THOMPSON - from Battersea/Wandsworth/Clapham/Brixton/Streatham - London

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Permalink Reply by Mark McCormack on June 20, 2010 at 12:10pm

Michael,

I am researching a particular branch of Thompson, and many were born in Battersea (according to census records). I have come to a dead end, as I cannot find records regarding what happened to the two parents on the attached birth certificate (Luke George Thompson & Sophia Press). Luke George wasn't born there, but his first two children were...so maybe there is a fit?


My great grandfather (James Henry Thompson - attached photo) and his brother were sent to Canada as part of a program to work the fields (orphan? / Poor House?). So..am very curious as to what happened to the parents.

If you or any Thompson researcher can give me a hand finding out what happened to Luke and/or Sophia I would be very grateful.

As an aside, if anyone needs help with Thompsons in Ontario, I'm at your disposal.

Kindest Regards!

Mark

Attachments:

• BROMLE_1.jpg, 3.3 MB
• JAMEST_1.jpg, 21 KB

Permalink Reply by Michael Thompson on June 20, 2010 at 1:12pm

Hi Mark,
Nice to hear from you, looking at the birth certificate nothing rings any bells with me, I will go through what I have on CD and paper, I can also look up trade directories, have you checked any shipping lists ?

If you have any other details please let me know, are you in UK or abroad yourself ?

Mike

Permalink Reply by Michael Thompson on June 20, 2010 at 2:28pm

Hi Mark,
Have done some quick checks,
1881 Census shows Luke & Sophie with the following children
William Edward b 1875 Battersea
Sophie Adelaide b 1876 Battersea
John Herbert b 1878 Kingston
Robert Charles b 1881 Norwood, Surrey.

1891 Census
No Luke
Sophie b in Ipswich
Ernest George b 1874 Brighton
John Herbert b 1878 Kingston
Robert C b 1880 London
James H b 1883 London

I noted that Sophie is still shown as married in 1891 census
William is missing from 1891 Did he go to Canada with his father Luke ?
Ernest George is not shown on 1881 census

Passport checks show many Thompsons applied for passports between 1890 & 1900, hard to define if Luke or Sophie applied for passport, some entries are poor quality.

Luke was according to 1881 census an engineer fitter, a good qualification for those days, I am assuming that he was missing from the 1891 UK census as he may have gone abroad looking for work, possibly Canada.

I am a little puzzled as to why 2 children were sent to Canada to work in the fields, if they were orphans in UK, why send them abroad ? Again an assumption, did Luke send for them and they hit hard times and then went to work in the fields / poor house ?

To search UK death records is difficult, BUT in some months there may be a better way to search.

All the best

Mike in UK

Permalink Reply by Mark McCormack on June 20, 2010 at 3:13pm

Michael,

Thank you for the quick response. I have been wrestling with the on-line data as well...

Some other info I have:

William Edward Thompson came across to Canada well before his bothers - he was one of the founding pioneers for discovering oil (Oil springs / Petrolia Ontario). He later died in Ceylon (he traveled around the world showing others the technology).

Robert Charles Thompson and g-grandpa James Henry Thompson did not live or stay with him in Canada, but were sent to Canada at some point as part of a program to help harvest out west. (Dr. ?'s orphans keeps coming to mind, although I cannot be certain of that point).

I know I have looked at that Ernest George Thompson entry a hundred times and not recognized the family - I guess it was just too strange to me to have the eldest child out of the house in 1881, but back in the house in 1891! With one other sibling missing again in 1891! At least I have a new great uncle...and have you to thank.

As for Luke George Thompson, I have to agree, the engineer classification was likely a good job to have back then. My grandfather (James Wesley Thompson) told me that his dad (or grandfather) was an engineer at The Crystal Palace. I know there were two of them, so I am not sure if this explains why he was away in 1891 at the time of the census. (I had always assumed it was Luke G.'s father (George Henry ?) who had been the one at The Crystal Palace).

I am still lost as to what became of Sophie and Luke... I'll keep looking, and thank you much for the research. Do you think we have a link in Battersea?

Kindest Regards!

Mark

Permalink Reply by Michael Thompson on June 20, 2010 at 3:25pm

Hi Mark,
Glad I was able to help in some way, unfortunately there were many Thompson's in Battersea / Wandsworth area around that time including one famous one who was a bodyguard to Winston Churchill during World War 2, no, not in my tree !

At the moment I dont think there is a link, although I do have many leads to follow up, if you find anything of use, please post it back here.

Keep in touch and all the best to you.

Mike