Thomas Ray 1841 census lookup, please?

[DebbieAnn]

My gr-grandfather Thomas Ray was born around 1839 in Salisbury, Wiltshire. I'm trying to find out who his parents were and if he had any siblings. He remained in Wiltshire until after his marriage in Jan 1863, and I have found him in the 1861 census but he was not living at home. Could anyone tell me if he shows up in the 1841 census, who are his parents, and who any siblings might be as of the census date? Thank you so much!

[Procat]

Hi DebbieAnn

This is 1851 census and the only Thomas Ray who came up in Wiltshire:

HO107/1847 Folio: 207 Schedule: 004

Address: Blue Boar Row

RAY William Head Unmarried 68 Hairdresser & Haberdasher Born Salisbury
RAY Thomas Nephew Unmarried 10 Born Salisbury
WHITE Emma Servant Unmarried 22 Housekeeper & Milliner Born Stratford Sub Castle

[DebbieAnn]

Procat,

Thank you very much. I knew there was a William Ray, but thought it might have been his father. Now I know it was his uncle who raised him. Maybe the 1841 census will end the mystery.

Was there some epidemic, like cholera, in the Salisbury area beween 1839 and 1851 that would account for his being raised by another relative? He was not being apprenticed, yet, as his eventual profession was shoemaker and foot specialist (he was listed as shoemaker's assistant in 1861, clicken in 1871, and chiropodist in 1881). He died about 6 months after the birth of my grandfather (his son Alexander) towards the end of 1881.

Thank you, again!

[idredge]

Debbie Ann

I have found a christening for William Ray, 1.1.1783 St Edmunds Salisbury, this fulls in with his age on the 51 census. I was not able to find Thomas, but a look at the church records may help.

William Ray's parents were Francis and Susannah Ray and they had children
Francis Robert 17.6.1774
Susannah 29.12.1775
Mary Ann 1.1.1778
William 1783

It is possible William had a younger brother, again you will need to look at the church records. I have had a look on the National Burials, but it's the 1st edition and does not cover Salisbury, perhaps someone will have the 2nd and help that way. You may be even able to find his birth certificate 1841, I have looked on Freebmd but couldn't find it perhaps 1837 will show him. There again he may have been missed as the parents didn't have to register the birth until about 1875 only the registrar when he came round recorded births.

Irene

[DebbieAnn]

Thank you, Irene. I am beginning to suspect that William was Thomas' great-uncle, not his uncle, and that Thomas is the grandson of William's older brother Francis Robert Ray and his wife Ellen Ellen, who he married on 2 Sep 1793 in Salisbury. They had six children, 5 of whom were boys, and I now suspect one of them was Thomas' father. I'm hoping the 1841 census return can clear up the mystery! Irene, did you by any chance happen across William's mother Susannah's maiden name? I don't have it in my records...

Thanks for all your help.

Debbie

[Procat]

Hi Debbie,

1841 census

HO 107/1190/3 Folio (Enumeration Schedule) 22 Page 7

Blue Boar Row

William Ray 55 Hair dresser Born County
Maria Ray 40 Haberdasher Born County
Ellen Ray 25 Born County
Thomas Ray 1 Born County

[DebbieAnn]

Thank you, Procat!

It looks as if Ellen was either Thomas' mother or his aunt. As Thomas named his oldest daughter Ellen, it is likely to have been his mother, as he named no child William or Maria. His oldest son was Arthur Albert, and I have found no Arthur or Albert on either Thomas' or his wife's side so far. His other children were Tom (not Thomas), Robert (after his father? or uncle?), John Laxon (from his wife's side), and Alexander (my grandfather).

I will make a note that Ellen is likely his mother, though possibly an aunt, and hope for more transcriptions on FreeBMD for Salisbury that may clear it up for good and all. I live in Canada, and have no access to local records.

Thank you, again!

[mick]

Hello Debbie
In helping a colleague research his Ray ancestors i have a Thomas Ray born 1860 in Boynton, the son of John Ray and Mary Reynolds. By coincidence this Thomas was also a hairdresser by profession.
Does this family fit into your research at all.
Mick

[DebbieAnn]

Mick,

No, that doesn't fit in with my Rays. My gr-grandfather Thomas' wife was Mary Ann Elizabeth Smith, from Cambridgeshire. Their son Tom was born in 1868, in Salisbury.

[DebbieAnn]

Have sent for the marriage certificate for Thomas and Mary Ann Elizabeth Smith. It should give me Thomas' father's name. At this point I suspect it is Robert...

Debbie