RootsChat.Com

Hello Vera

It is quite possible that Mary Jane's mother remarried during the period 1834 - 1842. She was only aged 16 when she married Joseph Stafford snr in 1849 and feasible she knew her father was John McGennis. Your theory that the siblings adopted their mother's second marriage name of Armstrong is a strong possibility and factual.

As for the 1861 Mary Jane and Joseph Stafford lived at 93 Consett and in 1860 lived at 93 High Consett according to son William James birth certificate.

I can forward a copy of the relative 1861 census returns for the Stafford and Armstrong families via email if you want see the details.

93 Consett and 93 High Consett were the same place. Unfortunately they are not shown on a 1896 Ordnance Map (the Alan Godfrey edition). I have a list of the Stafford burials in Consett Cemetery. Mary Jane Stafford (Armstrong) was buried on 5 January 1909 in Consett cemetery at Blackhill, age 74. Her  death certificate will not provide any clues for change of surname mystery.

Best regards

Keith

Hello Vera

Thanks for your reply. The records I have are:

Marriage record for Joseph Stafford snr reads: 16 Jan 1849: Joseph Stafford & Mary Jane McGennis, Taughboyne, Co Donegal. She was aged 16 and her father was John McGennis. This places her year of birth as 1833 and subsequent census and death record ages agree.

Joseph Stafford jnr, my great grandfather, was born 8 Oct 1851 at Raymoghy, Donegal. His sisters Mary Jane born 24 Mar 1856 at Taughboyne, Donegal and Isabella Jane born 26 Sep 1853 Taughboyne and she may be the Sarah Jane you mentioned. The first record of the family in Consett is the 1861 census and Mary Jane is not recorded. Isabella Jane is recorded as aged 7 but does not appear on subsequent census returns and there are no death or burials records for her.
Robert John Stafford born c. 1859 and there are no birth or baptism records for him although the census returns record him born in Consett. He married Annie Gray of Southwick, Co Durham in 1888. Her father was from Newcastle and her mother from Wales, so no Irish connection there!

Robert John Armstrong was born c. 1834 in Ireland and the first record of him in Consett is on the 1861 census. He married Elizabeth who was born in Ireland c. 1840. They had two children born in Consett: Elizabeth c. 1877 and William c. 1878 - no birth records have been found for either. They are recorded on the 1881 census living with his widowed father who boarded with Joseph Stafford snr, his brother in law and Mary Stafford his sister. Robert John's wife Elizabeth was buried on 26 May 1874 and entry reads: Elizabeth wife of Robert John Armstrong age 36.
Robert John remarried in 1874 to Mary Rutherford. There is a burial record for her in 1878 age 23. No subsequent census or other records have been found for him or his children. The Consett census returns are:
1861: 94 Consett. Labourer at Iron Works. Married age 24 born Ireland. RG9 3732 f5 pg5
1871: Victoria Street, Consett. Ironworker. Married age 36, born Ireland. RG10 4958 f21 pg38
1881:10 Raglan Street, Consett.  Ironworks labourer, age 47 widower born Ireland. RG11 4945 f37 pg67
Boarded with Joseph Stafford snr his brother in law and Mary Stafford (nee Armstrong) his sister.

His brother William born C. 1842 Ireland is first recorded on the 1861 census living with brother Robert John in Consett. He was buried on 20 Jan 1900: William Armstrong, Ironworker of 17 Waltons Row, Blackhill age 57.
The census returns are:
CENSUS:
1861: 94 Consett. Unmarried. Labourer at Iron Works age 20 born Ireland. RG9 3732 f5 pg5
Living with brother Robert John Armstrong
1871: Cornforth Village, Co Durham. Labourer Iron Works age 28 born Ireland. RG10 4909 pg40
1881: 17 Waltons Row, Blackhill. Iron Worker age 38, born Ireland. RG11 4944 f56 pg28
1891: 17 Waltons Row, Benfieldside. Retired Iron Worker, age 49, born Ireland. RG12 4089 f76 pg5
He possibly married Isabella Kennedy or Kelly but I have not found any positive records.

I hope it makes interesting reading for you. Perhaps we will never know the answer for the Armstrong/McGennis mystery.

Best regards

Keith

My 2 x great grandfather, Joseph Stafford was born c.1830 Donegal, Ireland. He married Mary Jane McGennis on 16 Jan 1849.

The family moved to Consett, Co Durham during the mid 1850s. Mary Jane's two proven brothers also moved to Consett. However their surnames were Armstrong. Mary Jane was born c.1833 and her next younger brother, Robert John was born c.1834. The years being calculated from the ages given on the census returns.

My query is the different surnames. Mary Jane's father was John McGennis. Did he die and his widow marry a Mr. Armstrong between the births of Mary Jane and Robert John? Mary Jane's surname is Armstrong on her children's birth certificate who born in Consett.

Any guidance will be appreciated.

Hello Wayne

Some of my ancestors were Rippons of Iveston. They were farmers and their records are in Lanchester church parish registers. The period I have is 1717 to 1800.

Can you give me the details of the birth/marriage/death of William and son Thomas to see if I can link them into mine.

Keith