COMPLETED

[2november78]

Hello,

Some information about my 3x Gt grandfather, Thomas Francis, has left me slightly confused and was wondering if some fresh heads could help me on this one?

In the 1851 census it reads....

Thomas Francis (Head) age 52  b.1799 Coal Haulier  Yarmbrook, Wiltshire

then in 1861 it reads....

Thomas Francis (Head) age 54  b.1807 General Labourer  Nth Bradley, Wiltshire

I can't seem to find him anywhere else. I know it is the same person, because all the other relatives fit.
I was going to order his birth, marriage and death certs, but I don't want to be ordering the wrong ones.

I don't know why he gave a different DOB
Can anyone give me any clues on this and help me find the correct Thomas?

[heywood]

Hello,

you do say that you know it is the right one so I wouldn't worry too much. Ages do vary in censuses.
Perhaps he wanted to appear younger to get employment or something and there is quite a gap in ages between him and his wife so again- that may be a reason.
By 1871 he is back at 72 yrs so he has aged his 20 yrs since 1851.

You won't be able to get his birth or marriage certificates as these occurred before registration began in 1837.
best wishes
heywood

[KGarrad]

Part of Yarnbrook is in North Bradley, so it sure looks like the same man.

I agree about his much younger wife - I am about to follow the same path, as my fiancée is 20 years younger than me!
Maybe I can knock 10 years off my age as well?! 

[2november78]

Thank you. 

I did see that his wife was a bit younger than him, maybe he was married before?

Think I may struggle going any further without being able to get hold of those certificates.
I'm not 100% sure, but I think his dad was called James.

[Sandymc47]

Hi
This made me laugh as I notice its the new census year 2011 and just
wondered if people will be knocking years off for show on this one.
It will be great if we could live long enough to have a read of it but
they dont show it for nearly one hundred years so I might be putting
my glasses on in heaven to look lol  

regards and good luck from
Sandymc

[KGarrad]

Think I may struggle going any further without being able to get hold of those certificates.
I'm not 100% sure, but I think his dad was called James.

You need to find the relevant parish registers, I think.

Familysearch.org has a 1797 baptism in North Bradley of a Thomas Francis.
Parents John & Grace.
And also a 1804 baptism in North Bradley. Parents Paul & Susanna.

[heywood]

Now with the possibilities of searching quite recent birth indexes, it could be a minefield with finding out ages!

I know a couple of ladies who will not disclose their ages at all - I could look them up and give a wry smile if the topic ever came up again... but I won't 

[heywood]

Think I may struggle going any further without being able to get hold of those certificates.
I'm not 100% sure, but I think his dad was called James.

You need to find the relevant parish registers, I think.

Familysearch.org has a 1797 baptism in North Bradley of a Thomas Francis.
Parents John & Grace.
And also a 1804 baptism in North Bradley. Parents Paul & Susanna.

I saw the 1797 one and assumed it was him but he could have been baptised a little late. 

[2november78]

The two dates I have for his DOB are 1799 and 1807, so I don't know how this would fit.

With two different dates, it's difficult to find out who his parents are.