Missing Great Grandfather

[purple fairy]

I found out today that my Great Grandfather William Thomas was a miner (born June 1860 at Polgear, Wendron, Cornwall) left for South Africa in 1903 and never returned to his family in Cornwall.  His son William Henry (born 1885 Cornwall) followed a few years later.  Can any kind person help or suggest any leads that might help me find out what happened to them both.  Many thanks in anticipation.

[Leanne68]

Hi,
I have some information on Cornish miner immigrants, but a surname would be helpful.
cheers
Leanne

[purple fairy]

Hi Leanne

My Great Grandfathers surname was THOMAS.  Unfortunately this is a common surname and paring it with William is more common still!!  I have no information where he may have sailed from and everything I try draws a blank.  If you have any info or suggestions where else to look, I will be very grateful.

Regards
Jocelyn

[Leanne68]

Hi Jocelyn,
Yeah .. i assumed with his son, being William Henry, that it wasn't unlikely that Thomas was a middle name :-)

The book "Cornish Immigrants to South Africa" by Graham Dickason lists the following:

THOMAS

William. At Randfontein between 1913 - 1920

There is also
W. listed .. with no other details given.

There is of course no evidence that this is your chap, but the book makes an interesting read in terms of the Cornish miners role in the South African mining industry.

The Naairs site offers up the following estate files that might be of interest:

TAB MHG Ref 51859 THOMAS, William 1923 Surviving spouse Eleanor (born LINDSAY)
TAB MHG Ref 53564 THOMAS, William Henry 1924 Surviving spouse Maria Elizabeth THOMAS (born HEYDENRYCH)
TAB MHG Ref 79428 THOMAS , William 1932 Divorced spouse Eva Marion THOMAS
TAB MHG Ref 2196/39 THOMAS William 1939 Surviving spouse Evaline May THOMAS (born KIDSON)
TAB MHG REf 1290/49 THOMAS, William 1949
TAB MHG Ref 3466/51 THOMAS, William 1951 Surviving spouse Edith Emily Oakley THOMAS born BLACKHURST


It the one for William Henry THOMAS is the son of your g-gfather then it might well indicate if he was still alive at this time.

best wishes
Leanne

[purple fairy]

Hi Leanne
Sorry to be so ignorant but what is the 'Nairres site' and can I access it?  Is the book you mentioned still in print?  I am very curious especially if it includes later mining as my paternal grandfather was mining in Africa in the late 1920's and 30's.  I think I can vaguely remember talk of the Gold Coast and Portuguese West Africa - does that sound feasible?  Thank you so much for your help. 
Regards
Jocelyn

[Leanne68]

hi again Jocelyn,
There is a comprehensive sticky posting about the NAAIRS site as you log into the "Emigrants to South Africa" forum.

iro the book ... you could try and google it/and or the author .. i'm sure there must be some info out there.
best wishes
Leanne