John Thompson - Roslin

[Forfarian]

However, I will go ahead and purchase a copy marriage certificate.

Definitely the right next step.

[MonicaL]

Sue, whilst you await the cert for confirmation of father's name  ...

Have you come across this 1851 Scottish census entry?:

James Thomson 37 rail lab b. West Linton, West Lothian
Elizabeth Thomson 39 b. Culross, Perthshire
John Thomson 8 b. Roslin, Midlothian
James Thomson 5 b. Edinburgh
Archibald Thomson 2 b. Edinburgh

Address: Bairds Land 127 Wester Portsburgh, Edinburgh St Cuthberts

Monica

[MonicaL]

Same family I think for 1861:

James Thomson 44 labourer
John Thomson 18 labourer
James Thomson 15 labourer
Archibald Thomson 11
Thomas Thomson 1
Elizabeth Thomson 67 mother
Marion H Thomson 36 sister
Marion Thomson 2

Address: Private House, Lasswade, Midlothian

Not clear from the transcript whether young Marion and Thomas are children of James Snr or possibly sister Marion's? Added: 1881 shows the two Marions as mother and daughter living in Penicuik, Midlothian.

I think mother Elizabeth was Elizabeth Ritchie, married to John Thomson.

Monica

[MonicaL]

This is a possible marriage for James and wife Elizabeth:

JAMES THOMSON and ELIZABETH MELVILLE
22/08/1840
691 70 / 103
Lasswade Midlothians

Your John's first born Archibald had the middle name of Melville from what you mentioned earlier.

Monica

[MonicaL]

Just wanted to finish off what I have on censuses for James Snr. (I have them on open tabs so before I closed them!).

1871:

James Thomson 53
Jane Mckee 40 Servant
James Thomson 33 son
Thomas Thomson 8 Son b. Lasswade, edin
(Thomas Thomson Mc Phee Birth 22 Jun 1862 Lasswade, Midlothian - Mother:Jane Mc Fee)
Jane Thomson 2 Daughter b. Lasswade, edin
(Jane Thomson Mc Fee, birth 11 Nov 1868 Lasswade, Midlothian - Mother:Jane Mc Fee)

Address: Bridgend, Lasswade, Midlothian

1881:

James Thomson 64 labourer Head b. West Linton, Peebleshire
Jane M McFie 50 House Servant
Jane Thomson 12 Daughter

Address: Pike, Lasswade, Midlothian

1891:

James Thomson 75 general lab. b. Peebles - Shire, West Linton
Jane Thomson 61 b Wigtonshire, Stranraer

Address: Eskmill Row, Penicuik, Midlothian

Can't see a marriage for James and Jane, so looks like they did not marry officially.

There is a likely death for James in 1891 just after the census in Penicuik. Aged 76 and mother's maiden name given as Ritchie.

Sue, hope the marriage cert help you to confirm these details 

Monica

[aidansrest]

Thanks so much Monica for looking as well!

I'm pretty confident now that my John Thomson (born 1843) was the son of James Thomson and Elizabeth Melville.

Thanks to all who has shown an interest, and I'll let you know when the certificate is received!

Sue