Bisset/Gordon conundrum

[sancti]

In 1851 Thomas Bisset, (born Wemyss) married Helen Simpson (born Auchtermuchty)

I can't find them with their children on 1861, 1871, 1881 census but there is a family on those census years recorded as Gordon with the correct names and ages of the Bisset children.

The births in Scoonie are all recorded with the name Bisset

1891 has Thomas and Helen with their younger children now recorded as Bisset

1861 shows Helen as 'wife of head' and no sign of Thomas.

I can't see why they would be recorded with surname Gordon

[MonicaL]

Hi Sancti

Does the name Gordon feature at all in Thomas' side? Just thinking he might be illegitimate and flipped between surnames.

Were the children registered under the surname of Bisset?

Monica 

[MonicaL]

If anything, he used the middle name of Boswell on all the children's birth regs didn't he?

Monica

[MonicaL]

....6. Thomas Boswell Bisset – 3 x great grandfather and man of mystery. Thomas Bisset seems to have been born Thomas Gordon, in Wemyss, Fife in 1831. He was the illegitimate son of Elizabeth Grieve and John Gordon. Like George Leslie, Thomas’s early life is a complete mystery to me. From his marriage to Helen Simpson in 1851, he becomes a little more visible and towards the end of his life the recorded evidence of his existence mounts up. But it is confusing; not least because his birth, marriage and death records all contain different names for his  father. And where does Boswell come from? My family seems to have adhered quite strictly to the Scottish naming pattern, and I can’t find a Boswell connection anywhere. Apart from all that, Thomas fathered at least 13 children, and I can’t help thinking of him as a bit of an old goat with a twinkle in his eye – and hopefully a few good stories to tell....
https://suzysu.wordpress.com/category/bisset/

Monica

[Skoosh]

Boswell's a travellers name, mebbes he got aboot a bit & tinkered with the lassie's affections?

Skoosh.

[MonicaL]

13 children later, he certainly did...

Sancti, wondering if Bissett may have come from his mother marrying after his birth?

Monica

[jonn]

Hello all,

Do not know if you have his death date seems he died 1902. under both surnames, ie Gordon Thomas Boswell, age 70 years Scoonie, Fife. Also Bisset Thomas Boswell, age 70 years, Scoonie, Fife.

The 1841 census, Dysart, Fife, gives this family,

Gordon Bossel, M age 65 years, Ag Lab. Fife,
Gordon Helen, F. age 50 years, Fife,
Gordon Robert, M. age 23 years, Fife,
Gordon Thomas, M. age 10 years, Fife.

Regards,
Jonn.

[MonicaL]

Hi Jonn 

From that 1841 entry you posted, wonder if grandfather (?) Gordon on father's side, had the first name of Boswell (showing as Bossel)?

Monica

[jonn]

Hello Monica,

Yes i would say Bossel, is a transcription off Boswell.

This chap Boswell, may have married twice to two Helen's, and by all accounts he had a son John Gordon, born 5/Sep/1808, Aberdour, Fife, who may be the reputed father of Thomas. aged ten years on that 1841 census.

However it will be difficult to prove.

Regards,
Jonn.