I am researching my ancestor James who arrived in Australia as a convict in 1832. I am having difficulty finding out about James' pre-Australian family and history and I am hoping somebody here can assist. James arrived in Australia as James Tormey but his name apparently changed to James Toomey by the time he was married 24 years later. The Toomey name has persisted from that time through his descendants. However, I am not sure if he was originally a Toomey or a Tormey. Or, how or why his surname changed.
I can list the information that I have here.
James was born in roughly 1809, his wedding certificate listed his birthplace as Kilbeggan, County Westmeath but his death certificate listed his birthplace as King's County.
James enlisted in the 21st Regiment Fusiliers on 26/6/1826 in Kilbeggan. His regimental number was 526. He listed his father as being named Patrick Tormey. James was convicted of desertion on 2nd May 1830 in Mullingar and again in 1831. He was sentenced to 7 years labour in the colonies and was placed in the bulk "Essex" before transportation to Australia aboard the convict ship City of Edinburgh's second voyage in 1832.
James earned his ticket of leave on 31 March 1838 and by 1842 he was living in Victoria, Australia. The exact dates and reasons for the move are unclear. He had several children with a Frances Mary Mulholland (maiden name Whitehead) and married her in 1856. On his wedding certificate, he stated that he has been a widower since 1851 although I am unable to find any record of his previous marriage. It has been speculated that the reason for his initial desertion from the 21st Foot was because he was illegally married (possibly by a "tack 'em") without the permission of his superiors.
James lived as a farmer in Victoria, Australia until his death in 1873. He died of dysentery.
There is a book called The Irishmen, which details James' life and gives the names of his parents as Patrick and Catherine, and the name of his paternal grandfather also as Patrick (three generations of labourers). I have written to the author for information about where she got this information, but have not had a response.
Does anybody have any leads/information for me about James' life, family, and history prior to his enlistment in the Fusiliers? I am especially interested in his surname (Tormey or Toomey) and his family pedigree. I am also interested in the possible marriage that may have happened prior to his deportation to Australia.
I am similarly interested in the reason for the change of name. I have speculated that it could be to distance himself from his family in Ireland (perhaps they turned him in?), or that he was protecting himself and his new family about the shame of being a convict. Or maybe his name was originally Toomey (although I am not sure) and that there was a mistake in dictation (maybe from having a thick accent perhaps?. ALthough without more information all I can do is armchair speculation
Thank you,
Andrew Toomey (Australia)
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