Nisbett, Donald Thomas

[Nissy]

Hi Chatters and genealogy buffs.
I have a brick wall I'd be grateful to receive help with please.

My Grandfather was Donald Thomas Nisbett born 1885 in MEOT. Middlesex.

My Great Grandfather was also a Donald Nisbett and the oldest record I can find is his marriage certificate of 1878 to Mary Foster Anderson. His age is shown as 27 inferring his birth year as 1851.
I can find him and Mary on the 1881 census in Redman Rd, MEOT, Middlesex where his birth is inferred as 1852 and place listed as St Georges, Middlesex.
He died in 1887 and his surname is written is Nesbitt with Mary Foster as witness.
I've searched many variants of Nisbett/Nesbitt without success.
On the marriage certificate Donald's father is listed as Andrew Nisbett, occupation Customs House Officer.

I can not find any sign of Donald before 1878 or an Andrew that might fit.

I've also looked at most of the Customs records at TNA, Kew with no sign of Andrew!

Is it possible his Donald's birth and baptism were not registered/recorded?
Is it possible his birth/baptism records are lost or been overlooked during transcription?

I believe the birth records for St Georges district are held at the LMA so plan to make a visit when I can get down to London with some spare time.

If anyone has any advice I would be most grateful

[hanes teulu]

1871 Census (RG10 554  87  11)

Have you considered the Nisbett family recorded in the above census.
It includes a Donold Nisbett, born St Georges, 1846 - slightly before the time scale you have mentioned.
Donold's father is a "Clerk in Custom's House", but the given name is William.

Possibility?

Regards

[heywood]

Hello,

have you seen the entries for Donald b 1846 - son of William.
I know there are discrepancies but William is a Clerk ina Customs House in 1871. Also the area is right.

1871  RG10; Piece: 554; Folio: 87; Page: 11

1861  RG9; Piece: 291; Folio: 19; Page: 7

regards
heywood

snap 

[heywood]

Baptism:

Donald Alexander Nisbet 18th August 1861 St George in the East
(Birth Jan 14th 1846)
Parents: William - a Tide Surveyor  5 Storey Street
             Marion

[heywood]

William remarried in 1870- Harriet Cole

St Paul's Church St George in the East

William Nesbitt widower Clerk 10 Walburgh Street Father Andrew Nesbitt Painter

[heywood]

If you think this is your Donald - and it does look as though it is him, I would get the certificate - details are on Free BMD 1846.

1851 HO107; Piece: 1548; Folio: 444; Page: 7

has William and Marian with several sons aged 16yrs - 5yrs (this is Donald) but there is also a visitor Andrew Nisbett 33 yrs, Painter.
William and Andrew are from different areas of Scotland but could be brothers as there is an 11 yr gap.
There may be a story to Donald's birth or he just gave the wrong name as his father.

regards
heywood

[Nissy]

Hey folks, Thanks for so many responses and so quickly. Were you just on the forum and saw my entry arrive or do you get some alert?

I have seen all the info you have replied with and have it on record. I agree that there is a very good chance of a connection especially with the references to customs, but I don't know how or where to find more info to establish a link. I accept that the birth date may be wrong but I have three points of reference pointing at 1851-3 (marriage cert, 1881 census & death cert). Could they all be false?

[heywood]

It does seem odd re the birth year as Mary seems to be older than him (according to the various records).

The Customs occupation is the obvious reference. You could see if witnesses or addresses on various certificates offer any clues.

That's all I can think of sorry.

heywood