RootsChat.Com
England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => England => Hampshire & Isle of Wight => Topic started by: Mundell on Sunday 20 February 11 16:45 GMT (UK)
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Thomas Isaac Brett b. 18th Oct. 1868, Newbridge, Shalfleet, I.O.W. was my Grandfather.
I can trace him on I.O.W until the 1881 Census.
Can anyone fill the gap between 1881 and 1899 when he married my Grandmother Florence Sarah Flint in Clapham, Wandsworth. At the time of their marriage, he named himself Thomas Inchichoff Brett.
I have her and their children on census returns to 1911.
I know that from about 1899 he travelled to East Africa working there either as a mining engineer or as a timber merchant. Various forms of 'his' name appear on ship's passenger lists to East Africa. I cannot find him on any census after 1881.
He does appear to be a bit mysterious! He died in 1836.
If anyone has further information, I would be very pleased to hear from them.
Regards, Mary
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I guess he was travelling between 1881 and 1899 too, and was away for the 1891 census.
There are various entries for Thomas Brett on the incoming pasenger lists, eg Thomas Brett age 25, Clerk, ariving from New York in 1894. This may or may not be him on an earlier trip abroad.
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Hello lizdb,
Thanks for your response. I had not thought of checking passenger lists further back so I will do that. Is there another site apart from 'findmypast' that would be helpful? I tried to find out when he applied for a passport but that was such a tortuous process and expensive, and information limited, so I gave up. He definitely worked in West (not east as I stated) Africa, from 1899. He seems to have been an elusive character. However, there was quite a large family, several of whom I met (now dead unfortunately), so he certainly travelled home regularly! If only I had thought to ask these questions years ago.
Regards Mary
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Hi
I have found a newspaper report, Thomas Brett sen & his son [your] Thomas who are witness to an accident.
Thomas had been playing with Arthur Ernest Jupe who had a gun & a pistol………. & when they were crossing a ditch the gun went off killing Arthur,……… Thomas was so frighten he ran home & didn’t tell his father until the next day, ………..Thomas Brett [sen] said live at New park I am a labourer & work for Mr Jupe ……….
I will PM you
Ann
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hi,,The reason you cannot find Thomas is because he joined the Royal Artillery in 1887,,,number 64469
he served
home 1887 to 1889
India 1889 to 1895
home 1895 to 1899 ;)
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Hello,
Thank you for that. Yes the 1881 census is correct - father Thomas - mother Jane etc. so that confirms your finding.
Please tell me how you found that information. I have been so stumped about this gap. Can I find out more?
Regards
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hi,,his service record is available on findmypast ;)
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Thanks. Will look it up.
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Hello, My goodness, where did you find this? Perhaps there is more there about the family for me to search for.
Regards
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when someone disappears from the census record for a time,,,i always have a look in the service records for them,,,,,,found a Thomas Brett b 1869 hampshire,,,had a look at the record,,,it looked like it was your man ;D
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Hello,
Thanks again for the interesting info. Good tip. Will use it for one or two other family members who seem to have gone astray - also for my husband's family. New to Rootschat. Just learning how to use it and just how helpful the contacts are.
Best wishes
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When men are missing I always search Service documents on line,
< http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline/default.asp >
Ann
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Hello Mary,
I'm also researching Thomas Isaac Brett on behalf of a lady who, like you, is his grandaughter. Any information you can give us would be greatly appreciated.
with thanks
Carol
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Hello Carol. What a surprise to have your post.
I am interested to know which granddaughter you are assisting. Would she allow me to know? My father was John Reginald, the third child of Thomas Isaac Brett and Florence Sarah Flint.
It has been an age since I worked on this family research. However, I have some considerable information so more specific questions might assist.
Best wishes for discoveries. Mary
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Hello Mary,
How nice to hear from you. I'm going away for a couple of weeks, so I won't be seeing her until the end of November. She mentioned Benjamin to me, whose parents were John and Susannah, and I'm wondering if he was your brother?
with thanks and best wishes
Carol
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Hello again.
A quick message. I know of no Benjamin, or married couple John and Suzanna. That is not my brother's name. My older sister may know more, so in your absence I will speak with her.
It may help if your 'client', who says she is a granddaughter, would name her parents as I met most of my father's siblings, and many of their family. I have contact with a great granddaughter, whose father, (and therefore another grandchild), is still alive and alert.
perhaps for confidentiality, you may wish to convey this information via a rootschat personal message.
Enjoy you time away, and I await your next message on your return. Regards Mary.
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Dear Mary,
My client is Daphne Ann Mason (nee Brett).Her parents were Norman and Kathleen Brett. Norman was the youngest child of Thomas and Florence. She would be interested in any family information that you might like to share.
with thanks
Carol
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Hello Carol. I, too, have been away and am pleased to have your message upon my return.
I remember Daphne, and her two younger sisters, well. Also Norman and Kath. We visited the family at Portsmouth and also saw each other at Worthing. Lovely memories. I must tell my sister, Audrey, about this contact.
So that confirms that this Thomas Isaac Brett is a true family connection. He was also known as Thomas Inchchoff Brett, (as on his marriage certificate), and Thomas Inchicoff Brett, (as on my father's birth certificate), so he obviously assumed a different middle name at some stage.
I have a considerable amount of information about Thomas which I am willing to share, but too much to share in one go, or here. Rather than duplicate what you may already have, it would be helpful if you could ask for specific details by sending a 'personal message' for us to continue.
Please give my regards to Daphne. Mary
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Hello again Carol.
Just a supplementary note that may assist you, to say that I have sent you a personal message on this site which outlines Thomas's life and what I may be able to help you with.
Regards, Mary
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Thank you Mary. I'll be seeing Daphne on Monday.
Carol
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Hello Mary,
I've looked for your message, but my 'Inbox' is empty. I haven't used the Messaging facility before, so I may be doing something wrong, but I can't work out what at the moment.
Carol
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Good Morning Carol.
I have resent the personal message. I have not used this for some time, so maybe I did something wrong. If you can't see it again, let me know. Mary
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Good Morning Mary,
Thank you so much. Your message has landed in my Inbox and I'm sure Daphne will find it very interesting. I gathered that there was some activity in Africa, but very sketchily. Daphne is particularly keen to have information about Thomas' children - her (and your) father's siblings.
She doesn't have a computer, so I am the conduit. I've had to cancel my meeting with her on Monday, as I have a streaming cold, so it will be at least another week until we can get together.
with thanks
Carol
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Hello again,
I've sent you a private message, which I hope will get through. Please let me know if it doesn't.
Carol