Hi
I am looking for any information for the parents of Joseph Burnside born circa 1826 in Cockerton.
I have pretty much all the information from census records and marriages, he was married twice both certificates show no father. I know that begs the question was he illegitimate, very possible. I have trawled the IGI & the BTs to no avail. The only clue I can find is via the census which is that Joseph is living with his uncle Robert Burnside (b circa 1780 at Brafferton) in 1841,1851 & 1861. If Robert was indeed Josephs Uncle then the lack of a fathers name would suggest that Joseph was born to a sister of Roberts, and heres the bug bear, possible sisters for Robert show as being a wee bit to old to be bearing children ( youngest I can find would have been 49 when Joseph was born, not impossible, but unlikely) So hopefully a fresh pair of eyes can help me with this.
Gary