Tracing My Grandfather

[Auld Boab]

Can anyone give me details of a William Thomson, Farmer, Broadleys farm  Kennoway, Fife. Circa 1880 to1890.
I'm told Broadleys was on Balbirnie Estate at that time, and located just North of Kennoway, but i can't find it on the  OS maps.
I wonder if he had a son named Robert.
Any help welcomed.

[ciderdrinker]

Hello and welcome to the forum
I can see the Broad Leys  farm on the 1891 census and there is a family of Thomson living there.
Thomas Thomson 70 farmer born Kennoway
Elizabeth 66 wife  born Menymal Fife
William 35 farm servant  son born Kennoway
Alexander 30 son farm servant  K'y
Catherina 28 domestic  servant daughter born Kennoway
Thomas son 25 domestic servant K'y
John 23 domestic servant born Kennoway
Grandson Robert 5 scholar born Kennoway

1881 already at the farm
Thomas 60,Elizabeth 56,William 25,Thomas 15,John 13.

1871 Broadleys Farm -Thomas 50 41 acres employing  3 acres,Elizabeth 46,William 15,James 13,George 10,Alexander 11,Catherine 8,Thomas 5,John 3.

1861 still at farm
Thomas 40 40 acres and employing 1 boy
Elizabeth 36
William 5
James 3
George 2
Alexander 5 mths
Jean Thomason  mother 73 born Kennoway
Robert Duff retired farmer 59 born Abernathy Perth.

1851 at the farm
Jean 63 farmer 30 acres born Kenoway
Thomas son 30 ag lab
Alexander Keddie  servant 16 born Kettle

It looks like William was baptised at Kennoway s of Thomas Thomson and Elizabeth nee White 11.1.1856

By 1901 Thomas his father had died (death 26.1.1892 and Will 1894) and they are at Heathewinch Farm House Knnoway
Elizabeth 76 born Morniemal Fife
William 45 farmer K
Catherine 38
Thomas  35
Robert 15
They are in the household of Andrew Mill 54 railway signalman and his wife Jessie on the entry I spotted but they seem to be neighbours  rather than living in same house.

Will see what else I can find

This is it mentioned on the OS 1855

https://scotlandsplaces.gov.uk/digital-volumes/ordnance-survey-name-books/fife-and-kinross-shire-os-name-books-1853-1855/fife-and-kinross-shire-volume-96/9

Ciderdrinker

[Ruskie]

So it should be about 1 3/4 miles NW by N from here:

https://maps.nls.uk/geo/explore/side-by-side/#zoom=16.345417818717788&lat=56.21149&lon=-3.01401&layers=168&right=ESRIWorld

(I had a very quick look but couldn’t spot it - but may have missed it)

Added:
Found it. 

https://maps.nls.uk/geo/explore/side-by-side/#zoom=17.48947508018203&lat=56.23240&lon=-3.04080&layers=168&right=ESRIWorld

Added: I found Balbirnie related places far west of Kennoway, just by Markinch, but unsure if that is the “Balbirnie estate” you mention - seems to be in the wrong direction for Broadley’s to be part of it. 

[Forfarian]

Photograph https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/6389291

According to 1895 Valuation Roll the proprietor of Broadleys was Edward Balfour and the tenant was William Thomson.

Edward Balfour is also listed as proprietor of 181 other properties in Fife, in the parishes of Falkland, Kettle, Kennoway, Leslie, and Markinch, including 23 properties at Balbirnie in the parish of Markinch.

This is Edward Balfour, 8th of Balbirnie. See https://www.geni.com/people/Edward-Balfour-8th-of-Balbirnie/6000000054848754887 and https://landedfamilies.blogspot.com/2018/09/345-balfour-of-balbirnie.html

[Auld Boab]

I don't know how to thank you guys enough for that info. Now 99% sure this is the right family because the Grandson Robert, i think was my granpaw. Wonder who was his father out of all the sons & daughter??
The reason i could not find the farm was that there was a different road into Whallyden farm, (from that of today) so i didn't look far enough North. The maps i saw show a "ruin" just in from Toddy Bridge & i thought that this had been Broadleys.
There is also mention of a "Heatherwinch farm Kennoyway. I think this is wrong as my Grandfather lived at Heatherinch farm Ladybank.
Out of all the sons Tom Thomson had, these names are common with names of other farmers in the Ladybank area.

[Auld Boab]

Oh Dear, Oh Dear,  What is my real name?? ie who was my great Grandfather?
Just been given my Grandad's death certificate. It states that a Catherine Thomson was his mother but no mention of the Daddy!!!!!!

[Ruskie]

Oh Dear, Oh Dear,  What is my real name?? ie who was my great Grandfather?
Just been given my Grandad's death certificate. It states that a Catherine Thomson was his mother but no mention of the Daddy!!!!!!

To confirm if your grandad was illegitimate, it might be an idea to try to find his birth certificate. Informants on death certificates don’t always know all details of the deceased.

Ciderdrinker has given you the family in the censuses which shows Catherine and young Robert.

The birth certificate might give more clues.

Added: I just looked on Scotlands People and there is a birth for a Robert Thomson in 1885 in Kennoway, which might be worth spending a couple of credits on. Unsure what it may or may not tell you. Someone with more knowledge of Scottish records might give you some pointers on where to go from here.

When it comes to illegitimacy brick walls I usually suggest taking a DNA test in case you can deduce anything from your matches as to biological father.

[Neale1961]

Thomas THOMSON and Elizabeth WHITE married 23 Dec 1854, Kennoway

Their daughter Catherine THOMSON born 17 July 1862 Kennoway

- In 1881 census, she is working as General Servant at Bonnybank, Fife, living with Catherine WHYTE age 81 (possibly her grandmother)
- By 1891 Catherine is home on the family farm with 5 year old Robert.
- It does seem likely that while she was in service, Catherine had an illegitimate son, Robert.

Here is the birth record suggested by Ruskie. It may not give you a father’s name, but it will verify other facts for you.
THOMSON   ROBERT      M   1885   434/ 30   Kennoway

[Rosinish]

Catherine THOMSON born 17 July 1862 Kennoway

- In 1881 census, she is working as General Servant at Bonnybank, Fife, living with Catherine WHYTE age 81 (possibly her grandmother)
- By 1891 Catherine is home on the family farm with 5 year old Robert.
- It does seem likely that while she was in service, Catherine had an illegitimate son, Robert.

Bonnybank is less than a mile from the family home at Kennoway, Catherine is a Visitor on the 1881 census, suggesting she was visiting her g/mother on census night?

I decided to have a look at the BC for Robert but there's no RCE i.e. no father named & I had a look at https://www.scottishindexes.com/ but it appears Catherine didn't pursue a claim against the father.

I think Ruskie's idea of a DNA test could be very useful.

If you send me a PM with your email address I will forward the copy of Robert's BC.

Annie