Author Topic: William Thomson  (Read 1193 times)

Offline samarai

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William Thomson
« on: Monday 07 September 09 06:53 BST (UK) »
I am new to this forum and also to family history (having only just caught the "bug") so please bear with me. My GGGGG..father was William Thomson born around 1801 supposedly in Irvine. His parents are noted as  John Thomson and Margaret Crawford on his death certificate. He married Mary Kerr in 1928 and Margaret Mair Risk in 1861 I think. Despite hours of trawling various sites I cannot find his birth information to confirm his parents. I can find brothers and their families but not him. Newspaper cuttings refer to him as "Provost" in the 1830's. and a Death Notice says he was 80 when he died in 1880 but that is all I have. Any help would be very much apreciated.

Penny

Offline MonicaL

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Re: William Thomson
« Reply #1 on: Monday 07 September 09 09:37 BST (UK) »
Hi Penny

The Old Parish Register entries pre 1855 are sometimes patchy. You may be able to find other siblings' births and christening details but sometimes not the one you are looking for which is a pity, but not uncommon.

One way for you to double check on William's parents' details would be on his second marriage entry to Margaret Risk on 15 JUN 1858 Tradeston, Glasgow. Given that this is information he himself would have given, it is always worthwhile checking this source also.

Mother Margaret Crawford shows on family trees witht the following details: Born on 23 June 1766 and died on 12 Apr 1856 in Paisley Road, Glasgow. Buried in the Churchyard at Irvine. Sometimes also worth checking death certs of parents to see whether the name you are researching shows as an informant/witness.
     
Penny, not sure how much information you have on William and family already. I am assuming you have his census details to his death in 1880?

His Will entry shows on SP on 20/01/1881.

Monica  :)
Census information Crown Copyright, www.nationalarchives.gov.uk

Offline samarai

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Re: William Thomson
« Reply #2 on: Monday 07 September 09 10:50 BST (UK) »
Thanks for the thoughts Monica, I hadn't thought about his parents death certificates. I guess i am just trying to make sure I have the right person - there seem to be so many Thomsons and Crawfords