RootsChat.Com
England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => England => Sussex => Topic started by: manukarik on Sunday 06 December 20 12:59 GMT (UK)
-
I'm trying to confirm that Thomas (Norris) Balcomb (1830-1896), born Withyham, Sussex and died Edenbridge, Kent was the father of Norris William Killick (27/03/1848, Withyham, Sussex -30/07/1922 , Crayford, Kent) with Elizabeth Killick (1826, Withyham, Sussex - abt 1853, Withyham, Sussex). Thomas Balcomb and Elizabeth Killick appear to have married on 26/09/1852 and Thomas remarried in 1860 to Jane Peckham.
Welch41 posted a similar request in 2005, but no longer appears to be on here.
Both Elizabeth and Thomas appear on the 1851 Census as living at Lye Green in Sussex.
My DNA seems to have matches on Ancestry to Thomas' father and mother.
Just hoping that some else is researching this link or has some ideas on how to confirm or increase the likelihood that Thomas Norris Balcomb was the father of Norris William Killick. Any comments or hints gratefully received!
-
Welcome to rootschat
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:J7ZX-G4R
Norris William Killick
Christening 7 May 1848
Withyham, Sussex
Mother Elisabeth Killick
Image here
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-XCQ3-YL4?i=336
ADDED I see he retained the surname Killick for his lifetime.
-
Thanks rosie99!
I found that. Norris William Killick's Wedding Certificate refers to his father as Thomas Killick with the profession of Blacksmith. That was the profession of Thomas Balcomb, whereas Thomas Killick Elizabeth's father was a farmer. That along with the name Norris and Thomas' middle name being Norris coupled with the profession of blacksmith and the Census entry and some DNA matches make me suspect that Thomas Norris Balcomb was the father of Norris. Thomas must have been about 17 at the time of conception. Possibly he had to wait till he was of age till he could marry Elizabeth. She seems to have died shortly after the wedding - so I have ordered her death certificate to see if that helps.
I don't if I will ever get closer to definitively confirming Thomas Norris as father.
-
Do you have a copy of the will of Thomas Norris Balcomb
-
Good thinking! There is a probate record. Will have to see if I can find that. Trying to track down Census records for Norris William for 1861 and 1871, but no luck so far.
-
Thank you so much for the suggestion rosie99. I didn't realise how easy and cheap it was to request a copy of a will. Done! Fingers crossed when it's available it'll give me some useful information. I really appreciate your time and suggestions.
-
Do come back & post what you find in the will.
Trying to track down Census records for Norris William for 1861 and 1871, but no luck so far.
Where was Norris W living at the time of marriage? There should be a residence.
-
Will do josey! The marriage certificate just gives Withyham as the residence for Thomas Balcomb and Elizabeth Killick. From the death certificate, it seems that Elizabeth died the year after her marriage of Brain Disease (4 months). Struggling to find a Census for 1861 and 1871 for Norris William Killick to see who he lived with prior to his marriage to Ellen Forester in 1872.
-
For 1861 have you considered this?
RG 9; Piece: 577; Folio: 114; Page: 9; Fletching
George Home 55 farmer
Mary Home 55
Sarah J Home 19
Elizabeth Baker 12
Ann Friend 20
Norris Osborn 13 serv carter boy born Hartfield
Edward King 30
Trayton Grover 25
Sophia Warnett 63
Emila Staplehurst 17
I cannot find any Norris Osborn births or in 1851, 1871 censuses. Is Hartfield anywhere near Wythyham?
ADDED I meant residence for Norris in 1872 which should help to find him in 1871.
-
Thank you so much for the suggestion rosie99. I didn't realise how easy and cheap it was to request a copy of a will. Done! Fingers crossed when it's available it'll give me some useful information. I really appreciate your time and suggestions.
They certainly are cheap. :). I ordered 2 the other day, one arrived the next day. I am still waiting for the other but it is a 2020 death.
-
Thanks for checking josey! Norris' age is about right, but the surname is wrong. Although Hartfield is apparently only about 2 miles from Withyham. Will keep looking!
-
Yes, I know the surname is wrong, but Norris Osborn does not exist in any other records that I can find. N W K may have assumed or been given the name for some reason; and area of birth close. He may have been looked after by an Osborn family after Elizabeth married or died.
-
OK josey, I get your reasoning now. The age is right and at the time children went to work early on. Weird that he didn't stay with his father. His maternal grandparents were dead by then and with Thomas having remarried, maybe it was easier to put Norris out to work to earn his own keep. Particularly as Thomas and his new wife went on to have a child of their own.
-
Do you have a copy of the will of Thomas Norris Balcomb
Thanks for the suggestion rosie99. Today I received a copy of the Letters of Administration and discovered that Thomas Norris Balcomb died intestate. The only reference is to Thomas' son from his subsequent marriage, who is referred to as "the natural and lawful son and only next of kin". If Norris was an illegitimate son, I guess that means he wasn't acknowledged". Back to the drawing board!
-
Ernest Edwin Balcomb obviously did not consider that they were 'brothers' if he stated he was the only next of kin. Perhaps he had no knowledge of him if he was living elsewhere after his mother died
-
Ernest Edwin Balcomb obviously did not consider that they were 'brothers' if he stated he was the only next of kin. Perhaps he had no knowledge of him if he was living elsewhere after his mother died
That's possible. Perhaps at the time (1896) illegitimate children had no right to succession?