Thomas Smith, born 1808/1809, North Leith

[rozee]

Trying to find Thomas Smith reported to being born in North Leith in 1809. Cannot find him but can find a Thomas Smith in 1808, however family myth was that his surname was really McKenzie.  He married on 21 May 1830 and joined the army in Kent in England in October 1830.  Cannot find marriage.  Committed forgery in 1834 and was transported to Oz.  Does anyone think that this Thomas belongs in your family - either Smith or McKenzie?

[GEN10]

Hya rozee, your Thomas born 1809 could possibly be the same one born 1808, a year out does not make much difference unless you are absolutely positive of the birth year. You say he married on 21 May 1830, but you can't find a marriage certificate, how do you know he married on this date? Could he have married in England? Try looking at 1837 on line, you can search for a MC for him there.http://www.1837online.com What about hs army record, try the public records office they should have details of it there and point you in the right direction to purchase them. Sorry for all the questions, Gen10

[rozee]

Dear Gen10,  Thomas Smith's army record claimed he was married 21may1830.  He discharged from the army 1834 for forgery and transported to Australia for 14 years.  He left behind his wife and 2 boys.  I can trace most of his family in Aust as he remarried a London convict and had many children.  It is his parents, siblings and wife and children he left behind I am desperately trying to find.  Have tried everywhere for the wedding.  Not on 1837 as it is too early and not on Scotland website either.    I have actual copies of the army records so I can verify those are the dates he gave (whether he told the truth or not cannot tell).  He also gave North Leith as his birthplace. Where can I go from here?

[GEN10]

Hya Rozee,sorry for not getting back to you but work commitments had to come first. Can I ask you who Thomas married? Have you tried looking for a death cert for his first wife and MC for his two children? The Mormon site holds most of the records, you could try finding your nearest LDS office and ordering the parish records to view in their offices. Can't think of anything else to suggest.
Lex

[rozee]

thanks for the suggestions but do not know the christian name of first wife or children and cannot find marriage for that date.  since I last wrote have got his death cert as well as birth cert of a son and daughter to 2nd wife here in Oz and the country of birth for Thomas is listed as Ireland.  as he was a convict think that he may have lied about his birthplace when joining British army so may pursue the irish connection instead.  his religion was listed as C of E so think maybe the family moved from Ireland to North Leith and maybe thought that since he was in Oz might as well tell the truth about country of birth.  He definitely claimed he was born in North Leith in his army record but ....... what a mystery.  Are there any smiths in North Leith who came from ireland before say 1830 and have a missing son called Thomas - that may be another line of enquiry.

[rozee]

Sorry Gen10, forgot to say that once someone was transported to Australia, any previous marriage in the UK was dissolved as they were transported for 7 or 14 years so therefore free to marry here.  Thomas did not wait long to remarry - not 7 years. 

[K8]

This Thomas Smith/ McKenzie is one of my G-G-G-Fathers. Just wondering whether anybody has managed to track down the elusive wife and 2 boys back in the UK?
Cheers, Kate.

[rozee]

Kate, Thomas Smith is my husband's gr gr grandfather and he was born on Ireland.  He states that on the birth certificates of his younger children.  He obviously lied when he joined the British Army (I have a copy of his records whilst in the Army and also his conviction records for forgery). He probably married when he left Ireland for Scotland or more probably when in England.  Trying to locate any records in Ireland would almost be impossible as we do not know Thomas's real surname and it is most probably not Smith.  He was an educated man and family myth was that he left Ireland because he shamed his family by causing some misdemeanour. How are you connected to Thomas and Mary?

[K8]

Hi Rozee,
The elusive Thomas Smith/ McKenzie is also my gr gr great grandfather and Mary my gr gr gr grand mother.

This is where I fit into the HUGE Family Tree (more like a forest):
Thomas Smith/ McKenzie Married wife No. 2 Mary Harriet Birdsill
Agnes Smith (their daughter) Married Joseph Argent
Theodore William Agent (their son) Married Muriel Rose Long
My Grandfather (their son) (Living) Married My Grandmother (Deceased)
My Mother (their daughter) (Living) Married My Father
Me, Kate (Living... obversely) QLD Australia

I would love a copy of his British Army records and his conviction records. If you are happy to give them, i can post a temporary email address you can send them to.

Any hints as to what the misdemeanor was that shamed his family back in Ireland?

Do you have or know of anyplace that has a picture of Thomas or Mary, all i can go on is the detailed description give when were busted.

Thomas Smith:
1834 Age: 27
Complexion: Ruddy/Speckled: Hair Brown: Eyes Blue: Small scar inside forefinger of right hand

Mary Harriet Birdsill:
1836 Age: 19
5' 2 1/2" In Height, Complexion: Pale And Pock-pitted, Dark Brown Hair And Hazel Eyes. Scar At Back Of Forefinger Of Left Hand, Scar Inside Right Wrist.

Many Thanks,
Kate