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England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => England => Durham => Topic started by: mongojoby on Monday 05 February 24 14:29 GMT (UK)
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Hi
I’m wondering if anyone can help me with any more information on Matthew Wilkinson and his family.
He sadly died in an accident in 1838, and I have these details from the death certificate:
20 Jul 1838, Waggon man, accidentally killed by coal waggon.
Informant :Thomas Charles Maynard, Coroner Of Easington
I’ve also found this webpage which references the accident and mentions 5 children - http://www.dmm.org.uk/individ2/i24705.htm
I’ve checked with the museum and they don’t have any further details, so not sure where information provided has come from.
My ancestor is Jonathan Wilkinson (abt 1833, Middle Rainton), who I believe is Matthew’s son - his father is listed as Matthew, Waggon man (but doesn’t state deceased), on his marriage certificate & there is a matching baptism for him.
However, I’ve always had problems with censuses as was unable to find Jonathan anywhere on the 1841 census. For a long time I thought he was with an uncle on the 1851 census (see this 2009 thread: https://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=375491.0).
Recently though, I’ve discovered Matthew’s wife Mary (abt 1807) with her second husband, William Robinson and a number of children in Witton Gilbert in 1851. There is also a Jonathon with them although the age is slightly out.
At the same time I found a 1841 record for Mary (still Wilkinson) with 6 children in Easington, the oldest two children, Dorothy(abt 1830) and Mary (abt 1831) looking to match but some inconsistencies with other ages too.
I was wondering whether it is a realistic possibility that my Jonathan was mistranscribed as Matthew in 1841? As otherwise not sure this would match with Jonathan being in the same family if only 5 children at the time of Matthew’s death (if this was accurate).
Does anyone have any thoughts or advice on where to look next?
Thanks
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William Robinson married Mary Wilkinson September quarter 1843 registered Stockton Vol 24 page 165
William 1845 and Thomas Robinson 1847 are their children as a couple.
The marriage certificate should give her maiden name Wilkinson formerly ?, if not then her fathers name will be on it to get her maiden name.
ADDED
Never mind I finally found it. I was trying to determine 1841-1851 same family.
William Robinson reg Auckland 1845 mother's maiden name Burrell
Thomas Robinson 1848 reg. Stockton and Sedgefield mmn Burrell
Mathew Wilkinson married Mary Burrell 19 April 1830 Gateshead Fell.
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Hi among
Thank you very much for this - I have ordered the marriage certificate.
I’m pretty confident Mary’s maiden name is Burrell, as this matches the birth record for Margaret Wilkinson, 1837, Harwill and I’ve also found a gro index record for Thomas Robinson born in Stockton at the right time with Burrell also listed as mother’s maiden name.
Mary’s parents look to be Joseph Burrell & Dorothy, based on ancestry trees and I’ve found further circumstantial evidence to support this myself last night.
Mary Burrell and Matthew Wilkinson get married in 1830 at Gateshead Fell, and one of the witnesses is Martin Dodds. Dorothy Burrell dies in 1857 in Windy Nook, and Martin Dodds (also of Windy Nook) is in attendance.
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Images of Bishops Transcripts of Houghton le Spring Parish Registers are free to view on Family Search.
(you need to register and be logged into the free account to search and view records)
This page has a baptism entry for a Jonathan Wilkinson, born 09 Oct 1833, baptised 29 Nov 1833, parents Matthew & Mary Wilkinson of Middle Rainton, father's occupation: Pitman
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HT-673S-DVG?i
Boo
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Thanks Boo.
As well as baptism entry for Jonathan I’ve also found the following in the transcripts:
29 Dec 1831 at Rainton Chapel, Mary, daughter of Matthew & Mary, Midde Rainton, Pitman
4 September 1836 at Eastington, Anne, daughter of Matthew & Mary, Salters (?) lane, Pitman
Plus someone told me about this entry, which has now taken on extra significance as it appears Margaret was baptised the same day Matthew was buried:
22 July 1838 Margaret Wilkinson, of Pittington, child of Matthew Wilkinson (waggonman) & Mary.
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Using naming patterns of the children Joseph Burrell and Dorothy nee Purdy are Mary's parents.
1841 census Gateshead (ages rounded)
Joseph 65 Pitman
Dorothy 60
Joseph 25
Benjamin 15
Margaret 15
Joseph dies 1850 registered Gateshead age 79
Dorothy dies 1862 registered Sunderland age 80* ??
1851 Gateshead Dorothy is a widow 71 pauper born Winlaton Durham
1861 Sunderland Dorothy 78 born Chester le Street Durham
Isabella daughter 42 born Gateshead Durham
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Found so far children of Joseph and Dorothy Burrell who married 18 May 1800 at Tanfield Durham
Transcription only on ancestry
Cuthbert bap 9 October 1800 Born 2 October 1800 at Ryton
Ann bap 21 November 1802 Born 15 October 1802 same
John bap 14 June 1805 Born 23 May 1805 same
Mary bap 28 February 1808 Born 31 January 1808 same
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Ann bap 14 April 1811 Born 19 March 1811 same ?? Don't see this on Bishop's Transcripts on FindMyPast possibly an error
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Dorothy bap. 14 April 1811 Born 19 March 1811 at Ryton - image on FindMyPast abode Thornley says Joseph of Tanfield and his wife Dorothy Purdy daughter of John Purdy - Smith of Winlaton.
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Joseph bap 7 November 1813 at Ryton
Isabella bap 2 June 1816 at Ryton
Elizabeth bap 10 January 1819 same
Benjamin bap 2 June 1822 same
Margaret bap. 6 June 1824 same
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Thanks for all of this amondg!
Just to clarify - I believe this Dorothy Burrell died 1857 in Windy Nook (where I think she was in the 1851 census).
I’ve ordered the digital record and it lists Joseph Burrell as her husband and the witness, in attendance is Martin Dodds, who I mentioned is also named as a witness to at Matthew Wilkinson/Mary Burrell’s wedding.
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So more than one Dorothy Burrell *with a daughter Isabella.
Ref: 1861 census.
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William Robinson married Mary Wilkinson September quarter 1843 registered Stockton Vol 24 page 165
To update on this, apparently this isn’t their marriage. Just had an email back from the GRO, saying although they are on the same page they didn’t marry each other.
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My that's a surprise
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Yes I guess their eldest son being registered in Auckland rather than Stockton may give further clues.
I did have one other ancestor who was widowed twice young, so will look into that too.
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Does the accident report say where he was living at the time.
Mary Wilkinson 1841 with 6 six children is at John Street.
Second question
When Jonathan married he says Matthew is his father who are the witnesses?
If they are family it might help sort out who is who.
ADDED
Saw the other post and Witnesses are William Tilly and Jonathan Wilkinson.
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Could we start again the families are confusing.
Who are you a descendant of that you believe Jonathan Wilkinson and Elizabeth Alderson are the parents.
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Matthew Wilkinson, 1852, Hetton-le-hole, who marries Elizabeth Robinson, 1858 (not yet had chance to look into a potential Robinson link).
I have a copy of a photo of Matthew with his 3 brothers, Jonathan, John Thomas & George Alderson taken in 1921.
To your earlier question, I don’t have the 1838 accident report for Matthew abt 1807, so all I have is what has been noted on the Durham Mining Museum website and don’t know if the reference to Mary and children came from a documented record or a family researcher.
I get very confused on this line too - think because the line back if right, goes Matthew Wilkinson, Jonathan Wilkinson, Mathew Wilkinson then Jonathan Wilkinson and get them muddled up!
Thanks again!
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This is your family?
Matthew Wilkinson married Elizabeth Robinson 1877 reg. Durham
children
Elizabeth Ann 1878 Houghton le Spring
John Robinson 1879 same
Margaret Alice 1881 same
Jonathan 1884 Chester le Street
Frederick 1886 Houghton Le Spring
Matthew 1888 same
William 1891
Margery 1893.
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His Father
Jonathan Wilkinson married Elizabeth Alderson 9 Feb 1852
children
Matthew 1853 Houghton le Spring
Elizabeth Ann 1856 same
Margery 1857 twin same
Mary 1857 twin same
Jonathan 1859 Auckland
John Tom 1862 Gateshead
George Alderson 1864 Chester le Street
Esther 1868 Houghton le Spring
Esther 1870 same
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1861 There is a Sarah who I think is the first Esther 1868 I can't find a registration for a Sarah
The second Esther is on another census as Hettie so possibly should be Hester not Esther.
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Thomas Alderson married Margery Sugget 20 October 1816 Arkengarthdale Yorkshire
children
Esther circa 1817 bap 14 October 1821 age 4 * father labourer.
Sarah circa 1819 same day age 2
Michael circa 1821 same day
Anthony bap 6 June 1824
Christopher bap 25 July 1826 Bowes York
Elizabeth bap 18 January 1829 *at Barnard Castle Durham
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So Esther who married Jonathan Wilkinson circa 1840 (need name of his father)is sister to Elizabeth who marries another Jonathon Wilkinson 1852 (father Matthew W)
Possible death for Thomas Alderson- Buried 11 December 1828 aged 36 Barnard Castle.
1841 Census
Margery Alderson 50
Elizabeth 13. (marries Jonathan Wilkinson 1852 whose father is Matthew W) her father Thomas Alderson - farmer.
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Notes - transcription only on FindMyPast
Jonathan Wilkinson married Esther Anderson (sp) ? 13 August 1840 Houghton le Spring
His father Jonathan Wilkinson
Her father Thomas Anderson
Need the original to see if it's a transcription error.
Transcription only on ancestry says Jonathan is a widower
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Notes - transcription only on FindMyPast
Jonathan Wilkinson married Esther Anderson (sp) ? 13 August 1840 Houghton le Spring
His father Jonathan Wilkinson
Her father Thomas Anderson
Need the original to see if it's a transcription error.
Transcription only on ancestry says Jonathan is a widower
This marriage has been transcribed independently on Durham Records Online. https://www.durhamrecordsonline.com/NewSearch.php
A bit of cross-referencing on a search of the index confirms that Jonathan's father was also called Jonathan, and that Esther's father was called Thomas. Abode at the time of marriage was Collier Row.
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Northumberland and Durham Memorials ref: FindMyPast
In memory of Elizabeth Wilkinson the beloved wife of Jonathan Wilkinson of Moorsley who died September 16th 1896 age 64
Also Elizabeth Ann their daughter who died April 22nd 1873 aged 17 also Margery Milburn their daughter who died March 18th 1889 aged 31.
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Northumberland and Durham Memorials ref: FindMyPast
In memory of Elizabeth Wilkinson the beloved wife of Jonathan Wilkinson of Moorsley who died September 16th 1896 age 64
Also Elizabeth Ann their daughter who died April 22nd 1873 aged 17 also Margery Milburn their daughter who died March 18th 1889 aged 31.
Thank you very much for this - I’ve gone back to my records and reminded myself I never found a death certificate for Elizabeth (I have Jonathan’s from 1906).
I’ve had a quick look but still unable to find an obvious death record even with the date.
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Notes - transcription only on FindMyPast
Jonathan Wilkinson married Esther Anderson (sp) ? 13 August 1840 Houghton le Spring
His father Jonathan Wilkinson
Her father Thomas Anderson
Need the original to see if it's a transcription error.
Transcription only on ancestry says Jonathan is a widower
This marriage has been transcribed independently on Durham Records Online. https://www.durhamrecordsonline.com/NewSearch.php
A bit of cross-referencing on a search of the index confirms that Jonathan's father was also called Jonathan, and that Esther's father was called Thomas. Abode at the time of marriage was Collier Row.
Brilliant, thank you both.
So this goes back to a Jonathan of about the right age being on the 1851 census with Jonathan Wilkinson and Esther (along with another niece Margaret). Why would Margery Alderson have been recorded as a lodger rather than mother in law?
Where do you think this leaves the possibility of my Jonathan being the son of Matthew Wilkinson 1808 & Mary Burrell?
Could he have been recorded twice on the 1851 census? Do you think there possibility he was incorrectly recorded as Mathew on the 1841 census? Or is that too far fetched.
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For the death of Elizabeth Wilkinson the one registered Houghton 1896 age 64 should be the one.
The memorial says she is 64 it's off by 3 years since she was baptised 18 January 1829 at Barnard Castle, daughter of Thomas and Margery.
I have been trying to find anything that is further proof such as marriages with either a brother or a sister as a witness. Nothing so far.
I am going back to the 1851 census with Jonathan 17 and Margaret 15 living with Jonathan and Esther.
Margaret 15 would be Jonathan's sister she was baptised Pittington 22 July 1838.
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Since William Robinson and Mary Wilkinson did not marry each other per the Record Office, it makes the William Robinson 1845 with mother's maiden name Burrell and Thomas 1848 with mother's maiden name Burrell puzzling.
It would be expensive but it would be nice to know who they have Mary Wilkinson married 1843 reg. Stockton.
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When it comes to naming the children of Matthew and Mary Wilkinson nee Burrell - first daughter Dorothy - for her mother, second daughter Mary either for Mary or Matthew's mother, first son Jonathan for his father, then Ann, Margaret and Isabella seem to be Burrell family names, Mary had sisters with those names.
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Thank you for the death record.
It wasn't showing on freebmd but have found it on the gro index and got a digital record - my Matthew, her son was the informant so that is an added bonus in terms of more evidence of that link.
Re the 1851 census.
A Margaret of similar age is also recorded with Mary, now Robinson, so that confuses me more. I was wondering if it could be possible they were at uncles and recorded twice.
I’m wondering if birth details of Isabella Wilkinson abt 1840, with Mary in 1841 (and 1851 with age out) may help, as can’t find any birth records that would match with Matthew being her father as he died mid 1838. Can you see any possibles worth looking at?
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It looks like Mary Wilkinson married John/Joseph Wilson in 1843. Marriage index is John and England Marriages is Joseph but all other names match and source details (page and column numbers) suggest they are the same marriages as the index.
Added Newspaper report is Joseph Wilson
Wilson & Wilkinson
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NNV4-1L7
Caine & Akenhead
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NNV4-1L4
Readman & Braithwaite
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NNV4-B2L
Robinson & Hunter
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NNV4-B2R
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Great thank you, that rules it out that the marriage relates to the Mary Wilkinson nee Burrell that I am interested in
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Nothing found for Isabella Wilkinson.
1851 there is an Edward Wilkinson age 8 who I can't find either there is one in Gateshead 1842 but that seems too far away.
Registration wasn't mandatory so finding a baptism would be helpful.
1851 there is an Edward Robinson age 11, which would indicate William was a widower. It seems the two widowed parties just moved in together and in was a coincidence about the marriage entry.
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Nothing found for Isabella Wilkinson.
1851 there is an Edward Wilkinson age 8 who I can't find either there is one in Gateshead 1842 but that seems too far away.
Registration wasn't mandatory so finding a baptism would be helpful.
1851 there is an Edward Robinson age 11, which would indicate William was a widower. It seems the two widowed parties just moved in together and in was a coincidence about the marriage entry.
I ordered the digital copy of William Robinson’s 1845 birth, to see if it gave any clues but she is just named as Mary Robinson formerly Burrell. Would it have been normal for Wilkinson to be listed there?
The 1851 census just feels a bit odd to me.with the diffferent ages of kids and being unable to find corresponding birth records for Isabella or Edward Wilkinson. Or any further record of Edward Wilkinson.
The 1861 census also confuses me it’s got two Wilkinson grandchildren on it, but can’t match them up anywhere.
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The two grandchildren 1861 Elizabeth 1857 born Usworth and Sarah born 1860 Pelton are both in the Chester Le Street registration district.
Elizabeth Wilkinson 1857 dec. quarter Vol. 10A page 324
Sarah Wilkinson 1860 June quarter Vol. 10A page 373
No mother's maiden name listed so both illegitimate.