The Manson family

The earliest ancestor we can be sure of in the Manson family is Magnus Manson, who married a Tait (forename unknown) from East Burrafirth in 1807. Magnus then lived in Houlland, and the church baptismal records show that he had at least two children, both born in Houlland; Tirval (or Tourval), born in 1808 and Walter, born in 1810.

Tirval married Agnes Robertson from Nesting in 1831, in Twatt. They and their growing family appear in the census records (1841 onwards), living in Tumblin. They had at least seven children: Thomas, Margaret, John (born in Tresta), Agnes (born in Tresta), Catherine, Tirval and James (all born in Tumblin). Since Agnes was born in 1838, they must have moved from Tresta to Tumblin between 1838 and the census in 1841. In 1841, Tirval was away from home (at sea?) And Agnes described as a "farmer"; in 1851 both were at home, Tirval being described as a "sailor and crofter of six acres". In 1861, only Catherine, Tirval (son) and James were left at home; however in 1871 the eldest son Thomas, a seaman, unmarried, is described as the head of the household, as his father was then a "retired seaman". Agnes was still a spinner, though, and daughter Catherine a knitter. James, the youngest son, was then a fisherman.

James married Jessie Williamson from neighbouring house (the West House) in about 1879. By the time of the 1881 census they had a son, James William, and were both living with Jessie's parents. James was then a "seaman", and they had one more child, Catherine, born after James was lost at sea. Jessie died soon afterwards and the orphans were brought up by the Williamsons in the West House, Tumblin.

James William married Mary Ann Hunter from the Queans, and built Hillside Cottage where they (or rather she, since he was mostly away at sea) brought up five children.

The baptism of their ancestor, Magnus, has not yet been traced. He came from Houlland, though, and a William Manson living in Houlland had a daughter in 1780. This William could be the father of Magnus, but further searching is needed to establish this as fact.