Thomas Austin is believed to have been born on the Island of Barbados in about 1728. His ancestors had most likely emigrated from England, possibly via the then American Colonies, during the previous century. Thomas married three times and had sixteen children, all born in Barbados. Some remained on the Island, others emigrated to Guiana. These children and their descendants rose to prominent positions in society, some taking Holy Orders and others holding senior posts in government. The source of their wealth was sugar.

A history of  the Austin family descended from Thomas Austin  was written by Dora P. Burslem and Audrie D. Manning and published in 1973 as ‘An Old Colonial Family, 1685-1900’. It was revised and updated by Roger B. Austin and Timothy J. Smellie and printed in 2000 and again in 2002 for distribution to family members as ‘An Old Colonial Family’. A third edition of the book, further updated, corrected and with entries for almost 1900 persons, is available from January 2007.

Author contact information:

Roger B. Austin

New Barn

East Mill Lane

Sherborne

Dorset

DT9 3DP

UK

Telephone: 01935 389725 from the UK; +44 1935 389725 from elsewhere