Looking for Thomas ESPLEY

[Jilly-Bean]

(Hi! I'm new to Roots Chat so I hope this get to the right posting site!)

I have a large family of Brooks, and they have an adopted son, Thomas ESPLEY, who first appeared in the 1911 Wales Census, aged 12. The family is headed by John William Parkhouse BROOKS and his wife Mary Louisa, nee TOBY, and they live in Shotton, Flintshire. with 3 of their 8 (natural) children and Thomas, who is listed as "adopted son".
John and Mary say they had 9 children in all, 5 of whom are still living in 1911. From first to last, 8 of the (natural) children's birth dates are 1869 to 1892, with Thomas born in 1898. I asumed that they included Thomas as their son when counting their children, because I have been unable to find any other children for them.
I found a Birth record for Thomas for Q2 1898 at Birkenhead, Ches and a Death record for Q4 1927 at Hawarden, Flintshire. The only other mention I can find for Thomas is that 1911 Census.
Is there anyone who can shed a bit more light on Thomas? I suspect he may have been the illegitimate son of a male Brooks and female Espley, but other than that I am at a loss, so any help would be appreciated!

[jorose]

Hi there,

On the GRO index, Thomas' mother's maiden name is listed as TAYLOR
There is a possible younger sister, Ellen, born 1900 Birkenhead, but died the same year.

Possibly parents' marriage? https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:CX94-BSMM

In 1901 he is living with his mother's brother James:
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XSX9-54T

His father may be this man listed as widowed:
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XS6Y-WR8

I think Wilhelmina might have died in 1900, but her death is indexed as ASPLEY rather than Espley.

[bbart]

There is a possible younger sister, Ellen, born 1900 Birkenhead, but died the same year.

There is a news article on an inquiry into the death of baby Ellen posted in the 25 Apr 1900 edition of the Birkenhead News.
It states the father was Thomas Espley, a coachman, which matches the occupation of the potential widowed father Jorose posted above.
Thomas Espley's address was given as 30, Fairfax-Road, Higher, Tranmere.  Addresses can come in handy!
Baby Ellen died of pleurisy and pneumonia.

We can't discuss the 1921 census for copyright reasons, but I can mention that the adopted Thomas was listed under his adopted surname of Brooks. 

[Jilly-Bean]

Thank you, both Jorose and bbart! A great help off the starting blocks! I'm still a tad baffled why John and Mary Brooks adopted him. There has to be some connexion there! I'll keep looking!

[jorose]

In many cases fostering/adoption would have happened without any specific link.  The uncle who he was living with in 1901 also lived in Hawarden and his son was born in Shotton, so it's possible the families knew each other socially / attended the same church.

However, it's also possible that the Taylors simply weren't able to care for him long-term and a foster placement was organised by local authorities. 

[CaroleW]

Thomas Espley married Wilhelmina T Taylor in 1897 @ Our Lady & St Nicholas Liverpool

www.lancashirebmd.org.uk

[CaroleW]

Thomas appears to have remarried on 24.12.1905 at St Nicholas to Mary Taylor - widow

Thomas was 32 - widower - occ coachman - father Richard - occ coachman
Mary was 38 - widow - father William Plimley/Plemley?? occ coachman
Witnesses Charles & Ada Vickers

Baptism for Thomas 7.3.1875 St James Birkenhead parents Richard & Mary

Thomas died 1935 Birkenhead

[Ladyhawk]

I found a Birth record for Thomas for Q2 1898 at Birkenhead, Ches and a Death record for Q4 1927 at Hawarden, Flintshire. The only other mention I can find for Thomas is that 1911 Census.

You may already know this digital images are available for his death and birth but just in case you don't.......

A digital image is Digital Image (JPEG)
Cost £3.00.
Image available to view once payment is complete and a link to the image is provided on the order confirmation screen

ESPLEY, THOMAS       28 
GRO Reference: 1927  D Quarter in HAWARDEN  Volume 11B  Page 261

Not sure if this is the same Thomas Espley father Thomas
Custom House Lane Board (Infants) School, Connah's Quay
National School Admission Registers & Log-Books 1870-1914 image on F M P

Admission date 1893 yob 1898 
Have added a snippet as it’s been altered

Welcome to Rootshcat 

[Ladyhawk]

Thomas Espley married Wilhelmina T Taylor in 1897 @ Our Lady & St Nicholas Liverpool

www.lancashirebmd.org.uk

Married Wilhelmina Taylor on 11 Jul 1897, his res. 1 Spellow Place, age 23, occ coachman, single, 
father Richard, coachman - image available to view on F M P