Genealogy Chat

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I have been trying to find my ancestor John Thomas Munro for some time now. If any of you brilliant sleuths would like to bend your brains to this one I will tell you what I know so far: 1. His wife's name was Sarah 2. In 1851 Sarah was on the census living at Old St Clerkenwell with their son , Robert Hugh 3. Sarah said she was born in 1798 in ST George's in the East 4. He had two sons(twins), christened in St James, Clerkenwell in 1824. One was Hugh Nathaniel and the other was James Hector 5. I think Hugh Nathaniel died very early as I can't find him in any later census 6. Another son was born in 1826 in the same parish. His name was Robert Hugh. 7. On James Hector's marriage certificate in 1842 John Thomas's occupation is organ builder 8. He has the same occupation on RObert Hugh's marriage certificate in 1857. 9. On his children's birth entries he states his occupation as Traveller 10. John and Sarah lived at Berry Rd Clerkenwell when the children were born 11. There was a company called Dobson and Munro , organ Builders at 22 Swan St , the Minories in 1811 London Directory 12. There are Dobson and Munro organs in California and Tasmania 13.There was an organ builder's apprenticeship papers amongst my grandfather's papers when he died. I don't have these any more. 14. There was a ship's log with a Captain called Sir Robert Thomas Munro also amongst the same papers. I'm not sure of the date 15. All John Thomas's children and grandchildren from Robert Hugh were furniture makers and/or auctioneer's porters Come on all you Sherlock Holmes - have a try or tell me what you would do next - please :)

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Added by Lynn Sharpe on 27/08/2005 20:17:10 I have found Sarah on the 1861 census living with her daughter. I wonder if the husband went to Tasmania to work? I thought I could see a faint W next to Sarah's name as if she was a widow. Cheers, Lynn I saw a W on the census in 1851 so I'm sure he died before then. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Added by Lynn Sharpe on 27/08/2005 20:23:38 When did Sarah die? I've just found a John Thomas Munro on the 1871 Census. If it is your chap he would have been a lot younger than Sarah but I have seen age gaps this big before. Or maybe he lied about his age to his new wife??? I've seen that done before too! « Global Search Results Name Estimated Birth Year Birthplace Relationship Civil Parish or Township County/Island View Image Eleanor Munro abt 1829 Wapping, Middlesex, England Wife Islington London John Thos Munro abt 1811 St George E, Middlesex, England Head Islington London I don't think this John Thomas is my relative - I got his death certificate and nothing added up.

Thanks Lynn and Helen! Anyone else want to have a go? I am not looking foranyone to do the research for me - just some tips on what you would do next?

Jennifer, On the death certificate, was it only his age that didn't add up or were there other inconsistencies? If someone marries a person much younger than them, it is very common for people to knock LOADS of years from their true age. I have heard stories where the spouse had no idea of their partners true age until they came across their birth certificate! My great-grandmother has an age on her death certificate which is quite incorrect. She married a man a lot younger than herself and closed the gap by years! Fortunately for her, her husband couldn't read and write so it is only the family who have seen her birth certificate and know she told a big fib to protect her dignity! Cheers, Lynn