Thomas Dobby

[j.m.firth]

I'm trying to identify the parents of Thomas Dobby, who married Sarah Ann (possibly Moss) in1882. The pair were living in Gargrave in 1891. I wonder if it would be best  to order a marriage certificate or whether a birth certificate would be better. I'm struggling to find the correct record to order the latter. I would be really grateful for some advice.   Thanks.

[suzard]

Probably a marriage certificate would be better to begin with -that will give you ages of bride and groom (not always accurate) occupation -names of fathers and their occupations -also witnesses are sometimes family members and so give further clues.

First thing you need to do is make sure you have the correct marriage reg.

If you would like to post any details you have then maybe we can have a look around for you

Suz

[suzard]

Have you looked at 1881 census 71 Richmond St leeds
RG11 4511 91 5
There is a Thomas Dobby 19 Bootfinisher b Horsforth Yorks entered as stepdson - his mother's name is Hannah

Maybe?

Will look further back

Suz

[j.m.firth]

Yes I'd found Thomas Dobby in 1881 and 1871 in Horsforth, Leeds (this also being his birthplace). The 1891 census gives his birthplace as Ripon, could this be an error? In my eagerness and inexperience I've jumped ahead of myself. I assumed Thomas's parents to be James Dobby and Hannah Foster and ordered their marriage certificate. This shows both to be living in Horsforth at the time of their marriage in 1859. It gives James Dobby's profession as being a 'cordwainer' which appears to be a shoemaker, so this would fit. I'm concerned however, since there is a discrepancy with Thomas's birthplace that I have wrongly matched him to James and Hannah and am jumping to conclusions. Hope this makes sense. Thanks for your help. Jane

[suzard]

Hi Jane,

Well I can't find another Thomas Dobby of correct age - he is consistent with age - and also with Ripon as p.o.b. after marriage .
 The Thomas found has a Ripon connection -and possibly spent his early years there

pre Thomas Birth
1861
Ripon Yorks
James Dolby Head M 23 Shoemaker Kirkby Malzeard Yorks
Hannah wife 28 Horsforth
Ellen daughter 1 Horsforth
RG9 3196 109 11

Daughter hannah was b Ripon (age 5 in 1871)

maybe Hannah (mother) went home (she was b Horsforth)
to have the children -and didn't get there in time for hannah??

You can always confirm later with Thomas'marriage cert

Maye it's worth looking for wife Sarah in 1881 to see f they lived close by

Well done

Suz

[j.m.firth]

Hi Suz, I took your advice and ordered a marriage certificate for Thomas Dobby. This confirms that his father was James Dobby (boot finisher) living in Leeds. I am fairly sure now that the first marriage certificate I bought i.e. for James Dobby and Hannah Foster, is correct. This would have been good news if it hadn't thrown up the next major hurdle - James' dad was another Thomas, a farmer, I presume from around Kirby Malzeard and recorded as deceased on his son James marriage certificate (1859). Complicated this ancestry business isn't it !- but also annoyingly compulsive. Thanks for your help so far.
Jane

[suzard]

Hi Jane,
I'm so pleased the cert was the correct one - it is always good to have documentation where possible

There is this family -which looks promising

1851
Willow House
Kirby Malzeard
Yorks
Thomas Dobby Head M 46 Farmer of 51 acres Ripon Parish Yorks
Ellen wife 41 Ripon Parish Yorks
Homer son 19
Thomas son 10
Richard son 8
William son 6
Mary Ann daughter 1
James son 13
all children b. Kirby Malzeard
HO107 2281 480 10

1841
Kirby Malzeard Yorks
Thomas Dobby 33 Farmer
Ellen 30
Homer 9
Enoch 5
James 3
Thomas 11 mths
Joseph ingleby M.S.
all born in county

and next door -may be related?
Aron Dobby 73 Ind
Elizabeth 40
Richard 40 ag lab
all b in county
HO107 1258 32 15

Hope this helps

Suz

[suzard]

The only prolem with this family is I think Thomas was still living in 1861 -and beyond?

I'll have another look around

Suz

[suzard]

This Thomas Dobby is still at the same farm in 1861/71

All the signs are that he is james father

James called his first 2 children Thomas and Ellen -after his parents?

on James marriage cert in 1859 does it state father Thomas deceased in full? -or could it read as something else??

Who were witnesses at the marriage?

Could they e relations of James???

Suz