As with most on the Rodger's side of the McKay line, I've had quite a lot of success with finding Thomas. I found his Birth, Marriage and Death records fairly quickly and followed that up with the 1861 and 1871 Censuses. However, it took a while to find his entries in the 1841 and 1851 Censuses, but I have now and they have gleaned even more information about this line of the family.

Regarding his marriage, it is interesting to note that, although we have a record that clearly states "Thomas Roger and Mary Moffat", were proclaimed in West Linton, there is another record of a marriage which took place a few days later for a "Thomas Roger and M Moffat", also in West Linton. The two records do not appear to be related, although the proclamation took place in West Linton, it has a reference to "Thomas Roger in Traquair". As our Thomas was born in Gilmerton and lived in Liberton during his early married life, I cannot see where ther could be a connection to Traquair.

KEY EVENTS AND DATES

Birth - 30th September 1803

Thomas was born in Gilmerton, Parish of Liberton, Midlothian. He was one of twins born to Thomas Rodger (7) and Agnes Mein. The full entry in the Parish record reads - "John & Thomas Rodger, twin sons to Thomas Rodger & Agnes Mein at Gilmerton were born 30th September and baptised 21st October. Witnesses John Rodger and Peter Wilson.

View record.

Marriage - 6th February 1831

Thomas married Mary Moffat in West Linton, county of Peebles. The entry in the "Parochial Record" is in amongst a number of accounting entries and reads simply - "Proc'd Thos. Rodger & Mary Moffat." In the " £. s. d." columns a sum of "4/-" (four shillings) is recorded. It is interesting that the "d" in "Rodger" is scored through three times.

View record.

1832/33

According to the Census records I have, Thomas's daughter, Janet, would have been born in this period. I haven't yet searched for her birth record though.

1834/35

According to the Census records I have, Thomas's daughter, Agnes, would have been born in this period. I haven't yet searched for her birth record though.

30th March 1836

Thomas's son, Thomas Roger (5), was born in Burdiehouse, Liberton. The actual entry reads:

Roger

Thomas, Lawful son of Thomas Roger and Mary Moffat, was

Roger born at Burdiehouse on the thirtieth March and baptised the

thirtieth April, one thousand eight hundred and thirty six before

these witnesses Jean Wilson and Mary Bell.

I wonder if Jean Wilson was related to the Peter Wilson who witnessed Thomas's and Mary's marriage.

1838/39

According to the Census records I have, Thomas's daughter, Elizabeth, would have been born in this period. I haven't yet searched for her birth record though.

1841 Census

The Census records Thomas lived at Silverfields in the Parish of St Cuthbert's, with his wife Mary. Thomas was aged 35 and was employed as a Labourer. Mary was 30. Also living there were his children Janet (9), Agnes (7), Thomas (5), Elizabeth (2).

View the record.

1845/46

According to the Census records I have, Thomas's son, William C, would have been born in this period. I haven't yet searched for his birth record though.

1849/50

According to the Census records I have, Thomas's daughter, Mary Ann, would have been born in this period. I haven't yet searched for her birth record though.

1850

According to the Census records I have, Thomas's son, John , would have been born in this period. I haven't yet searched for his birth record though.

1851 Census

The Census records Thomas to have been living at 7 Silverfields in the Parish of St Cuthbert's, Leith, with his wife Mary. Thomas was aged 47 and was employed as a "Labourer, Grain". Mary was 40. Also living there were his children Janet (18), Agnes (16), Thomas (14), Elizabeth (12), William C (4), Mary Ann (1) and John (9 months?). Thomas's place of birth was recorded as Midlothian, Liberton.

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1861 Census

The Census shows Thomas to have been living at 55 Yardheads, Leith with his wife, Mary. Thomas was aged 58 and was employed as a Loftman. Mary was 51. Also living there were his children Thomas (25) also a Loftman, William C. (15) a Flour Miller, and Mary Ann (11) a Scholar. Thomas's place of birth was recorded as Edinburgh, Liberton.

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27th June 1862

Thomas's son, Thomas Roger (5), married Janet Stewart at 70 Tolbooth Wynd, Leith. This was actually Janet's home address. (As a matter of interest, my Dad was born at 48 Tolbooth Wynd.) On the Certificate, Thomas's age is given as 27, although he was only 26. Thomas was employed as a Loftman and lived at 56 Yardheads, Leith. His parents were recorded as Thomas Roger, also a Loftman, and Mary Moffat - both still living.

1871 Census

Ten years on from the last Census and according to this year's Census, Thomas and Mary are still living at Yardheads, only they're in number 61 this time. Thomas was then aged 68 and still a Loftman. Mary was 61. Thomas's place of birth was given as Edinburgh, Liberton.

There are a number of curious things about this Census record, though. Firstly, Mary is described as "Mary Moffat alias Rodger" - I've never seen that kind of language before (or since). Secondly, her daughter, Mary, is recorded under her maiden name - Mary Ann Rodger" - even though she is down as married and that her husband George Lawrie and her son, George (2 months) are living there too. The third curious thing is that Mary's place of birth is not recorded as West Linton, as it is elsewhere, but as "Midlothian, Edinburgh". (Methinks we had an Enumerator who had maybe had a few too many on Census night?)

Also living with Thomas and Mary was a boarder from Ireland called John Milne, a Labourer in the Flour Mills.

View the record.

29th September 1876

Thomas's wife, Mary, died at 10.30 p.m. at 5 Yardheads, Leith. She was aged 70 and described as "married to Thomas Rogers, Loftman". She had died form "Cardiac Diseases" and her death was reported by her husband. Mary's parents were shown as John Moffat, a Wire Weaver and Janet Farquharson, both deceased.

Death - 23rd January 1881

Thomas Rogers (note the different spelling) died at 9.30 p.m. at 13 Wilkie Place, Leith. He was aged 76 and had been employed as a Loftman. His wife's name was recorded as Mary Moffat. The cause of his death was shown as "Malignant Tumour - 3 months". His death was reported by his daughter-in-law, Marion Rogers, who had been present at Thomas's death.

View the record.