burns family of colton area

[emilyandrosiesmum]

I am in a real pickle trying to trace my husband's Burns ancestors.  His aunt is absolutely convinced that they are descended from Rabbie Burns the poet, which i think is highly unlikely!  I have looked at a website which lists all  Robert Burns' family and we definitely aren't there.  Anyway, i would like to prove it one way or another but am having huge problems as there seem to be swarms of Burns in Colton, Lancs and i can't work out who belongs to which branch.

This is what i have that is confirmed by certificates etc:
Jane Burns born 1869, father = Arthur Burns born 1838 married Mary Abbotson, his father = James Burns born 1815 married Margaret Rigg,his father =Arthur Burns married Ann born 1790

The James born in 1815 shows in the 1841 census and in his household are James Dawson and James Barrow.  From Family search i have found a Charlotte Burns born 1795 who had 2 husbands 1= John Dawson and 2=James Barrow. Also have Charlotte Burns(Barrow) and Mary Barrow (Burns) on the 1861 census.

 I have the marriage certificate for James Burns and Margaret Rigg and a James Dawson, Jane Burns and Mary Burns and John Nelson are the witnesses.

I really need to get definite info on the Arthur and his wife Ann born 1790 and then to trace back a generation or 2 so as to prove or not the Rabbie Burns thing.  My head is were called Burns, Dawson or Barrow!

I would really appreciate some clear thought on this

Thanks

[shirl100]

Hi there

From IGI (familysearch) there is alot of detail , here is just a taste!

Arthur Burns married Ann Dawson, Colton 20 Jan 1812

Arthur Burns bap 7 Mar 1790, Colton, father Arthur Burns (loads of siblings on there including Edward Benson Burns - see below)

Arthur Burns married Jane Benson , Colton, 1 Jan 1780, possible baptism for him 7 May 1755 Colton, father Edward Burns

Check out Hugh Wallis IGI site as Colton records are there and you can search by various things such as fathers name only etc 

http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~hughwallis/IGIBatchNumbers/CountyLancashire_(A-K).htm#c

All the best

Shirl

[dotty]

Have you considered looking at the Wills for Burns.There are quite a few on the Lancashire Will Site for the Coulton area.They may just some clues somewhere.

Dotty

[dotty]

Also if you go onto the Lancashire Records site and go onto the record search section LANCAT enter Arthur Burns and three items show up on that.

Dotty

[emilyandrosiesmum]

thanks everyone, i now have lots more leads and feel more focussed on my research.  This is such a wonderful site with everybody so willing to give up their time to help.  Cheers!!