Looking for William Stoker

[Vabre]

I am looking for William Stoker, born County Down in 1829, the son of Thomas Stoker and Mary Dixon of Durham.
Would anyone be researching the Stoker's?  I am at a loss to understand as to the connection between Durham and County Down. Would anyone have any suggestions please ?.

John...Sydney

[TF13]

hi john,

it would be a total guess but possibly it was the linen industry that made them move to county down, maybe thomas was offered work?

tony

[Vabre]

Hi Tony,
Thank you for your thoughts, who is to know, it may have been linen, however he appears in the 1861 Census in Durham as a cattle dealer and then in 1871 he is a retired farmer with his wife now dead.
I did read today that there were limestone quarries in both Co. Down and Co. Durham in the 1820's, maybe that is the reason his father Thomas went to Ireland, that is also an another avenue to explore.
William immigrated to Australia in 1858, aged 29 years, married here, went to New Zealand where I feel he was in the coke making business in Greymouth returning to Australia about 4 years later. He then was employed as coke maker with the Australian Gas Co. and one wonders where he learned that trade for the New Zealand plant was a new one and why would he be "poached" to go to NZ on a "green field" plant ?
John...Sydney

[kintree]

John

What is your evidence that William was born in Co Down?

1841 Census of England shows (in Brandy Row, Washington, Co Durham) William Stoker, age 12, b Co Durham, with his parents Thomas Stoker, miner, & Mary.

Adrian

[Vabre]

Adrian,
William Stoker, immigrated to Australia on the "Forest Monarch" in 1858. The passenger's manifest state that he was born in County Down and that his parents were still living in County Down - I have a copy of this, and it actually says Rioring ? ( hard to read ) County Down. There is no Rioring or Riding to my knowledge in Ireland.
He married Margaret Lumsden in Newcastle, New South Wales, in 1860 where it states he was born in County Down. However, his death certificate says he was born in Durham. The name of the witness is unknown to me and the fact one of his brothers also immigrated to Australia, he was actually born in Durham. One could accept that the informant thought all of the Stokers in that family were born in Durham ( there were eleven of them). The passengers list and the marriage certificate of course show this to be otherwise.
I have looked at the William Stoker in the 1841 Census and often wonder about that, however the evidence I have is overwhelming in favour of Co. Down.
I appreciate your help.
John...Sydney

[kintree]

John

Would you like to show us a scan of ?Rioring?.

We might be able to help you guess.

Adrian

[kintree]

John

To add an attachment to a rootschat posting, follow the advice at:

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Adrian

[Vabre]

Thanks Adrian,
His marriage certificate says, born in Co.Down.
Trust you can read the attached which is part of the passengers list.
John

[aghadowey]

looks like ...laborer/Riding Co. Doron [Durham?]/ Thomas + Mary living in Co. Down...