This is an update from a series a year ago on Eliza Jane Gelling (1851-1906) (md Horatio Wilburn 1879 St James Toxteth Pk). She was d/o William Gelling (1817-1888) a mason of Douglas, and Eliza Corkill (1814-1865, d/o John Corkill & Eleanor Stephen of Marown). William was son of Thomas Gelling, a shoemaker of Douglas (b ca 1790-1843) & Elizabeth Kelly, md 16 Nov 1813 Braddan.

I had never been able to figure out the parents of Thomas Gelling who was 50 in 1841 census and 53 at his Braddan burial in 1843. There were no Thomas Gellings baptized for several years either side of 1790, and the nearest ones were already taken. This was a mystery of long standing until last week.

Voila!!, while doing some Corkill research, I found in the Manx Notebook a will extract 1812 Onchan for Richard Corkill
"1812-1 E w CORKILL Richard dated 9 sep 1811;ch Jane, Ann, Wm;gch Thos Gelling[?illeg c/o jane corkill], John Lewin [illeg c/o Jno Lewin + Jane Corkill], Wm Moore;wife Ellinor exex;petn states widow Elinor of Douglas"

On the IGI: Baptism Thomas Corkill 10 Apr 1791 Braddan son of Jane Corkill.

So Thomas Gelling was illegitimate, which explains why I couldn't find him. Jane Corkill was baptized 9 Feb 1772 Braddan d/o Richard Corkill and Eleanor Kelly who married 5 Aug 1771 Braddan: 4 children found Jane 1772, Ann 1774, William 1776, Richard 1782. First three are mentioned in father Richard Corkill's 1811 will.

I wonder who the Gelling father was? I hazard a guess that he was also named Thomas, but not necessarily.

I think Jane Corkill's second illegitimate son, John Lewin, will be the one baptized 26 Sep 1802 Jurby (John Corkill, s/o Jane Corkill). I found him (well, I think it's him) age 35 in 1841 at Henry Edward Street in Liverpool, a shoemaker, married to Elizabeth 25 and 6 children. In 1851 he's a widower age 49 Boot Maker b IOM at 14 Pleasant Street, Liverpool, with 7 children aged 24 to 9.

Eric.