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England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => Yorkshire (North Riding) => England => Yorkshire (North Riding) Lookup Requests => Topic started by: maggie b on Saturday 06 July 24 15:39 BST (UK)
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The 1871 English census shows Thomas Dorkin born 1863 was a pauper resident at the York Union Workhouse. I have been unable to find any documentation for my Great Grandfather Thomas H Dawkin(s) prior to the 1881 census which shows him living with and apprenticed to Joseph Beck of Sutton on The Forest a master tailor; could Thomas Dorkin & Thomas Dawkin be the same person? The 1881 census shows Thomas Dawkin (s) was born in Keighley but there is no record of this. Does anyone local have access to York apprentice indentures and register of apprentices which might provide more information and help in any identification? Any advice would be appreciated.
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Have you got the marriage certificate for your Thomas - does he name a father?
Dorkin and Dawkin(s) are very similar names especially when spoken.
Is there a birth registration for the Thomas in the workhouse?
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If he married Betty Webster in 1887 his father is down as Thomas Henry Dawkin deceased.
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Apologies for this, but just to confuse matters :-\ There is another Thomas Dorkin shown in the 1871 census entry for the York Union Workhouse. This one is born 1862, so shown as aged 9 with the same amount or lack of further information AND he appears on the page prior to the 1863 Thomas Dorkin.
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Yes I saw there were two with different ages but wondered if it was the same boy put down twice :-\
Your Thomas is younger on the census records he appears on.
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I also had that thought and did try one of the other names to see if that, too, had been duplicated - but NO. However, I did only try one :-\ :-\
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Thank you all for your contributions. I hadn't realised there are 2 thomas Dorkin listed at the York Union Workhouse in the 1871 census. I can confirm my great Grandfather Thomas Henry Dawkin was married to Betty Webster in 1887 at Sutton on The Forest and the marriage certificate shows Thomas Henry Dawkin dec'd as his father.
I have been trying to trace both father and son for over 6 years without success. I was wondering if the Dorkin boy was apprenticed to the tailor in Sutton on The Forest, the indentures might provide info about parent's name & residence and reason for him being taken into the workhouse.
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The York Herald dated February 5, 1887
Marriages
On the 1st instant by the Rev. H M Saunders, Thomas Henry Dawkin to Betty fifth daughter of Anthony Webster, Farmer Sutton on Forrest.
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Long shot
Jane Ellen Shepperd is a witness to his marriage 1887.
John Beck Tailor who he was apprenticed to married an Annie Shepherd.
I realise it's a common name but it's a bit of a coincidence.
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Thank you again to all who have contributed. I agree it's a coincident about the Shepherd connection but as yet I'm not making the link; I shall keep on trying.
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With the exception of the 1921 census, Thomas gives his birthplace as Keighley. His birth year fluctuates by a few years, as well
1891 census - not seeing him with Betty and the children, who are temporarily in Easingwold with her family.
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Yes, I've not been able to establish where Thomas was in 1891 at the census time.
He has given his place of birth as Keighley on all official forms , various possibilities: were the family from Ireland and passing through Keighley en route to another destination, was he a foundling, did he make up a father the same name as himself for the wedding certificate to avoid the embarrassment of saying he was illegitimate.....?
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Does anyone local have access to York apprentice indentures and register of apprentices which might provide more information and help in any identification?
Good news! FamilySearch seems to have what you are looking for
Register of Apprentices Bound or Assigned by the Board of Guardians of the York Union (title page of register, image 341)
D index
Has Thomas Dorkin to Joseph Beck (no 201)
also an Anthony Dorkin to Richard Cayton (no. 189)
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSDP-CKW3
Here they are
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSDP-CNMK
Date of Indenture 17th May 1877
Name of Apprentice Thomas Dorkin
Sex Male
Age 13
Parents Names (Orphan)
Parish St Dennis
Bound to Joseph Beck
Trade Tailor
Residence Sutton on Forest
Term 7 years
Fee £10 + suits
Anthony Dorkin, 14, Orphan of St Dennis, apprenticed 16 Sep 1875 to Richard Cayton, Tailor, of Sheriff Hutton
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There is another Thomas Dorkin shown in the 1871 census entry for the York Union Workhouse. This one is born 1862, so shown as aged 9 with the same amount or lack of further information AND he appears on the page prior to the 1863 Thomas Dorkin.
Perhaps it should have said Anthony? :-\
Anthony Dorking, 19, apprentice tailor in Sheriff Hutton in 1881
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q27B-XQTL
Some Durkans and variant spellings in Keighley in 1861 and 1871.
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Great finds, jonw65!
Aug 1883 - Anthony Horace Dawkins (age 20) enlisted in the Argyll And Sutherland Highlanders.
It's definitely Anthony Dorkin, as the Attestation record indicates "Apprenticed to Mr R Clayton, Sherif Hutton, Yorkshire".
He served until April 1884. Discharge due to being medically unfit. Bronchitis and Bright's Disease.
Father - Anthony Dorkin (residence unknown)
Mother - Ann Henry (292 Park Lane, Keighley)
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Further to Ann Henry (nee Sweeney) --
1869 - RC marriage to Michael Henry in Keighley.
1871 - Living at Park Lane, Keighley.
1881 - Ann & Michael Henry (both from Ireland) living at 188, Park Lane, Keighley.
1891 - Family living at 142, Park Lane, Keighley
1901 - Michael living at 126, Park Lane, Keighley. There's grandaughter Mary Ann Durking (age 18) living with the family. No sign of mum Ann/Anne.
Just to confuse matters - there's a Michael & Mary Henry living at 166, Park Lane, Keighley,
1881 - they have daughter Mary Durkin (age 21) living with them. She is listed as "married".
1891 - there's a David Durkin (age 12) with the family. He's recorded as "nephew".
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With the help of you folk, at long last. I think together, we might have cracked it:I feel elated! It's all beginning to fall into place. Only sad bit is that my cousin, who died a couple of years back and was the one who had been trying to solve the riddle of our great grandad Thomas H Dawkin, long before me, is no longer around to share this. His brother Anthony brings a new and helpful dynamic and the Keighley connection. Betty & Thomas H Dawkin named their first child Anthony, it's all making sense.
OK, I need to calm down, thank you all so much.
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Well done to Ashtone.
Looks like another tangled web awaits Maggie in Keighley!