Entry #36

The farthest back I have been able to go with my husband’s Hartley line is Thomas Hartley. He was the father of the black sheep of the family, William Hartley, who was convicted of passing forged banknotes and transported to Van Damien’s Land (Tasmania) in 1832. This was a lucky break for my genealogical research, though, because it was in the convict records that I found that the surname of William’s mother, Hannah, was Charnock. Thomas Hartley and Hnnah Charnock had the following children:

• William Hartley  1794 – 1874
• Grace Hartley  1797 –
• Mary Hartley  1799 –
• John Hartley  1805 –
• James Hartley  1808 –
• Joseph Hartley  1811 –

Thomas Hartley probably was born sometime in the 1760’s near Bradford, West Yorkshire. The marriage bans say that both the bride and groom were from Bradford Parish. Thomas was a weaver. Unfortunately, I am now at a dead end. There are several Thomas Hartley’s who were born in the vicinity in the timeframe outlined. These are the possible Thomas Hartleys that I have identified as the most likely candidates for my husband’s ancestor:

Baptised 3 Dec 1762 at Sowerby Near Halifax; Father: William Hartley
Baptised Jan 1764 at Halifax, St John the Baptist; Father: John Heartley
Baptised 15 Nov 1767 at Bradford, St Peter (Bradford Cathedral); Father: Richd Hartley

There must be a dozen more. When I have time I will have to make a matrix of Thomas Hartleys, their spouses and their death dates. Unfortunately, most of these records to not list a mother, which makes it more difficult to tie records together. I should also look for some guidance from experts in Yorkshire genealogy. My genealogical to-do list keeps growing.