Thomas Walls : Short Biography

Hello. I am researching the Walls family, I think from County Wicklow, possibly around Bray. In particular, I would like to find info on my 2nd great-grandfather, Thomas Walls, born around 1829. He emigrated to West Kilbride, Ayrshire, Scotland, where he married Margaret McCourt. They had 8 children between 1848 and 1866 and Thomas died on 24/1/1876 in West Kilbride. I am also researching his parents, Patrick Walls and Bridget McCluskie. 

Here is the information I have regarding Thomas Walls. On the 1851 and 1861 Scotland Census documents, his place of birth is only given as Ireland. I was told years ago (before becoming interested in genealogy) that my great-grandfather (his son James, born in West Kilbride, Ayrshire)'s family came from Bray or around there. 

On the 1851 Scotland Census, Thomas Walls is already married (to Margaret McCourt, born in West Kilbride, Ayrshire) and they have two young children. They are living at the same address in West Kilbride as another family from Ireland (Patrick Fox, his wife Elizabeth and their two children, Margaret, aged two, and James, aged 4months). His occupation is given as farm labourer.

On the 1861 Scotland Census, they have a new address in West Kilbride, several more children and are no longer with the Fox family. His occupation in 1861 is given as labourer.

I couldn't find Thomas at all on the 1871 Scotland Census, but his wife was still living in West Kilbride with two of her children. Thomas and Margaret were married on 16th January, 1849 in Dalry, Ayrshire.

His death certificate is where I found his parents' names (see below). The death on 24th January, 1876, was registered by his wife, who must have been illiterate, as she made her mark (X) on the certificate.

My great-grandfather James was considered to be something of a stalwart of the Catholic Church in West Kilbride and I assume that his father Thomas was also Catholic.

Best regards,

Maggie Jacobs