James Thomas

[Tracey Joy Kelly]

Hi there

My great grandfathers name was James Thomas

He was an american inventor. I dont know when he arrived in Australia but he came to Western Australia in 1890 
He married my great grandmother Sarah-Jane.
he lived in Australia for at least 16 years.

I dont know where he was born or where he died (family said he left my grandmother and moved away)
he invented the cars high/low beam so i am thinking he went back to america
is there anyone who can help me find where he was born and if he went back to america please as i dont know where to begin

thank you
Tracey Kelly

[ShaunJ]

How about some more information Tracey?

What does the marriage certificate say about him? 

[Tracey Joy Kelly]

Hi Shaun

I am sorry but i dont have his marriage certificate i only know that he married my grandmother in 1891 because of a newspaper article. he married her in Albany Western Australia.

He was a jack of all trades

he was a builder, an architect, a miner and he owned 3 gold mines (not at the same time but over the period of  26 years.)
Apparently he helped C Y Oconner to build the water pipe line from perth to Kalgoolie (although at this stage i have found no documentation that would suggest it.  the only reason i know its true is that his kids were born along the pipeline so to speak as he helped build it.

what particular information are you looking for.
i was told my family members he was an american inventor. he was with my great grandmother for around 25 years then he left with her sister and was never seen again.

Around this time he was working on the patent for the high/low beam for the car and also the swivle head light .

 

I have no record of him after 1916.

[Erato]

Was he born in the US?  Do you have an approximate date of birth?  What was the name of the sister he allegedly ran off with?

[ShaunJ]

Was your grandmother Sarah Brimson?

That's the only James Thomas marriage I can see in Albany in 1891

http://www.bdm.dotag.wa.gov.au/_apps/pioneersindex/default.aspx

If you get a copy or transcription of the marriage certificate it should give you his father's name and occupation and it might give James's age.

[ShaunJ]

Is this the family:

James George Thomas
Sarah Jane Brimson

 http://home.iprimus.com.au/abibu/g0000039.html#I4518

Per that site James George Thomas died in 1954

[Tracey Joy Kelly]

Hi Shaun

Yes my great grandmothers name was Sarah-Jane Brimson.

the sister he ran off with was

Maude  not sure if she was married.

thank u for the suggestion of the marriage certificate. i do aim to get the certificate but i cant afford it at this time.

[ShaunJ]

This website also has James's death as 1954 http://members.westnet.com.au/pslewis/brimson.htm.

It also shows Sarah Jane's sister Maude as married to James Barker Meredith in 1893 and having 13 children

[ShaunJ]

Canadian headlight patent in 1927 http://brevets-patents.ic.gc.ca/opic-cipo/cpd/eng/patent/272981/summary.html