Hi Doug Found some of your family on 1851 and 1881 Census Indexes >ggrandfather William Henry Blackadder Thompson and his parents David >Blackadder Thompson / Margaret Hogg who resided in Northumberland. Index to 1851 Census of Northumberland Vol 24 Glendale Part 1 (Ford) Registration District 562/1. Piece No HO 107/2422 Folios 4-301 (Name, Relationship, Marital Status, Occupation, Birthplace, Folio No) THOMPSON, David Hd M 42 Groom, --- Berwick/Tweed, 158 THOMPSON, Margaret Wi M 47 ----, NBL Ford, 158 THOMPSON, William, So -- 9 Scholar, NBL Ford, 158 THOMPSON, Eleanor, Da -- 7 Scholar, NBL Ford, 158 Folio 158 would correspond to Pallinsburn Cottages area. There were a lot of other Thompsons listed - some may be relatives, also several Hoggs. > I understand that David Blackadder Thompson was head coachman for >Sir Henry Askew MP at Pallinsburn House. Also found at Folio 139 which corresponds with Pallinsburn - possibly Sir Henry's parents: ASKEW, Richard Craster Hd M 72 Landed Proprietor, NBL Ford 139 ASKEW, Elizabeth Wi M 62 Landed Prop's wife, NBL Newc St Nich 139 >I have information which makes >me believe that William may have been born circa 1841 but have been >unable to find any record either in St Catherine's House Index or the >Scots GRO. Census shows William was born at Ford - should therefore be in St Catherine's Index as this started 1837 but is bad to read for early years. Have another look or try Eleanor's birth as her certificate should give same information. The local register office at Berwick may be able to find William's birth more easily as they have own indexes - not sure if Ford is under Glendale district or Berwick - but they should know. However if you are overseas this contact may be more difficult for you - also payment for certificate. On his Son (William's ) Marriage certificate in NSW >Australia his father and mother (David Thompson / Margaret Hogg) were >reported to be alive in Northumberland in 1881. David Thompson's >occupation was specified as a farmer. I think William may have been prone to a bit exaggeration to new bride - often happens - and being several thousand miles away not likely to be found out - til now, as I found this on 1881 Census Index Dwelling: 4 Lambton Place Census Place: Newcastle On Tyne St Andrew, Northumberland, England Source: FHL Film 1342220 PRO Ref RG11 Piece 5059 Folio 12 Page 16 Marr Age Sex Birthplace David THOMPSON W 72 M Northumberland, England Rel: Head Occ: Groom (HM) No sign of Margaret - above states he is widower. I do not know what (HM) means - perhaps more information on actual census. This was the only Eleanor with a birthplace of Ford of correct age - may be this is where farming connection comes in: Dwelling: Newton House Census Place: Newton By The Sea, Northumberland, England Source: FHL Film 1342238 PRO Ref RG11 Piece 5125 Folio 60 Page 7 Marr Age Sex Birthplace Joseph PRINGLE M 37 M Freeman Hill, Northumberland, England Rel: Head Occ: Farmer Of 590 Acres Employing 12 Labourers & 2 Boys Ellen PRINGLE M 36 F Ford, Northumberland, England Rel: Wife Occ: Farmer Wife Ralph SHORT U 23 M Kilham, Northumberland, England Rel: Servant Occ: Farmer Servant (Inddors) Easter CLARKE U 19 F Atchwood, Northumberland, England Rel: Servant Occ: General Domestic Servant ASKEWS were still at Pallinsburn with lots of servants! Dwelling: Pallinsburn House Census Place: Ford, Northumberland, England Source: FHL Film 1342239 PRO Ref RG11 Piece 5133 Folio 53 Page 10 Marr Age Sex Birthplace Watson ASKEW M 46 M Portsmouth, Hampshire, England Rel: Head Occ: J P Landowner Sarah ASKEW M 44 F London, Middlesex, England Rel: Wife Bridget Watson ASKEW U 16 F Scotland Rel: Daur Occ: Scholar Mary M. ASKEW U 14 F Scotland Rel: Daur Occ: Scholar Isabel Sarah ASKEW U 13 F Scotland Rel: Daur Occ: Scholar Eliza GUTCH U 31 F Australia Rel: Visitor Occ: Governess William ATKINS U 23 M Newcastle, Northumberland, England Rel: Servant Occ: Groom Domestic Servant Alexander LIDSTER U 23 M Carham, Northumberland, England Rel: Servant Occ: Groom Domestic Servant William CASTLE U 22 M London, Middlesex, England Rel: Servant Occ: Footman Domestic Servant Eugene PICKLAND U 22 M Switzerland Rel: Servant Occ: Footman Domestic Servant Margaret DONN U 41 F Scotland Rel: Servant Occ: Housekeeper Margaret W.R. CRAIK U 27 F London, Middlesex, England Rel: Servant Occ: Ladys Maid Servant Mary Ann DIXON U 40 F Newcastle, Northumberland, England Rel: Servant Occ: Laundry Maid Servant Elizabeth MORPHY U 32 F Brockham, Surrey, England Rel: Servant Occ: Nurse Caroline M. BARGE U 19 F Weymouth, Dorset, England Rel: Servant Occ: Ladys Maid Servant Sarah PORTER U 20 F Graystoke, Cumberland, England Rel: Servant Occ: Housemaid Servant Frances DAVIDSON U 21 F Ford, Northumberland, England Rel: Servant Occ: laundry Maid Servant Harriet M. CARTWRIGHT U 23 F Sandbach, Cheshire, England Rel: Servant Occ: Kitchen Maid Servant Mary STEEL U 25 F Ford, Northumberland, England Rel: Servant Occ: House Maid Servant Jane HOPE U 22 F Ford, Northumberland, England Rel: Servant Occ: House Maid Servant Mary J. WINTER U 19 F Ford, Northumberland, England Rel: Servant Occ: Laundry Maid Servant Eleanor M. SHARPE U 19 F Ford, Northumberland, England Rel: Servant Occ: House Maid Servant Hannah TOPPIN U 16 F Ford, Northumberland, England Rel: Servant Occ: Scullery Maid Servant I hope this has given you some leads to follow up. Best wishes Jane Glass Alnwick, Northumberland