethram, you have to imagine local pronunciation of the time. Edrom and Duns ( the other place of birth he gives) are very close.
Imagine the scene: Thomas is taken into the prison in Jedburgh and the prison officer asks, "Where were you born?" he says "Ethram", could the prison officer have heard 'Netherham'? I don't know? Just a thought really. It could be a farm but I can't see anything like it near Duns where he also says he was born.
Given that we can't find him in the 1861 census I would often suspect the parents' names on the marriage to be fictitious (perhaps to cover up his illegitimacy) and he is living under a different name. As however we have this entry I think he was telling the truth:
Name, Occupation, Residence, Age, Birthplace, Prison, Year of imprisonment
Bridget Halleran or Sheridan, Hawker, Jedburgh, 46, Ireland, Jedburgh, 1861
In the 1851 census Bridget, a widow, is described as a niece of Patrick McCart: http://maxwellancestry.co.uk/census/51transcript.aspx?houseid=78901129
There is also a 12 year old Bridget described as daughter of Patrick in 1851 but in the 1861 she is described as a step daughter: http://maxwellancestry.co.uk/census/61transcript.aspx?houseid=78919047 showing that Patrick's wife was probably married to a Mr Sheridan before Patrick, perhaps Helen was a Halleran (or O'Halleran) and 'your' Bridget was her niece.
I would suggest getting Helen's death certificate to find out what her maiden name was, if it is Halleran or O'Halleran you could have a family link.
Definitely a complicated situation!
Emma
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Thanks for your thoughts and comments. I need to have a think about what you have given me and see where I go from here.
Thanks again.
Betty
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Don't be surprised if Scottish BMD's are not on Ancestry - your have to check out scotlandspeople
Ancestry has very little Scottish Records.
Had a look at the 1841 - 1861 census also and noted that all the sheridan's in 1841 & 1851 were born in Ireland - uncommon in the Scottish Borders at this time as the Railway and Roads were been development in that period and there was a very large Irish community throughout.
In the 1841 census only one Sheridan shows up - Thomas 25 living in Earlston
Also, they seems to go where the work was, so hopping back and forth over the border wouldn't be a surprise
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Thanks for your comments.
I had a feeling when I began researching this name that I would find they came from Ireland.
As you say not a common name in Scotland in the 1800s.
Thanks
Betty
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Aha!!
Found John Sheridan in Greenlaw prison in 1847 - has to be a candidate for Thomas' father! Great thing is it says he was born in Co. Mayo, Ireland. Greenlaw was the prison for Berwickshire, which is the same county that Duns and Edrom are in. Looking good!
Prison entry for John says he was Catholic by the way. Not a surprise but good to remember pre 1855 BMDs on Scotlands people are split into OPRs which are Church of Scotland and the Catholic registers. These are by no means a complete set of records of birth, marriages and deaths in Scotland before 1855.
Bridget and John may well have married in Ireland but at least you now have a county to start with.
Emma
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Thanks again for all your help. You have given me a lot of useful information that I need to study and see where it takes me.
Much appreciated.
Betty
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although sheridan is not common in the scottish borders try lanarkshire glasgow seems to be a better link with the influx of the irish
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Thanks for that.
Betty
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Hi Betty,
I am related to Bridget holleran /Sheridan.This is a very complex family history but if you could send me a P.M
I will give you her fathers name and other family details.Yes they are from Ireland.I am very new to this and have just read your messages.Are you related to Bridget ?
Fiona
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Hi Fiona
Thanks for your reply. I have sent you a PM.
Betty