4
« on: Saturday 04 March 06 10:29 GMT (UK) »
Hello
I'm researching my family history and don't have a great deal of information on my Kays.
Thomas Kay was born c1809 probably in Lancashire, possibly the son of John and Betsy Kay.
In 1827 Thomas was a stonemason's boy (apprentice?). He was also on trial on 6 April 1827 for felony. Thomas was accused of stealing clothes - the crime appears to have been committed in Blackburn, so this may have been his home town. He may have committed the theft in the company of one Isaac Lancaster.
Thomas was found guilty. As this was his third offence, he was sentenced to 7 years' transportation.
Thomas arrived in New South Wales on 25 November 1827 on the ship 'John'. At this time Thomas gave his age as 18. He was 5'6 1/4' tall, brown haired with hazel eyes. His complexion was described as 'ruddy, freckled'. He had
a small scar on the corner of his left eye and at the left corner of his mouth. Thomas had a mermaid tattooed on his left arm. He was illiterate and his religion is recorded as Protestant.
Thomas was assigned to the Mineral Surveyor for the Sydney Waterworks. He was still assigned to the Mineral Surveyor at the time of the 1828 Census of New South Wales. At this time he was living at Hyde Park Barracks.
On 11 May 1840 Thomas married Mary McFarlane. Mary had come free to New South Wales. The ceremony was performed by William McIntyre, minister of the Presbyterian Church of Scotland. The record of the marriage does not give the names of the parents of either party.
Thomas and Mary had at least 4 children: Elizabeth, b 8 Feb 1841; Mary Anne b 26 June 1843; John William b 4 March 1846 and Thomas b 9 July 1851. Thomas and his family were living in Pitt St, Sydney at the times of the birth of the first 3 children:at the time of Thomas jnr's birth they were living in Waterloo St. Thomas snr's profession is variously described as stone cutter or stone mason in his children's birth records.
Thomas snr died prior to 1901, possibly on 25 June 1870. A Thomas Kay, profession grocer, married to a Mary McFarlane died on this date. This Thomas Kay was recorded as having 3 sons and one daughter living, one daughter deceased. The informant was Henry Kay, Thomas's son. I have found no record of birth for Henry Kay.
Thomas jnr married Elizabeth Harper of Manchester on 17 August 1901. Elizabeth was the daughter of John Harper, master mariner, and Jane Fisher. Both her parents were dead at the time of her marriage, as were Thomas jnr's. Thomas jnr gave his age as 43 (he was 50) and Elizabeth gave her age as 31. Thomas' occupation is listed as Shoemaker and his residence as French St North Sydney. They were married at 471 Pitt St, Sydney to the rites of the Reorganised Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
Thomas jnr and Elizabeth had at least 3 children: Amy (bd1901), Violet D R b 1903 and Arthur George Albert b Monday, 16 March 1908 at 66 Arthur St, Sydney.
Arthur Kay married Mary Agnes Bartlett at St Bernard's Roman Catholic Church, Mascot. Both Arthur's parents were dead at this time, as was Mary's father John McDonald Bartlett. Mary was 18, so her mother Johanna Bartlett (nee Gleeson) gave her consent to the marriage. Arthur gave his age as 23.
Arthur and Mary were my father's parents.
I would be interested to learn of Thomas Kay snr's and Elizabeth Harper's families in England. I would also be interested in hearing from descendents of Thomas jr's siblings and his other children.
Thank you.
Sharon
Show Posts
