Was there ever a town in County Kilkenny called Thoustham?
I am trying to find just where in Ireland my SHORTALL or SHORTELL ancestors are from. My great-great-great grandfather, Thomas Shortall, was born in Gibraltar around 1811. He lived at least for some time in Wicklow before moving to Liverpool, England by the early 1840's. I am guessing that his parents were in Gibraltar for his birth because his father was serving in the British military. A couple of sources have recently pointed me to a soldier who could possibly be his father. One person I corresponded with went as far as to say this was "the only Shortall that turns up in the British armed forces" in that time frame. That soldier, whose regiment did serve in Gibraltar, is another Thomas Shortall, born in 1771:
The British National Archives have this information about him:
Description: THOMAS SHORTALL alias THOMAS SHORTAL.
Born THOUSTHAM, Kilkenny.
Served in 85th Foot Regiment; 1st Royal Veteran Battalion; 12th Royal Veteran Battalion.
Discharged aged 43.
Covering dates give year of enlistment to year of discharge.
Kilmainham Reference: A5826.
Date: 1799-1814
Held by: The National Archives, Kew
Legal status: Public Record
Language: English
Of course I'll need to ascertain whether this soldier might be the father of a child born in Gibraltar. Any help with that would be appreciated. In the meantime, I cannot find any evidence that there ever was a place called Thoustham, Kilkenny. Can anyone help me with this? Could it simply be an incorrect transcription of Thomastown?
Thank you for your help.
- Tom Shortell, Tinton Falls, New Jersey, USA
tfshortell
Friday 21st Feb 2014, 04:15AMMessage Board Replies
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Hello Tom,
I googled "list kilkenny townslands" and the nearest place that could match your place name is I believer Thomastown.
anne
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Two deaths recorded on findmypast for Thomastown;
Thomas Shortall; 1836-1900
Thomas Shortall; 1799-1901
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Jack Mc Donald