Opionions sought on NRY & Durham family - (long complicated post)

[Ruskie]

Hi Kay,
Many thanks for the information. Perhaps a little disappointing but still valuable to know what was in the wills.
I will just make a few comments:
Yes, please, scans or transcriptions of the wills would be great. However there is no hurry so I'm happy to wait till you return home.
For Hendry Hopper and Elizabeth Whitfield I have written: they had "12 sons and 7 daughters"  - amazing. I must have read that somewhere. I'm not too good at noting my sources, especially as I wasn't sure these were even part of my family. 
Old Matthew doesn't appear to have divided up his estate particularly fairly. Who knows what went on in the family.

How wonderful to have a 106 year old great uncle! And I love the name Utrick!

I think I must have got the information about Hendry Hopper being Mary and Elizabeth's guardian from my fifth cousin twice removed  . Or perhaps I read it in one of those many online books. I will try to find my source. I remember reading about the two girls and how they had been financially well taken care of. 

Enjoy your time away and I will see if I can uncover something interesting for when you get back.

[Afel]

Hi,
I am new to Rootschat and this is my first post. Was really interested to read this string of posts. I am descended through my mother from the elusive Ralph Whitfield (b. 1751), through John (b. 1777, m Mary Elcoate) and Thomas (b. 1814, m. Hannah Heron).  I was even born at Marton and christened in the same Church as these people, so my family didn't stray very far!

I had run into the exact same issue with the missing connection between Ralph and his father Matthew ( or not) - so at least it's not just me. I had also come across the other Ralph (m Elizabeth Dooby) but didn't think that seemed right.

I hope that if anyone has any further information, they can post it.  I remain sceptical about the aristocratic connection but it's great to be able to go back even this far.

We did visit Whitfield Hall last summer (quite near where I now live), when the grounds were open. The original hall was demolished but the current owner told me that some of the stonework you can see is from that original hall, so really interesting.  I have a few photos.

He told me he gets lots of Whitfields from all over the world coming along on those open days.  My mother (now 76) is an only child and always thought she had no family - she is now amazed that there are all these connected Whitfields in the world!

[Ruskie]

Hello Afel,

Welcome to rootschat. It's great to meet yet another cousin!

I'm really rusty on this family so need to read up again, and dig out all my notes to clarify. But just having a really quick look - I don't have a son Thomas b 1814 born to John Whitfield and Mary Elcoate. 

I have a Thomas b 1803 to Thomas Whitfield and Elizabeth Clemmet. I thought this was the Thomas who married Hannah Heron on 14 Nov 1826 in Darlington? If your Thomas was born in 1814 he can't be the one who married Hannah Heron in 1826 as he'd only be 12. 

I remember years ago having some kind of confusion over this. I will see if I can clarify.

I'm glad there are many of us in the same boat when it comes to Ralph 1751 and the possibility of aristocratic connections. I am still very dubious but would love to find out one way or another. I am interested in seeing your photos of Whitfield Hall nevertheless. 

I will be back later. 

[andfellows]

Re Matthew Whitfield 1708 and Ralph Whitfield 1751.
I am a descendent of Thomas Whitfield 1803 and have been trying to get to grips with all the information regarding the family.
Has anyone established a connection between the northumberland branch and marton branch?
I have come to same conclusion as others posting and was wondering whether there was any new news, so to speak..
here's hoping- it's driving me mad....
And

[Ruskie]

Welcome to rootschat And. I'm very pleased to meet another cousin. I can't speak for the other Whitfield researchers, but I'm afraid I haven't made many more progress on this line.

Have you been researching the family for long? Do you have any information to add to what we already have?

[andfellows]

Researching for quite a while- along with Afel, my sister who is further up on this thread. Try to come back to it all every now and again to unpick a little bit more but always end up with the same problem- Ralph Whitfield- no real birth record. Ho hum. Will keep trying! We are both from the area originally, which does help. keep in touch if you unearth anything and I will also keep you posted.
Best wishes.

[Ruskie]

I'm the same - I leave it for a while then return in the hope that I uncover some new clues. But there appears to be nothing to find. There are many of us who are stuck with Ralph birthdate-and-birthplace-unknown. 

I can't even see a way to search 'sideways' - as there appear to be no siblings for Ralph - and I'm sure some of us must have searched in neighbouring counties for the family at some stage?

I will definitely let you (and the whole world!) know if I find anything new.

[Sleepykath]

Hi,
I have come across a marriage of Thomas Whitfield to Hannah Elders in Ayton, Cleveland, 1825.  The parish register is on findmypast.co.uk  I have a downloaded a copy if anyone wants more info.  I'm guessing this is Thomas b 1803  though there could be more Thomas and Hannah couples I guess.  Will have to try and find that out.  What do you others think?

[andfellows]

Good morning Kathryn.
I've struggled with this part of the tree for ages but I have Thomas marrying Hannah and he is the 1803 Thomas. Hannah was born in Bishopton, Durham in 1804 and the couple went to live in Middlesbrough later and both died there.
Thomas grew up in Yarm which is not too far from Ayton.
I was born in the area
Could you let me have any details of the marriage including witnesses it sounds interesting. I could compare with my tree and let you know if I find anything. I'm intrigued as to why Hannah started off in Durham and ended up further south in Middlesbrough.
Happy new year
Andrea