Thread: Father of Thomas Sykes of Halifax

I have a Thomas Sykes born in Rastrick,Halifax in 1822. He married Mary Pollard.His parents were James an d Mary (nee Cooper). They married in 1817 at st johns in Halifax west yorkshire.James occupation was a glass grinder. The problem I have, is finding the right James Sykes .In the 1841 census his age is down as 55 yrs old. I know ages were rounded down then ,so the latest he could have been born is 1786. I have found 2 james sykes baptised at elland st marys in Halifax in 1790 and 1792 so have discounted them.Looking for other possibles, maybe at st johns.I think he died in 1842. Really stuck on this,been looking for ages.
Thanks
Teek

Hi Teek,

I have the cd for Halifax St John's but frustratingly I cannot find it! Maybe it will turn up eventually.

Do you know for certain James Sykes and Mary cooper married at St John's or could they have married in a Chapelry of St John's? Where did you get the marriage details from? The record on the igi is taken from BT's not the original PR.

There's a baptism on family search .....................

James Sykes 31 Aug 1783 at Hartshead, father Joseph

And another..............

James Sykes 24th Jun 1781 at Lightcliffe, father John

Also, why do you think he died in 1842?

Hi Slizzy,a relative gave me the info on the marriage at st johns and the death date,so taking his word for it. Have checked the 1851 census and mary is down as a widow there.
Thanks
Teek

Checked his death,he was buried Jan 11 1842 at st johns age 55,so he was born 1787.
Teek

Don't take as gospel his age at death Teek, my experience is dates from back then were often a few years out. By the way I've found my cd but can't get it to work, I am trying and will post if I fix the problem and find anything.

Ok, now working.

Here's a possible...... Ja's Sykes baptised 23rd Jul 1780, father Thomas - Lightcliffe Chapelry.

Remember children were often baptised a few years after birth.

If the above baptism is the right one,the only marriage within a reasonable time frame is:

Thomas Sykes to Elizabeth Mallinson 11/7/1778, both were from Hipperholm, Thomas' occupation - Parish Carpenter.

Another baptism all details same as James baptised 1780, that James could have died and the next male child born given his name, I'll look for a death.

James Sykes 18/9/1791

No death for a James Sykes 1780-1790. There must have been two Thomas Sykes in Lightcliffe fathering children around the same time.

Thankyou for that slizzy.Sounds promising ,that his father is called Thomas.Just a problem if there are two of them.