Welcome to the Tomkinson Family History Website
The name Tomkinson probably originated in Staffordshire, in the Northwest Midlands, England - Tomkin being the diminutive of Thomas, and hence the son of Tomkin (such being a common surname derivation in medieval society). However spelling varies a lot, particularly in the period before Civil registration of Births, Deaths and Marriages started in 1837, when parish priests had their own ideas on spelling! Thompkinson, Tonkeson, Tumkynson, etc.
The Earliest well known researches into the history of the Tomkinson Family were Published in 1904 by Newton Powers Tomkinson of Philadelphia, USA. A transcription of his book - Genealogical Memoirs of various Families of Tomkinson (1620 - 1904) may be Downloaded here (NPTbook.zip) [Please note that errors do occur during transcription].
The Tomkinson Boys,
This mezzotint by EE Milner [after T. Gainsborough, published in 1915 by E. Klackner, London] describes the picture as follows:-
Sons of James Tomkinson Esq. of Bostock - Henry (standing) was born 1741, married Anne, daughter of John Darlington Esq. - Edward (seated) was born 1743 assumed the name of Wettenhall in 1798, married Sarah, daughter of James Marsden Esq. The picture was exhibited at the Old Masters Exhibition at the Royal Academy in 1889. [this description is probably taken from the catalogue of the RA, which would have been provided by the then owner : Henry-James Tollemache of Dorfold Hall, the gt gt grandson of James Tomkinson of Dorfold, 2nd son of William of Bostock ].
However, the Original, by Thomas Gainsborough [1727-1788], is now at Taft Museum of Art ,Cincinnati, USA. and John Wilson's research for the Taft museum has shown that this painting dates from C1784. Hence the sitters are probably the grandsons of James Tomkinson - Edward born 1773, son of Henry, and William born 1772, son of Edward.
This is a perfect example for all genealogy researchers that it is very important to go back to contemporaneous records as family anecdotes can be very misleading.
Current Areas of interest are:-
Parish Records, Property Records and Census Records
Family Trees and Tomkinson Researchers
Eminent Tomkinsons and Family Portraits
This site is under construction and all suggestions and offers of data for inclusion are welcome - Please email me at: rob@tomkinson.info
Rob Tomkinson October 2003