Hello Norman A death registration in 1901 aged 97 (a very great age indeed at that period) implies a birthdate of 1804, which would give an age at trial of 27 rather than 17. If Thomas was married by the date of his trial that lends weight to his having been 27 rather than 17. Although a male could marry as young as 14 at that time it would be extremely unusual. I would hope a fellow lister might be able to identify a marriage in the late 1820s. If no one does so come back to me and I'll explain about Jack Baxter's marriage index. And although Roydon is in Essex it's only just so - the border with Hertfordshire is very close. Dick Mathews On 08/06/2013 10:25, Norman Full wrote: > Good evening, > > I am seeking help in finding the parents & date of birth of my ancestor, > Thomas Ward alias Brown. He was convicted at the Essex Lent Assize in 1831, > age 17, of stealing two calves at Great Parndon. He was sentenced to be > hung but was reprieved & sentenced to be transported to Tasmania for life. > The public Records Office indictment " Thomas Brown late of the parish of > Romford in the county of Essex, labourer, otherwise called Thomas Ward, on > the 26th day of January did steal two heifers value 8 Pounds of John > Holmes." He arrived in Hobart, Tasmania on the :"William Bentinck" on 29 > August 1832. Thomas Brown was listed as a native of Roydon/ Royton Hamlet, > Essex. > > His convict record states" Married- proper name Ward, Wife Mary Ward at > Edmonton. > > His death registration in 1901 shows his age as 97 ( suggesting a date of > birth as 1894?) His father was shown as John. > > I would be grateful for any help in resolving his date of birth, his parents > & where he lived in Essex. As he married Ann Crosland at Hobart in 1838, > Iwould also be interested in his previous marriage. > > Thank you > > Norman Full Sydney, Australia > > ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ > Any problems, please contact the List Admin: Essex-UK-admin@rootsweb.com > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to ESSEX-UK-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message