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England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => England => Northumberland => Topic started by: higvin8 on Tuesday 05 September 17 10:38 BST (UK)

Title: Grateful help in identifying place name
Post by: higvin8 on Tuesday 05 September 17 10:38 BST (UK)
I have an Archibald Brown born around 1742 who served with the Royal Navy. According to an 1804 muster he was born in Northumberland, but according to the attached Greenwich hospital admissions register he was born in what looks like 'Bishopgrey' or 'Bishopquay' Durham. The best explanation I can find is the Bishop's Quay at Blyth, Northumberland. Grateful any views on whether that's a likely explanation. Was Bishop's Quay/Blyth at any point within Co Durham's borders? Or could the written reference be to somewhere else?
Very grateful any suggestions or advice.
Title: Re: Grateful help in identifying place name
Post by: stanmapstone on Tuesday 05 September 17 11:25 BST (UK)
Blyth was not in County Durham but was in Durham Diocese.
You can see the boundaries of the ancient diocese on the map at http://www.medart.pitt.edu/image/england/durham/general/Durham-map.jpg
Stan
Title: Re: Grateful help in identifying place name
Post by: pityackafromblyth on Tuesday 05 September 17 12:00 BST (UK)
higvin8, You are 100% correct in suggesting Blyth for 'Bishops Quay.'  Google - 'Bishops Quay Blyth' and the first reference to come up is the Port of Blyth website> History, and it confirms that Blyth Quay was originally know as Bishops Quay.  There is also an old map shown re the layout, long before the harbour was  built and extended over the years.
Also check 'Blyth History' here in Roots.  There may be reference to the quay together with old maps and drawings of the harbour, etc.
Title: Re: Grateful help in identifying place name
Post by: blythian on Wednesday 06 September 17 10:43 BST (UK)
The Bishops Quay was owned by the Bishops of Durham from the medieval times onward. I'm having trouble placing the quay myself Bishops Quay was on the north bank, opposite Hodgsons Mill (on the Blyth side), since Bedlington was an enclave of Durham, perhaps he was born on the north bank and so registered as Durham?

[EDID] JenB beat me to linking the pictures, we must have been looking at the same time haha
Title: Re: Grateful help in identifying place name
Post by: JenB on Wednesday 06 September 17 10:53 BST (UK)
There is a drawing of Bishop's Quay here http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=497484.msg3544831#msg3544831
Title: Re: Grateful help in identifying place name
Post by: stanmapstone on Wednesday 06 September 17 11:31 BST (UK)
The parish of Bedlington was part of County Durham until 1844. You can see the area covered by the parish at http://maps.familysearch.org/
Stan
Title: Re: Grateful help in identifying place name
Post by: higvin8 on Wednesday 06 September 17 14:19 BST (UK)
Quote from: stanmapstone on Wednesday 06 September 17 11:31 BST (UK)
The parish of Bedlington was part of County Durham until 1844. You can see the area covered by the parish at http://maps.familysearch.org/
Stan

Thanks very much Stan.  You've solved the mystery.
Mark
Title: Re: Grateful help in identifying place name
Post by: higvin8 on Wednesday 06 September 17 14:20 BST (UK)
Quote from: JenB on Wednesday 06 September 17 10:53 BST (UK)
There is a drawing of Bishop's Quay here http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=497484.msg3544831#msg3544831

Thanks very much Jen.  Looks charming!
Mark
Title: Re: Grateful help in identifying place name
Post by: higvin8 on Wednesday 06 September 17 14:22 BST (UK)
Quote from: blythian on Wednesday 06 September 17 10:43 BST (UK)
The Bishops Quay was owned by the Bishops of Durham from the medieval times onward. I'm having trouble placing the quay myself Bishops Quay was on the north bank, opposite Hodgsons Mill (on the Blyth side), since Bedlington was an enclave of Durham, perhaps he was born on the north bank and so registered as Durham?

[EDID] JenB beat me to linking the pictures, we must have been looking at the same time haha

Thanks, I'm sure that must be the explanation.
Title: Re: Grateful help in identifying place name
Post by: barryd on Wednesday 06 September 17 14:41 BST (UK)
If you are born in Bishop's Quay it seems logical that the Navy would be a career choice.