thomas dorkin york union workhouse.

[maggie b]

Thank you again to all who have contributed. I agree it's a coincident about the Shepherd connection but as yet I'm not making the link; I shall keep on trying.

[Ashtone]

With the exception of the 1921 census, Thomas gives his birthplace as Keighley. His birth year fluctuates by a few years, as well

1891 census - not seeing him with Betty and the children, who are temporarily in Easingwold with her family.

[maggie b]

Yes, I've not been able to establish where Thomas was in 1891 at the census time.
He has given his place of birth as Keighley on all official forms , various possibilities: were the family from Ireland and passing through Keighley en route to another destination, was he a foundling, did he make up a father the same name as himself for the wedding certificate to avoid the embarrassment of saying he was illegitimate.....?

[jonwarrn]

Does anyone local have access to York apprentice indentures and register of apprentices which might provide more information and help in any identification?

Good news! FamilySearch seems to have what you are looking for

Register of Apprentices Bound or Assigned by the Board of Guardians of the York Union (title page of register, image 341)

D index
Has Thomas Dorkin to Joseph Beck (no 201)
also an Anthony Dorkin to Richard Cayton (no. 189)
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSDP-CKW3

Here they are
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSDP-CNMK

Date of Indenture 17th May 1877
Name of Apprentice Thomas Dorkin
Sex Male
Age 13
Parents Names (Orphan)
Parish St Dennis
Bound to Joseph Beck
Trade Tailor
Residence Sutton on Forest
Term 7 years
Fee £10 + suits

Anthony Dorkin, 14, Orphan of St Dennis, apprenticed 16 Sep 1875 to Richard Cayton, Tailor, of Sheriff Hutton

[jonwarrn]

There is another Thomas Dorkin shown in the 1871 census entry for the York Union Workhouse.  This one is born 1862, so shown as aged 9 with the same amount or lack of further information AND he appears on the page prior to the 1863 Thomas Dorkin.

Perhaps it should have said Anthony?

Anthony Dorking, 19, apprentice tailor in Sheriff Hutton in 1881
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q27B-XQTL

Some Durkans and variant spellings in Keighley in 1861 and 1871.

[Ashtone]

Great finds, jonw65!

Aug 1883 - Anthony Horace Dawkins (age 20) enlisted in the Argyll And Sutherland Highlanders.

It's definitely Anthony Dorkin, as the Attestation record indicates "Apprenticed to Mr R Clayton, Sherif Hutton, Yorkshire".

He served until April 1884. Discharge due to being medically unfit. Bronchitis and Bright's Disease.

Father - Anthony Dorkin (residence unknown)

Mother - Ann Henry (292 Park Lane, Keighley)

[Ashtone]

Further to Ann Henry (nee Sweeney) --

1869 - RC marriage to Michael Henry in Keighley.

1871 - Living at Park Lane, Keighley.

1881 - Ann & Michael Henry (both from Ireland) living at 188, Park Lane, Keighley.

1891 - Family living at 142, Park Lane, Keighley

1901 - Michael living at 126, Park Lane, Keighley. There's grandaughter Mary Ann Durking (age 18) living with the family. No sign of mum Ann/Anne.

Just to confuse matters - there's a Michael & Mary Henry living at 166, Park Lane, Keighley,
1881 - they have daughter Mary Durkin (age 21) living with them. She is listed as "married".
1891 - there's a David Durkin (age 12) with the family. He's recorded as "nephew".

[maggie b]

 With the help of you folk, at long last. I think together, we might have cracked it:I feel elated! It's all beginning to fall into place. Only sad bit is that my cousin, who died a couple of years back and was the one who had been trying to solve the riddle of our great grandad Thomas H Dawkin, long before me, is no longer  around to share this. His brother Anthony brings a new and helpful dynamic and the Keighley connection. Betty & Thomas H Dawkin named their first child Anthony, it's all making sense.
OK, I need to calm down, thank you all so much.

[jonwarrn]

Well done to Ashtone.
Looks like another tangled web awaits Maggie in Keighley!