Looking for a fresh pair of eyes on finding info about my great grandfather

[Neale1961]

With both Joseph and James being so familiar with working in, and travelling around, the Asian countries, and Africa, it does make me think they may have grown up in a family where this was normal. So perhaps the father was in the military, or an international merchant or customs officer, or even something in the diplomatic area.

The surname suggests they were born from a union between a Twigg and a Balmer, but they may not necessarily have been married.

[heywood]

Research into possible family??

There is a Joseph Twigg that matches my Joseph on year of birth (1882) and place (Cumberland) according to his Service Papers and having a brother James.  This is Joseph Twigg 10b 606.

I have a fair amount of information on this Joseph Twigg – I have his birth certificate, I know his parents details (William Twigg and Mary Sarah Sloan) and his siblings (both those born in UK and South Africa from both of his father’s marriages).  Majority of the family moved from Cumberland to South Africa.  His parents were originally from Ireland.  I don’t believe that Joseph appears on any of the census, as I believe the family left for South Africa before 1891.  I do however have his parents and siblings on various census (before his birth, those that hadn’t moved to South Africa and those visiting from South Africa).

I have worked with a researcher in SA to obtain documents for this family. Joseph Twigg’s parents William Twigg and Mary Sarah Sloan both died in South Africa.  Mary in 1900 and William in 1903.  I have their deceased papers and final account/estate papers from South Africa, but these do not shed any light on a ‘Balmer’ link.

*Sadly I'm not convinced this is the correct family as I have located a descendant of this family and our DNA doesn't show as a match.

I appreciate your reasons based on much more detailed research than mine, but Joseph in this family does seem to be a strong contender. It may well be that James and Joseph adopted the extra name for whatever reason and it had no connection to the family names.

[deetur]

With both Joseph and James being so familiar with working in, and travelling around, the Asian countries, and Africa, it does make me think they may have grown up in a family where this was normal. So perhaps the father was in the military, or an international merchant or customs officer, or even something in the diplomatic area.

The surname suggests they were born from a union between a Twigg and a Balmer, but they may not necessarily have been married.

Thanks so much, it's really helpful to other's thoughts on this. Much appreciated 😊

[deetur]

Research into possible family??

I appreciate your reasons based on much more detailed research than mine, but Joseph in this family does seem to be a strong contender. It may well be that James and Joseph adopted the extra name for whatever reason and it had no connection to the family names.

I agree that he could be the best contender given the South Africa and mining links. I think I've been so intent on proving a Balmer link that I've been distracted by this. I plan to revisit the information I have on this family and look for other possible DNA matches to see if that leads to anything.  Thanks for your comments, I really appreciate it.

[heywood]

Yes, i would try a wider view with DNA contacts.

[hgs46]

Hope I'm not confusing matters. Like you I wondered about Joseph's parents being William and Mary nee Sloan, but if I have the correct 1871 Census, I could not see how Joseph could fit into the family ie.

Possible 1871 Census @ Frizington, Cumbria .. Twigg .. John, head, 63, bo Staffs; Mary 58, bo Ireland with 4 children - Joseph, Alice, George + William  (aged 13 to 29) (the eldest an Iron Ore Miner) plus 3 Grandchildren – John, George & William (3-6 yrs) bo Ireland.

Possible 1881 Census @ Arlecdon, Whitehaven, Cumbria .. Twigg .. William, 37, Iron Miner; Mary S, 25 .. both bo Ireland with 3 children – John - 17. George - 15. William - 13 .. all born Cumberland + Elizabeth, 7; James, 6; Mary, 5; Thomas, 4; Sarah, 3; Margaret, 2; Martha 0 (ie 7 Children in 7 years).

Perhaps your other information on this family explains the gap in the 2 groupings above.

It also looks like the same William above in 1901 Census at 118, Frizington Road, Arlecdon, Whitehaven, Cumberland, England (Head of household being a Mary Gambles) where he is described as William Twigg, Visitor, Widower, Male, 59, bo 1842, Diamond miner with numerous other Twigg visitors.

Cumberland newspapers have a number of articles of the Twigg family of Twizington if they prove to be attached to your Joseph.

[heywood]

As i see it, Joseph Twigg b 1882, Whitehaven mmn Sloan.

William was married twice and the older children are from his first marriage.
He married Mary Sarah Sloane in 1873.
The family emigrated to S A before 1891 so Joseph is not on an English census.
Some of the children remained though and are in 1891 census with a Kilbride family, if i recall.

In 1901 - good find- he has some of his SA born children with him.

[heywood]

The children are listed in Mary Sarah’s probate record -1900

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q2HT-KLXN

[jonwarrn]

The children are listed in Mary Sarah’s probate record -1900

And in William's! He died 1903, probate following year
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS4N-SKHW

All typed out, followed by some certificates
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C9BY-D9T5-3

It seems to say that he left a will, but I can't see it on there.