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England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => England => Durham => Topic started by: aidansrest on Tuesday 11 November 25 15:01 GMT (UK)
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Hi
John Donkin was born in Sunderland c1890.
He married Mary Ann Fitzharris in Sunderland on the 2nd March 1914 - probably a RC marriage.
Mary Ann had been born in Wallsend, Northumberland on the 29th December 1889, being baptised on the 9th February 1890, the daughter of Patrick Fitzharris and his wife, Mary Ann Cranney.
A daughter, Mary Ann, was born on the 28th November 1914.
However, as a consequence of the outbreak of World War One, John had enlisted with the Durham Light Infantry (2/7th 5th (Reserve) Battalion on the 29th October 1914; he named Mary Ann Donkin as his next of kin.
During his service, he suffered a gunshot wound to the left thigh and also a compound fracture.
John was demobilised on the 9th September 1919, and a son, John, was born on the 13th March 1920; 1921 census finds the family living in 3 Nelson Square, Monkwearmouth, (the address John gave on his military papers), where he gave his occupation as a shipyard labourer (out of work), but usually employed by Pickersgill Shipyards.
Another son, Stephen Stanley, was born on the 7th December 1922, and twins, William Douglas and Frederick, was born on the 12th February 1925.
Sadly, the 1939 register finds John listed as a patient, within Sunderland Mental Hospital, Ryhope; it is unfair to speculate as to why he was there, but his experiences during World War One may have contributed to his poor mental state.
The register finds Mary Ann, with sons, John, Stephen Stanley, and twins, William Douglas and Frederick, living in 9 Egerton Street.
Tragically, John died in Cherry Knowle (Ryhope Mental Hospital) on the 8th March 1941; he was only 50 years of age.
I can tentatively find him in 1911, living in 56 Victor Street, Monkwearmouth, where he was lodging with Nicholas Prior and his wife, Annie (nee Cassidy).
He was employed then as a machine oiler at the ropeworks (if this was indeed the John I'm looking for).
I can't find any birth registration for him between 1889 (birth year estimated on short service paper) and 1891 - nor can I find him in 1901, or 1891.
Can anybody have better luck?
Sue
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The marriage certificate should name his father so that would be a first step if you can't locate a birth for him.
Marriage witnesses can also be helpful if relations.
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Does the 1911 you have confirm Sunderland for birthplace?
There are 2 John Donkin births in 1891 - Morpeth and Hartlepool so they should be on census (if alive) to rule out if you haven't already done that.
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There's a John Donkin age 8 born Sunderland who is a patient in 1901
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Unfortunately I was thinking I may have to buy a copy of his marriage certificate.
Hoping there would be evidence of him with his parents prior to his marriage though.
His birthplace in 1911 is given as Sunderland.
He gives it as Sunderland when he enlists, and in 1921.
It is given as Sunderland in 1939, when he is in Ryhope Hospital, was hoping his date of birth may have been given too, but listed in 1939 as just 1889.
Sue
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Saw that too, but no John Donkin birth listed in Sunderland between 1889 and 1892
Sue
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Not that it helps with your immediate quest, but the military papers give his birthplace as MK Sunderland, which I assume could mean Monkwearmouth?
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Yes you're right! Hadn't realised he had put that!
Sue
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Sunderland Daily Echo Wednesday 2nd March 1927
Ex Soldier in Wearmouth Bridge Incident
There was an alarming incident on Wearmouth Bridge yesterday, when a man was seen to climb over the parapet at the north end of the bridge and fall off the other side. Spectators said they saw the man topple over head first.
Everyone rushed to the bridge and it was seen that the man had fallen onto the grass slope about 30 feet below. Some men who witnessed the incident rushed down and brought him up again. The police examined him and had him brought to the Royal Infirmary, where it was found that although he had not received any serious injury his condition was such as to necessitate his removal to the Highfield Hospital.
He gave his name as John Donkin(37), an unemployed labourer of 3 Nelson Square, Sunderland. He was badly wounded, as well as having been gassed, in the war, and his health for some time has been indifferent.
There can be no doubt that he had a very lucky escape from serious injury, the soft grassy slope no doubt materially helping to break his fall. It is remarkable however, that there is not one bone broken in his body, he only received a few bruises.
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Wow!! Thank you do much!! Poor soul...I had a feeling that his military service may gave affected his health in some way
Sue
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I don't know if this will help in anyway, but looking at 1911
Sunderland Daily Echo and Shipping Gazette
22 November 1913
There is a report of a group of men in court for stealing iron from the shipyard and
'John Donkin alias Cassidy (22)'
is among them. John is the only one who has not been up in court before and is ordered to come up for judgement when called upon.
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He was with the Cassidy family in 1911!
I tried to find a family connection but was unsuccessful
Sue
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In 1901 the soon to be married Annie has a 10 year old brother John. Wonder if he's your John?
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I did wonder, but no proof as yet
Sue
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Realise it will not help finding John's birth, but his death was announced in the Sunderland Echo Tuesday 11th March 1941. Page 4
DONKIN - At Cherry Knowle Hospital, on March 8, aged 50 years, John the dearly beloved husband of Mary Ann Donkin. Interment at Mere Knolls Cemetery on Wednesday, cortege leaving residence (9 Thompson Street) at 2.30. p.m. R.I.P.
There does not appear to be a headstone.
Ryhopelad
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Yes I've seen that but thanks!!
He is proving to be an absolute mystery...thought he may have been related to the Cassidy family in some way...no I have my doubts
Sue
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It appears John was buried in the Catholic section; Section 27, Ward A, Grave 6956
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSJW-L9HV-1?view=fullText&keywords=John%20Donkin&lang=en&groupId=
Also with him was Jane Quinn, 64 years, buried 21 October 1918.
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Thankyou so much...that nay be worth following up!
Much appreciated
Sue
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Sunderland Daily Echo Friday 18th October 1918
Quinn - At 16 South Durham Street, on the 17th inst. (suddenly) aged 64, Jane , the widow of the late James Quinn. Interment at Mere Knowles Cemetery on Monday. Cortege leaves residence at 2 pm. All friends kindly invited.
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Possibly, fingers crossed 🤞
I've put away laptop for the night...but will investigate further tomorrow.
Hopefully we'll get it cracked!!
I'm amazed by the wealth of information you've all found!
Thankyou!!!
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1911 - Union Workhouse Hylton Road.
Jane Quinn, 58, widow, b Gateshead
1901 4 Dunn Passage Sunderland
Patrick J Cooney, 24, b Sunderland, labourer
Mary J Cooney, 22, b Sunderland, wife
Bennett Cooney, 1, b Sunderland, son
Jane Quinn, 47, widow, b Gateshead, mother-in-law
1891 Union Workhouse Hylton
Jane Quinn, 36, spinner at ropery, Gateshead
Mary Jane Quinn, 13, b Sunderland
Thomas Quinn, 6, b Sunderland
John Quinn, 4, b Sunderland
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Just cannot see a connection- it's so frustrating!
You would think John Donkin must be a relative of sorts to be in the same grave- but he doesn't appear to be
Due
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Sue ...not Due !!
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Burial register for Jane Quinn,
no. 2415
http://www.rootschat.com/links/01u36/
There is a Joseph and Jane Quinn at 22 South Durham Street 1911, Jane as c 1858; MMN name would suggest
Q3 Sunderland 1877
Joseph Quinn
Jane Plunkett
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Another lead ...
Thank you
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I don’t think there need necessarily be a connection.
Unless an exclusive right of burial had actually been purchased then anyone could be buried in the same plot. The family involved would simply pay for the cost of the burial rather than purchasing the whole plot.
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I had a feeling that may have been the case...but hoping, as he is such a mystery, that Jane Quinn may have been related
Sue
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He was with the Cassidy family in 1911!
In 1901 the soon to be married Annie has a 10 year old brother John. Wonder if he's your John?
Is this the Cassidy family then in 1891? Parents John and Bridget
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:WNPF-HMM
Possibly something to investigate/eliminate?
If we go back to 1881, there is a daughter Margaret Cassidy, 10, born Ireland
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q271-VM1Q
A possible marriage for her?
March 1888 Sunderland 10a 757
Cassidy, Margaret
Duncan, Samuel
+2 others
1891 census in Monkwearmouth
Samuel Duncan 25
Margt Duncan 19
John Duncan 1
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:WVPS-WN2
Is there a birth reg for John?
What happened to them?
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Added... I think the following this is John Joseph Donkin born 1894 so not the John we are looking for.
There does seem to be another Donkin family living in Victor Street in 1901 though nothing to suggest they may be related to the search so apologies if this confuses everything!
1901 20 Victor Street, Monkswearmouth
John and Hannah Donkin and children, there is a John but he is down as aged 7 so age not right. John was a Cartman.
I think possibly Hannah's maiden name was Faulkner.
Newspaper piece 7th July 1898 for the death of Elizabeth aged 2yrs 7 mths. Only daughter of John and Hannah Donkin of 108 Victor Street.
The same family with extra children (mmn Faulkner) but no John jnr appear to be at 46 Zetland Street, sunderland in 1911. Transcribed Duncan on FindMyPast.
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I think that they were two Donkin families living in Monkwearmouth at the time, so essential I get the 'right' John.
There is no birth registration for a John Donkin of the right age in Sunderland, but I may try the Duncan option!
I know that the birth dates on the 1939 register can be inaccurate but it's such a pity that John's was not recorded by the hospital (I realise he not have known it).
His marriage certificate to Mary Fitzharris may have to be purchased
Sue
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There are a quite a number of Duncan/Donkin threads on here.
I have Duncan ancestry myself, so keep an eye on these things!
It seems a big coincidence to me if Margaret was of the same Cassidy family, and married a Duncan, had a son John of the right age, and then...disappears??
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I know! The fact that John Donkin used the surname Cassidy as an alias, when arrested by the police and whilst probably living with Annie Prior (nee Cassidy)....assuming we have the 'right' John!
Everything I have is accurate from his marriage to his death and burial...its just his early life that is unclear
Sue
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Another Donkin/Cassidy couple also in Sunderland around the time, it seems.
(according to GRO birth record) There is a Robert Donkin born 29 January 1885 at Spelter Works Rd Sunderland, parents George Donkin (holder in iron shipyard) and Ann late Collins formerly Cassidy.
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Thankyou so much....I think!! :D :D
Sue
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More fuel to the fire ;D
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Ok...so I've taken a look at the Donkin/Duncan/Cassidy leads.
Margaret Cassidy married Samuel Duncan in Sunderland on the 3rd March 1888
I too can find them on the 1891 census, although I cannot find a birth registration for John Duncan, aged one year at the time.
I think Margaret may have died on the 29th March 1895, aged 23 years - that death, I think, did not take place in Monkwearmouth.
Other than that - the family disappear from census records.
The Robert Donkin born in 1885 to George and Ann (late Collins nee Cassidy), I believe may have died on the 24th September 1886, age given as one year.
The family were still living in Spelter Works Road in 1891 with children, John, 21 years, Joseph, 14 years, and David, 10 years.
So, I think we can rule them out.
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Just to add into the melting pot too....
Samuel Duncan and his wife, Margaret Cassidy, along with their son, John, where living in 138 Queens Road, Monkwearmouth in 1891.
It was a house of multiple families, but, alongside them, and originating from Ireland, were Patrick McAeaney (McAnany?) and his sister, Elizabeth, aged 54 and 30 years, possibly Elizabeth's daughter, Mary, aged 7 years, and a David Wilson, aged 17 years.
Annie Cassidy, who I believe John Donkin was staying with in 1911, had the parents, John Cassidy and Bridget McAnany, so could Patrick and Elizabeth be Bridget's siblings and Annie and Margaret's uncle and aunt?
Or are things becoming more complicated and confusing?
Sue
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Hi
Good spot. They could be I guess.
Margaret Duncan who died in 1895 was the wife of William Alexander, buried at Bishpwearmouth, so the mystery continues
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSJ7-BGQB
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Drat !
Sue