Bell family County Durham

[jonwarrn]

In 1861 Ann Bell, 64, born Wallsend
Robert and Isabella are just eighteen census pages further on.
https://www.freecen.org.uk/search_records/5903e48ee9379091b120631f/ann-bell-1861-northumberland-earsdon-1797-?locale=en

[jonwarrn]

Having now seen the 1841 census image, a digital one, not from microfilm, the surname is dittoed from Thomas Bell's down to 9 year old "Margret"
Then Robert, 5, has what may be the surname Bellus, and, following, the surname of Elizebeth, 20, is dittoed from Robert's.

Very strange.

Also in the house are John Nevens, 20, Elenor Nevens, 20, Mary Nevens, 3 months
Are they enumerated as in the same household?

Birth
March 1841 Tynemouth 25 418
Nevens, Mary Ann
mother's maiden surname Bell

Marriage was at South Shields, 22 November 1840
John Nevens
+
Eleanor Bell, father Thomas Bell
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NNJB-JTF

A Methodist baptism for Eleanor at Tynemouth, 21 May 1820
Born 7 April 1820
Parents Thos Bell of Flatworth in the parish of Tynemouth and his wife Ann, daughter of George & Mary Errington.

[jonwarrn]

Looking for Margaret Bell in 1851
She seems to be with her married sister Mary Ann (Potts) in Tynemouth
Age 18, born Percy Main
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:SG6Q-9FX

Marriage, 28 July 1845, Tynemouth
Joseph Potts
+
Mary Ann Bell, father Thomas Bell
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QGTH-76NM

[jonwarrn]

So if this Robert is the right one, he was perhaps hard to find because
1. No baptism for him (online at least), though there are baptisms of his older siblings.
2. In 1841 he is recorded for some reason as Bellus, or similar, and transcribed as such on ancestry.
Though, if it is the same person, he is Bell in 1851, and enumerated as son of Ann.

Or, because of all that, I suppose you could look at another way, and wonder if Robert really was the son of Thomas and Ann?
Could he have been a son of the Elizabeth "Bellus" who may have been Bell, that we see in 1841, maybe she was some kind of relative of Thomas, and Robert stayed with them, and then with the widowed Ann. And thus gave Thomas Bell as his father when he got married to Isabella.

Not sure that is at all more likely, but, just in case, throw in a baptism at Tynemouth, 2 Nov 1834 as a possibility.
Robert Spurrier, son of Elizabeth Bell, Singlewoman.
Abode Little Bedford Street
https://www.freereg.org.uk/search_records/5dff9060f493fdae13facd9c

But
Elizabeth would have been very young. if she was 20-24 in 1841.
It may not be the same pair who are in Seaton Delaval in 1841. And anyway Bellus may not be a mistake for Bell (what name is it meant to be though?)
All very puzzling.

[jonwarrn]

I do think (certainly hope!) that the more straightforward option is the more likely (Robert is son of Thomas and Ann, but for some reason not baptised at the Tynemouth Wesleyan Methodist church)

What about Pete? Do you think this might be your Robert?

[River Tyne Lass]

I'm just adding the full marriage entry for Joseph Potts and Mary Ann Bell into the mix ...

Christ Church, Tynemouth
Entry 155
28 July 1845
Joseph Potts & Mary Ann Bell
Both ‘full age’
Husbandman
His abode: ‘Of the Parish of Earsdon’
Her abode: ‘This Parish’
Fathers:
Joseph Potts – Husbandman
Thomas Bell – Banksman
Witnesses:
(?) Nevens & Robert Davison (note Robert appears to have been a serial signer at the Church.

[jonwarrn]

Thanks again, RTL.
You are amazing!
John

[River Tyne Lass]

What a lovely compliment 

This may or may not be helpful but I have found it and will add just in case ..

St Peter, Wallsend
Baptism 24 May 1835
Entry 686
Robert Bell
Son of Thomas & Margaret
Shipwt (Presumably Shipwright - small raised t after the w.
Abode Howdon Panns

Now I'm running overtime so have to dash off quick!

[petey22]

I do think (certainly hope!) that the more straightforward option is the more likely (Robert is son of Thomas and Ann, but for some reason not baptised at the Tynemouth Wesleyan Methodist church)

What about Pete? Do you think this might be your Robert?

hi jonwarn and RTL, sorry I have been AWOL during this post, work has been pretty intense, but wow!, you are both amazing! ,,, A complete generation reborn and brought back to virtual life, many thanks for your efforts. I am in catch up mode (as usual) information and facts being osmotically absorbed as I type  "
Jonwarn, In answer to your question, I do believe that this is the correct Robert and family. The reason being that siblings Elanor 1820, Thomas 1826 and Elizabeth 1829 are all born at Flatworth (Colliery) and then sister Margret 1831 is born at Percy Main (Colliery) where as we know, Robert invariably gives as place of birth in subsequent census's.

I haven't yet seen a scan of the original 1841 census but cannot offer an explanation for the ' Bellus' mystery, and who is the older Elizabeth (Bellus) born 1821? (not in the 1851 census) she cannot be a daughter of Thomas and Ann as they have daughter Elizabeth born 1830. Maybe a sister of Thomas?
As I read your replies you seem to have considered most possibilities. There may be some clues to be found in reconstructing the lives of Roberts siblings? who marries who and lodges with whom and who lives down the road or around the corner. Maybe aunts and uncles appear, aged parents, who knows. Sometimes witnesses on marriage entries yield surprise names,,,, I shall give this a go and see that you have already found some of Roberts, siblings marriages, again, thanks for that too.