Genealogy Chat

I am looking for details of my Great -Great-Great Grandfather, Thomas Wheeler. I have him on 1841 and 1851 census - place of birth is Cheltenham - but after that he disappears. I believe he married Jane Creed in 1852. I can find her on later Censuses but not Thomas. I am assuming he died some time after 1852 but any tips for how I can narrow it down? I think he was born in 1834 - what is the earliest I can get birth certificates etc? Thanks Chris

Hello Chris, The earliest that you can obtain a certificate is July 1837, registration was not required before then, and I believe not compulsory before 1875. Pre 1837 you have to go to the parish records. I will check for the death for you in a moment. Keith

Thanks Keith, Jane has a son of 12 on the 1871 census so I guess Thomas must have still been alive in 1858/1859 Thanks Chris

1861 Census, first thing I found, he is relaxing with friends, hope he's not yours lol. Name: Thomas Wheeler Age: 27 Estimated Birth Year: abt 1834 Relation: Crime Prisn Gender: Male Where born: Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, England Civil parish: North Hamlet Ecclesiastical parish: Gloucester County/Island: Gloucestershire Country: England Registration district: Gloucester Sub-registration district: Kingsholm ED, institution, or vessel: County Prison Neighbors: View others on page Household schedule number: 1 Household Members: Name Age Mary Ann Aaron 35 William Adams 52 Ann Allisey 22 Robert Allwood 36 James Apperley 34 Peter Apperley 27 William Asbsurne 30 Sam Baldwin 35 Harriet Baylis 31 Ellen Beck 28 James Bennett 35 Emma Blackwell 28 Richard Booker 17 John Brinkworth 56 Eliza Brookes 32 James Brookes 57 John Brown 32 Thomas Brown 14 Richard Chapman 35 William Clift 30 John Clutterbuck 26 Eliza Collett 26 Ann Cooke 54 Matilda Cooke 63 William Cooper 38 Thomas Crockett 17 John Crump 18 Richard Cunliffe 21 Jane Davis 43 John Davis 18 Richard Day 41 James Douglas 26 William Dowers 16 Eliza Downs 23 Thomas Fowler 48 Stephen Gay 24 Robert Gemmill 24 Ellen Giffin 19 James Gilchrist 13 John Glashnbury 28 Isaac Golding 24 Benjamin Green 26 Matilda Harding 21 Ann Harris 19 John Harris 22 William Harris 20 Sarah Hawkins 27 John Hill 34 William Holborow 16 John Holbrook 55 Thomas Hyam 40 Emma James 63 John Jay 22 John Kebby 14 Henry Lea 18 Patrick Madigan 46 Richard Maisey 18 George Mallinson 28 Kate Eliza Martin 14 William Martin 39 John Mathews 41 Adelaide Middleton 15 Cornelius Milsom 32 Henry Mitchell 14 Thomas Newcombe 50 Nigel Oatridge 23 Henry Orchard 54 Edward Overbury 26 William Parkes 30 James Pitcher 51 J S Prinn 29 Amos Quimby 20 Eliza Richard 27 Thomas Richards 22 James Roberts 24 Henry Rosewarn 35 Charles Seakle 19 Ann Smith 17 Charles Smith 25 William Smith 29 Thomas Steele 17 Henry Stockwell 16 Matthew Strain 21 John Thomas 25 Solomon Tippings 14 William Tovey 33 Lydia Tustin 61 Robert Voyce 21 Thomas Wager 32 James Ward 14 Absolam Watts 27 Henry Webb 14 William Werring 13 Thomas Wheeler 27 Henry White 53 Frederick Whittard 20 Sarah Ann Winstone 19 Frederick Witts 42 Class: RG9; Piece: 1764; Folio: 59; Page: 8

Possible marriage ? James Creed 1852 Oct-Nov-Dec Gloucester (1837-1937) Gloucestershire <======= View Record William Gregory 1852 Oct-Nov-Dec Gloucester (1837-1937) Gloucestershire View Record Eliza Verrinder 1852 Oct-Nov-Dec Gloucester (1837-1937) Gloucestershire View Record Thomas Wheeler 1852 Oct-Nov-Dec Gloucester (1837-1937) Gloucestershire <====== 6a 465 Notice mistranscription

Keith, I actually think that is him as I know from the 1851 census that he was 17 and a Stonemason (so occupation matches up with 1861).But I got some gaol records from Gloucestershire County Council but the ages don't match up?! Thanks Chris

Keith, Yep, think that's the right marriage record. Thanks Chris

Have you actually seen the 61 census I refered too? It actually shows Thomas (if yours) as unmarried. Have you tried the looking at the quarter session records to find out what he was tried for? Still looking

Keith, Well spotted re him being unmarried - hadn't spotted that- perhaps it isn't him after all. So maybe another possibility is that he died before the 1861 census? Thanks Chris

If Jane had a 12 year old son in 1871, that narrows the death year possibility dramatically to 58/59/60/early 61. Unfortunately I cannot see it at present if he did indeed die.

Is there any possibility that he was the convict and was transported?

Keith, The quarter session records for 1861 show a Thomas Wheeler aged 14 (so too young) charged (along with six other people) with assault occassioning actual bodily harm. Are these court, rather than prison records? Would prison records be available do you know? Thanks Chris

Keith, Re the assault charge he received 3 calendar months hard labour but I think this record is for a different person as the ages don't tie up. What do you meab by 'transported'? Thanks Chris

I'm afraid this in not my area, I suspect that the quarter session records are court records not prison, if that is the case again I am not sure for certain if prison records are available.

Chris, Depending on the severity of the offence some offenders were 'transported' to a new life in Australia. For assault though I suspect not. I believe transportation ceased approx 1863. My wife has a relation who turned Kings Evidence and saved himself from being transported for sheep stealing.

Keith, Thanks for all your help, I may try posting another message for help with prison records. Chris

I dont know why, I just have a feeling that is him. Good luck Keith

Keith, Sorry do you mean you think the 1861 Census record (where marital status doesn't tie up) is him, or the quarterly sessions record (where age doesn't tie up) is him? Thanks Chris

Chris I have no basis for this but just a gut feeling its the census image thats him.

The fact that Jane has a son of 12 with her surname does not mean that Thomas was his father, and is not therefore proof that Thomas was alive when the child was conceived. OC