Thread: Strange Case

I have tracked this case over Australia and the big help I need is on the English side.
My 5 times Great Grandfather was charged in England for pick pocketing and sent to NSW for a life sentance, here is where the fun bit starts he was charged under the name of Barnet LEVI and when he arrived here in NSW he went under the name of Barnard LEVY, he married using that name in Windsor NSW, when his children were born he registered them under the LEVY surname. After he finished his sentance in NSW he moved to Victoria and went under the name of Barnet THOMAS and this name is what he was buried under.
1. Was his real name Barnet LEVI.
2. Was his Father a LEVI or LEVY.
3. Was his Mother's surname THOMAS.
4. Or his Father may of been a THOMAS and his Mother a LEVI.
This seems to be the big QUESTION in our life story, any such help would be great.

Thanks Mark Levy

Looks like him convicted of pickpocketing in the Old Bailey records on 18/9/1816 at about 18yrs of age.
There's another Barnet Levi hearing earlier in 1816 about 21yrs of age which could have been him too.

Hi Mark,

I wouldn't focus too much on whether the surname was LEVI or LEVY, back then surname spellings were not standardised, and as a lot of folks were unable to read or write the spelling of a surname was the scribes interpretation.

As you haven't provided any dates it's uncertain whether this record could be one for you to pursue further.

THOMAS Levy married Jane THOMAS, 1/3/1788 at Gosport, Southampton, Hampshire.

Do you have his death certificate?

Doesn't his death certificate name his father?

Mark, there is an ancestral file on the family search site for your chap, ancestral files are member submitted and not always reliable, however in this case there are two submitters with contact addresses. Maybe fellow researchers who just may be able to help you?

Originally Posted by slizzy

Doesn't his death certificate name his father?

I have just read your other thread where you say his death certificate names his father as Barnet Thomas and mother Hannah. Of course, information given for a death certificate is not always reliable as the informant may not have known the deceased's true identity. It rather depends who the informant was and what they were told.

Did Barnet use the surname THOMAS in Victoria, eg have you found records, other than his death certificate whereby he's known as Barnet THOMAS? How did you establish the death certificate for Barnet Thomas was 'your' Barnet LEVI/LEVY?