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Beginners => Family History Beginners Board => Topic started by: MacBraveheart on Wednesday 02 March 05 23:23 GMT (UK)

Title: Never searched before but would like to find out more about Minns, County Durham
Post by: MacBraveheart on Wednesday 02 March 05 23:23 GMT (UK)
Hello reader.

 I am a complete novice (this is me:  ??? ) and have managed to find quite a lot out about my own family (however they are in Germany!) but am drawing major blanks with that of my husband.

I can go back only as far as an Stephen Minns (husband's paternal greatgrandfather) who married a Florence MacGregor Mackay and was father to Ernest Minns, now deceased in Ushaw Moor.

My mother-in-law indicated to me that there may have been a number of relatives from the Cambridgeshire area but I am really grasping at straws here!

I would dearly like to be able to tell our daughter where her family is from and would appreciate any tips for taking this search further or any information anyone here already has about the Minns family.

Thank you all!  I am glad I found this place.

:-*
Title: Re: Never searched before but would like to find out more about Minns, County Durham
Post by: sjsbc on Wednesday 02 March 05 23:32 GMT (UK)
Hi,

Welcome to Rootschat,

First, it would help if we had some dates to work on,

When was Ernest Minns born, even a really rough guess would help.  When were his parents married.

Do you know of any brothers or sisters?

One of the best places to start looking, if family knowledge takes you back that far is the census.  Do you know which census the individuals may be found on?

Hopefully with a bit mor information someone will be able to help you

Sue

Title: Re: Never searched before but would like to find out more about Minns, County Durham
Post by: Boongie Pam on Thursday 03 March 05 00:23 GMT (UK)
Hiya,

And a very warm welcome to Rootschat  ;D

I hope we can help you.

It's always the slowest bit getting started.  It's not so easy to get recent info since we can't see the census.

But if between you and the older members of your husbands family you draw up what you know get a couple of certificates sourced and ordered (marriages are usually a good economical start) when you get back to 1901 then online source become a boon.

Macgregor and Mackay good Scottish names  ;D  If you find yourself in researching Scottish ancestors then the bible of all sites is Scotlandspeople.  There's some info on this thread to get you started if you need it.

http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,24468.0.html

For more specific help if you give us some rough dates we may be able to help further.

Best of luck,
Pam
 ;D
Title: Re: Never searched before but would like to find out more about Minns, County Durham
Post by: MacBraveheart on Thursday 03 March 05 00:43 GMT (UK)
Hello you angels!  Yes, it is daunting.  I am sensing a bit of internet shyness from my relatives (my mother-in-law is fine but she too is not too good on the net...)

Thanks for responding and I should have added the dates I DO have:

Stephen Minns (unknown) and Florence MacGregor Mackay (birth is ALSO unknown) had two sons of which Ernest Minns, the elder, was born 26.3.1917 and passed away in 1989.  Ernest married a Lillian Thornton born 30.12.1920.

The other brother was an Alan but that is pretty much all I know.

Sadly not many elderly relatives survive or have the right knowledge.  I feel quite daunted by it all.
Title: Re: Never searched before but would like to find out more about Minns, County Durham
Post by: Boongie Pam on Thursday 03 March 05 12:37 GMT (UK)
Hiya,

Don't feel daunted.  Feel excited!   ;D

You've come to the right place.  So let's get cracking.

Can I confirm - is there two Ernests or one?  You have Ernest born in 1917 marrying in 1920 and dying in 1989?  Is the date of marriage wrong?

Do you have sight of the marriage certificate of Ernest and Lillian?  If you have a date I thought you might?  If not we need to find the reference number from 1837 online ( I presume they were married in England?).

http://www.1837online.com/Trace2web/

1837online is a pay per session site so I'm hoping some very kind soul could look up for you - does anyone have a spare credit or two?

Since paying for a session when you first start could be a waste if you don't need to use the rest of your credits.

Ernest and Lillian's marriage cert will let you know both their father's names.  That will place you squarely on the 1901 census and then we can get firing with census info.

You need that confirmation so that the census info you get is definitely yours.

Minns is not that common a name so we should do quite well.

Pam
 ;D
Title: Re: Never searched before but would like to find out more about Minns, County Durham
Post by: Boongie Pam on Thursday 03 March 05 12:52 GMT (UK)
Because I've ground to a halt on my tree I'm itching to help  ;D

I did some searches on Freebmd and this is what I get for Stephen Minns on the indexes...

Minns, Stephen 1842 June Births Houghton le Spring Co. Durham
Minns, Stephen 1878 March Births Durham (1837-1938) Co. Durham
Minns, Stephen 1908 June Births Durham (1837-1938) Co. Durham

Minns, Stephen 1854 March Marriages Norwich Norfolk
Minns, Stephen 1879 December Marriages Sunderland Co. Durham Tyne and Wear
Minns, Stephen 1901 March Marriages Durham (1837-1938) Co. Durham (married Lavinia Rome - confirmed on 1901 census)

MINNS, Stephen 1844 September Deaths Norwich Norfolk

This online resource does not really cover post 1901 dates and isn't complete.

Let us know the Ernest date confirmations.

Cheers,
Pam
 ;D
Title: Re: Never searched before but would like to find out more about Minns, County Durham
Post by: Fifer on Thursday 03 March 05 13:26 GMT (UK)
Hi Mac

Sorry for butting in here my Husband says there are minns were he comes from(Easington lane )Durham.on the 1891 there is a Stephen Minns age 13 in Easington Lane.

But also interested in your Hartshorne as my husbands grandmother is a Harthsorne  from Houghton le Spring I have alot of Info on hartshornes from Houghton le me know if there is a connection.



Fifer :)
Title: Re: Never searched before but would like to find out more about Minns, County Durham
Post by: Fifer on Thursday 03 March 05 13:36 GMT (UK)
Just found this for you as well


Marriages Dec 1910
~~~~~~~~
 
Mackay  Florence M    Durham  10a 721   
Minns  Stephen     Durham  10a 721   
Stoddart  Thomas     Durham  10a 721   



Hope this helps they have to be on the 1901 census for durham

Fifer :)
Title: Re: Never searched before but would like to find out more about Minns, County Durham
Post by: Boongie Pam on Thursday 03 March 05 14:04 GMT (UK)
The only Stephen Minns I can find is married to Lavinia Rome (or Room as per census).  It maybe the same man if Florence was a second marriage?

For Florence Mackay
There is a 12 yr old  in Sunderland, Durham (father = James)

a 17 yr old one in Westgate, Durham (father = William)

an 11 yr old visitor in South Moor, Durham

And others from around the UK. 

I think you need to order the certificate Fifer has found the reference for this should tell you if Stephen is a widower and confirm both Florence and Stephen's father's names.

Waiting for that certificate will be horrendous!

Pam
 ;D
Title: Re: Never searched before but would like to find out more about Minns, County Durham
Post by: MacBraveheart on Thursday 24 March 05 14:37 GMT (UK)
You guys are so kind- I lost all data from my computer (including bookmarks and history) when I reformatted and so had to search to find you again!  So sorry.

OK- Ernest married a woman who was BORN in 1920 (three years his junior) and not got MARRIED that year.  My father-in-law has no recollection when his parents were married.  So- only ONE Ernest with an Alan as a brother.

And rereading all this carefully I think I will now need to consider that Stephen Minns is my lynch pin.  I need to verify WHEN he was born and perhaps when married... 

If I order up Fifer's recommendation (and I admit it looks good- married in 1910 and had their first born in 1917 which may be a bit long without offspring for the times but appears to be the norm in the Minns family) HOW do I do this?  Where from and how much-ish?

I am telling you I am a complete novice and as you already said- first bit is the most daunting.  Not knowing how all these things work doesn't help.  My family has Ahnen Paesse which are ancestral passports containing birth certificates, marriage licences and even christening dates etc for ALL relatives pertaining to the pass holder (in this case my mother)
Title: Re: Never searched before but would like to find out more about Minns, County Durham
Post by: MacBraveheart on Thursday 24 March 05 15:08 GMT (UK)
Hi Mac

Sorry for butting in here my Husband says there are minns were he comes from(Easington lane )Durham.on the 1891 there is a Stephen Minns age 13 in Easington Lane.

But also interested in your Hartshorne as my husbands grandmother is a Harthsorne  from Houghton le Spring I have alot of Info on hartshornes from Houghton le me know if there is a connection.

Fifer :)

Oh thanks kindly for that Fifer- I will ask my mother-in-law today what her background is.  It is a bit easier with her as she does have a latent interest in her own roots unlike my father-in-law...

And thanks so much for the references to the marriage (I take it those are the references I quote to someone for "ordering" purposes?  Who is the third name?  Minister?)

;-)
Title: Re: Never searched before but would like to find out more about Minns, County Durham
Post by: Fifer on Friday 25 March 05 13:28 GMT (UK)
Hi Mac


The third name on there was just another person who married there in the same time frame his spouse isnt on there yet so thats why there is only 3 entries.
the images were from durham records office but free bmd also has them.
you can order the cert from there

http://www.durham.gov.uk/gro/newgro.nsf/search?open&C0442374250325032005$


you can pay by credit card,debit card,cheque you just download the form to send off if its by cheque.

Fifer :)
Title: Re: Never searched before but would like to find out more about Minns, County Durham
Post by: MacBraveheart on Saturday 26 March 05 00:00 GMT (UK)
Thank you very much- I have duly ordered it and paid.  Will await the details with great eagerness and report my findings?

Thanks you all for helping me.  I am going to amaze my in-laws with my amazing wisdom about THEIR family in due course- just you wait and see!

;-)
Title: Re: Never searched before but would like to find out more about Minns, County Durham
Post by: MacBraveheart on Tuesday 29 March 05 14:17 BST (UK)
OK- here is a wee news flash:  Stephen Minns was propably one of the Stephens born in about 1878 as he WAS on his second marriage (widower) and yes he DID marry an 18 year old Florence M Mackay visitor to the Durham area.  So this is the man.

He had three children from his first marriage and DID have others with Florence BEFORE Ernest was born in 1917.

Goodie, goodie gumdrops!  I love this stuff.  Just need to work out how you ladies did this brilliant detective work on my behalf so I can replicate it once I know HIS parents!

Oh- and there may be a link between the Houghton le Spring Hartshorns and mine- only my MIL says Sunderland...?

Will see as I have asked her for more info over Easter tea with even my FIL looking interested.

MWUAHAHAHAHA!
Title: Re: Never searched before but would like to find out more about Minns, County Durham
Post by: JillJ on Tuesday 29 March 05 21:47 BST (UK)
Hi MacBraveheart (love the name!)

Just thought I would poke my nose in here and let you know that I am also researching Hartshorn/e.   My lot originated in Dudley, Worcs., but who knows...............

Happy hunting!

Jill
Title: Re: Never searched before but would like to find out more about Minns, County Durham
Post by: MacBraveheart on Tuesday 29 March 05 22:23 BST (UK)
Hi MacBraveheart (love the name!)

Just thought I would poke my nose in here and let you know that I am also researching Hartshorn/e.   My lot originated in Dudley, Worcs., but who knows...............

Happy hunting!

Jill

Oooh!  Jill- we may yet meet again.  Who knows?!  And thanks for the compliment- everyone here is so nice and helpful I am getting quite addicted to being here.

;-)
Title: Re: Never searched before but would like to find out more about Minns, County Durham
Post by: SueTeakle on Tuesday 29 March 05 22:32 BST (UK)
There are 70 Minns names in Co.Durham on the 1881 census at www.familysearch.org

Regards, Sue
Title: Re: Never searched before but would like to find out more about Minns, County Durham
Post by: JillJ on Tuesday 29 March 05 22:58 BST (UK)
Quote
I am getting quite addicted to being here.

Quote


Dare I say it to MacBraveheart?.......................Join the Clan!

Jill
Title: Re: Never searched before but would like to find out more about Minns, County Durham
Post by: MacBraveheart on Tuesday 29 March 05 23:03 BST (UK)
Quote
I am getting quite addicted to being here.

Quote


Dare I say it to MacBraveheart?.......................Join the Clan!

Jill

Oh Jill...  That is a pun and a half!  LOL!  Thank you- I will.  :-D
Title: Re: Never searched before but would like to find out more about Minns, County Durham
Post by: MacBraveheart on Thursday 31 March 05 13:10 BST (UK)
OK- got it:

Stephen Minns, aged 32 (widower- TADA!), coal miner of Bearpark, Durham, son of Michael Minns, and

Florence MacGregor Mackay, aged 21, of no profession and also of Bearpark, Durham, daughter of James Ewan Mackay-

were married in Durham on the 29th October 1910. 


So Pam- you were right with:

"Minns, Stephen 1878 March Births Durham (1837-1938) Co. Durham," and even possibly-

"The only Stephen Minns I can find is married to Lavinia Rome (or Room as per census).  It maybe the same man if Florence was a second marriage?

For Florence Mackay
There is a 12 yr old  in Sunderland, Durham (father = James)"


And Fifer- it was the right certificate- I am very grateful and-

"Hi Mac
Sorry for butting in here my Husband says there are minns were he comes from(Easington lane )Durham on the 1891 there is a Stephen Minns age 13 in Easington Lane"

seems to be another score!  He would, indeed, have been 13 that year.

Now what folks?!??!?!?!

LOL!
Title: Re: Never searched before but would like to find out more about Minns, County Durham
Post by: Boongie Pam on Thursday 31 March 05 14:04 BST (UK)
This is a good starting point as you are slap into available census.

My method is to collect all the census material you can for each of the two folks, Stephen and Florence.

So we need for Stephen Minns...

1881 age 2 or 3 this can be found here...
http://www.familysearch.org/Eng/Search/frameset_search.asp

Then I'd get 1891 and 1901 ( a look up here will I'm sure appear, if not I'll have a scout tonight). 

1901 can be found here but pay per view...
http://www.1901census.nationalarchives.gov.uk/

This will give you a good idea of Stephen's family, parents and siblings.  This can be backed up with birth details from http://www.1837online.com/Trace2web/ (Pay per view) or http://freebmd.rootsweb.com/ (for free but not all entries are there yet).

If you are looking for births and marriages pre-1837 then use the IGI on the same website as the 1881.

As I said, when I get home tonight I'll have a scout if someone else hasn't got here first.  Rootschatters generally want any excuse to play in a census  ;D

Pam
 ;D
Title: Re: Never searched before but would like to find out more about Minns, County Durham
Post by: MacBraveheart on Thursday 31 March 05 14:21 BST (UK)
This is a good starting point as you are slap into available census.

My method is to collect all the census material you can for each of the two folks, Stephen and Florence.

So we need for Stephen Minns...

1881 age 2 or 3 this can be found here...
http://www.familysearch.org/Eng/Search/frameset_search.asp

Then I'd get 1891 and 1901 ( a look up here will I'm sure appear, if not I'll have a scout tonight). 

1901 can be found here but pay per view...
http://www.1901census.nationalarchives.gov.uk/

This will give you a good idea of Stephen's family, parents and siblings.  This can be backed up with birth details from http://www.1837online.com/Trace2web/ (Pay per view) or http://freebmd.rootsweb.com/ (for free but not all entries are there yet).

If you are looking for births and marriages pre-1837 then use the IGI on the same website as the 1881.

As I said, when I get home tonight I'll have a scout if someone else hasn't got here first.  Rootschatters generally want any excuse to play in a census  ;D

Pam
 ;D


And the fact I know that Stephen's dad was Michael Minns born 1839 and resident of Easington Lane, Durham is not enough?  James Ewan Mackay is the one presenting me a problem!  He was a journeyman and though I believe he was BORN in Scotland he obviously "got around" a bit...
Title: Re: Never searched before but would like to find out more about Minns, County Durham
Post by: Boongie Pam on Thursday 31 March 05 16:55 BST (UK)
It could be enough but I have a very regimented approach  ;D

So we need to collect what we can about Florence to work back to her parents.  So we know she was born about 1889.

So in 1901 we have a possible...

RG13/4723
Sunderland 
Monkwearmouth 
ED: 13 Folio: 13 Page: 17
Schedule No:    110


James Mackay Head 42  House Painter bn Scotland
Lizzie Mackay Wife 39  Scotland
Ada Mackay Daughter 15  bn Scotland
Evelyn Mackay Daughter 14  Sunderland, Durham
John Mackay Son 13  Sunderland, Durham
Florence Mackay Daughter 12  Sunderland, Durham, 
Fred Mackay Son 10  Sunderland, Durham
Hetty Mackay Daughter 8  Sunderland, Durham
Mary Mackay Daughter 4  Sunderland, Durham

Does the Marriage cert say what James' occupation is?  I would want another confirmation that this is the right family?

Hmm can't find in 1891 so maybe in Scotland even though their 14 yr old is born in Sunderland.

I presume that Lizzie and James were married in Scotland as there 1st kids were born there.  I would go onto http://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk which is pay per view but very cheap (compared to England & Wales certs (£1.20 per search plus view)) their marriage will give you all 4 parents including maiden names.

To find Lizzie's maiden name I would look for Ada's birth in all of Scotland but  limit it to 1886 plus or minus 2 years.

All the best,
Pam
 ;D
Title: Re: Never searched before but would like to find out more about Minns, County Durham
Post by: Boongie Pam on Thursday 31 March 05 17:05 BST (UK)
This birth may throw a bit of a spanner or not  ???

Name:    Mackay, Florence Elizabeth E
Qtr  June 1889
District: Sunderland 
County: Co. Durham Tyne and Wear
V: 10a P: 580

No Macgregor?

Often the middle name is the mother's maiden name in Scotland but evidence would be needed.

Pam
 ;D
Title: Re: Never searched before but would like to find out more about Minns, County Durham
Post by: MacBraveheart on Thursday 31 March 05 17:18 BST (UK)
It could be enough but I have a very regimented approach  ;D

So we need to collect what we can about Florence to work back to her parents.  So we know she was born about 1889.

So in 1901 we have a possible...

RG13/4723
Sunderland 
Monkwearmouth 
ED: 13 Folio: 13 Page: 17
Schedule No:    110


James Mackay Head 42  House Painter bn Scotland
Lizzie Mackay Wife 39  Scotland
Ada Mackay Daughter 15  bn Scotland
Evelyn Mackay Daughter 14  Sunderland, Durham
John Mackay Son 13  Sunderland, Durham
Florence Mackay Daughter 12  Sunderland, Durham, 
Fred Mackay Son 10  Sunderland, Durham
Hetty Mackay Daughter 8  Sunderland, Durham
Mary Mackay Daughter 4  Sunderland, Durham

Does the Marriage cert say what James' occupation is?  I would want another confirmation that this is the right family?

Hmm can't find in 1891 so maybe in Scotland even though their 14 yr old is born in Sunderland.

I presume that Lizzie and James were married in Scotland as there 1st kids were born there.  I would go onto http://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk which is pay per view but very cheap (compared to England & Wales certs (£1.20 per search plus view)) their marriage will give you all 4 parents including maiden names.

To find Lizzie's maiden name I would look for Ada's birth in all of Scotland but  limit it to 1886 plus or minus 2 years.

All the best,
Pam
 ;D

I am dizzy.  Can I buy you?  LOL!  You are good at this.

Of course- I knew as soon as I had posted that the only answer IS being regimental.  I just got carried away on guesswork and the fact that we had already had mention of Easington lane!

Yes, I can confirm that James Ewan Mackay was a Painter JOURNEYMAN and I am reliably told that Florence was visiting the area at the time she met her husband to be in search of work with horses.  It is believed she was born in Scotland but hey- the shoe fits!

FYI- Stephen Minns' dad Michael was a miner according to the marriage licence.

Updated to add:

James Ewen (that is the spelling) Mackay married a Lizzie Darnlie in St Nicholas, Aberdeen in 1884.
Title: Re: Never searched before but would like to find out more about Minns, County Durham
Post by: MacBraveheart on Thursday 31 March 05 23:38 BST (UK)
 :-X

I FINALLY got on that site and found the record- seems it doesn't like Macs...

So here it is:

James Ewen Mackay, aged 25 at his marriage in 1884, was son to George Mackay who married a Betsy Ewen.

Lizzie Darnlie Stephen, aged 23 at her marriage to the above in 1884, was daughter to George Stephen who had married a Margaret McGregor (tada- our clue that this is, indeed, the right family- the granddaughter Florence carried her middle name!).

Both fathers of the wedded couple were deceased in 1884.

I have ordered the certificate but can show you it here-  uk.geocities.com/macapplehall@btinternet.com/avatars/marriagelicence.jpg (http://uk.geocities.com/macapplehall@btinternet.com/avatars/marriagelicence.jpg) as I am drawing major blanks there with finding birth or marriage dates for George Mackay and Betsy Ewen; and George Stephen and Margaret McGregor...

  <-(I like this one- it reminds me of Miffy the white rabbit)
Title: Re: Never searched before but would like to find out more about Minns, County Durham
Post by: MacBraveheart on Friday 01 April 05 01:23 BST (UK)
Good folk- I am off for a week to Spain (need the holiday SOOO bad!!!) and will maybe get a chance to search some more once I get back.

It has been great fun and I think I may be learning.  Slowly.  Pam- you are the best!  In fact you are all wonderful and I could not imagine this being more fun!

How can I ever repay you?
Title: Re: Never searched before but would like to find out more about Minns, County Durham
Post by: Boongie Pam on Friday 01 April 05 11:32 BST (UK)
Woohoo - you were quick.  Yes the Mackay McKay M'Kay will be a pain - one of the down sides of the site.

One thing to remember is that Death certs in Scotland are the BEST, well the best in the UK.
So the father's certs will move you back 1 generation on 4 lines.

They name both parents including maiden names as long as they were known by the informant.  This can help in finding birth places in conection with the 1881 census.  I'll have a look at that census tonight see if I can find anything useful (if someone else can get there before me great.)  What is the parish of marriage I can't read it and can't manipulate the image in work  :-\

Pam
 ;D





Title: Re: Never searched before but would like to find out more about Minns, County Durham
Post by: MacBraveheart on Friday 01 April 05 12:37 BST (UK)
Woohoo - you were quick.  Yes the Mackay McKay M'Kay will be a pain - one of the down sides of the site.

One thing to remember is that Death certs in Scotland are the BEST, well the best in the UK.
So the father's certs will move you back 1 generation on 4 lines.

They name both parents including maiden names as long as they were known by the informant.  This can help in finding birth places in conection with the 1881 census.  I'll have a look at that census tonight see if I can find anything useful (if someone else can get there before me great.)  What is the parish of marriage I can't read it and can't manipulate the image in work  :-\

Pam
 ;D

OK- havenae left yet for Edinburgh so I will quickly reply-

St Nicholas was mentioned as where they came from/were married but this seems to read Woodside, Parish of Tarbollen or something and the church was East Parish Church, Aberdeen. 

All the references I can find to a parish church (east or otherwise) in Woodside are for those in the Woodside parish and this is clearly NOT reading Woodside only.
Title: Re: Never searched before but would like to find out more about Minns, County Durham
Post by: Boongie Pam on Friday 01 April 05 13:33 BST (UK)
Hmm there is a Tarbolton in Ayrshire.  I reckon the 1881 will 'fess up and help.

P

Title: Re: Never searched before but would like to find out more about Minns, County Durham
Post by: carol8353 on Friday 01 April 05 14:54 BST (UK)
Cancel this mesage- I didn't realise there was more to read  :-[
Title: Re: Never searched before but would like to find out more about Minns, County Durham
Post by: MacBraveheart on Friday 01 April 05 15:22 BST (UK)
Hmm there is a Tarbolton in Ayrshire.  I reckon the 1881 will 'fess up and help.

P

Tarbolton is indeed in Ayrshire- and so is Woodside.  Now to find a James ewen born there.  And his family...? 

So far I DO find a 1881 census record for Lizzie, 21 year old daughter (depending on when the birthday is she could have been 21 already the month they did the census) to a DOROTHY (and not a Margaret) Stephen, widow who originates from "Tullynessie (?)" (the question mark is included).

Could Margaret McGregor have had a middle name of Dorothy?  Also- Lizzie's household was in domestic service (as shown on her marriage licence) and she has a brother called George (as her father was).  Of course the woman Dorothy is 67 the year that Lizzie was 21- what if he had a divorce or even was the father to another woman's child (this Margaret McGregor) and had his wife "adopt" Lizzie?  Grasping at straws here and may well be confusing things too much.

I didn't go to Edinburgh afterall...
Title: Re: Never searched before but would like to find out more about Minns, County Durham
Post by: MacBraveheart on Friday 01 April 05 20:22 BST (UK)
Assuming that James was frae Ayshire and that his father was a journeyman during his life until his death it is getting frustrating- I cannot seem to get any further with this part of the family.

Even Lizzie is hard to trace back on, what with "her" record having her daughter to a widow Dorothy of Aberdeen.

I have spent a fortune on credits and am actually beginning to search down avenues I need not research- it is so confusing.

Now then- what of the Minns family?  Can anyone tell me how to do similar with Stephen's parents?  I suspect his dad was a Michael but I appear not to have the same type of proof (remember the McGregor- Florence's mum Lizzie's mum's maiden name?)
Title: Re: Never searched before but would like to find out more about Minns, County Durham
Post by: Boongie Pam on Friday 01 April 05 21:06 BST (UK)
Let me just drag you back there on cotton pickin' minute...  ;D

There's one more site to try...

http://www.familysearch.org/Eng/Search/frameset_search.asp

This the Church of the Latter Day Saints (I promise I'm not trying to drag you into a cult  ;D ) They are big on the one world family thing so are THE biggest provider of Genealogy stuff.  You alerady know the 1881 census is there for Eng & Wal but it also has the IGI which is an index of births marriages and deaths from old parish registers.  There's loads of tips and explanations on this site about different aspects of teh IGI.  BUt for now...

I got your James Ewen Mackay.   ;D

Batch number  C111681
Which is from the OPR of Saint Nicholas, Aberdeen (there is a Woodside in Aberdeen)

JAMES EWAN MC KAY

Father:  GEORGE MC KAY  Mother:  ELIZABETH EWAN
16 AUG 1858

I would persue that birth record on Scotlandspeople as it will give the date of marriage for Elizabeth and George.  The other kids for them are

 1. MARY WALKER MAC KAY
Gender: Female Birth: 13 JAN 1856 Saint Nicholas, Aberdeen, Aberdeen, Scotland
 
 2. GEORGINA IRVINE MACKAY
Gender: Female Birth: 25 JUN 1861 Saint Nicholas, Aberdeen, Aberdeen, Scotland
 
 3. JAMES EWAN MC KAY
Gender: Male Birth: 16 AUG 1858 Saint Nicholas, Aberdeen, Aberdeen, Scotland

You may get very lucky if Mary was their first child and they could of been married post 1855 so it could be registered - if not (from James birth) then the OPR doesn't often give much more info.

Pam
 ;D
Title: Re: Never searched before but would like to find out more about Minns, County Durham
Post by: MacBraveheart on Friday 01 April 05 21:41 BST (UK)
His birth certificate is the right one (THANK YOU YET again!) but still no dates for his parents- it is not contained!  Isn't that annoying?

Yes, I was aware of the Woodside in Aberdeen- even found the modern day church of East Parish Church.  LOL!  I suppose he was born in St Nicholas after all and went to live in Ayrshire to return to his own parish to be married...?
Title: Re: Never searched before but would like to find out more about Minns, County Durham
Post by: Boongie Pam on Sunday 10 April 05 18:05 BST (UK)
Ok then I've had a look at the Minns - hope you are having a sunny holiday  ;D

1901 Census
(normally pay per view at http://www.1901census.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ )

St Edmund the King 
Bearpark 
Durham 

 
RG13/4676
Reg District: Durham 
Sub district: St Oswald 
ED: 30 Folio: 15 Page: 5
Household schedule number: 19

John Robson Rome  Head  52  Coal Miner Engine plane? man  Carrella, Durham
Margret Jane Home  Wife 49  Pittington, Durham
John Robson Home  Son  17  Coal Miner Pony Rutter? Silttsworth, Durham
Mary Home Daughter 12  Framuelgate Moor, Durham
Stephen Minns Son-in-law 23  Coal Miner Hewer Easington Lane, Durham
Lavinia Minns  Daughter 20  Tudhoe, Durham


I'll work backwards on other census now.  The real confirmation on whether this is the right Stephen Minns would be the marriage cert between Lavinia and Stephen.  He is however the only Stephen Minns on the 1901 census.

The Eastington Lane entry that Fifer mentioned is here and appears to be yours.

RG12/4117
Durham
Reg Dist: Houghton Le Spring 
Sub district: Hetton le Hole 
ED: 9 Folio: 116 Page: 11

No 47 Bridkarth?

Michal Minns Head M 52 Coale Miner Durham Easington Lane
Margret Minns Wife M 48 Northumberland
George Hall Minns son 21? Coale Miner Durham Easington Lane
Ralph Phenwick? Minns son 15 Poney Driver in mine Durham Easington Lane
Stephen Minns son 13 Scholar Durham Easington Lane
Fredric Minns son 11 Scholar Durham Easington Lane
Aflred Minns son 8 Scholar Durham Easington Lane

I just want to say that the bits in red are as they appear on the census and not me being mad!  :o

So I'll let you find the 1881 http://www.familysearch.org/Eng/Search/frameset_search.asp

Don't want to spoil all the fun!


RG10/4985
Houghton Le Spring
Hetton le Hole
ED: 8
Folio: 40 Page: 38
Household schedule number: 189

Michael Minns Head  32 Coal Miner Easington Lane, Durham
Margaret Minns Wife 28  Campertown, Northumberland
George H Minns Son 7 Scholar Hullgarth, Durham
Isabella F Minns Daughter 5 Scholar Easington Lane, Durham
Mary Minns Daughter  3  Easington Lane, Durham
Thomas Minns Son 1  Easington Lane, Durham

So that's all the census I have access to.  You could put requests on the Durham board for 1851 & 1841.  The latter would get you Michael's parents.

Now using the IGI as mentioned and linked in previous posts on this thread we can look for Michael Minns marriage and birth - finger's crossed.
Not looking good  :-\

Anywho that's a starter.

Pam
 ;D
Title: Re: Never searched before but would like to find out more about Minns, County Durham
Post by: Boongie Pam on Sunday 10 April 05 18:36 BST (UK)
Ooh Ooh Ooh here's an interesting piece to an addictive jigsaw.  Cross reference to the post above I'm thinking of the Robson occurence!


RG10/5011
Ryhope
Reg district:    Sunderland
Sub district:    South Bishop Wearmouth
ED: 20 F: 75 P: 47
Household schedule number:    212

64 Tunstall St
Anthony Robson Head Wid 50  coal miner Durham (Place Uk)
Isabella Robson Daughter Unmar 26  Hetton Le Hole, Durham
Anthony Robson Son unmar 15 Coal Miner Ludworth, Durham
John Robson Son unmar 13  coal miner Durham (Place Uk)
Stephen Minns Son-in-law Mar 27  Easington Lane, Durham
Georgina Minns Granddaughter 2  Easington Lane, Durham

Okay, okay enough.  There are actually loads of interesting 1871 entries there's an older Ralph.

Pam
 ;D
Title: Re: Never searched before but would like to find out more about Minns, County Du
Post by: Brian on Tuesday 12 April 05 17:40 BST (UK)
Sorry I've only just found your messages as I don't normally look in this section.  Your first message says

I can go back only as far as an Stephen Minns (husband's paternal greatgrandfather) who married a Florence MacGregor Mackay and was father to Ernest Minns, now deceased in Ushaw Moor.

My mother-in-law indicated to me that there may have been a number of relatives from the Cambridgeshire area but I am really grasping at straws here!

Just to say that I have a deal of information on the Minns family of Chesterton Cambridge and I don't think the link goes back to there on the Minns side.  In 1800 there is a Minns marriage (Edward to Susannah Whybrow) and nearly all the Minns in Cambridgeshire are descended from him.  You might also like to know that there is a group of Minns researchers on a Yahoo message board, if you would like details I'd be happy to pass them on just send me a private message.

Glad you are enjoying the chase, is it any wonder we are all addicts!

best wishes
Brian ;D
Title: Re: Never searched before but would like to find out more about Minns, County Durham
Post by: MacBraveheart on Friday 15 April 05 23:36 BST (UK)
Hi MacBraveheart (love the name!)

Just thought I would poke my nose in here and let you know that I am also researching Hartshorn/e.   My lot originated in Dudley, Worcs., but who knows...............

Happy hunting!

Jill

Just to let you know that I have now found (or rather- he found ME) a Hartshorn relative who says that my grandfather in law Wilfred's older brother was called Thomas Otto Hartshorn.  From the Langley Park area of Durham...  Not sure this connects anywhere but I am not able to research this line just now as I have gotten real busy with work and still think I ought to get on with the Scottish link of Minns to Mackay and MacGregor.

Oh- and the folk in Scotland have nae yet sent me what Durham turned around in a few days!!!!  And I have paid...