In May 1850, my wife's great-grandfather, Thomas SHIMMONS arrived in Moreton Bay (now Queensland) as an 'Exile' from the UK. He was born in Co. Down in 1830, but he and his family arrived in Ayrshire, Scotland around 1835. The 1841 UK Census shows him aged 10, together with siblings and parents, Thomas (shown as '40') and Elizabeth (shown as '35') residing at Back Lane, Kilmarnock, Ayrshire. The 1851 Census shows only his older brother, Hugh, resident in Kilmarnock; so presumably the family moved back to Co.Down prior to that date. My research so far has only found references to a 'Thomas SHIMON', at Ballygally, Parish of Inch in Griffith's Valuation and a 'Thomas SHIMINON', Drumee, Parish of Maghera, Co.Down in the Tithe Applotment Books of 1831. I would be pleased to have contact with anyone interested in this family who might be able to shed more light on the SHIMMONS family and their birthplace in Down. Kind regards, Garth Elvery, KFHS #1907, QFHS #2213, The ELVERY Worldwide One Name Study Convenor - QFHS FTM Users' Group, Brisbane

Garth In recent times a SIMMONS family lived at Maghera, near Newcastle. Sean -----Original Message----- From: nir-down-bounces@rootsweb.com [mailto:nir-down-bounces@rootsweb.com] On Behalf Of Garth Elvery Sent: Saturday, January 12, 2008 4:56 AM To: Down Co, Mail List Subject: [NIR-DOWN] Thomas SHIMMONS of Co.Down In May 1850, my wife's great-grandfather, Thomas SHIMMONS arrived in Moreton Bay (now Queensland) as an 'Exile' from the UK. He was born in Co. Down in 1830, but he and his family arrived in Ayrshire, Scotland around 1835. The 1841 UK Census shows him aged 10, together with siblings and parents, Thomas (shown as '40') and Elizabeth (shown as '35') residing at Back Lane, Kilmarnock, Ayrshire. The 1851 Census shows only his older brother, Hugh, resident in Kilmarnock; so presumably the family moved back to Co.Down prior to that date. My research so far has only found references to a 'Thomas SHIMON', at Ballygally, Parish of Inch in Griffith's Valuation and a 'Thomas SHIMINON', Drumee, Parish of Maghera, Co.Down in the Tithe Applotment Books of 1831. I would be pleased to have contact with anyone interested in this family who might be able to shed more light on the SHIMMONS family and their birthplace in Down. Kind regards, Garth Elvery, KFHS #1907, QFHS #2213, The ELVERY Worldwide One Name Study Convenor - QFHS FTM Users' Group, Brisbane ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to NIR-DOWN-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.516 / Virus Database: 269.19.0/1218 - Release Date: 1/10/2008 1:32 PM No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.516 / Virus Database: 269.19.0/1218 - Release Date: 1/10/2008 1:32 PM