Hi Tracey,
All Tasmanian BDMs can be accessed on microfilm up to 1900 at most libraries so there is never any need to purchase certificates for the 1800's - these are the actual register entries, not an index. I remember you saying that you live in WA, so here is a link to the Battye Library
http://www.slwa.wa.gov.au/find/guides/family_history/australia/tasmania/births_marriages_deaths I don't know what their set up is, but often the microfilm reader is connected to a computer and you can download the images straight from the microfilm to a memory stick or email them to yourself (very modern!!)
If you can't manage to get to a library, let me know and I will have a look for you. There is not much info recorded on Tas certificates before 1896, but always worth looking at everything anyway. Have a look here at what you can expect to find
http://www.jaunay.com/bdm.htmlOther certificates that I would purchase would be:
1) James and Sarah's WA 1891 marriage - it
might say whether his mother was deceased at that stage.
2) The 1925 Victorian death cert for Charles THOMAS to see if he is the correct person - (father of James, husband of Mary Ann) This one is a bit of a punt - you will be hoping that
ALL of his children are named, and enough details to confirm that he is your man. You really need the names of those poor nameless children!!
Chas THOMAS
Death Place: Box Hill, Victoria
Age: 98
Reg Year: 1925
Reg Number: 8301
Can be downloaded instantly here
http://www.rootschat.com/links/0aq2/ (buy an uncertified image online)
Other certificates would be Louisa's death in WA in 1902 as I would want to know who the informant was, and it may also tell you if either parent was deceased. Her address and occupation, if any, are also of interest, and it should tell you how long she had been living in each state (if the informant knew)
....and here is another in Victoria for you:
DeathEdeley Louis James THOMAS
Death Place: Dandenong, Victoria
Age: 80
Father's name: Chas Edw THOMAS
Mother's name: Mary Ann UNDERWOOD
Registration Year: 1949
Number: 18354
Another brother? So where did he get a name like that from? Will have a look around at some things for you.
Debra
