I think you need to find them on the 1851 census ... there was a widowed William GRAHAM aged 33 at Hethersgill in 1851 ... if that was the William, then he probably wasn't actually the father of Thomas and Mary.
Hi Geoff
Thanks for the tip. I now have evidence which suggests that what you say could well be true.
The 1851 Census has a William Graham household living at Cocklet Hill, Hethersgill, as follows:
William Graham, Head, Widower, abt 1818, b Kirklinton
John Graham, Son, abt 1845, b Halton
William Graham, Son, abt 1846, b Kirklinton
and also under the same roof are:
Ann Gordon, Servant, abt 1816, b Kirkandrews
Thomas Gordon, Lodger, abt 1848, b Kirklinton
Mary Gordon, Lodger, abt 1850, b Kirklinton
At this point, the birth years and birth places of William Graham (Snr), Thomas Gordon and Mary Gordon in the 1851 Census all match the pattern in the 1861 Census of William Graham, Thomas Graham and Mary Graham. But suggesting, at this point, that Thomas and Mary Gordon became Thomas and Mary Graham is obviously speculation.
However, I now have an interesting development in the form of the Birth Certificate for Sarah Graham who appears on the 1861 Census as the daughter of William and Jane Graham, and the sister of Thomas and Mary Graham. Sarah Graham was born at Cocklet Hill, Hethersgill, on 25 Dec 1856. Her father is William Graham and her mother is Jane Graham (formerly Lidderdale).
Notice that Sarah was born at Cocklet Hill, which is precisely where William Graham, Thomas Gordon and Mary Gordon were living in the 1851 Census. We move from speculation to possibility.
My hunt is now on for the Marriage Certificate of William Graham and Jane Lidderdale, but where do I go to find possible adoption papers for Thomas Gordon and Mary Gordon?
Any further suggestions would be much appreciated.
Thanx and have a good New Year