Hi Fred,
I think we must be all mad to try and unravel the Burnsides, or at least end up that way

I'm not sure what you mean by ignoring your advice about Ambrose cousins, I'm sorry if I've missed something.
Edward Burnsides, baptised at St Cuthbert's Darlington, born 9th Feb 1803, bapt 5th march 1803, 3rd son of Ambrose Burnsides, native of Blackwell, by his wife Elizabeth Hull native of Stays.
There are 2 possibilities for the father Ambrose, one born 1878, son of Edward and Elizabeth (Bousfield) and one born 1879, son of Benjamin and Ann (Burnside).
I am assuming this Edward is the one who moved to Aycliffe but have no great confidence as there are only 2 census details for his place of birth, one at Blackwell and the other at Bishop Auckland. I didn't find a baptism in any of the Auckland registers so it's the only possibility.
Colin