Is anyone researching the family of Margaret Redford and William Gray, baker of Duns. They married in Duns 1802 and the union produced a number of children including Jean (born 1819) , Elizabeth (1814), Dinah, Christian (1812), Burdass (sp?), and Cordelia (born 1822).
Hi, yes I'm researching this couple - as of today in fact, so can't believe that I stumbled across this within hours of identifying Margaret Redford as hubby's 4 x gt grandmother! I've had Burdass in our tree for quite some time, though with numerous variations on the spelling (e.g. Burdis, Bordis); it seems that at least one boy in each following generation has been given this name, & it's so unusual that it's actually helped me to be sure I'm following the right Gray family
Today on Scotland’s People I found the baptism of Burduss (that’s how it appears to be spelt there): he was born 5th Jan 1812 & baptised 6th Feb 1812, in Duns. This led me to the marriage of William Gray & Margaret Redford: 6th April 1802 in Duns.
Now on to what I’ve had in my Ancestry tree for ages – I’ve mainly followed Burdass's son William, as he is hubby’s direct ancestor:
1841 census for Stockton upon Tees:
Burdess (but transcribed as Burdup) Gray, baker, age 26, born Scotland
Jane Gray, age 24
Ann Gray, age 7
William Gray, age 1
In the column for where born, there is an ‘N’ by Jane & Ann.
The next entry on the census sheet is: Betsy Burdis, age 11 - don't know who she is, ut he name is too much of a coincidence for her not to be related!
1851 census for Stockton upon Tees Workhouse (district 2m, p.
:
Burdess Gray, widower age 41, baker, in receipt of Parish Relief
Ann Gray, daughter, age 17, b. Newcastle upon Tyne, also in receipt of parish relief
Margret Gray, daughter, age 6, b. Stockton, scholar
and then, on the 1851 census for Hartlepool (district 10h, p.2) I found:
William Gray, age 11
Burdes Gray, age 8
John Gray, age 2
I found a baptism record on the LDS site, Batch No: C028667 for Margaret Gray (spelt Grey, but the parents tally), & she had a twin, Jane Grey; both baptised 6th June 1845, St Thomas’, Stockton; presumably Jane must have died.
I lost track of Burdess senior after that, but have followed William:
1859 m. Anna Bell Whitfield (I have lots on her too)
1861 census for Winlaton, Co. Durham; 2 children, plus William’s brother Burdes/Bardis living with them.
1871 Linz Green,Tanfield, Co Durham census (surname spelt Grey): 8 children, plus William’s brother John living with them.
1881 Medomsley, Co. Durham census: 11 children
1891 Medomsely census: Anna is a widow, but of the 9 children living with her, the youngest son is 8 years old, & the youngest daughter 3 months old – Anna was 53 by this time, so it would have been stretching it for this to actually be her daughter (perhaps really a granddaughter?), but William had definitely died by 1891.
William & Anna had 13 children altogether; their son Burdis died in the 1903 mining accident at Hamsterley Colliery.
I have a fair amount of information regarding William’s brother Burdes (sp?), plus plenty more details of the Gray family which I’ll happily share with you, but until now had found very little info on the family in earlier times. Interesting as the other posts are, I’m afraid I don’t actually understand them so would appreciate some help.
For instance, what does ‘feur’ mean? And, how do these people fit in with William Gray and Margaret Redford?
Perhaps I need to read through the posts a few more times, but was so excited that I had to get this reply written asap!
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); this would indeed seem to be the John Gasson who was married to Ann - probably Ann Mitchell, as one of the executors was an Edmond Mitchell.