It is difficult to know much for certain about Thiselton. His name appears in several local government records, including the 1861 Eastchester Poll List "kept by the Clerk of Elections for the first election district of the town of Eastchester." The Record of Soldiers and Officers for the Town of Eastchester, Book One gives more information: William George Thiselton, born in England, 35 years of age, lived in Mount Vernon (then a village within the town of Eastchester) and worked as a shoemaker.

However, other information included in these records conflicts with Thiselton's own account in his journal. For instance, the records show that Thiselton enlisted August 29, 1862, and was discharged January 8, 1863, after which he subsequently re-enlisted as a corporal in the 35^th New Jersey Infantry. Aside from the initial date of enlistment, none of these details is borne out by the journal. Also significant is that while Book One of the Eastchester records lists him as a shoemaker, The Record of Soldiers and Officers for the Town of Eastchester, Book Two, lists him as a seaman.

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